Bromsgrove Sporting - 0
Stratford Town - 1 - Aaron Garvey 15
A solitary goal after 15 minutes by Aaron Garvey, secured Town's second win against Midland Comb side Bromsgrove Sporting at the Victoria Ground, in their warm up campaign for the new season ahead.
Having now used over 30 players, Manager Carl Adams has still not formulated a side that looks like the finished article to compete at Step 4, as this was a mediocre performance, littered with misdirected passes, lack of penetration, and aimless long balls, that had as much chance of finding a player, as finding a Yeti in the Himalayas.
There were three new players in the Stratford squad. Phil Green, Jamie Delaney, and Danny Campbell, formally Tipton Town, and two changes to the side that beat Continental Star, Joe Halsall back in place of Rob Evans, and Phil Green replacing Richard Gregory.
Josh Shepherd broke down the Town right in the first minute and put an inviting cross into the Sporting area but no Town player on had to apply the finishing touch. A free kick from Sam Wilkinson for the home side was deflected wide, and under pressure from Liam Reyonlds, Jacob Snape dragged his shot wide from a good position.
The only goal of the game came in the 15 minute. Resulting from Town's best move of the game down the left flank, when Donaghey and Halsall put Ashley Jackson, who had replaced Phil Green in the 12 minute, clear his driven low cross, was neatly slotted home by Aaron Garvey with the minimum of fuss from 8yds out.
A poor clearance by the Town defence allowed Snape another opportunity, but he was denied by a reflex save from Town stopper Sam Brady as he pushed it round the post.
Chris Sterling put a header over and Garvey created a shooting chance a good run into the Sporting area, but shot weakly at keeper Jake Bedford, and Garvey and Sterling made an opening for Simeon Tulloch, but his well struck shot was well saved by Bedford low to his right. Brady was called into action again on 40 mins when he tipped over a 25yd drive from Wilkinson, and the half ended with Halsall's free kick from the edge of the area being deflected wide of the defensive wall.
Chances were few in the second period. Phil Green was back on in place of Ashley Jackson, who also returned to replace Garvey Later in the half.
Joe Halsall put a header over from a Garvey cross, and Jackson curled a sweet strike inches wide with keeper Bedford beaten in the 68th minute. That was as good as it got for Town in the half, as the game got bogged down in midfield.
Keeper Brady was alert to make a save to keep out Matt Poyner's shot on the turn on 70 minutes and twice in the last 10 minutes Sporting had two chances to level the scores. First Brady saved a close range effort from Snape with Liam Reynolds make a saving tackle for a corner as Snape went for the loose ball, and when he was through on goal it was Brady with another quality save to deny the striker an equaliser which on the balance of play would have been deserved.
All in all not the best day at the office for Startford, there is plenty of room for improvement, especially the passing. The best positive performances of the day were from two former youth team players Jim Mutton and Sam Brady.
From The Dugout
"Our ball retention was poor, and the passing was way below the standard required at the level we are at, and we need to be fitter. However we won the game".
Stratford Town, Sam Brady, Josh Shepherd, Harry Donaghy, Liam Reynolds, Jim Mutton, Tom Bates, Simeon Tulloch,(Matt Gasper), Joe Halsall, Chris Sterling, (Danny Campbell), Phil Green, (Ashley Jackson), Aaron Garvey,(Jamie Delaney). All Subs Used.
Bromsgrove Sporting, Jake Bedford, Brett Mander, Chris Duggan, (Danny Edwards), Tom Busby, Toby Checketts, Luke Darby, (Jake Harvey), James Johnson, Sam Wilkinson, Mat Poyner, Jacob Snape, Steffan Ashman,
Attendance - 128
Match Report Rod Abrahams |