Bards Progress To Semi-final, As Spectators Check Their iPhones…
FC Stratford 2-0 Shipston Excelsior
(QF of Marsh (UHL) Supplementary Challenge Cup…)
The Mowdog’s thoughts…
Reflecting, it seems that Tim Odhiambo Deya Oyanda’s early goal in this tie had an adverse effect upon the remainder of the game. It was a largely tedious affair, for in truth Shipston weren’t able to offer much in the way of threat to a comfortable FC outfit. When Oyanda shot in a second period penalty, after he had been tripped by Jake Brown, the result was confirmed and the remainder of the match was endured, rather than watched. Subsequently a stream of substitutions but very little in the way of entertainment led to spectators digging even deeper into their iPhones to check on how Manchester City were dong at Luton in the FA Cup and whether Newcastle could be upset by John Eustace’s Blackburn in the same competition.
And it rained.
Certainly, Oyanda was lively for the hosts and when Robbie Sone was offered service, he proved an offensive threat for the Bards but despite a huge advantage in possession, FC produced little real danger.
The lack of offense on display…
Following Oyanda’s first goal, in the opening 45 the Bards managed a header off target by skipper Kian Hamer, untouched deliveries across the goalmouth by Oyanda and Ben Cook and a near post centre from the right byeline by Sam Rodber, which Shipston defender Joe Godson deflected onto the upright.
After the recess which was signalled after a heavy rain shower, Oyanda netted his spot-kick and replacement Alex Rea (nearly the name of one of my favourite players, Alex Rae, ex-Millwall, Sunderland & Wolves, etc) had two shots at goal from downtown. The first flew low and visiting goalie Marcus Ireland slithered to shove the ball away towards his right post where home substitute Harry Cook was unable to benefit. Ireland needed attention after the save. Rea later shot too high…
The guests managed little in the way of attacking, despite a few pacy individuals working a few breaks late in the second period. Wayward shots by Ollie Thorn and Jordan Rooke before the break and a late second-half moment of threat caused by a Bards’ defensive lapse forced home goalie Ethan Pheasey to advance and claim the ball before Shipston replacement Jake Bradley could capitalise from an angle on the right.
Moving on to the contribution of Oyanda…
A fox in my garden showed neat dribbling skills with his snout, controlling an egg rather neatly the other evening but Oyanda’s dribble which resulted in goal one was better… He twisted and turned Brown inside-out on the right side of the penalty-box and with Ireland unsighted, he poked a low left-footer between the legs of Godson and inside the right stick from 8 yards.
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| OYANDA'S EFFORT GOES IN... |
...FOR 1-0 TO FC...
The winger drove another shot high and just wide too but when he was upended by Brown after the recess, he shot his ensuing penalty low into the left corner of the net, as Ireland lunged the opposite way.
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| OYANDA PREPARES... |
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| ...& SCORES HIS PENALTY... |
The final words…
Lots of FC control of the ball but too few moments of creativity resulted from their dominance and Shipston’s defensive industry, coupled with the Bards’ lack of penetration, made the encounter quite depressing to watch.
However, it was a win for FC and thus a semi-final berth in the Supplementary Cup competition, although Excelsior might perhaps have posed more of a threat with a little more accuracy and snatched a goal or two.
Ollie Taylor, Ben Cook, Hamer and Sacha Everard grabbed a lot of possession for the hosts, whilst Harry Budd and Nick Cox foraged tirelessly in midfield. Sone looked relaxed in possession for the hosts and he seemed less inhibited when he played a more central role, spraying a few accurate passes about, one of which set in motion Oyanda’s rush into the 18 yard box to win his penalty.
There was a lively cameo appearance on the right-flank during the second 45 by Bards' Resharn Donegan, although his final pass or delivery was a little awry at times.
For Shipston, skipper Robbie Shurmer was effective in defense, Oli Thorn worked hard in midfield, whilst Rooke and George Redshaw grafted further forward, despite receiving little service…
At the end, spectators finally pocketed their iPhones, headed for the exit and disappeared into a cold February night…
