Match day 2 saw Stuart Gardner make his competitive Strollers debut in goal. The full squad was:
Stuart Gardner GK
Mike Edwards
Les Woods
Phil Hall
Colin Barrett Treen
Tim Marsden Cap
Our first match was against Huntingdon B. Stuart Gardner was called into action in virtually the first minute, doing well to keep out a low drive, unfortunately in attempting to clear the danger and pass the ball back to his GK Tim Marsden managed only to find the corner of his own goal. Gardner could only watch as the ball trickled over the line. Undeterred by the early setback Stamford took the game to Huntingdon and Mike Edwards finished off a good move by firing into the far corner of the net to bring the scores level 1 – 1 at half time.
Huntingdon took the initiative at the start of the second half and grabbed a second goal following a poor clearance to regain the lead 2 – 1. Once again Strollers fought back this time Edwards setting up Colin Barrett-Treen to make it 2 – 2. The game was now very much end to end and Huntingdon made it 3 – 2 and then 4 – 2 in quick succession. Despite the setbacks Stamford fought back and Hall and Edwards combined to find Barrett – Treen in space who once again finished into the corner of the net to make the final score 4- 3 to Huntingdon.
Our second game was against a Hampton team backed by a rather vocal support. Strollers quickly took control and the lead when Les Woods confidently scored his first goal of the campaign. Stamford continued to dominate the game but were unable to translate their superior possession into goals. Half time Strollers 1 – 0 Hampton.
The second half continued in much the same vein until the referee, pressurised by a constant barracking from the Hampton support, gave a series of free kicks and warnings against Stamford for running. From one of the free kicks Hampton managed to force an equaliser. Despite dominating the remainder of the game Strollers couldn’t find the winner. Final score 1 – 1.
Tim Marsden
Over 50s B team manager
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