FC STRATFORD v STONEHOUSE TOWN: THE MOWDOG'S MATCH PREVIEW...

 FC Stratford v Stonehouse Town:

Match Preview…

These two teams have both won 3 from 4 matches, although Stonehouse have a goal difference of +5, whilst the Blues have a ratio of +2. This fixture should therefore be well contested on the tight Home Guard pitch in Tiddington, Stratford.

THE HOME GUARD FACILITIES...

The images used below are mine from FC Stratford’s previous home games this season and also from a visit I made to Stonehouse in 2019, when the Magpies were beaten 1-4 by Hereford Lads’ Club. 

STONEHOUSE'S HOME GROUND...

I have seen both of FC’s two home matches this term, a 2-1 victory over Shortwood, courtesy of an own-goal from a mean Lewis Ludford corner and a close range effort by midfielder Ryan Reeves. That contest really ought to have been a more comfortable afternoon for Stratford, however. A midweek win v Newent Town under the Home Guard floodlights by 2-0 was achieved with goals by Ben Cox and Lewis Ludford. Cox netted with a smart low drive and Ludford powered home a header from Steve Ruck’s centre.

STRATFORD BENEFIT FROM AN OWN GOAL v SHORTWOOD...

BEN COX (15): NETTED v NEWENT...

On the road twice since those matches, the Blues won by a single Levi Steele goal at Pershore Town but then the team squandered a 0-2 lead acquired before 10 minutes had lapsed at Littleton on Saturday, eventually going down 3-2. Steele was on the scoresheet again, as was Petar Tonchev. Manager Danny Janes was apparently unimpressed by his players’ second period showing against the Ton Boys and some kind of positive reaction will be expected from his team against the Magpies.  

RYAN REEVES ADDS GOAL 2 FOR FC v SHORTWOOD...

REEVES WOULD MAKE HIS WAY INTO THE MIDDLE FOLLOWING THIS THROW-IN TO SCORE HIS GOAL...

At Littleton, the goals were scored against FC in the 40th, 60th and 70th minutes, strangely, although Levi Steele did nab his second goal of the campaign for Stratford. 'He only scores when I’m absent…’ is the new chant penned by The Mowdog but available for use by Blues’ fans at a small fee…

LEVI STEELE (WEARING BLUE): GOALS IN TWO SUCCESSIVE GAMES...

BEN JOHNS (2): DEFENDING STUBBORNLY FOR THE BLUES...

Stonehouse won their opening encounter of the season by 5-4 against Malmesbury Vics, with Ellis Duffus nabbing a hat-trick, added to by strikes from Alex Kibble and Adam Bloomfield. A 2-0 defeat at league leaders Worcester Raiders was followed by a 4-2 home victory over Newent Town, the goals coming from braces by Bloomfield and Tim Williams.

ALEX KIBBLE SCORES v HEREFORD LADS' CLUB IN 2019 & BELOW HE CELEBRATES...

ADAM BLOOMFIELD: 3 GOALS SO FAR THIS TERM...

The emphatic 1-5 win on the road at Shortwood came next, where Williams again grabbed a brace, with Nick Humphreys, Rich Thwaite and Tom Palmer adding the other three goals.

A CAUTION FOR TOM PALMER IN THE HEREFORD L.C. GAME...

TIM WILLIAMS (10) HAS 4 GOALS THIS SEASON...

In their only loss at Worcester Raiders, the Worcester News reported that the Magpies gave a good account of themselves, although they didn’t trouble the home ‘keeper too much. A missed one-on-one chance and a shot which struck the home crossbar caused Raiders some anxiety but ultimately, a brace by Issac Cooper, one a header, saw the hosts home. Both coaches were yellow carded in that game and Raiders' player Dan Flowers was dismissed near the end.

Saturday’s scheduled game against Cheltenham Saracens was postponed due to Covid problems in the Saracens’ camp.

Due to internet maintenance where I live on Thursday (how unlucky is that?) the coverage at themowdog.blogspot.com might be later to appear than usual but I’ll do my utmost to get it posted as quickly as possible…

There will be video action with commentary, some images (although being an evening game, the light will not be great for clarity) and a full match report...

The Mowdog…