After the disappointment of last months defeats that sent Strollers from the top two in PDFL Walking Football Division 1 down to mid table, the squad arrived at today’s Match day in the hope of better fortune.
Facing Strollers were two tough games, the first against second in the table Norwich City B and the second against our old friends and rivals, Boston United Yellows.
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Norwich City B 1, Stamford AFC Strollers 5 (Barrett-Treen 2, Ross, Kirby, Walker)
Strollers were irrepressible throughout this match against a strengthened Norwich squad from that which faced Strollers on Match Day 1, with a couple of additions including England international striker Rob Sapey being added to their squad.
Despite this added potency Strollers got the better of a fairly tight first period and were certainly worthy of their 2-1 lead at the break, with a brace of goals from Barrett-Treen.
It was in the second half that Strollers really cut loose, playing much the better football of the two sides and hitting the back of the net on three more occasions. Goals from Ross, Kirby and top corner “screamer” from Strollers debutant Chas Walker led to a well deserved final score of 5-1 to Strollers.
Boston United Yellow 0, Stamford AFC Strollers 1 (Ross)
On paper, this game against a Boston team that was unusually sitting near the bottom of the table, might perhaps have been considered an “easier” tie than the one against Norwich City B.
But games are not won on paper, and anyone who has played against Boston over the past few years will know that they have a formidable squad, full of talent, and on most occasions the matches between us have been tight and highly competitive affairs.
This game proved to be no different, with both sides playing some attractive football in an even first half which ended tied at 0-0.
The second half followed a similar pattern, but Strollers perhaps had just the better of the play and were ultimately deserving of their 1-0 win, with a goal from Ross securing all three points.
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Overall, an excellent day with some superb football being played by all involved, ending with a two thoroughly deserved wins which puts Strollers right back in the mix in the top half of the table.
Match Day Squad
Paul Archer
Colin Barrett-Treen
Paul Kirby
Paul Newiss (GK)
Iain Ross
Lee Tillen
Charles Walker