Poulson: Our game plan worked to perfection

MANAGER Dave Poulson felt the game plan to frustrate GNP Sports worked to perfection as FC Stratford claimed a 1-0 victory over the runaway Midland League Division Three leaders on Thursday night.

Alex Andrews got the only goal of the game as a resurgent Stratford bounced back in style from Monday's 7-1 beating at the hands of GNP.

After going toe-to-toe with GNP on Monday, Poulson opted for a change of approach for this one and it worked a treat, as the champions-elect crashed to their first defeat of the season.

"We had a clear plan to frustrate them," said Poulson, who will stand down from his role at the end of this season.

"No doubt I'll take some stick with people saying I was defensive, but we turned up, had a plan, then executed it perfectly.

"Nobody believed we could beat them as you don't get thumped 7-1 by a team on Monday then turn them over a few days later.

"But I truly believed we could beat them, we just had to change a few things.

"I couldn't be more proud of the players and now we just have to make sure we follow up that performance against Inkberrow (on Saturday) or it will have been a waste of time."

The win moves Stratford up to fourth in the table, five points behind second-placed Bartestree with four games in hand.

Meanwhile, Alcester Town maintained their promotion push on Wednesday night with a 2-1 victory over Inkberrow at Stratford Road.

Ellis Kalach and Louis Bridges got the crucial goals for Danny Janes' side.

"It was a very important three points," said Janes.

"It wasn't our best performance, but we got the job done. Inkberrow are a very tricky side and they have the ability to take points off most teams.

"We have taken six off them this season, which I'm delighted with."