With Paul Beard injured and Steve Adcock unavailable Colin Barrett-Treen joined the squad to make his first appearance of the season. The squad for Tuesday March 7 in Nottingham was:
Bill Whittle
Chris Keirl
Tim Marsden
Bill Heath
Lee Tillen
Colin Barrett-Treen
At the group stage of the Cup Strollers had 2 games. First up were Boston Utd. In a tight first half Boston took the lead. Stamford responded well and a fine move involving John Hutchins and Lee Tillen found Bill Heath who ghosted onto Tillen’s pass and finished emphatically. Half time 1 – 1.
The second half was equally tight and neither side could find a winner. Final score 1 – 1. With the top 2 of 3 from the group going through it was essential Stamford got a win in the second game against Hucknall.
Hucknall started the second game confidently and took an early lead following a free kick. Again Strollers responded well, first Chris Keirl tested the Hucknall keeper from distance, and then next to try his luck was Hutchins who toe poked just wide. As Strollers increased the pressure Heath turned his man and found the far corner of the Hucknall net to make the score 1 – 1. With half time approaching Heath again found himself in space and finished confidently to make it 2 – 1 and put Stamford in the driving seat. However, Bill Whittle still had to make a save at full stretch to maintain Strollers lead at the half way mark.
Second half Stamford dominated the ball and stretched the Hucknall defence. Following a nice interchange of passes in the middle of the park Tillen finished first time bending the ball past the Hucknall keeper with the outside of his right foot. Final score 3 – 1 to Strollers.
As a result Stamford qualified for the semis in second place from the group, following Boston’s 7- 1 victory against Hucknall.
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