A spirited performance in Grimsby from our 60+ team as they brought home more silverware for the trophy window sill!
Drawn in a tough qualifying group that included both Grimsby Corinthian teams and Sheffield, the Strollers started strongly against Sheffield with a well struck goal from Colin Kirby. Sheffield came back at us hard and were unlucky on two occasions, striking the woodwork.
The Strollers went further ahead though with a thumping shot from distance by Will Barrett to take us 2-0 up. As the game wore on and minutes went by it looked like the lads had done enough but as tiredness set in on a very hot day, two mistakes at the back in the last 3 minutes were punished and brought the Yorkshire outfit level as the game finished 2-2.
Next up were Grimsby Corinthians Blue, another tough task. This was a tight game with both keepers performing well, and our own Trevor Oliver making a couple of fine saves for the Strollers, but gradually we took control and started to dominate. Just when it looked like there would be no score, another late strike, this time from a rocket by Stroller John Phythian saw us take the game 1-0 with the winner about 15 seconds from the final whistle.
The last qualifying game was against a very strong Grimsby Corinthians White, the eventual winners of the 60+ cup. Probably the least said about this performance the better as we went behind early and never recovered. Grimsby romping home with a deserved 5-0 victory.
This result eliminated the Strollers from the Cup competition on goal difference but put us into the plate competition against Scarborough, Gainsborough and Grimsby Corinthians Blue.
A tactical switch by the team for the plate brought dividends, Colin Kirby dropping to sweeper and Glyn Williams taking the striker role.
The lads swept aside Gainsborough with some sweet passing football and were not flattered by the 3-0 scoreline, the goals coming from Glyn Williams, Colin Kirby and Will Barrett.
Confidence high we kept a similar formation for the second plate game against Scarborough. Again the lads dominated and after a short lived scare when Scarborough equalised at 1-1, continued to push and dominate possession and eventually ran out 3-1 winners. Two goals from super-striker Glynn Williams and one from Will Barrett.
This win came at a cost though as Colin Kirby limped off with a calf injury in the last few seconds of the game.
Going into the last game the lads knew that they had already won the plate with two wins under their belt when all other games in the group had been drawn. Even so they wanted to go out on a high against Grimsby Corinthians Blue.
In a much tighter game that the first meeting between the two, we just about edged possession and chances but with players tiring in the humidity and with both subs injured and unable to play, the six on the field battled on but some slack marking let Grimsby in, again for a very late goal. So despite losing this last game the Strollers still brought the Plate back to Borderville with six points compared to Grimsby's five.
Squad:
Will Barrett (capt)
Trevor Oliver (gk)
Colin Kirby
John Phythian
Frank Smith
Brian Dunkerley
Glyn Williams
.......plus only if we are absolutely desperate sub Taff Lovesey :-)
Results:
Round 1:
D 2-2 v Sheffield (Colin Kirby, Will Barrett)
W 1-0 v Grimsby Corinthians Blue (John Phythian)
L 0-5 to Grimsby Corinthians White
PLate Finals:
W 3-0 v Gainsborough (Glyn Williams, Colin Kirby, Will Barrett)
W 3-1 v Scarborough (Glyn Williams x 2, Will Barrett)
L 0-1 v Grimsby Corinthians Blue
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