Vase disappointment for FC, Studley and Southam
FC Stratford 1, Rugby Borough 2
THERE will be no FA Vase run for FC Stratford this season after they were undone by a last gasp goal at the Arden Garages Stadium on Sunday.
Cian Hodson gave Jon Hill’s side the lead ten minutes before half-time only for Adam Creaney to level by the break with Gerard McGahey netting the winner in the fifth minute of added time at the end of the game.
The visitors should have scored inside the opening minute when Sam Lockley ran in on goal only to be denied by the legs of keeper Callum Monaghan.
Five minutes later there was another close call for Stratford when the same player latched on to a through ball but this time pushed his shot wide as Monaghan narrowed the angle.
FC were forced into a change soon after when central defender Joe Waterfield hobbled off to be replaced by Aaron Nurrish with midfielder Dan Atkins dropping into defence.
And yet it was the home side who then went close twice within a minute. Firstly a high ball into the area caused confusion with the Borough defence and it had to be headed off the line by Gerard McGahey. Seconds later, Nick Cox rose to head a Dan Chaundy cross goalwards but keeper Regan Gavin denied him with a smart save.
Rugby had a penalty appeal turned down when Lockley went down under the challenge of FC keeper Monaghan inside the area and the keeper then did well to push away a well-struck Halim Halim shot.
But after a period of pressure from the visitors, it was Stratford who opened the scoring on 35 minutes when Robbie Sone’s cleverly lifted the ball over the defence and into the path of Hodson who fired home from 15 yards.
Monaghan was called on to make another fine save to keep out a deflected Ash Piper shot but he was finally beaten a minute before half-time when Creaney lifted the ball over him and into the empty net.
The second half lacked the chances of the first but proved just as enthralling as both sides looked to find a way to unlock the opposition defence.
Robbie Sone’s set-plays continuously caused problems for the Borough backfour and it was the Stratford midfielder who had the pick of the chances when, on 67 minutes, he broke clear of his marker only to be denied by the keeper diving to his right.
There was a half-chance for Lockley five minutes from time but he rushed his shot and skewed the ball wide.
Stratford had a glorious chance to snatch victory in the second minute of added time when they surged forward three on two but Sone’s shot was kept out by the keeper’s legs.
Then, with virtually the final play of the game, Rugby broke and McGahey drilled a low shot past Monaghan from the edge of the box.
There was also FA Vase disappointment for Studley who lost 3-1 at home to fellow MFL Premier side Shifnal Town – Kofi Williams on target for the Bees – and Southam United who were beaten 4-2 at Wolverhampton Sporting Community. Shane Osborne and Craig Watkin scored the goals for Southam.
