Skipper nets opener in his side’s first game

STRATFORD made a winning start to the new season with a 3-1 victory at home to Nottingham University 3rds.

Deploying four attackers and forcing Stratford to defend deep, the visitors started strongly but as the first half progressed, Stratford began to pose a threat on the counter-attack which culminated in veteran Oli Hyatt earning Stratford a short corner. Captain Sam Fisher stepped up and expertly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner giving the home side the early goal.

Shortly afterwards, Craig McKee caught the students off-guard, capitalising on a quick free hit to power his way along the baseline before squeezing the ball home from a tight angle to double the lead.

Stratford made it three when McKee’s lofted aerial pass to Hyatt was deflected to debutant Ben Ollerenshaw who calmly finished with only the keeper to beat.

Despite controlling possession, Nottingham University continued to struggle to convert their opportunities. However, shortly before half-time they scored an impressively powerful drag flick from a short corner.

As fatigue set in and the rate of turnovers increased so the match became an end-to-end contest with Stratford goalkeeper Tarrin Williams being called on to make several crucial clearances to ensure a first win of the season for the home side.

Stratford Ladies 1sts 1, Leicester City 3rds 0

A strong performance for the first league game of the season saw three points deservedly coming Stratford's way. After being put under considerable pressure for the first 20 minutes where Rachel Fielden and Emma Hyatt had to defend very deep, Stratford began to grow in confidence and slowly took control of the game.

Sarah Davies and Zara Dhillon took the opportunity to calmly play out from defence into midfield while the pace of Stratford's forward began to trouble the Leicester defence.

Despite opportunities for Abi Juniper and Poppy Blackwall it remained scoreless at half-time with the deadlock finally being broken when a finely struck short corner was deflected in by player of the match, Emily Capaldi.

Stratford continued to press, but the second goal their play perhaps deserved did not materialise.

Stratford Men’s 4ths 4, Droitwich Spa 2nds 1

Stratford Men’s 4ths started the season with a confidence-boosting win.

With last season's junior cohort having the opportunity to impress in higher teams it was time for a new generation of youth to complement the more experienced members of the team and they did not disappoint.

Ted Hargett provided energy from the right hand side of a midfield three, Ollie Montandon - playing out of position up front - combined to good effect and Will Cartwright grew into the game and demonstrated his ability to carry the ball from defence.

Chris Hazell converted from a slick short corner routine for the opener midway through the first half before Mark Leary made it two after the interval from a Montandon cross with Jules Van Vegchel adding a third from another short corner.

In between Stratford were thankful to the excellent Tom Knight in goal who pulled off several excellent saves.

Mark Leary gave the scoreline further polish with a smart shot on the turn with Droitwich scoring a well-taken goal from a short corner.