Today's Match day squad was:
Paul Newiss GK,
Chris Keirl,
Graham Curry,
Paul Beard (c),
Will Barrett,
Steve Adcock
Tim Marsden
Unfortunately, Bill Whittle had to pull out due to sickness & Bill Heath was on holiday. Paul N thankfully stepped up making his debut for the 60's in the Midlands Cup.
Finals Day has arrived with a semi-final clash for Stamford Strollers against our good friends from Boston WF.
Semi Final: Strollers v Boston 1-1 (0-2 penalties).
Both teams started well looking for opportunities to make a breakthrough. A quick free kick by Boston and a good finish 1-0 to Boston. Half chances were made by both teams during the remainder of the first half. Boston 1 - 0 at half time.
Stamford continued to apply pressure and eventually a quick interception by Paul and a pass to Steve whose finish levelled the score. 1-1 full time. Extra time with chances few and far between and so on to penalties. The Strollers curse struck again as we could not find a way past John Sykes, Boston GK.
3rd/4th Place Play-Off: Strollers v Oakham 6-2
A bright start from Oakham and it wasn't long before Stamford were 1-0 down. Stamford struggled to put their passes together and Oakham scored a 2nd and it could easily have been 3-0! Steve managed to nick one back to make it 2-1 to Oakham at half time.
In the 2nd half Strollers upped their game and Paul fired a low shot to make it 2-2. Strollers continued to press and a further 3 goals from Steve followed by a goal from Will made it 6-2 at the final whistle. Strollers finished 3rd in the Midlands Cup. Another friendly competitive game, played with a smile and a few laughs. Great to see Glyn, Mark and all our friends from Oakham.
The final was won by Matlock.
Not the end of season Stamford Strollers wanted as we went looking to complete the Double, but it was not to be on this occasion.
Stamford Strollers would like to say a massive THANK YOU to Chris Keirl for making this League and Cup happen for us all. Well done to all the refs as well.
A great season and we all look forward to September when the League starts again.