Poulson praises clinical FC Stratford after Bartestree victory

DAVE Poulson praised FC Stratford for taking their chances as they progressed into the quarter-finals of the Les James Challenge Cup on Saturday.

Goals from James Gifford (2), Tom Parnaby and Ashley Wilkes saw Stratford claim a hard-earned 4-2 win at Bartestree, in their first game since mid-January.

“No team really dominated, but we took our chances and it’s as simple as that,” said Poulson.

“They probably played the better football on what was a very tricky pitch, but defensively we were sound.

“We scored two very early goals and it was very much like our early-season form, where we countered quickly and got goals.”

Stratford return to Midland League Division Three action on Saturday when they go to seventh-placed Boldmere Sports.

Meanwhile, Stratford have boosted their squad with the signings of Coventry Copsewood duo Alex Andrews and Joe Taylor.

It will be Taylor's second stint at Stratford, having played for the club between 2013 and 2016.