Adams urges Stratford Town to impress on home soil
FOOTBALL
CARL ADAMS says Stratford Town will relish the chance to show what they can do when they meet Redditch United tonight (Tuesday) in the first home game of the Southern Premier Division season.
Adams was happy with a point from Saturday’s season-opener at St Ives Town but felt his side were far from their best in the 1-1 draw.
But with back-to-back home games against the Reds and then Basingstoke on Saturday the Town manager is urging his players to step up their performance in front of their own fans.
“For whatever reason, we weren’t at our best against St Ives and I know we can do a lot better,” said Adams. “I was happy to come away with a point because I’m sure we will play better this season and lose.
“Now we’ve got two tough home games but we’ve got an opportunity to show what we can do on home soil.”
One positive from the St Ives game was that striker Mike Taylor returned to action after a hamstring pull to come on as a substitute and netted the Stratford equaliser.
“Mike looks like he is 100 per cent fit after missing training for a couple of weeks,” said Adams.
Forward Edwin Ahenkorah also featured in his first league game since suffering a hamstring injury at the turn of the year, though he is still catching up on his fitness.
Left-back Kieren Westwood, who was away at his sister’s wedding last weekend, can return against the Reds, but Barry Fitzharris and Dior Angus remain absent. Midfielder Fitzharris, a summer signing from Romulus, misses the first three games through suspension carried over from last season, while front-runner Angus is recovering from a hamstring injury.
The Reds have already played at the DCS Stadium this season, defeating Chesham United 3-1 on Saturday when Stratford became their home because their new 3G pitch is not yet ready.
Last season Redditch won their home game, taking the points 3-2 after Town led 2-1, and Stratford did likewise, winning 1-0 on Boxing Day.
Read the Herald's post-match report v Redditch online
