Storer strike secures points for Stratford

Stratford Town 1, Halesowen Town 0

MAVERICK marksman Jack Storer highlighted his worth to the Bards when he arrowed a 30-yard shot into the top corner to edge this contest with fellow promotion hopefuls Halesowen.

Out on the right flank, the former Birmingham City enigma saw little of the ball throughout the first half but made up for lost time when, two minutes into the second period, he cut inside past two defenders before unleashing a shot that flew past visiting keeper Dan Platt.

It transpired later that he had been troubled by a hamstring injury and ten minutes later he was back in the dug-out after aggravating it. Stratford fans will be hoping it heals in time for Saturday’s trip to Hitchin Town.

While Storer’s strike was a deserving match-winner, in fairness there was little to choose between these two sides. The Bards, without a game for three weeks, were second best for much of the opening half and were grateful for the efforts of keeper Callum Smith. They improved though, finished the half on top and had chances to increase their lead before the visitors went close to equalising in the closing stages.

Smith’s first save of note came after just three minutes when he dived full-length to keep out a Rhys Hilton effort with Yeltz defender Tommy Taylor powering a 15th minute header high over the bar.

Midway through the half, Smith was in the thick of the action again, this time blocking a six-yard Kieren Donnelly strike after the midfielder’s clever one-two had sliced open the Bards defence.

But having weathered that early storm, Stratford began to warm to the occasion in front of more than 1,200 fans. A rare Storer opportunity saw him put an effort wide of the far post before Callum Ebanks forced Platt into an excellent save as he pushed a fierce shot from the edge of the area over the bar.

Gavin Hurren’s Bards maintained their momentum going into the second half with a Charlie Williams half-volley having to be booted away by the Halesowen keeper.

Storer’s thunderbolt came two minutes into the second period and seemed to stun both sets of players who struggled to create another else of note other than a Donnelly effort on the hour which rattled the upright.

Then, in the fifth minute of added time at the end of the game, a free-kick from Halesowen substitute McKauley Manning was headed against his own crossbar by Bards defender Chris Hussey and from the resulting corner, the ball was scrambled away as the visitors looked to force home a last gasp equaliser.

Stratford: Smith, Vann, Worley, Hussey, McCone, Solanke (Hewlett 82), Storer (Molyneux 54), Hawker, Ebanks, Ison, Williams. Subs (not used): Daly, Wilson, Barkers.

Halesowen: Platt, Nirennold, Mitchell, Parker (Hayward 75), Wynter, Taylor, Hilton (Manning 70), Elliott, Okafor, Donnelly, Holmes (Adegoke 85). Subs (not used): Ezwele, Postle.

Referee: Joe Woolmer

Attendance: 1,127

Bards Star Man: Josh Hawker

Opposition Star Man: Todd Parker