Stroud League Div 4 - Saturday 18 th February 2012
Leonard Stanley Res 3 – 0 Arlingham
The Reserves returned to action on Saturday and put in a convincing performance against Arlingham in Jamie Versaci's first game in charge.
Stanley started on the front foot and immediately began to impose themselves on Arlingham. Niblett thought his cross went over the line but the ref and linesman said no, Harkins had a free kick go just over and Dave Broadley, back in the side saw his 25yard shot also go very close. Stanley took the lead on 25 mins with Griffin scoring from close range after some good work by debutant Hanley and it was 2-0 shortly afterwards; birthday boy Piers Versaci collected a pass from Rees, burst in to the box and shot low and hard in to the back of the net. The visitors rarely threatened in the first half apart from a couple of shot wide of goal and it finished with the home side in a good position.
Stanley could have added to their lead in the early part of the 2nd half but new boy Hanley put his shot horribly wide when it looked easier to find the corner! Arlingham managed to keep the ball a bit better for a 10 minute period but failed to threaten the Stanley goal with Broadley and Stocks cleaning everything up. Stanley got hold of the game again and started to create more chances and sub Sims got the third of the game as he turned in the box and put his shot past the Arlingham keeper. The home side could and should have scored more but were guilty of being wasteful with some sloppy passing at the final moment. Arlingham almost grabbed a consolation late on but the ball cannoned back off the post which ensured Stanley 's clean sheet. A great showing from the whole team with stand out performances from P Versaci, Broadley and Niblett, a winning start for new gaffer Versaci, home to Ramblers next Saturday.
Stroud League Div 4- Saturday 28th January
Nympsfield 1 - 1 Leonard Stanley Res.
Stanley Reserves left Nympsfield with a point on Saturday after a lively encounter against their local rivals.
The home side came out of the blocks at a tremendous rate and immediately imposed themselves on the Stanley back four and when a ball in to the box was not properly dealt with Dan Glynn found himself on his backside and handled the ball as he tried to protect it. The ref was well placed to award a spot kick which was converted inside the first 5 mins.
Stanley then dominated play and created a number of chances with Walker, Penrith and Griffin going near, however Hudd had the best chance of the half but his header crashed back off the crossbar. At times the game threatened to boil over as the home side seemed intent on fouling and winding up their opponents.
Nympsfield managed to get forward a few more times early in the 2 nd half and forced a couple of half chances but Stanley looked threatening on the break. On one of these Griffin ran from inside his own half and was upended as he entered 18yard box and a penalty was awarded. Des Walker stepped up but blasted his spot kick well over to leave the hosts 1 up. With 15 mins remaining Stanley got the equaliser they deserved. Griffin picked the ball up in midfield and as he turned past two opponents his well weighted pass in to the box found Niblett who comfortably scored in to the bottom corner. Moments later Niblett had the chance to win it but his header from Harkins' cross struck a defender and was cleared. The home side also had good chances to win as they forced a succession of dangerous corners at the end of the game but Stanley held firm to secure a draw for the 2 nd week in a row.
Stonehouse 3rds at home next week in Jamie Versaci's first game as Gaffer. Good Luck.
Stroud League Div 4- Saturday 21st January
Leonard Stanley Res.
2 - 2 Whitminster Res.
The Reserves returned to action after a six week break on Saturday and had to settle for a point against fellow mid table side Whitminster Res.
On a windy afternoon it was the visitors who found their rhythm quickest and scored the opening goal after 10 mins when a corner, with assistance from the wind found its way directly in to the top corner. Stanley rallied and were almost back in it when Penrith headed Versaci's cross just wide. Whitminster doubled their lead on 25 mins with a contentious penalty. Sims was adjudged to have brought down a Whitminster defender as a free kick was lifted in to the box. Jones got close to saving the spot kick. Despite being two down the home side were playing some decent stuff and were handed a way back in to the game when Walkers purposeful run in to the box was cut short and a penalty was awarded. Walker picked himself up to put his spot kick in to the bottom corner. Moments later a free kick from Walker was deflected just over. 1-2 half time.
It took Stanley less than 30 seconds to draw level at the start of the 2 nd half when Niblett ran on to Verscai's pass to slot past the Whitminster keeper on the turn. Stanley were much the better side and looked as though they would take the lead as they forced a succession of corners but could not apply the finishing touch. Penrith went close again with another header and also saw a long range shot go over. Whitminster found their feet and started to create a few chances of their own but some good defending and a superb stop from Rob Jones kept the scores level. Whitminster were lucky to finish the game with 11 players after one of their team planted a headbutt on Sims, the ref somehow decided this was only worthy of a yellow card much to the dismay of the Stanley players and to the relief of the visitors.
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