FC STRATFORD v NEWENT TOWN, WEDNESDAY 11TH AUGUST: THE MOWDOG'S MATCH PREVIEW...

 FC Stratford v Newent Town: match preview…

Newent Town, known as the Daffs, has always been a welcoming club, ever since I saw them achieve promotion at the expense of Moreton Rangers in April 2018. On that day a late equaliser from John Thomas wrecked Rangers’ title aspirations. Moreton had asked me to cover the match at their place and thus I got to know some of the folks from Newent. 

JOHN THOMAS IS MOBBED AFTER NETTING THAT IMPORTANT GOAL AT MORETON...

This week, they will become the second Hellenic League visitors to the Home Guard Club in Tiddington to tackle one of Division One’s newcomers, FC Stratford. 

THE HOME GUARD CLUB...

Newent were beaten at home by Worcester Raiders on Saturday by 1-3, although Raiders had Jaber Ahmed dismissed during the match. Town’s Jordan Cooper scored the Daffs’ goal and it is likely that he will soon be joined in attack by Sanchez Grange, who had intended to leave the club but has since changed his mind. He is recovering from a knock at present however.

SANCHEZ GRANGE...

Joint manager Ben Stringer writes:

“We took 20 minutes to get going, during which time Raiders capitalised and scored two early goals. Even with Alex Goode on top form between the sticks we grew into the game afterwards and missed a few chances, before going into half-time 0-2 down.

ALEX GOODE, THE NEWENT GOALTENDER...

We came out in the second-half with a fresh sense of purpose though and got on top for large spells of the half, finally getting our breakthrough with Jordan Cooper going through one-on-one with the ‘keeper and finishing well.

JORDAN COOPER...

2-1 and we were still on top when Raiders broke away to score against the run of play, putting the game out of reach. Raiders then got a man sent off with a second yellow, which revitalised belief but it was too little, too late for us as Raiders managed to hold on until the 90th minute…”

BEN STRINGER LOOKING WISTFUL...

Tyler Weir, a player I have seen before in a yellow shirt was sin-binned on Saturday but it is good to hear that ‘keeper Alex Goode remains at the club still. He is usually very influential on the football field, as evidenced by the few occasions I have watched the Daffs play.

TYLER WEIR: SIN-BINNED ON SATURDAY...

Newent’s Wildsmith Meadow ground has always been one of my favourite places to watch non-league football and hopefully I can get down there a few times this term.

THE BRILLIANTLY NAMED WILDSMITH MEADOW...

FC Stratford, the Blues, began the season with a 2-1 victory over a weakened Shortwood United outfit, although The Wood were largely outplayed until they scored their goal. After Luke Soule’s strike for the guests however, FC looked slightly vulnerable, despite missing some glorious opportunities themselves to make the game safe.

THE VOCIFEROUS NEW FC STOPPER, EDDIE COX...

Newent’s co-manager Connor-Jake (CJ) Price heard from the Shortwood camp that they felt that FC used the small pitch at Tiddington to their advantage on the day. Interesting…

THE SHIRT TUGGING CJ PRICE...

A strange own goal by Wood’s Declan Earwaker from a mean Lewis Ludford corner had settled FC down during the second period and then the irrepressible Ryan Reeves notched goal two from Ryan Palmer’s assist. 

RYAN REEVES, 2ND FROM LEFT, CELEBRATES HIS GOAL v SHORTWOOD...

Despite a strong centre-forward display, Levi Steele just couldn’t find the net for the Blues and he will doubtless be gunning for Newent this week.

LEVI STEELE: OFF TARGET ON SATURDAY...

In an interview for the club’s website, Danny Janes the FC manger felt that his team was excellent before the break and that the approach play was very good. He was pleased with the decision making and passing quality and felt that his team should have been well ahead by the recess.

DANNY JANES STRIKES AN EDUCATIONAL POSE... 

Ruthlessness at the right times was something his players needed to show however but he liked the aggression displayed in winning ‘first balls’ and also the players’ reactions to ‘second phase’ situations. 

He was confused by Shortwood’s after match comments about FC being a ‘long-ball’ team however…

DJ was rather pleased too with the performances of the ‘exceptional’ Matt Nutt and Ryan Reeves.

RYAN REEVES...

Although Petar Tonchev is sidelined with an injury, FC will likely have Ash Wilkes, Abdul Muhammed and Dan Atkins available to join the squad for this clash…

Full coverage of the encounter, including a full match report, images and video highlights with commentary will be at themowdog.blogspot.com from Thursday morning.

The Blues will be desperate to add another three points to their haul, especially as they were handed two home games in succession early on, whilst the Daffs will be seeking at least a point to kick-start their season after the 1-3 loss to the Worcester Raiders…