‘Emotions were crazy’ in Leamington game, says Stratford Town manager Gavin Hurren
STRATFORD Town manager Gavin Hurren admitted the dramatic finale of his side’s 2-2 draw with neighbours Leamington in their Boxing Day derby was a first for him.
A Callum Ebanks goal looked to have won the game for the Bards only for the visitors to level in the 90th minute. The drama continued though with substitute Devonn O’Sullivan then restoring Stratford’s lead in the seventh minute of added time before Leamington levelled again in the 100th minute.
“As a player and a manager, I’ve never been involved in anything quite like that towards the end,” Hurren admitted. “The emotions were crazy.
“Young Devonn has scored with a great strike, a fantastic goal, but credit to them, they have stuck with it and went up the other end and scored.
“We have gone toe-to-toe with Leamington who have been in and around the Conference North for many seasons. A lot of those players have played higher, and it just shows how far we have come as a team. I thought we were outstanding first half. It was a really good game of football – a derby.”
The Bards can now regroup with their next game away at Kettering Town – the side relegated from National League North alongside Leamington last season – on New year’s Day.
Hurren added: “We have a few days now where the boys can have some rest because they have put their bodies on the line. The attitude and application they have shown has been outstanding.
“These days off could help particularly after the quick turnaround of going to Leiston on Saturday and then playing Leamington three days later.”
Stratford will have playmaker Jack Storer available for the Kettering game after serving a two-match ban for clocking up ten bookings.