Andre Wright and Jack Storer score twice as Stratford Town bounce back to winning ways with victory over Needham Market

Stratford Town 4-2 Needham Market

Southern Premier Central

IMPRESSIVE performances from Jack Storer and Andre Wright, who both scored braces, helped Stratford Town bounce back to winning ways at the Arden Garages Stadium on Saturday, reports Kevin Hand.

Debutant Sam Wilding and midfielder Dan Lafferty also caught the eye as the Bards brought an end to their four-game winless Southern Premier Central run. Stratford lined up with four at the back with Wilding and Ashley Sammons providing further defensive cover.

As a result, Will Grocott and Lafferty were more productive in supporting the front two, while Dan Vann and Taylor Morrison were allowed to probe further forward as another attacking option.

There was not much to choose between the two sides in the opening minutes but the Bards grew into the game and Wright and Storer quickly established a great rapport.

After 24 minutes a driven cross from Sammons was headed wide by Wright from close in. Two minutes later Stratford had their goal when Lafferty set free Storer whose finish was precise.

Wright had to wait just six minutes to redeem himself when Grocott played him in and he coolly lobbed the goalkeeper before rolling the ball into an empty net for 2-0. Stratford quickly pressed again as the second half started with the hard-working Lafferty twice going close.

Any complacency was quickly dispelled when Ross Crane broke forward for the Marketmen in the 54th minute, providing a tap in for Luke Ingram. There was hardly time for the crowd to draw breath before Vann and Wright combined to set Storer free, who volleyed in from close range. It wasn’t until 83 minutes that the game was put to bed with a second goal of the afternoon for Wright.

Grocott set up Wright but the goalscorer showed great skill and determination in dribbling past Marcus Garnham before rolling the ball into an empty net.

Substitute Jamie Molyneux went close for the Bards and Lafferty was nearly on the scoresheet with two great efforts. There was a late consolation goal for the visitors after some sloppy defending by the home side and another own goal from McCone.

STRATFORD TOWN: Luke Bell, Dan Vann, Taylor Morrison, Ashley Sammons, Paul McCone, James O’Neill, Sam Wilding (Felix Miles 86), Dan Lafferty, Andre Wright, Will Grocott, Jack Storer (Jamie Molyneux 75). Unused subs: Louis Beresford, Jack Turner, Dexter Walters.

NEEDHAM MARKET: Marcus Garnham, Kyle Hammond, Jack Dye, Christian Frimpong, Harry Knights (Jamie McGrath 75), Daniel Morphew, Taykaan Bennett (Jacob Lay 59), Noah Collard, Luke Ingram, Thomas Fitzgerald (Taylor Clark 61), Ross Crane. Unused subs: Hugh Cullum, Seth Chambers.

REFEREE: Matthew Perry

ATTENDANCE: 333