Stroud League Div 4 - Saturday 24th March 2012
Leonard Stanley Res 4 - 0 Glevum Utd.
The Reserves claimed all 3 points in their quest for promotion after a fine second half performance against Glevum on Saturday.
There was little to shout about after a poor first half showing with the home side looking out of sorts and the visitors looking the more comfortable side, however they failed to really threaten the Stanley goal with any decent efforts, their most dangerous moments coming from in swinging corners. Up the other end Stanley created a couple of chances; Hudd went close with a long range header, Walker shot wide and Broadley put his volley over whilst under pressure.
Versaci gave a strong half time team talk telling his side to remain patient and to play simple football and this paid off minutes in to the 2 nd half with Hanley claiming his first goal for the club as he beat the onrushing Glevum keeper to ball over the top to place the ball in to an empty net for the easiest of finishes. Versaci Jnr made it two 10 mins later with a very similar goal to Hanley's, Versaci even had enough time to stop the ball on the line and head it over! The home side were now creating lots of chances and Walker really should have made it 3 but he shot straight at a defender after rounding the Glevum keeper. Versaci made it 3 with 15 mins remaining following a decent move involving Penrith and Rees – Versaci shooting in to the bottom left corner to claim his second of the game. Broadley then wrapped up the scoring with a quality effort across the keeper in to the right hand side of the goal.
Stanley visit league leaders Wickwar next week and will hope to avenge their 5-0 drubbing earlier in the season.
Stroud League Div 4 - Saturday 10th March 2012
Leonard Stanley Res 0 - 0 Minchinhampton RDS Res.
Stanley Reserves played out their first goalless draw of the season in what was a must win game and they will be frustrated by 2 disallowed goals and a host of missed opportunities to secure the points.
In a fairly even opening half chances were created by both sides. Chris Hanley had one of the best but he saw his shot from a tight angle clip the outside of the post, he had another opportunity but could not get the ball out from under his feet, Measures had a goal chalked off for offside and Griffin was looking to run at defenders whenever he had the ball and went close a couple of times. Harkins, Rees and Walker also had half chances. Up the other end only a fine blocking header from Glyn stopped Minch from taking the lead, the visitors also caused a scare following a corner and a scramble but the ball was cleared.
Stanley didn't get going in the 2nd half and Minch were looking the stronger side but were limited in the chances they were creating due to a solid defensive display from the home side, however one ball over the top let in their top marksman Arnold who looked certain to score until an excellent saving tackle from the impressive Stocks. Following this Stanley dominated possession and created several more chances to score. Hanley shot wide despite having teammates in excellent space and Walker saw his effort from an angle go just over. With 10mins remaining Stanley had the ball in the net for the second time, Measures did excellently to go past a couple of players before squaring to Hanley to tap in; as Stanley started to celebrate the ref blew up for offside. The final minutes were scrappy and feisty and this led to Measures being sent from the pitch for dissent. Despite the disappointing result Stanley will be pleased with not conceding and also saw a dominant display from Stocks and up top Hanley looks to be finding his feet in his new team and is a whisker away from his first goal for the club. A week off now for the Reserves with their next game at home on 24th March against Glevum.
Stroud League Div 4 - Saturday 3rd March 2012
Tredworth Tigers 2 – 1 Leonard Stanley Res
The reserves suffered defeat for the first time since December against a strong and determined Tredworth side. As was the norm in games between these sides the match was played a high tempo with plenty of passion and fight shown from both sets of players, this did at times detract from any real decent football being played and the ref had to be on his game as he had to deal with a number of X rated tackles coming in from both sides. Chances were few and far between during the first half, Hudd and Broadley put their headers wide and Griffin knew he should have done much much better when through on goal but he blasted his shot on to roof of a nearby school building! Tredworth played a few good moves but like the visitors they were unable to apply the finishing touch with keeper Jones making a couple of regulation stops. On the stroke of half time Stanley thought they might have won a penalty but the ref correctly spotted a fine last ditch tackle on Walker.
It was a cagey start to the 2nd period in which Stanley could have taken the lead, following good work down the right flank by Measures he played in Versaci who chose to shoot despite Harkins being in good space and the chance was wasted. Tredworth were now winning the midfield battle, controlling the game and were putting Stanley under pressure and they took the lead on 70mins when an in-swinging corner to the back post was bundled in, Stanley protested for a foul on keeper Jones but the ref allowed the goal to stand. Versaci made a few changes to freshen things up and following a free kick Stanley equalised from the resulting corner when the Tredworth keeper's weak punch found Measures who, after a couple of attempts put his header in to draw level. Stanley were keen to hold out for a point but Tredworth pushed for and scored the winner with 3 mins remaining. After a mix up in the 6 yard box Jones failed to hold on to the ball it was laid back and the ball was smashed in to the roof of the net. Stanley had battled hard and probably deserved a point but it was Tredworth who gained all three and in the process secured their first ever victory over Stanley . The reserves still have the chance of promotion but need maximum points from as many games as possible starting with Saturday's home game against bottom club Minchinhampton/RDS.
|
|
