STUDLEY FC 3-0 FC STRATFORD: THE INDEPENDENT, HONEST & LIGHTHEARTED MATCH REPORT...

 Rapid Bees Sting Limited Guests…

Studley FC 3-0 FC Stratford

The Mowdog’s thoughts…

Despite the fact that FC lost goalie Nathan Taylor, who was injured before half-time, the visitors were in truth well beaten by that time. 2-0 behind, they struggled to get any offense going, although central striker Zidane Sutherland certainly looked capable of severe threat after the break, when five times his lithe and pacy running saw him pass up opportunities to assist others and shoot off target on each occasion himself. Three shots went well wide, one rose way over the target and the other, from an acute angle also flew awry.

The only other attempt at goal worth mentioning by the guests was before the hosts scored for the first time. A short, low centre by George Dunkley from the right was connected with by Sutherland at the near post but home ‘keeper Brendon Bunn’s outstretched right boot kept the ball out of his net.

In a game short of free-kicks, one player was cautioned, Dan Atkins of FC and he would be responsible for the final action of the match, following a superb tackle on Sutherland by Bees’ right-back Owain Taylor, who played tremendously well, especially after the recess. The ball rebounded to Atkins 22 yards out but his drive struck home defender Jake Donnelly who showed no pain. It’s what he does…

THE TOSS IN THE DARK...

Donnelly scored goal two for the hosts and Sean Brain, a pain all night for Stratford’s Tom Fishwick and skipper James Robbins, nabbed a brace in a match which Studley were desperate to win. The choice of fast forwards was certainly validated, for Brain, Sam ‘The Beehive Flyer’ Jackson, Alfie Bloomer (until he was replaced at the break by Aaron Bunn) and Dale Edwards really stretched the rather static Stratford defence. Odane Barnes substituted for the unlucky Dale Edwards though after 20 minutes or so, following yet another injury to the clever winger. 

2-0 became 3-0 in the opening seconds of the second period due to an error by half-time FC substitute Patrick Zito and a predatory strike by the lurking, harassing Brain…

In reality, the game was over and Studley, with midfielders Jack Creswell and skipper Robbie Bunn looking too strong, too smart and too creative for their midfield opponents, it was clear that the three points had been wrapped up by the 46th minute.

SUTHERLAND, IN THE MIDLANDS, READY TO GO...

Harry Higginson took over in goals for the guests and he did a decent job but with two opposing speedsters off the field, the Bees’ stings were less hurtful to Stratford after the break, during which the players probably downed honey sandwiches and a mug of Bovril, for it was such a cold evening.

Owain Taylor…

He impressed with his tackling, recovery ability and pace during the second 45, when he played near the touchline from which I was filming. He did offer me his shirt though when I kneed the ball onto my left shoe and returned it to him, trying to hold onto my camera at the same time. He was good on the night and actually claimed the assist for goal three straight from the second period restart. 

OWAIN TAYLOR: DID A FINE JOB...

His long pass along the right flank was chased, as ever, by Brain but Zito’s first contribution for FC, with Brain right behind him, was to attempt a back-pass to replacement goalie Higginson from the defensive left-back position. Zito’s touch was weak, Brain nipped in, advanced inside, evaded Fishwick and planted the ball into the net past the helpless Higginson.   

Sean Brain…

The forward had a point to prove and he subsequently grabbed two goals but his overall display was disciplined and he also worked for his team-mates, pressing opponents and chasing lost causes. His first goal was a fine exhibit…

The wily and easy on the eye Creswell, back from suspension, threaded a smart pass for the speedy Brain to latch onto, covered by the also quick Robbins but as the striker ran towards the left post, he made such a quick change of direction that one feared for his knees on the artificial surface but the action sent Robbins skidding past in front of him and a flurry of little rubber lumps were launched into the night air. Brain steadied himself and smashed the ball past Nathan Taylor. Gods, did Brain need that…

In the opening moments of the contest, Brain had received a pass from the elusive Jackson who had just seared past FC’s Oli Taylor, playing as a wingback for the guests. Brain reached the left bye-line but his low right-booted cross flew across the goalmouth untouched. He nodded a corner too high in each half but one wondered where the tall FC defenders were, as the Bees’ forward timed his movements and jumps better… He shot wide from distance prior to half-time and past the left upright after the interval from inside-right but he was also denied before the break by Higginson, who fell left to smuggle a low shot from Brain past a post.

SUBS BARNES & SMITH...

Sam Jackson…

The Bees’ winger was devastating several times with his quickness in his exciting races against Oli Taylor who spent much of the game defending, not able to contribute as an attacking force. Before the interval, Jackson forced Nathan Taylor to shove a low shot past his left stick, then the wide-man cut inside but drove off target, before curling another shot which took a touch on Fishwick’s left boot on its way to striking the upper reaches of the right post and then cannoning across the goalmouth.

After half-time Jackson was quieter but still forced Higginson to kick away an acute delivery from the left, then he shoved a near post effort wide following good work by Barnes on the right and finally he fired in a well struck shot late in the match which hit FC replacement Tom Smith and ricocheted for a corner.

The other Bee opportunities…

Bloomer drove too high in the early stages following a fast rush but his best effort at goal was following a melee at the right post from which a corner deflected out to him. His resulting fine low drive smacked against the base of the left upright. 

Nathan Taylor did well to get down and smother a Creswell free-kick from downtown round his left pole but he could nothing about goal two. This stemmed from one of Creswell’s rather decent flag-kicks which was glanced on by FC’s Fishwick towards Robbie Bunn on the left side of the penalty-box. He struck the ball left-footed across the 18 yard rectangle straight to Donnelly, who controlled it 7 yards out from the far post and shot with aplomb into the corner of the net past the despairing dive of Nathan Taylor…  

NATHAN TAYLOR WOULD NOT RECOVER FROM THE KNOCK HE HAD TAKEN...
I WISH HIM WELL.

In the second 45, a wayward, indeed very wayward left foot attempt by Barnes was followed by Creswell’s dangerous right-wing corner being headed from the goal-line by Atkins. Creswell had a shot deflected for a corner too, Donnelly nodded a Creswell corner wide of the left post and Bunn drove well wide late on.

A really good shot from 22 yards was hammered at goal by replacement Aaron Bunn which took a slight deflection on its way to clearing the crossbar but in truth, new goalie Higginson wasn’t really tested during the second period, despite the goal attempts listed above.

The final words…

It was good to see Dean Poulson remaining loyal to FC and playing his usual calm midfield game but really, the wide players, Dunkley and Oli Taylor weren’t able to get going due to the constant threat by the Bees’ speedsters.

Jack Storer appeared in the game for FC and it was a shame that he wasn’t involved as much as I’m sure he would have liked. Odd moments of clever footwork were a pleasure to watch but too often, calling for the ball in space, he received no service at all. I appreciated some of his smooth touches in possession however…

So, Robbie Bunn and Creswell orchestrated the victory, Jackson  and Brain produced the offense, Ben Welsh, Donnelly, Owain Taylor and Matt Edwards formed a strong defensive barrier and protected gloveman Brendon Bunn throughout, leaving him just one save to make and forcing Sutherland to take pot-shots from downtown…

Fair play to FC Stratford for passing the ball however and Zak Tellyn showed neat glimpses of his ability near my touchline after the interval.

It was cold at the Beehive and suspended home club skipper Dan Carter served hot drinks to his dugout friends, which was novel. Me? Impressed by the presence of Bunns and a Bloomer, I drove home with marmalade on toast in mind… 

And Owain Taylor didn’t give me his shirt after all.…  

TEAMS:

STUDLEY FC:

BRENDON BUNN, OWAIN TAYLOR, MATT EDWARDS, JAKE DONNELLY, BEN WELSK, JACK CRESWELL, DALE EDWARDSM ROBBIE BUNN (CAPT), SEAN BRAIN, ALFIE BLOOMER, SAM JACKSON.

SUBS:

BEN BIRCH, AARON BUNN, MARK MAGEE, ODANE BARNES, RYAN SMITH.

FC STRATFORD:

NATHAN TAYLOR, TOM FISHWICK, ZAK TELLYN, DAN ATKINS, JAMES ROBBINS (CAPT), HARRY HIGGINSON, OLI TAYLOR, DEAN POULSON, ZIDANE SUTHERLAND, JACK STORER, GEORGE DUNKLEY.

SUBS:

NICK COX, LOUIS MCDONALD, TOM SMITH, PATRICK ZITO.