Harradine's stunning strike sinks Stratford

A THIRD game in five days proved too much for Stratford Town on Wednesday evening as they slipped to 2-0 defeat at Cambridge City, writes Bryan Hale.

The Lilywhites made a bright start and it needed a double save from Andy Kemp to prevent them taking a third-minute lead as he beat away Jon Kaye’s shot and recovered quickly enough to push Adam Murray’s follow-up effort behind.

As Cambridge continued to have the better of the possession, skipper Buster Harradine clipped the bar with a well struck effort from 20 yards out, followed shortly after by James Hall shooting straight at the well positioned Kemp after breaking clear down the inside-left channel.

Another breathtaking close-range save by Kemp from Hall’s fierce shot on the turn on the half-hour mark kept Town in the game before they created their first worthwhile chance when Dior Angus’ cross from the right reached Kieren Westwood, whose volley was deflected behind off Paul Cooper.

But the Lilywhites kept up the pressure and went ahead two minutes before the break when Harradine let fly from 25 yards out with an sumptuous left-footer into the top corner which gave Kemp no chance.

And it got worse for Town two minutes into the second half when Hall’s cross from the right was turned past Kemp by the unfortunate Jack Roberts.

Jamie Sheldon went close with a decent try from distance soon after, but the Lilywhites continued to be the more threatening of the two sides with the tricky Hall a persistent problem for the Town defence.

On 73 minutes he set up a great chance for Harradine, who blazed wildly over and three minutes later he shot narrowly wide from the edge of the penalty area.

Town never gave up, but Cambridge comfortably saw the game out to secure the points.