2011 Match Reports
This seasons match reports will follow shortly...
2010 Match Reports
BLOXWICH III 2 STAFFORD III 6
Stafford III got off to a flying start to their season with a thumping 6 2 away win against Bloxwich III. Making their senior debuts for Stafford were Helen Skilton, Jordan Haden-Lane and Hannah Cook and the young trio impressed throughout. Jordan started the goal glut when she latched on to Donna Thurgarland cross to open the scoring. However Stafford’s stride was halted with Bloxwich equalising against the run of play. Stafford’s new attacking formation took a grip of the match from then on; encouraged by their experienced team mates the youngest attacked Bloxwich and Amanda Trotter regained the lead with a determined drive into the ‘D’ and a firm strike to make it 2. The third goal came just before the break with Hilary Glaister flicking home Thurgarland’s shot from a short corner.
The second period saw Stafford dominate with Helen Skilton bossing the midfield with sli8ck passing and boundless energy. A quick break down the right by Jordan ended with her cross slotted home by Jane Haden-Lane. Bloxwich reduced the deficit but Stafford’s domination was emphatic with Hannah Cook calmly taking her opportunities to score a brace to kill the game. An excellent all round performance and an encouraging start to the new campaign.
Stafford Player of the Match: Helen Skilton
STAFFORD III 1 BARTON 1
Stafford III consolidated their good start to the season with a hard earned draw at home to higher league opposition, Barton. Stafford started brightly with a high tempo and pressed Barton back with incisive wing play down both flanks. Several short corners were won but the Barton defence thwarted Stafford’s attempts. The away side took the lead midway through the first half with a swift counter attack, a move Stafford were susceptible to all game. Undeterred, Stafford equalised with a well worked short corner; Christine Weetman slid the ball to Denise Glennon whose cross was flicked home by Lizzie Edgecombe on the far post.
The second period saw a repeated pattern of play with Stafford enjoying most of the possession with Edgecombe making some excellent runs down the right but the home side attack could not capitalise on her probing crosses. Barton continued to cause panic in Stafford’s defence with several breakaways but were frustrated by ‘keeper Michelle Sanderson who pulled off a series of outstanding saves.
Stafford Player of the Match: Michelle Sanderson
STAFFORD III 20 STONE III 0
A red letter day for Stafford III eleven as they rocketed to the top of the league in their first fixture at home to Stone III with an incredible 20 – 0 victory. Unfortunately for Stone, not only were they only able to field ten players they also came up against an on-fire Stafford attack. The Stafford club are newly sponsored by local hostelry, The Shire Horse and this has helped to fund a new coach, Andy Jones who has inspired the club to play more attacking hockey.
As the score line suggests it was one way traffic from the off; Gemma Thomas started the deluge with a well taken goal from Ellie Barnett’s excellent drive and cross from the right. Ali Nagata soon made it two with a crisp shot. Sam Bevington completed a hat trick before the break complimented with braces from Donna Thurgarland and Christine Weetman, cracking shots all from short corners.
The second half continued with wave after wave of Stafford attack, Bevington added a further two to go nap hand, Thomas and Thurgarland totalled 4 and Katie Greenhough got in on the act with two. Ending the scoring after an exciting performance, youngster Barnett bagged two, the final goal the pick of the bunch, a rasping shot from the edge of the ‘D’. What a day for Stafford!
Stafford Player of the Match: Donna Thurgarland
PHOENIX BLUES 2 STAFFORD III 3
Stafford IIIs had their work cut out this weekend having to come back from behind twice to gain a hard fought victory over local rivals Phoenix Blues. In a close encounter Phoenix took the lead midway through the first half with a shot from close range. Stafford upped the tempo and equalised from a short corner; Christine Weetman’s thunderous shot was only parried by the Phoenix ‘keeper and Cindy Harvey was on hand to snap up the rebound.
The second period saw Stafford enjoy most of the possession but Phoenix took the lead once more through a disputed long corner. The ball fell to the Phoenix forward who slipped the ball past ‘keeper Emma Cantrill from an impossible angle. Stafford changed their formation and put the pacey Harvey on the right flank and it proved the turning point of the game. Harvey once again equalised for Stafford with a fine run down the right, cutting in to shoot from the top of the ‘D’. She rounded off a man of the match performance with an equally memorable solo effort to get her hatrick. A much tougher test for Stafford who were delighted with the win to keep them top of the league.
Stafford Player of the Match: Cindy Harvey
STAFFORD III 2 ERDINGTON I 0
Stafford III sustained their sizzling start to the season with a 2 – 0 home win against Erdington I and sit pretty at the top of the league. Impressive debutantes for Stafford were Keeley Hathway and Ellie Proud and it was the youngster Proud who created the opening goal for the home team with a dazzling run at pace down the right. Ellie beat several players to cut inside and slip a perfect pass to Gemma Thomas who made no mistake. Stafford continues to slice Erdington open and created several short corners. They increased their lead when Amanda Trotter’s fierce shot was swept into the top of the net by Sam Bevington.
Stafford dominated the second half but could not turn their pressure into further goals. Erdington adopted a changed formation and posed Stafford some problems. ‘Keeper Mary Moss thwarted their attempts and Bernie Bendall, growing more confident under the tutelage of Sue Parsons, made several timely tackles. Amanda Trotter and Hilary Glaister gave their usual tenacious displays in midfield to break up play. A good win for Stafford IIIs who continue to blood young talent to provide the building blocks for the club.
Stafford Player of the Match: Ellie Proud
STAFFORD III 9 TAMWORTH III 0
Stafford III’s stunning start to the season got better and better with a 9 – 0 thumping win at home to Tamworth IIIs. Relentless in their quest for goals they opened the scoring when Chris Weetman’s sublime pass was slotted home by Sam Bevington. Stafford continued to press and their movement created space for centre back Bonnie Leibowitch to slice through the middle and score her first goal for the club, a powerful shot from the edge of the ‘D’. The home side went three up before the break with Bevington scoring from a short corner.
Stafford’s performance improved in the second half and they attacked with vigour. Bevington was handed her hatrick on a plate with Donna Thurgarland surging down the right at pace and delivering an inch perfect pass for the forward to convert. Further pressure was rewarded with a penalty stroke when a Tamworth defender stopped the ball on the line with her foot; Leibowitch stepped up and calmly scored her second. Stafford’s sixth came from Amanda Trotter who, tenacious as ever, burst through the defence to power home a crisp drive.
Stafford’s attack was ruthless and Bevington pounced on a goalkeeper error to slot the ball into the net from a tight angle. Emily Hannigan capped a fine performance with an individual effort and the goal glut was rounded off with Bevington converting a thunderous Thurgarland drive from a short corner. Stafford have now scored 34 goals in their opening four fixtures with only two goals against and are thrilled with their best ever start to a seaso
Stafford Player of the Match: Sam Bevington
STAFFORD III 2 CANNOCK V 1
Stafford III’s gave a performance of true grit and determination as they resumed their league programme after a two week break. Cannock Vs were the opposition and they proved to be much tougher opponents than the recent visitors to Beaconside. With a changed side Stafford struggled to adjust to the high tempo of a well organised Cannock team. The opposition’s slick passing and movement kept Stafford’s fullbacks Sue Parsons and Bernie Bendall on their toes. However the home side were gradually finding their rhythm and were dangerous on the counter attack with speedy winger Ellie Proud creating several opportunities but it was Cannock who took the lead just before the break.
Stafford used the interval to reorganise and came out a much stronger unit in the second half. Fabulous wing play by Proud and Emily Hannigan put the Cannock defence under increased pressure; Proud found Donna Thurgarland on the edge of the ‘D’ and her fierce shot was flicked home on the reverse stick by Sam Bevington. Confidence boosted, Stafford won the ball back immediately from the restart and Proud’s mazy run down the right and subsequent cross was slammed home by Bevington. Stafford’s defence held firm from the inevitable Cannock onslaught in the final minutes. A great effort and huge sigh of relief for Stafford as the whistle blew; five wins out of five sees the home town side remain top of their division.
Stafford Player of the Match: Ellie Proud
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