Hockey round-up: Stratford hit back in style to see off Rugby
The visitors continued to pile on the pressure, none more than Catherine Smith who chased down the Rugby defence and intercepted clearance after clearance to turn defence into attack.
And within five minutes, Emily Finlyson levelled the score when Blanche Surman picked up the ball in midfield, passed it to Laura Cox on the left, who played the ball into the D for Finlyson to finish.
Rugby were under constant pressure, their goal being rained on by shots from Janice Smith and player-of-the-match Holly Davis.
It was a carefully-placed flick over the keeper by Hannah Campbell that put Stratford in the lead just before half-time.
Although most of the possession was in Rugby’s half of the pitch, they were still dangerous on the break, Alex Hill was called upon to make a crucial save and Charlie Salt came out the winner in a match-long battle with her player.
Despite the rain and wind, Stratford pushed on in the second half, being awarded a flick which Freya Barnett stepped up to take but which was disappointingly disallowed.
The win was finally secured when Sarah Davies slipped the ball right to Davis, who picked out Campbell on the P spot to finish in style.
Stratford 3-3 Shrewsbury
Stratford’s first team played their part in an exciting 3-3 draw at Henley on Saturday.
Shrewsbury took an early first half lead before captain fantastic Alex Byrd once again came up with the goods.
First, he fired Stratford back level, before deflecting a Craig McKee drag flick beyond the Shrewsbury keeper.
In the second half Shrewsbury grabbed an equalising goal before taking the lead for the second time as defender Matt Hyatt was off the pitch injured.
Luckily for Stratford, overseas import Dan Gibbs broke through the Shrewsbury defence to grab Stratford’s third with five minutes to go.
Stratford pushed hard and nearly grabbed the winner as first Mark Leary, and then Terrance Malcolm, saw shots rattle off the frame of the goal. Neither side could find a winner and the points were shared.
North Stafford 1-1 Stratford 2nds
THE seconds were delighted to take a point back from a long journey up to North Stafford.
It was a tight, cagey game, with both sides still nervously looking over their shoulder at the relegation zone.
A second-half goal from the ever-reliable Neil Jones earned Stratford a share of the spoils and sends them into this weekend’s clash with Shrewsbury full of confidence.
Stratford 3rds 1-7 Shrewsbury
Stratford’s third XI were second best in a top of the table clash against Shrewsbury on Saturday.
Shrewsbury bought with them some typical Welsh weather and they were soon up and running, showing why they haven’t dropped a point so far this season.
Stratford had some fantastic periods of controlled possession, but for all the composure they showed they were not able to break through the resolute Shrewsbury defence.
Three first-half goals, largely against the run of play, put the away side into a comfortable lead at half-time.
Stratford pulled a goal back in a soaking wet second half, but Shrewsbury added another four to leave the final score 7-1.
It was a result that did not reflect the game itself, with Shrewsbury simply being more clinical in front of goal. Stratford will look to bounce back with a trip to Stafford this weekend.
Old Halesonians 4ths 0-1 Stratford 4ths
Stratford 4ths mounted a smash-and-grab raid against Old Hales’ at the weekend, pinching three points from their promotion-chasing rivals.
It was a game which Old Hales’ dominated, but they found the resolute fourth team defence, led by Simon Cossey, impossible to break down.
A Dan Piggott deflected strike looped over the home keeper with ten minutes left on the clock and Stratford hung on to spark wild scenes at the final whistle.
Stratford 5ths 0-4 Hampton-in-Arden
A depleted Stratford 5ths struggled to find their rhythm and came second best against a rapidly-improving Hampton side.
Despite their best efforts, it was not a game to remember for Giles Stagg’s young, and old, men.
