MY ONLY PREVIOUS VISIT TO STAPENHILL, 24TH AUGUST 2016...

 Slick Stapenhill Storm Sees Off Hart-Harried Holwell…

Stapenhill FC 7-3 Holwell Sports

A balmy August evening in 2016, when Liverpool were netting five times against Burton Albion nearby, the Swans of Stapenhill scored seven goals against their plucky visitors Holwell Sports, who struck three times themselves in, let’s say, ‘a rather open encounter’ at Maple Grove. Three goals down in 15 minutes, Holwell were forced to dig in, surviving further damage until the break and were involved in a busy 15 minutes at the start of the second period too, when the scoreline moved on to 4-2. At 4-3 there seemed a truly unlikely comeback on the cards but Steve Hart, whose name was written at first as ‘Hart Hart’ on the team-sheet, plundered another two goals, before lively strike partner Tom Liversage added a seventh to crown a crazy evening in warm sunshine, beneath a remarkable sky on the Staffs/Derbys border. 

From an early corner the ball was cleared as far as Hart, left side of the penalty-box, from whence his low volley struck Ellerton, which caused the defence to be wrong footed and Campbell pounced to shoot low into the right corner of the net from 12 yards, leaving goalie Whitham helpless.

Recovery wasn’t allowed, for within moments, Hart rose unencumbered at inside-left to head an easy second goal from a superb centre by Dawkins out on the right-flank.

When Holwell hauled Hart heartily to the turf, Dawkins took the ensuing 25 yard free-kick, just left of centre and curled a fine shot past Whitham high into the Sports net.    

DAWKINS' FREE-KICK...

Later, Stapenhill roared into a 4-1 lead when fine trickery on the right by Stevens, who made it to the byeline and crossed left-footed, led to a leap by Hart and a simple header, as Kibble struggled to cope and Whitham clawed air. 

At 4-3, Hart however then turned on the footy burners and settled the game with two goals, first rising way above Kibble to head past a hapless Whitham from a right-side centre, then after lurking near the Sports custodian as he fell to save a Stevens shot, he forced the goalie into another block at the right upright, before striking his fourth goal. This time, he chose to use his chest and right foot, rather than his head, when a good and incisive delivery by Britton came to him at the left post. He used his chest to control the ball near the byeline, moved inside an abject challenge by the disorientated Bitmead and shot inside the post, off Whitham from close range.

The busy and fleet-footed Liversage drove a 17 yard shot from inside-left past Whitham and into the bottom right corner of the net for goal 7, being rewarded by a hug and then being substituted, which failed to impress the dangerous forward. 

Ten goals, so no complaints at all, plus a fine welcome from the Stapenhill officials which had made the evening well worthwhile. 

Anyhow, Hart was excellent for the Swans, Britton was always involved, Garner was indefatigable, Liversage was a wispy character, substitute Stevens was an offensive danger and Dawkins was a really useful performer, showing some fine innovation at times.

TEAMS:

STAPENHILL:

BEN GOUGH, HARRY AUSTIN, NATHAN ROLPH, ASH GARNER, PAUL FURNISS (CAPT), NIALL DAWKINS, LEWIS CAMPBELL, ALEX BRITTON, TOM LIVERSAGE, STEVE HART, TOM ELLERTON.

SUBS:

JAMES MACHIN, JORDAN STEVENS, CHARLIE RUMIN, PHIL WHEILDON, TOM DUDDY.

HOLWELL SPORTS:

JAMIE WHITHAM, SAM KIBBLE, CARLTON CROPPER, AARON RIDEOUT, IAN BITMEAD, CHRIS HIBBITT, DAVID REEVES, BRAD SMITH, GRAHAM WELLS, KIERAN FOSTER, TOM HARRIS.

SUBS:

LIAM CHAPMAN, TOM BARNARD, MIKE HENDY, DAVID HAZLEDINE, RICHARD CRAGG.