Title dreams dented by heavy home defeat
ON an initially bright day, Stratford Ladies were unable to match the promise of the weather, losing 4-0 to Nuneaton and missing out on valuable points in the title run in.
A much-changed home side started brightly with Zara Dhillon and Isabelle Bradley Pandya settling in quickly. Hayley Phillips controlled the play nicely at the back with Rachel Fieldon picking off the early attacks. Shots that did make it through were confidently saved by Marriane Morrice in goal.
A break down the right with Charlotte Goodall and Georgie Poulten saw Poppy Blackwall’s shot unfairly denied by a thigh on the line that proved to be a portent for the storms to come.
As the skies began to brood ominously, Nuneaton converted their two opportunities into goals, the second of which saw their player run in unchallenged to strike past Morrice, before adding a third late in the half with a thunderous strike into the backboard.
In the second half, Stratford were guilty of playing the ball too slowly and giving it away in comparatively pressure-free situations and a deflected goal saw Stratford concede again as Nuneaton rained on their promotion prospects.
Edgbaston Men’s 4ths 7 Stratford Men’s 4ths 3
On a week when the club’s resources were stretched thin by holidays and injuries, the fixture against a young Edgbaston team always promised to present a difficult challenge.
The hosts’ mid-table league position belies their potency when at full strength and it was clear that Saturday was one such week.
In contrast with Stratford’s largely ageing line-up, the youth and pace at Edgbaston’s disposal was as good as any in the league and they opened up a three-goal lead which was their reward from some excellent finishing allied with front-running in attack.
Stratford’s ball-playing ability was generally superior but the Edgbaston pace was able to put enough pressure on the Stratford front six to disrupt their normal fluid style.
Young Ted Hargett battled well in right midfield, frequently getting the better of his marker and proving a threat on the counter. However Stratford struggled to string enough passes together to impose sufficient pressure of their own.
A short corner goal from Mark Leary threatened a fight back but further goals from the home team before the break enabled them to take a handsome 5-1 lead at half-time.
The second half was for the most part a much better performance from Stratford and they clawed two goals back but two more goals late in the game for Edgbaston made the game safe as Stratford gambled by playing the game higher in search of further goals.
Despite the scoreline, Jules Van Vegchel and Rob Bowen in central defence starred for the visitors. They both made some crucial tackles and displayed consistent defensive work in the face of Edgbaston’s electric pace up front whilst Ollie Montandon and Matt White on the defensive flanks provided vital support.
Captain David Price said:“We have to put this week behind us but also pay tribute to Edgbaston who were the worthy winners. They used the conditions presented by their home pitch to their full advantage and deserve the three points on the day.”
