Stratford Snatch Points

[Duffer]

Saturday 26th April 2003

Midland Football Alliance

STRATFORD TOWN 2 vs WILLENHALL TOWN 0

 

Willenhall completed the 2002/03 season on a low note by losing to Stratford who are still in with a chance of clinching runners up spot behind Champions Stourbridge. Willenhall finished in 6th place in a season which had started so brightly and ended with an impressive late run, if only their form in between hadn't itself being in between, then they would have being battling for promotion.

 

The Reds nearly grabbed an early goal within the first minute when first Swann curled a shot in, only the diving keeper's hand denied the striker, then from the resulting Smith corner, Creighton headed just over the bar.

 

A Stratford goalmouth scramble on 15 minutes saw the Reds defence clear the ball off the line twice. However, the rest of the half saw the Reds have the better of the play but were unable to turn their dominance into chances or indeed goals.

 

The second half started as the first, when just 3 minutes in, Hay found himself clean through, and just as the Reds striker teed up his shot the keeper appeared to pull him back, surprising the ref played on.

 

The visitors pressure nearly paid off on 58 minutes when Hay curled the ball goalwards with the keeper beaten, only to see his effort headed off the line.

 

Stratford took a shock lead on 75 minutes when Gallinagh found himself unmarked, his low shot squeezed in-between Olden's hand and the post.

 

This sparked a double substitution for the Reds with Bullimore and Jackson replacing Bromley and Rochester, but it was too late, and on 90 minutes Stratford doubled their lead. Sub Mitchell saw his speculative low shot fumbled by Olden and skid into the net.

 

Willenhall's management team of Rob Smith and Larry Chambers now have the close season to prepare for next season which will see the Noose Lane side celebrate 50 years of football, and promotion will be the ideal anniversary present.