MATCH REPORTS
Kidderminster Harriers Ladies FC 0 Stratford Town Ladies 1
Sunday saw Stratford hit the ground running in their first match after a lengthy six week gap in fixtures. They travelled to mid-table Kidderminster looking for another three points after their 2-1 win in the home fixture. The home side looked the more threatening team during the first half, although Stratford were robust in defence. Kidderminster came agonisingly close when a half-cleared corner was thumped against the crossbar and the resulting rebound deflected narrowly wide off goalkeeper Anna Jones’ leg. Perhaps this was a sign that it might be Stratford’s day. On 40 minutes Stratford striker Lisa Slowther broke through the defence but was held back just outside the penalty box. Slowther shot just inches wide from the resulting free kick.
Both teams continued to fight hard for the win during the second half. Stratford orchestrated a number of chances but were unable to find the net. Kidderminster were largely made to resort to long shots, none of which troubled Jones. The home team came close again on 65 minutes however, when a long throw into the box eluded Jones on the only occasion of the afternoon. The flick on from the Harriers’ skipper hit the crossbar and defender Sian Taylor-Phillips was able to head it away from the goal to keep the scores level. On 85 minutes Stratford won another free kick just on the corner of the 18 yard box. Slowther swung a searching ball into the back post where the home defence and goalkeeper confusedly combined to deflect it into the net. Stratford held on against strong Kidderminster pressure in the closing minutes to bag all three points.
Cannock Ladies 1 Stratford Town Ladies 0
Sunday saw a surprising loss for Stratford after their return to form last week against Kidderminster. The away side started the game poorly, losing possession easily and allowing Cannock to play their favoured long ball style with little pressure. It took only half an hour for the home side to take full advantage of Stratford’s lacklustre mood. A ball was played down the right and the player left unchallenged, allowing the ball to find its way across the face of the Stratford goal. Right back Cara Williams closed down the striker but the ball ricocheted to another attacker, who calmly sidefooted the ball home. The half time whistle couldn’t come quick enough for the visitors.
Stratford began the second half galvanised, looking ultimately for a winner. However, it seemed that it just was not meant to be as chance after chance was either squandered or simply refused to go in the net. Jade Craddock looked on disbelievingly as her powerful header across the goal was saved at point blank range by Cannock keeper Hannah Waddell. Waddell pulled off another amazing save to deny Lisa Slowther in a one-on-one on 70 minutes. Lisa Bright hit the crossbar with minutes left of the game. The game finished 1-0 without Cannock having a shot on goal in the second half.
Stratford’s next fixture is at home against Coleshill Town Ladies on Sunday March 16th. Hopefully they can again find their form and pick up some much needed points.
Stratford Town Ladies FC 2 Kidderminster Harriers Ladies FC 1
Sunday brought a more than welcome change in fortune for Stratford Town Ladies. Their recent run of poor form was becoming a cause for concern, but they managed to turn things around against Kidderminster in the first league encounter between the teams this season. Stratford were determined to get a result from the first minute and set out their stall from the off. The familiar forward pairing of Lisa Slowther and Lisa Taylor-Phillips gave Stratford a target in attack. Kidderminster looked to be lacking in versatility, only looking dangerous from their trademark long throw-ins to the penalty box. Stratford dominated the early stages of the game and as such took the lead after 20 minutes. Slowther shot from an acute angle on the left, and although the ball looked for all the world to be sailing over the bar, it dipped at the last minute and found the net. The home side remained largely in control for the remainder of the half, with most of Kidderminster’s chances being closed down by the defence or goalkeeper Anna Jones. One lapse in concentration allowed the visitors to equalise however. The goal came, predictably, from a long throw in on the left. The ball was hoisted to the near post, where the Kidderminster striker beat Jones and two defenders to head the ball home, although Karen Weston was unlucky not to get quite enough purchase on the ball to head it off the line.
Stratford began the second half full of purpose, convinced they could get maximum points from this tie. The breakthrough came after 57 minutes. A superb ball into the box from the ever-lively Melissa Ball was met by Slowther who smashed the ball past the keeper with an impressive scissor kick. Resolute defending and good possession play from the entire team kept Stratford in the lead to claim the full three points.
Stratford Town Ladies 1 Walsall Ladies 3
A shock win for league strugglers Walsall on Sunday gave Stratford Town Ladies a real wake-up call. Stratford are currently struggling for players, with many regulars missing through injury. Bridget Richards, who recently retired from the club, made an unexpected return at right back to help out her old team mates. However, it was not to be an enjoyable afternoon for Stratford. The visitors took the lead after less than two minutes in the unseasonably warm sun at FISSC. A through ball split the defence and was finished well by the attacker. To the disbelief of the home side, they doubled their lead before the clock reached seven minutes in much the same way as the first goal. Stratford pulled a goal back after 20 minutes after a good strike across the keeper by Kate Nicholls. Walsall continued to press however, and the teams were evenly matched as half time approached.
The second half saw Stratford continuing to chase the game. It looked as though they might have made a breakthrough when the Walsall goalkeeper handled the ball outside of her area. The resulting shambles that occurred when Lisa Slowther attempted to take the free kick quickly, but found the ball kicked away from her before she had made contact with it, nearly led to Slowther receiving a red card from the less than convincing referee. However, Slowther got away with a stern warning. As Stratford began to push forward looking for the equaliser, gaps at the back were exposed by the Walsall attack. A counter-attack on 70 minutes nearly led to Walsall’s third goal but was cleared off the line by Cara Williams. The final nail in Stratford’s coffin came on 82 minutes when Walsall overloaded the home defence and struck home their third of the afternoon. The loss was compounded when Slowther missed a penalty with the final kick of the game.
Solihull Ladies 2 Stratford Town Ladies 1 (AET)
Stratford travelled to Solihull on Sunday for their first round league cup tie. Matches between Stratford and Solihull are traditionally very close affairs, more often than not generating a lot of goals. The former was definitely true on Sunday, even if the latter were not. The pitch was not in the greatest condition and a strong wind was blowing from one flank to the other. Nevertheless, both sides played some high-quality, expansive football. Solihull were awarded an early penalty after a clumsy tackle from Karen Weston brought the Solihull attacker down in the box. Stratford keeper Anna Jones saved the spot kick with a good reaction stop and the danger was cleared by Sian Taylor-Phillips. Both sides enjoyed a number of chances from open play and corners but the deadlock remained. Solihull struck the first blow of the game on 32 minutes when a speculative shot from the left wing deceived Jones and found its way into the net. The score remained at 1-0 for the rest of the half despite the home side winning several corners.
Stratford came out at half time eager to score the equaliser. The breakthrough came on 54 minutes when Lisa Slowther latched onto a poorly struck goal kick and finished coolly across the stranded goalkeeper. The remainder of the match was as dramatic as any of the football that Stratford have played so far this season. On 75 minutes Taylor-Phillips was forced to go off with a knee injury, which saw the introduction of Lisa Bright on the left wing, with Cara Williams dropping back into an unfamiliar left back position. Extra time was, almost inevitably, required and saw Solihull doing most of the attacking. Jones was called upon to make several important saves and was up to the challenge. With penalties looming, Solihull almost finished the match when the ball found the back of the net. Stratford’s Sarah Warrington suffered a serious knee injury as she tried to stop the shot, and this in combination with the linesman’s raised flag caused a few moments of chaos as no-one was sure whether or not the goal stood. The referee disallowed the goal and awarded a free kick to Stratford with only 14 seconds remaining on his watch. Somehow Solihull managed to snatch possession in midfield and set off on the attack, culminating in a poor cross into the box. An uncharacteristic mix up between midfielder Kate Nicholls and Weston allowed a Solihull attacker to swoop in and jab the ball into the net to claim an unbelievable win for the home side.
Stratford Town Ladies 1 Coventry Copsewood 2
Sunday saw a spirited performance from the Stratford Ladies which almost caused the upset of their season. Having been comprehensively beaten twice previously this season by Copsewood, Stratford were looking to put in a performance. The home side started strongly with what was arguably their best 45 minutes of the season so far. The away side were on the back foot for the entire half, with Stratford creating a number of chances. Stratford looked defensively sound with the whole team putting in a disciplined and determined performance. Good work from Karen Weston and Janine Dickinson in the centre of defence settled the team and they were able to play some expansive football. The breakthrough for Stratford came on 37 minutes. Lisa Taylor-Phillips lobbed the keeper from the edge of the box when the ball landed at her feet after Lisa Slowther’s pass was half-intercepted.
The second half brought much of the same, albeit with Copsewood looking more purposeful. The home side kept their shape well but found themselves camped in their own half for a lot of the remaining time. It looked as though it was going to be Stratford’s day as Copsewood blazed a prime chance over the bar, and another was cleared off the line by Sian Taylor-Phillips. Stratford nearly doubled their lead on 80 minutes but the keeper came out quickly to block Slowther’s shot and keep the score at 1-0. However, Stratford’s fortunes changed for the worse when Copsewood broke on the counter attack on 86 minutes. Stratford keeper Anna Jones was unable to stop the resulting shot from finding the net. The unthinkable happened on 90 minutes when the Copsewood attack broke through the home defence. Jones came out but was beaten on the edge of the box and Copsewood took the victory. This was heartbreak for Stratford who had battled so hard to get a result.
Hopefully Stratford can find the same passion when they take on Solihull Ladies in the League Cup next Sunday.
Stratford Town Ladies 0 Shrewsbury Town Ladies 4
Sunday brought defeat for Stratford, who took on West Midland Regional Women’s League leaders Shrewsbury Town at FISSC. A blustery wind made conditions difficult for both sides. The home side made the better start to the game, enjoying the majority of the possession. However, for all their time on the ball they did not muster many shots on goal. Shrewsbury looked dangerous in attack and forced a number of corners but none of them found their way into the net. As half time approached, it was looking hopeful that Stratford would at least be able to take a point from the match, as was the case when the sides met earlier in the season.
The second half told a different story however. After ten minutes, the referee made a controversial decision to award a free kick on the edge of Stratford’s penalty area after Lisa Bright made what looked to be a successful and innocuous challenge. The ball was played up over the wall and over Stratford keeper Anna Jones into the goal. Stratford kept their heads up and strived to find an equaliser. They came very close on 65 minutes when Melissa Ball’s powerful shot was parried by the keeper and fell to Lisa Slowther in the box. Slowther’s shot was blocked well by a defender to keep Shrewsbury’s advantage. The away side doubled their lead after stealing possession from a throw in and scoring from 20 yards. A turnaround looked increasingly unlikely after Shrewsbury scored their third. Jones decided to come out to the edge of her box to block a shot but was beaten, Karen Weston was unlucky not to steer the shot wide with her last ditch block however. The defeat was rounded off with another long range effort in the 80th minute.
Rea Valley Ladies 1 Stratford Town Ladies 6
Stratford kicked off 2008 with a bang on Sunday, beating West Midland Regional Women’s League strugglers Rea Valley 6-1. The first two goals came within the opening ten minutes of the game. Lisa Slowther headed the first home emphatically from a probing corner from Melissa Ball. Ball added the second herself after a trademark mazy run into the box. Stratford dominated the majority of the first half with the home side having very limited chances. The third came towards the end of the half when Lisa Taylor-Phillips finished clinically into the bottom right corner of the goal after some good build up play.
Rea Valley looked a lot more lively after the break and applied much more pressure to the Stratford defence. Their efforts went unrewarded however, and Ball added three more to her tally during the remainder of the game. Two of these came from impressively struck long range shots, and the third a tap in after beating the keeper one on one. Valley got a consolation goal in the final minute of the game with a half volley smashed over Stratford keeper Anna Jones from just outside the area.
Hopefully this heralds the start of a run of good form for Stratford, who sit 7th in the league at present. They take on league leaders Shrewsbury on Sunday at FISSC. 2pm kick off, all welcome.
16 December 2007 Stratford Town Ladies 1 Lichfield Diamonds 4 League
The last match before the Christmas break saw Stratford slump to a 4-1 defeat at home to Lichfield Diamonds. The home side started quite well but were generally on the back foot. The first goal came from a free kick on the edge of the box which looped over Stratford keeper Anna Jones. Stratford were lucky not to concede another a few minutes later when the ball was scrambled clear after a corner. The second half was largely one-way traffic in the away side's favour. Two goals came from shots outside the box with the fourth coming after the Lichfield attack broke through the Stratford defence. The one highlight of the game for Stratford came when Lisa Taylor-Phillips scored an impressive consolation goal, half-volleying the ball home from 25 yards.
Hopefully 2008 will bring a new motivation and verve to Stratford Town Ladies as they move to new training facilities at Knight's Lane. Stratford's next fixture is away at Rea Valley on January 6th.
11th November 2007 Stratford Town Ladies 3 Bourne Utd Ladies 0
West Midlands Premier Division
Sunday brought another win for in-form Stratford Ladies. Bourne Utd were an unknown quantity, having been promoted to the West Midlands Premier Division this season. The first half was fairly evenly-matched, with both sides creating a number of chances. Stratford looked largely comfortable, playing an expansive passing game. Sian Taylor-Phillips came close for the home side on 35 minutes when Melissa Ball whipped a free kick to the far post. The ball sped just past Taylor-Phillips and went behind for a goal kick. The best chance of the half belonged to the visitors. A corner was swung into the middle of the eighteen yard box and headed strongly by the Bourne striker. She saw her effort cleared by Cara Williams on the goal line.
Stratford began the second half looking purposeful. It took just five minutes for the breakthrough to come. Lisa Taylor-Phillips picked the ball up on the halfway line and pinpointed a pass out to the left to Ball. Ball took off on a trademark mazy run and took the ball to the byline, drawing a defender and the goalkeeper with her. She then squared to Lisa Slowther who sidefooted the ball into the net. Stratford were galvanised by the goal and took control of the game. Ten minutes later, a free kick into the box from Sian Taylor-Phillips was blocked by the hand of a Bourne defender. Lisa Slowther stepped up to convert the subsequent penalty, finishing low to the keeper's left. The game was sewn up completely on 72 minutes when the visitors conceded their second penalty of the afternoon, after Lisa Taylor-Phillips' shot was saved rather deftly on the line by another Bourne defender. Slowther struck the penalty low into the opposite corner to claim her hat-trick.
Next week Stratford travel to Coventry City in the second round of the Women's County Cup. Hopefully their recent run of good form will give them the momentum they need to progress further in the competition.
Walsall Ladies 1 Stratford Town Ladies 5 Sunday saw Stratford Town Ladies return to winning ways in emphatic style. Preparation for the game was not as it might have been, with a boys under-15s cup game on the same pitch going to extra time and penalties, leading to the kick off being delayed by an hour. Nevertheless, Stratford began the game looking to turn around their recent run of poor form. It took just 6 minutes for the first goal to come. Zoe Sykes played a deft ball over the Walsall defence to Lisa Bright. Bright hit a sublime shot from the right, lobbing the keeper to give the visitors the lead. Stratford doubled their tally within 4 minutes. Lisa Taylor-Phillips broke through the defence and shot across the keeper. Melissa Ball made sure the ball found the back of the net, although it did look to be making its way over the line from the initial shot. Stratford bossed the remainder of the half and looked to be comfortably in control. However, in the final minutes in the approach to the break, a ball found t he Walsall striker 20 yards from goal. Indecision at the back saw her beat defender Janine Dickinson and then smash the ball past Anna Jones in goal to bring the score back to 2-1. Walsall had the better of the possession in the remaining time but were unable to make any more of it. Both sides started the second half looking lively. Walsall fashioned a couple of half chances but nothing too threatening. Stratford put the game to bed after 55 minutes. Taylor-Phillips slid a ball through to Lisa Slowther who held off two defenders to finish strongly past the Walsall keeper. The fourth goal came just minutes later from a Stratford corner. Ball swung a low cross into the near post where it was met by Sian Taylor-Phillips and hammered into the net. The icing on the cake came on 65 minutes when Stratford were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box. Slowther stroked home a precise shot to put the score at 5-1. Next week sees Stratford take on Bourne Utd at FISSC. Kick off 2pm, all spectators welcome.
Stratford Town Ladies 3 Solihull Ladies 2 Sunday saw Stratford meet Solihull Ladies for the second time this season. The result of this second meeting was identical to the first, although the course of the game was quite different. The game began on an even keel, with both sides exhibiting good patches of play. Unlike the last encounter, it was Stratford who took the lead first. The goal came from a corner which was whipped into the back post by Melissa Ball and met by Sian Taylor-Phillips who bulleted the header into the back of the net. Stratford now began to play with more confidence and took the upper hand in the match. They doubled their lead on 32 minutes. Midfielder Kate Nicholls tried to play the ball through to Lisa Taylor-Phillips but it was cut out by a defender. The ball fell fortuitously to Karen Weston who reacted quickly at full stretch to play in Ball, who cut inside and curled the ball home at the back post. Solihull nearly redressed the balance on 43 minutes when an inswinging corner was headed over committed keeper Anna Jones. However Sian Taylor-Phillips and Cara Williams managed to keep the ball out of the home side’s net. Solihull started the second half full of purpose. Stratford defended resolutely, managing to soak up the pressure, and on 60 minutes their lead was stretched to three goals. Right back Sarah Warrington hit a dangerous cross into the box, which the Solihull keeper tried to meet but was put off by the advancing Ball. Nicholls latched onto the spilled ball and squared to Lisa Bright, who finished convincingly with a left foot shot. Solihull pulled a goal back minutes after the restart, keeping possession until a well-struck long shot beat Jones. This was the catalyst for somewhat of a comeback by Solihull. Stratford again defended well against the constant attacks, but on 80 minutes Solihull headed a cross in to bring the score to 3-2. New Stratford signing Nadine Payton put a chance just wide in the closing minutes of the game. Stratford look to build on this win next week when they face Cannock at FISSC. 2pm kick off, all spectators welcome.
Shrewsbury Town Ladies 0 Stratford Town Ladies 0 Stratford Town Ladies made the long journey to league leaders Shrewsbury on Sunday and returned with a well-deserved point. The match was a physical, and on occasions ill-tempered encounter. The first half was reasonably even. Shrewsbury created a number of chances but none really threatened Anna Jones' goal. The Stratford defence again looked solid, with the central partnership of Sian Taylor-Phillips and Janine Dickinson growing stronger with each match. Sarah Warrington was uncompromising at right back, while Bridget Richards' experience was obvious as she played well in an unfamiliar left back role. Stratford's chances were not as numerous as Shrewsbury's, but nevertheless the visitors were unlucky not to go ahead when Lisa Taylor-Phillips' thunderous 25 yard strike cannoned back off the underside of the bar. The second half brought much of the same, with clear cut chances few and far between. The atmosphere of the match began to take a turn for the worse when things became heated between Melissa Ball and a Shrewsbury midfielder after both were jostling for the ball at speed. Another incident ten minutes later saw Warrington challenged strongly from behind. The home side almost broke the deadlock on 65 minutes, but Jones saved with her foot at full stretch to deny them. Things boiled over in the closing minutes of the game in a dangerous fashion. Shrewsbury won a corner, and just as the ball was about to be played in, Richards was elbowed deliberately in the throat by a home player. The referee had his back turned, but luckily for the visitors the home side had insisted on paying two professional linesmen, one of whom had spotted the infringement. The culprit was duly dispatched from the pitch. Stratford defended with passion for the remaining minutes of the game and emerged with a point. The league campaign continues when Stratford entertain Solihull Ladies next Sunday at FISSC, kick off 2pm. All spectators welcome.
30 September 2007 Coventry Copsewood 3 Stratford Town Ladies 1 FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round
Stratford Town Ladies went out of the FA Women's Cup on Sunday after losing 3-1 at Coventry Copsewood. The match was an exciting affair, much more entertaining than the last meeting of these sides when Copsewood emerged 8-0 winners in a one-sided match. Stratford battled hard in this encounter, drawing the game level on 14 minutes through a 20 yard strike by Cara Williams after Copsewood took the lead in the tenth minute. The deadlock wasn't broken until the 65th minute when Copsewood finally broke through the magnificent Stratford defence. A third goal just minutes later sealed the win for Copsewood. Stratford now turn their attentions to the league, which continues away against Shrewsbury on Sunday.
Lichfield Diamonds LFC 4 Stratford Town Ladies FC 2
Sunday brought more frustration for a Stratford Town Ladies side struggling to find consistency so far this season. They travelled to Lichfield Diamonds LFC, who were relegated from the Midlands Combination last season. A squally wind had picked up by kick off which was extremely conducive to Lichfield’s style of knocking balls over the top of the opposition defence. Indeed, the first goal for the home side came after just 10 minutes when indecision from Stratford defender Karen Weston and keeper Anna Jones allowed the Lichfield striker to pounce on the ball and drill it home. Diamonds doubled their tally just five minutes later after a characteristic ball over the top of the defence caught Stratford out and Lichfield found the net once again. Stratford were unable to fashion any clear chances, although Melissa Ball was a threat on the left wing.
The second half began in much the same way as the first had ended, with Lichfield having the lion’s share of possession. Their third goal came on 57 minutes, when the home side broke through the defence and the ball was deftly chipped over the advancing Jones. At this point it appeared that the game was turning into something of a rout. However, this seemed to spur Stratford on, who now began something of a comeback. Some good passing play between the midfielders released Ball, who stormed through the Lichfield defence to finish powerfully across the keeper. Stratford continued to press, and forced a corner on 80 minutes. The ball was scrambled out to the edge of the box by Lichfield, but fell to Stratford left back Holly Mitchell who curled it majestically into the top right corner. Stratford were now looking to steal a point from the game when all had looked lost, and took a more attacking stance. However, their efforts were thwarted when Mitchell turned awkwardly in a challenge and badly injured her knee. The Lichfield attacker showed no mercy and thundered the ball past Jones to seal their win.
Stratford must have more self-belief in order to see off Coventry Copsewood in the second round qualifying of the FA Cup next Sunday. They will be looking to avenge the 8-0 loss at Allard Way a few weeks ago and restore some confidence. Kick off 2pm (TBC – check club forum for confirmation and directions), all supporters very welcome.
Stratford Town Ladies 3 Leamington Lions 1
Sunday saw Stratford Town Ladies progress comfortably through the first round qualifying of the FA Women‘s Cup with a 3-1 win over Leamington Lions. A swirling wind had whipped up before kick-off at FISSC, and Leamington started with the advantage of having it at their backs. They failed to take full advantage of the situation and had no clear cut chances during the early minutes of the game. Stratford looked comfortable in defence with the partnership of Sian Taylor-Phillips and Janine Dickinson in the centre. However, it was indeed Leamington who struck the first blow. On 20 minutes, a quickly-taken short corner caught out the Stratford defence. The resulting cross-shot found its way past Anna Jones into the top right corner of the Stratford net. Stratford were able to redress the balance 15 minutes later after Melissa Ball made a mazy run down the left wing. Ball beat two Leamington players, cut inside and squared to Lisa Taylor-Phillips who finished calmly and surely across the Leamington keeper.
Leamington came out with their heads up after the break and orchestrated a few half chances. After ten minutes Stratford upped their game and began a barrage of attacks. Ball and Lisa Taylor-Phillips found themselves one-on-one with the keeper on a number of occasions but neither was able to find the finish. Kate Nicholl was also unable to convert when through on goal. The second goal finally came on 75 minutes. A quick throw in to Lisa Bright caught Leamington off-guard. An incisive through ball came after some good interplay between Bright, Karen Weston and Lisa Taylor-Phillips. Ball finished emphatically, giving Stratford the lead. The win was compounded with a third on 80 minutes. Another explosive run from Ball beat the Leamington defence. Ball passed square to Nicholl, who in turn knocked the ball to the right of the advancing keeper, allowing Cara Williams to guide the ball home. Ball nearly found the net again with a 20 yard strike in the dying seconds of the game, only to be denied by the bar.
An excellent performance by Stratford, who now progress to the second round qualifying. They meet local rivals Coventry Copsewood on September 30th, providing a chance for the Town ladies to redeem themselves after last week’s disastrous performance at Allard Way. Their league campaign continues next Sunday at Lichfield Diamonds.
Coventry Copsewood 8 Stratford Town Ladies 0
Stratford Town Ladies’ good start to the season came undone on Sunday as they lost 8-0 away from home at newly-promoted Coventry Copsewood. Stratford looked a shadow of the side that battled to a 3-2 victory at Solihull last week. The opening ten minutes were quite evenly –matched, with a shot from Stratford’s Karen Weston being charged down, and Sian Taylor-Phillips pulling a 25 yard drilled shot just wide. However, these were pretty much the only chances Stratford were able to muster. Copsewood took the lead on 17 minutes when Ria Baker broke through the stationary Stratford defence to slot home low past Anna Jones. Their lead was doubled four minutes later when Nicola Foskett found the net from a tight angle. Two more goals, one apiece for Baker and Foskett, saw the score at 4-0 by half time.
Stratford did start the second half in a more positive fashion, with some good interplay between Weston and Lisa Bright leading to a chance for Lisa Taylor-Phillips, unfortunately the shot was gathered cleanly by the Copsewood goalkeeper. A Stratford corner minutes later nearly led to an own goal by a Copsewood defender but the ball skimmed just past the post. Jones made an excellent save on 55 minutes, tipping a powerfully hit shot over the bar. Goal number five from Copsewood came on 65 minutes when Leanne McKenna took the ball around Jones and slid it home. The visitors could find no answer to the pace of the Copsewood attackers and three more goals were added to the tally before the final whistle, which could not come soon enough for Stratford.
Stratford take on Kidderminster at FISSC in the Womens FA Cup next Sunday. Kick off 1.30 pm, all spectators welcome.
Solihull Ladies 2 Stratford Town Ladies 3
Stratford Town Ladies made a great start to the 2007/2008 season with a 3-2 win over Solihull Ladies at The Glades on Sunday. The game was an entertaining affair with both sides showing excellent energy levels and commitment after the long summer break. Both teams started brightly, with the first effort of the afternoon coming from Stratford winger Melissa Ball. The shot skimmed narrowly over the crossbar. Solihull had the wind at their backs and were the better team during the majority of the first half. Good defending from the Stratford back four, including new signing Janine Dickinson, denied Solihull on a number of occasions, with Melissa Pugh looking particularly lively for the home side. Stratford didn’t manage to mount another challenge until late on in the half when they forced a corner. Ball’s penetrating cross into the box was headed just wide of the post by Lisa Slowther. Stratford suffered a blow just minutes later when Slowther landed awkwardly after challenging for a header and aggravated a knee injury. Kirsten McMurray came onto the left wing with Ball moving up front. The home side were denied as half time approached when Stratford keeper Helen Slipper, standing in for Anna Jones, tipped a strongly hit shot over the crossbar. Solihull did manage to break the deadlock deep into injury time when a back pass to Slipper was underhit and latched on to by Pugh, who duly slotted the ball home.
Stratford came out for the second half full of purpose and were rewarded on 50 minutes when an incisive ball forward from Zoe Sykes found Ball. Ball sidestepped a defender and shot from 25 yards, finding the top corner of the net. Stratford went into the lead just 8 minutes later, when a ball over the top of the Solihull defence by Karen Weston again found Ball. Ball came out as the winner in a battle of strength with the Solihull defender and slid the ball into the bottom right corner. However, the lead was short-lived. Solihull won a corner just after the restart which was half cleared by Sykes and drilled back into the box. After a series of deflections the ball found its way past Slipper into the net. Stratford then subjected Solihull to a relentless series of attacks for the remainder of the game. Midfielder Lisa Bright was unlucky not to score after latching onto a cross from McMurray. Ball came close on 72 minutes but the Solihull keeper made a good save low to her left. The breakthrough came on 80 minutes when some excellent passing by the Stratford midfield led to Lisa Taylor-Phillips having the opportunity to drill the ball into the net. Stratford defended well in the closing minutes of the game, clearing a late Solihull corner to retain the lead.
Stratford sit third in the West Midlands Regional Women’s League Premier Division after the opening week of the season. This is a great start for the side and new manager Mark Bickley. The league campaign continues next Sunday when Stratford visit newly promoted Coventry Copsewood.
