Bards secure a vital point on the road
Mickleover 1, Stratford Town 1
STRATFORD Town headed north to Mickleover looking for a positive result to bolster their Southern League Premier Central play-off hopes against a side who had already booked their place in the end of season showdown, reports Steve Wood.
There was good news for the travelling Bardy Army with the fit-again Tom Solanke and Jack Storer restored to the starting line-up and after the disappointment of last week’s result, Gavin Hurren’s men were looking for a reaction.
The sprinklers were applied before kick-off on the 3G surface and in blustery and cool conditions, the home side kicked with the wind in front of just under 300 spectators.
The Bards dominated the first half without troubling the Mickleover keeper. Storer provided the main threat and he offered some sparkle that appeared to be missing in the previous game. He also contributed in defence, clearing the ball when the Derbyshire side created their best chance of the first half on 20 minutes.
Stratford’s front three of Dan Lafferty, Andre Landell and Storer linked up well with Lafferty, in particular, making some intelligent runs down the channels. Landell worked hard chasing down defenders and running channels and Solanke looked back to his old self in the middle of the park.
At the back, the experienced Chris Hussey was impressive in the heart of the Bards’ defence, marshalling the back four.
After the break, it was Stratford who dominated the shot count but without bringing keeper Yusuf Mersin into action.
Storer was replaced by Tyrell Hamilton just before the hour and this unbalanced the side for a short period during which time the home side took advantage. Substitute Hamilton was caught in possession down the right and an early cross found leading scorer Oli Greaves who fired home to wake up the home support. This was just the second shot on target for the home side against a resilient defence.
Hamilton made amends for that slip though. His quick feet caused problems for the Sports defence and, on 71 minutes, his quick thinking saw him allowed him latch on to Lewis Ison’s header and glance his own header past the stranded keeper.
Town’s Callum Smith was called up to make two smart saves in the closing stages but this was a point well-earned and attention now turns to the Arden Garages Stadium on Saturday when Bromsgrove Sporting are the visitors.
Mickleover: Mersin, Bennett, Wilson, Bradley, Tamen, Mann, Fitzhugh, Trueman (Tomlinson 86), Waite, Beavon (Ryder 81), Greaves. Subs (both used): Dolan, Rowley, Mills
Stratford: Smith, Wilson, Worley, Hussey, McCone, Solanke (Coyle 66), Storer (Hamilton 57), Hawker (Vann 86), Landell, Ison, Lafferty. Subs (not used): Daly, Clutterbuck
Referee: Joe Moss
Bards Star Man: Tom Solanke
Opposition Star Man: Oli Greaves
