Stratford Town face FA Trophy test at Anstey Nomads
Stratford Town boss Paul Davis has his sights on a prolonged run in the FA Trophy.
The Bards stretched their unbeaten run to four matches with a dogged 0-0 draw away to league leaders Harborough Town on Tuesday night.
Davis hopes his team can carry their momentum into Saturday’s FA Trophy first-round tie away to Anstey Nomads.
“We’ve done really well in this batch of games,” he said.
“Now we want to put in a performance that the club and supporters deserve.
"Hopefully we can have a good run, as Stratford haven’t been that far in the Trophy before, so that’s something to aim for.”
Tuesday night's game at Harborough felt more like a tactical chess match than a classic slugfest, as the Bards frustrated the table-toppers with a performance full of graft and resilience.
It was an evening where defensive organisation and teamwork came to the fore, and Stratford manager Davis hailed it as one of the best displays of the season.
“For me, that was outstanding without the ball,” said Davis after the game.
“We knew Harborough would throw the kitchen sink at us, especially in the second half, but the lads stood up to everything.
"To keep a clean sheet here, not many teams will do that this season.”
Davis named an unchanged starting XI for the third successive game.
The Bards began brightly, showing intent and composure in possession.
Within two minutes, defender Dan Vann almost gave Stratford the perfect start, rising highest from a corner but heading just over. Moments later, skipper Lewis Ison unleashed a thunderous 30-yard drive that forced the Harborough goalkeeper into a smart save.
Stratford continued to probe, and Fin Brennan had a golden opportunity midway through the first half when he found space inside the box, only to fire over the bar.
It was a miss Davis later reflected on. “If we’d gone ahead, I think it would’ve been tough for them. We’re good at hanging on to things.”
Despite the missed chances, the Bards’ first-half display impressed both sets of supporters.
“That’s the quietest I’ve ever heard Harborough’s crowd at half-time,” Davis noted.
“We dominated the ball in that first half. Second half, we didn’t do that as much, but our defensive shape was excellent.”
After the interval, Harborough began to impose themselves, sending a series of high balls and crosses into the Stratford penalty area.
Goalkeeper Jake Weaver and his back line were repeatedly tested, but they remained unflustered under pressure.
Weaver produced two vital saves - one low to his right and another from close range - to preserve the clean sheet.
Brennan found himself in the referee’s book after bringing down a Harborough attacker, prompting loud home appeals for a red card that were waved away.
“They threw everything at us,” Davis said.
“But from front to back, we defended brilliantly, not just the back four or the keeper. Everyone worked their socks off.”
As the final whistle blew, the Stratford players celebrated a point that felt more like a small victory.
The draw takes their tally to ten points from the last four games.
“I said to the boys, we’ve had a tough run of fixtures and a lot of games in a short space of time,” Davis added.
“Some of them are walking wounded. Vanzi (Dan Vann) played through it again tonight and was outstanding.
"We’re tired but proud. The players deserve credit for their commitment.”
Star man for the Bards was centre-half Dan Vann, who delivered a commanding display at the heart of defence.
Stratford Town: Weaver, Vann, Brennan (Morris), Roberts, Landers (Lafferty), Ison, Storer (George), Masidi, Reilly, James (Deacon), Roney. Sub not used: Bruce.
Cards: Brennan (Y), Weaver (Y).
Officials: Stuart Lathan, Paul Mihalache, David Froom.
Attendance: 392