This months PDFL promised to be a challenge with fixtures against the league leaders Netherton B and the team that beat them comfortably last time out, Boston Blues. Squad issues were many and varied this month with Covid, injuries and Mothers Day commitments all contributing to the shape of the eventual squad that took to the field.
First up were league leaders, Netherton B.
Strollers 2, Netherton B 3
This was a matchup that was as tight as it appears from the score line. However, it didn’t start off that way with a slow starting Strollers team falling to a 0-3 margin in the first phase of the game, before Iain Ross pulled one back ahead of the break. In the second half Strollers found some rhythm and deservedly cut the deficit to one goal courtesy of a strike by Jez Norris. For the remainder of the game Strollers dominated possession but we’re unable to add to their score against a well organised and very able Netherton side. In the end this was perhaps an opportunity missed for Strollers; we probably deserved at least a draw from the game, even a win which would have put pressure on Netherton at the top of the table.
Second game of the day was against our old rivals Boston, this time the Blue version of their club.
Strollers 0 Boston Blues 3
In this game Strollers were unable to recapture their form from the second half of their previous fixture against Netherton B, or indeed the previous game against Boston Blues earlier in the season that had ended in a Strollers win. On this occasion another slow start saw Strollers fall to a 3-0, ultimately losing, margin by the early stages of the second half courtesy of the combination of the relatively unusual spectacle of a goal from a free kick pull back, a wickedly deflected shot and an absolute screamer from wide out by Boston defender Tosh Bates. Although Strollers improved and enjoyed more of the game as the match progressed they simply couldn’t break down the Blues, who thoroughly deserved their win with a very controlled display.
All credit to all who represented Strollers this month, all of whom played with passion and commitment, and despite the two defeats played some excellent football.
We go again in a month….the challenge isn’t over yet in this league where everyone is taking points off everyone else!
Squad for todays matches:
Paul Newiss (GK)
Iain Ross
Lee Tillen
Tim Marsden
Jez Norris
Colin B-T
A look at the league table:
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