The Strollers squad for the day was:
Stuart Gardner GK
Les Woods
Mike Edwards
Paul Archer
Colin Barrett-Treen
Iain Ross
Tim Marsden Cap
Stamford Strollers B faced table toppers Netherton B in their first of 3 matches. Although Strollers more than matched their opponents in terms of possession and chances created they were repeatedly denied by the outstanding Netherton goalkeeper and caught twice on the break to trail 2-0 at the break. Second half Stamford dominated and deservedly pulled a goal back through Colin Barrett- Treen who cleverly lifted the ball over the Netherton goalie following a slide rule pass from Iain Ross. Although Strollers continued to create chances they were once again caught on the break and Netherton B ran out 3-1 winners.
Next up for Stamford were mid table Whittlesey Athletic. Strollers were quickly into their stride and following a spell of good possession a Mike Edward’s pass found Les Woods in space who in turn found the corner of the Whittlesey goal with a well struck right footed effort. Stamford although in control conceded from the penalty spot when the eagle eyed ref spotted a Stamford encroachment into the area, half time 1-1. Second half Strollers regained the initiative and once again Edwards set up Woods to make it 2-1, this time with his left foot. With time running out Whittlesey pressed forward for an equaliser only for Stuart Gardner to pull off a series of good saves to keep Stamford’s lead intact. In the last minute Ross made a last ditch tackle on the edge of his own box and then played a pin point pass up to Barrett-Treen who finished clinically to make the final score 3-1 to Strollers.
Stamford’s last game of the day was against a South Lincs Steelers side struggling at the bottom end of the league. Strollers kicked off in confident mood and Edwards soon set up Barrett-Treen to make it 1-0. A second quickly followed from Woods set up by Tim Marsden. Next up was Edwards who made it 3-0 at half time following a neat one two between Marsden and Barrett-Treen. The second half saw Gardner in the Strollers’ goal make a couple of good saves to earn his second clean sheet of the season. In the final moments of the game Ross scored a fine individual goal firing into the roof of the Steelers’ net to make it 4-0 to Stamford.
At the half way point in the season Strollers B find themselves 2 points behind Netherton B and Hampton who currently sit top of the league.
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