Tornados storm to another cup success

STRATFORD Town Tornados under-13s retained the Ambassador Evesham League Cup thanks to a 2-0 victory over Redditch side Oakenshaw Lions at Pershore on Saturday.

Oakenshaw were the quicker team out of the blocks, putting together a series of slick passing moves throughout the first quarter of the match.

However, they were thwarted by some solid defending from Stratford’s Brandon Garvie and Nathan Brook, who were playing together in the centre of defence for the first time.

Gradually, Stratford managed to get back into the game and some probing forward passes from central midfield duo Tom Price and Tommy Williams began to swing the pendulum their team’s way.

However, despite some trademark mazy runs into the Oakenshaw goal area, lone striker Lewis Robinson continued to find himself isolated.

It was only the introduction of the combative Jimmy Middleton, in his first

game after a long spell out with injury, late in the first half that added the extra ingredient to spice up Stratford’s offensive threat.

When it seemed the first half might end in a goalless stalemate, Middleton suddenly burst into the Oakenshaw half, running past three defenders to steer the ball past the oncoming keeper giving his side a 1-0 advantage going into the break.

At the start of the second half, Stratford introduced Sam Hill and Lucas Brannan to sharpen their attacking threat.

While Hill ensured more quality ball from midfield, Brannan’s pace down the right kept Oakenshaw’s defence busy.

As the second half progressed, Oakenshaw’s determination to put themselves back on level terms meant long periods of sustained pressure and more than once Stratford keeper Max Gregory’ s concentration was severely tested.

It was Gregory’s quick thinking, though, that led to the cushion of his team’s second goal.

A pinpoint kick out from goal found the ever-willing Middleton in space deep in the Oakenshaw half and the big forward lost his markers to slam the ball home, putting Stratford 2-0 up.

It was a nervous last 20 minutes as Oakenshaw pressed hard to pull themselves back into the game.

However, Stratford moved their captain, Tom Price, back into defence holding out to win the AEFL League Cup for the second successive year, bringing a difficult season to a happy conclusion.

Meanwhile, Stratford Town Colts under-18s triumphed over local rivals Stratford Town Blue in their Coventry and Warwickshire League Youth Cup final at Bedworth on Sunday.

After a highly-contested game, Colts scored three second-half goals to win 4-1, making it back-to-back cup triumphs for the team.