FC Stratford's winning run halted as Bewdley take their chances
FOOTBALL
FC Stratford 2-4 Bewdley Town
Smedley Crooke Memorial Cup, First Round
FC STRATFORD could have no complaints after their brilliant winning start to the season finally came to an end against West Midlands Premier side Bewdley Town on Tuesday night.
Dave Poulson’s side had won nine out of nine but they were given a lesson in finishing at the MoodChimp Stadium.
Bewdley led 2-0 early on and they looked after the ball better against a Stratford side which had five changes in the starting XI.
A couple of excellent saves from Paul Dipple prevented further goals for the visitors but Stratford slowly battled back, with Tom Parnaby and Jay Tilbury coming on as half-time subs.
Jamie Gifford pulled a goal back when he collected a ball over the top, but Bewdley quickly re-established their stranglehold on the game with two more goals.
The hosts rallied again and Tilbury notched their second goal with a superb finish into the roof of the net.
With Tilbury and Dan Stokes threatening, Poulson’s men kept pushing but Gifford was denied by timely block.
Stratford will look to recover quickly when they travel to Inkberrow on Saturday for a Challenge Vase quarter-final tie.
For more, see this week's Herald.