Blossomfield 7,

Stratford II 1

STRATFORD'S second string travelled to Blossom-field more in hope than expectation.

Fielding a weakened side and with a team short on match practice they soon found the hosts to be quite a handful.

The early exchanges found Stratford pinned back in their own half and unable to find the front runners.

Despite this Stratford were just finding their feet when Blossomfield scored with a fortuitous deflection.

It was a pattern that continued through the first half. Despite the efforts of David Evans, covering vast areas on the left, and Tony Malloy who was tackling his heart out, Blossomfield exploited the right side of the field throughout the first half.

Stratford were the architects of their own downfall on many occasions as they gifted the ball to their opponents who exploited this generosity with a series of well taken goals.

Stratford started the second half four goals off the pace but, after a strong half time talk from tactician Lines, they started to compete more effectively in midfield.

David Bird saw a lot of the ball as the Stratford passing game began to click. Chris Parnby created a number of opportunities and, with Jamie Chorley doing a sterling job in central defence, Stratford may have turned things around.

It was not to be. Blossom-field scored from a quick break, beating Fred Hart in the goal with an early shot.

Stratford never stopped playing and Richard Stokes took full advantage of his second team debut and was instrumental in setting up the short corner from which Chris Parnby pulled one back.

Ben Woodhams plagued the Blossomfield defence throughout the game with a series of mazy runs earning Stratford a number of short corners.

As they pushed forward, though, they became more vulnerable to the break and Blossomfield scored two more before the end.