Great playing surface and changing rooms - see photos!
Due to late dropouts by 2 teams on Thurs and then Sat night the format of the comp was a straight League of 6 teams, each playing 5 games of 20mins (no half time) = 100mins of football on a long pitch!
Please read the FULL report as we have some great news for one of our players.
Match Day Squad: Bill Heath (GK), Graham Curry, Chris Keirl, Paul Beard (c), Jez Norris, John Hutchins, Steve Adcock. Bill Heath very kindly offered to be our GK for the day (Bill Whittle is still recovering from his illness).
Game 1: Strollers v Forest Vets A very cagey game with both attacks being nullified by a well drilled defence. (Chris, Graham, John & Paul). A very competitive game ensued and only a few half chances were created as solid GK at both ends ensured that 0-0 draw always looked like the final result. Strollers Draw 0-0.
Game 2: Strollers v Blackburn Another close game with both sides pushing to get the breakthrough. Strollers continued to protect the ball looking for the opportunity to split the defence. Eventually a long ball from Graham to Steve who managed to turn his marker and find the corner with a shot on the turn. Bill H in goals made a couple of smart saves and Strollers picked up their first win. Strollers Win 1-0.
Game 3: Strollers v Toton Old Boys Toton played 3 Matlock players (from Notts League) so we knew them well. An even better start from Strollers with a really good team move, a through ball from Jez to Steve who found the net to help Strollers settle. As the game continued Toton tried to press to find the equalizer, this left the gap we needed for some smart interplay and Steve grabbed his 2nd of the game. Strollers managed the game through to the whistle. Strollers Win 2-0.
So far, Strollers have played 60 mins of football and are joint top of the League, 0 goals conceded with 2 games to go.
Next up Strollers up against our good friend Steve Morgon (Sleaford Manager) who entered a Representative team from a number of clubs across Lincolnshire.
Game 4: Strollers v Lincolnshire Most of the players knew each other well - so this was always going to be a game of few chances from 2 well drilled teams. The long ball from Stamford (when the opportunity arose) put pressure on the Lincolnshire defence but no goals at this stage. Strollers weren't having it all their own way as Lincs were also playing some neat controlled football. A pass from Chris (I think!) to Steve who turned the Lincs defence and from an acute angle fired home. Lincs turned up the heat and eventually found a way through Strollers defence to equalize a few mins before the end. This was the first goal Strollers conceded and whilst we wanted the win a draw was a fair result. Strollers Draw 1-1.
Game 5: Strollers v AbbeyMead Rovers (AMR) Strollers now had a long 45min break (in the cold) before their final game against AMR. Eventually we kicked off and this game proved a step too far for Strollers. AMR played well creating chances, whilst Strollers were unable to keep the ball, pick up players and control the game. Before we knew it, AMR were 2-0 in no time. Strollers didn't panic and found a way to get a goal back (Steve) to bring the score to 2-1 and went looking for the equalizer. The AMR GK was on form including a superb Jim Montgomery FA Cup final double save from Steve and Jez that stopped us getting back into it. Caught on the break AMR found the net twice more before Steve pulled one back. Unfortunately, John had to go off with a pulled calf muscle and then Graham banged his knee so, Strollers down to 5. Strollers lose 2-4.
Strollers finished Runners-Up in the League which was a great result overall.
Steve Adcock won the Golden Boot (6 Goals) which was presented to him by the England 60's WF Manager.
Saving the best to last, Steve has also been called up to the England WF 60's squad for their next Training day is so well deserved - congrats buddy and keep knocking those goals in!
コメント