Scare for Stratford in a draw
■ The McDonald Stratford Soccer Team had their biggest scare on Saturday when Conveyorquip NP Rangers held them to a twoall draw.
The game started well for Stratford with Daniel White delivering the first goal but the Rangers were a determined team. The game went Stratford’s way using the pattern of football that had so far delivered them nine straight wins — a strong midfield interlocking with the defensive back line pushing the ball forward onto their attacking forwards. However this wasn’t having results. Stratford received a penalty shortly before half time which Rikki Parrett put away a goal, taking the half time score to 2-0. Stratford should have consolidated but with a strong frontline and good pace on the wings Rangers were able to throw good attacking moves at Stratford’s defence. A lapse in the goal box meant Rangers clawed back first one goal and then a second, levelling the game with 20 minutes to go.
Stratford needed to settle but instead ended up letting Rangers get into their heads. They ended up reacting to Rangers’ play and that was all Rangers needed to seal the draw.
Stratford will play the same Rangers team next week in the first knock out round of the Nimo’s cup. Kick off at 12pm at Merrilands Park.
■ The Tungsten Legal Stratford Women’s Soccer Team continued to show improvement at the weekend, giving Peinga United Women a good run for their money. The team were not lucky enough to get a goal however, losing
1-0.
Having lost some of their key strikers to injury it was exciting to see two new faces — Brooke Stewart and Nardia Old — step up and provide the energy, skill, and support that enabled Stratford to spend time in the Peringa half developing some great attacking moves.
In the end it was a simple unlucky error that gave Peringa a 1-0 advantage. In a desperate bid to clear the ball off the Stratford goal line the ball was kicked into the back of a Peringa player where it ricocheted back into the net.
Next week Tungsten Legal take on NP Rangers at Merrilands Park 10.30am.
■ The two Youth teams both had draws with Aitkens Transport U18 drawing one all against NPBH Big Dogs and the Stratford Dairymaster U15 drawing four all against FDMC Solomons.
The U18 game was a hard-fought effort with some exceptional football in the first half leading to Stratford’s goal coming off the boot of Luke Watts after a power house run from Liam Mills. But NPBH took advantage of a low sun and were able to lob the ball over a blinded keeper minutes before the half time whistle levelling the score. In the second half Stratford seemed to be knocked back a peg and couldn’t quite replicate the effort and intensity they needed to get ahead again and while they successfully kept NPBH at bay they needed they were unable to secure the win.
The U15 game was also a well-fought battle between both teams which were very evenly matched. Both sides played strong defence and agile attack. The 4-4 draw was a good reflection on the game. Goals came from Jordon Savage (2) Richard Drummond, and Jack Gavan.
■ Next Week the Aitkens Transport U18 play FDMC away and the Stratford Dairy Masters are at home against Moturoa AFC Eagles. Both games kick off at 10.30am.