Gregory bags four as Town thrash Evesham

STRATFORD turned in a scintillating display of attacking football to overwhelm near neighbours Evesham on Saturday, writes Bryan Hale.

Spearheaded by four goals from ace marksman Richard Gregory, Carl Adams’ side were five up at half-time and had extended their lead to seven ten minutes into the second half.

The Robins rallied with three of their own as Stratford understandably eased off, with the game finishing 7-3.

Jamie Sheldon had already seen a decent effort well held by Evesham keeper Kevin Sawyer before Gregory opened the scoring in the 12th minute, turning neatly in the penalty area to drill a sweet left-foot strike into the bottom corner.

As Stratford dominated the midfield possession, Sawyer saved a long-range try from Barry Fitzharris but he was beaten again on 31 minutes when the impressive Dior Angus surged past Will Wellon down the inside left channel to slot the ball past the advancing keeper.

With Stratford now in full flow, they added a third three minutes later when the impressive Angus released Simeon Tulloch down the left and the ex-Evesham wide man ran on to sweep the ball past Sawyer from a narrow angle.

The fourth goal arrived on 40 minutes when Niall Cooper’s long clearance was flicked on by Will Grocott and Tulloch outpaced the Evesham backline to again finish coolly past the helpless Sawyer.

And in the closing minute of the half, it was five with Gregory’s delicate chip over Sawyer from the left of the penalty area.

Stratford made three changes at the break but continued to boss the game with Gregory heading in a Grocott cross to complete his hat-trick on 49 minutes and then adding his fourth and Stratford’s seventh with an exquisite finish six minutes later.

Substitute Matt Sysum put the Robins onto the scoresheet in the 58th minute heading powerfully in from a left-wing corner followed almost immediately by Adam Mann racing away to beat the advancing Cooper as both sides continued with changes to make full use of their squads.

The Robins made the scoreline a bit more respectable in the 69th minute when Mann again broke free to beat Cooper followed by Sysum hitting the bar with another header.

But there were to be no more goals on an afternoon which left Carl Adams a happy man after eye-catching performances in all three of Stratford’s pre-season matches so far.

TOWN: Niall Cooper, Jordan Cullinane-Liburd, Kieren Westwood, Barry Fitzharris (Trey Brathwaite 46), Guy Clark, Emmitt Delfouneso, Simeon Tulloch (Logan Keeling 52), Jamie Sheldon (Yannick Gomez 46), Richard Gregory, Will Grocott, Dior Angus Warren Brooks 46).