A SUPERB day for the Strollers!
We entered two teams for the FA Peoples Cup, Stamford Strollers (Blacks) and Stamford Reds (who played in blue to confuse everyone). Both teams played some excellent football a qualified from their groups to reach the semi-finals.Unfortunately, as the Blacks won their group and the Reds finished second in theirs, the two teams had to play each other in the semi-final.
As you’d expect this was a tight affair. The Reds took an early lead following an uncharacteristic error from Trevor Oliver in goal. The Blacks pushed on but some superb keeping from Angel Goumal kept them out from all angles. Slightly against the run of play the Reds, through Colin Kirby, took a 2-0 lead with one of the goals of the tournament. A thumping long short that hammered into the net off the underside of the bar. The Blacks, who probably started as favourites for this one, were now up against it but came back strong. Goals from Jez Norris and Will Barrett pulled the game back even and the game went to a three penalty shoot out which Blacks won 2-0.
In the final the Blacks played Boston A who we had drawn with 2-2 in the group match. Jez Norris put us 1-0 up and it could easily have been 3 or 4 more but for some superb, top notch goalkeeping from the Boston keeper. As the game moved on the Blacks tightened things up defensively and took less chances and held on for a well deserved win.
This now qualifies Stamford Strollers for the semi-finals of the FA Peoples Cup which will be played in March 2017.
Group Games
Blacks:
W 13-0 v March (Jez N 7, Paul B 2, Kurt G, Andy N 3)
W 8-0 v Kings Lynn B (Taff L, Kurt G, Andy N 3, Paul B 2, Jez N)
D 2-2 v Boston A (Paul B, Will B)
Reds:
D 2-2 v Kings Lynn A (Paul W, Colin K)
L 1-2 v Cambridge (Colin K)
W 3-1 v Boston B (Colin K, Bob F)
Semi-Final
Stamford Blacks 2 (Jez N, Will B)
Stamford Reds 2 (Colin K, o.g.)
Final
Stamford Blacks 1-0 Boston A (Jez N)
Squads:
Blacks: Trevor Oliver (gk), Taff Lovesey (capt), Jez Norris, Paul Blakemore, Andy Noble, Kurt Garbutt, Will Barrett
Reds: Angel Goumal (gk), Ian Cooke (capt), Ray Banks, Paul Watkins, Brian Dunkerley, Bob Farrell, Colin Kirby
