Stow and Old Newton played out a good footballing encounter last night for the John Thorndyke Memorial Trophy. Both clubs played a big part in his football life so for them to meet on this special occasion was great to see.
STFC started the better with some neat passing out from the back. Martin ‘Macca’ MCCONNELL starting his first game at right against his old club, linking up well with ‘Drummy’ and the central partnership of ‘Tubes’ and ‘Robo’. 1st goal came in the 32nd minute, when again the neat play came down the right. Ball in from ‘Drummy’ to ‘Tubes’ who’s first time shot deflected into the running path of ‘Robo’ who finished coolly past ex Stow keeper Hammond. This seemed to spark Newton into life and after a brief spell of keeping Stow on the back foot; it was a classic counter attack that brought about the equaliser. Long ball from the back and a nasty bounce past Robo split the Stow defence and the 2 Newton strikers converged to slot the ball past a scrambling Bugg. Stow responded with a lesson in passing. A 22 pass move ending with a PROCTOR shot, just pass the post! TURNER also had his chances with some neat link up play with ‘Tubes’ seeing his shot brilliantly smothered by Hammond. Halftime. The second half was much in the same vein, Stow having more of the ball and combining well on both flanks. HALL and PLEASENCE pushing the defence deeper and deeper and with a succession of corners, and the Stow defence still in the area, PLEASENCE crossed brilliantly to find Nathan BIRCH, who headed home his first for Stow. Just 2 minutes after that goal, Stow again combined down the right with ROSS, now on for ‘Tubes’, joining through the middle and a neat pass found PROCTOR who slammed the ball past Hammond. Changes afoot from the STFC bench with STACEY now in goal, TREDRAY on for ‘Macca’ and HORSFALL replacing SMITH. Continued pressure from Stow was counterattacked by Newton but the defence held strong and a great dive and rush to the area saves from STACEY denied Newton their second. Stow extended their lead on 65 minutes when a scrambled shot from the latest to appear from the bench, DRIVER, found its way to PLEASENCE who made no mistake and hammered the ball into the net from 22 yards. The evening was finished in style with precise passing between the STFC team to find DRIVER on the left who made no mistake and riffled his shot past the diving Hammond. A good game, with positives for both sides. More importantly, the charity evening was well attended and everyone enjoyed the nights events.
Stow: Bugg, McConnell, Birch, Smith, Pleasence, Drummond, Graham (c), Canfer, Hall, Proctor, Turner. Horsfall, Driver, Stacey, Ross, Tredray |
