Ebanks ban creates an opportunity for others
SUSPENDED striker Callum Ebanks misses out as Stratford Town head to league rivals Barwell in the FA Trophy on Saturday but that will be good news for the club’s other frustrated frontmen who have been unable to get a look-in this season.
That is the message from coach Paul Davis who said there are plenty of alternative options up front after the Bards recruited well in the summer.
“We had a couple of big cup days when I was previously at the club and Saturday is important,” he admitted. “We are never going to win the FA Cup but you have the chance to go a long way in the Trophy – Halesowen got to the semi-finals the other year.
“Drawing a team from our division is not ideal but we are away from home and that seems to suit us at the moment.
“We will be without Callum for two matches but that will give an opportunity to others to step up, players like Reece Styche who hasn’t had a chance to play down the middle as Callum has made that position his own. Ty Hamilton scored goals at the end of last season and there are others including Lewis Wilson who has played up there in the Football League.
“The idea at the start of the season was to build a squad of players so that we could deal with situations like this and that’s what we did.”
One player who won’t figure at the weekend is Andre Wright who has been sent out on a month’s loan to Northern Premier Midland Division side Bedworth United.
But Charlie Williams came off the bench in Saturday’s 3-2 win at Halesowen and Dan Vann could also be back in the squad for the Barwell match. The pair, along with Hamilton, have been gaining match fitness with Hellenic League Division One side FC Stratford.
Davis added: “It is good to have that link with them. I have a good relationship with their manager Jon Hill because we worked together here at Stratford Town and I know that those players have benefitted from having some game time with them.”
Looking back to Saturday, Davis admitted that the game was not the best spectacle for supporters albeit he was delighted with the outcome.
“We weren’t as fluid as we have been lately but much of that was down to Halesowen. It was a bit of a slug-fest if I’m honest. They scored a goal out of nothing and then we did the same.
“They have then added a second and we have put on a couple of wingers and went to two up top in Callum Ebanks and Reece Styche who then gave their defenders a torrid time.
“We have equalised through Reece and, being away at a tough place like Halesowen, we would have taken a point at that stage. But they have then made some changes which seemed to benefit us and Lewis Wilson has popped up with the winner in the final minutes.
“I’m so pleased for him because he gets lots of stick and yet he gives his all and is willing to play all over the field.”