Ron's Match Reports
11th December - Taverners take points at Kings Stanley
Unfortunately the weather again disrupted the fixture list except for one game.
Following a pitch inspection at around 11.30am Kings Stanley’s pitch was passed fit to play by local referee Adam Matthews with Julian Hooper the appointed Match Official on the day backing that decision on his arrival at the ground.
With all other games off this was a chance for Kings Stanley to go top of the table if they could beat opponents on the day Taverners. Unfortunately it was not to be as Taverners came storming out of the blocks and rocked Stanley after just 53 seconds when Dave Woodfield got behind the Stanley defence before rounding keeper Pete Davis and drive the ball into the far corner. The home side first assault on goal came after 12 minutes but the final shot was not hard enough to beat Portlock. Taverners looked the better side and might have scored a second midway through the half, but Woodsfield’s header was cleared off the line. A good chance to pull a goal back went begging when Simon Harmer headed a Matt Casey cross over from six yards. A penalty for handball by a Stanley defender on 26 minutes gave the visitors a good opportunity to increase their lead, Phil Hall elected to take the spot kick which was really well read by keeper Davis getting right behind the shot but unable to hold on to the ball, the loose ball was picked up by hall following in but Davis saved again only to see the second rebound go straight to Dave Woodfield to net his second. In the 39th minute the game was held up for five minutes whilst Taverners custodian received treatment on a dislocated finger but the keeper continued in goal. In time added for the injury Taverners further increased their lead with rather fortunate goal. A low shot was pumped into the box where it took a deflection of a Stanley defender the ball falling to Russell Chamberlin who very coolly flicked it into the net.
Action from Kings Stanley V Taverners
Image Courtesy of Carl Hewlett - Stroud News & Journal
Early in the second half Portlock showing no signs of his injury to his hand, was quick to push the ball around the post for a corner. The visitors had played the better football throughout and were more determined in their approach should have made it 4-0 on 62 minutes when Dave Woodfield was brought down in the box for a second penalty. Craig Mills was given the task of taking the penalty and chose to amble in and try and cheekily chip the ball into the net on seeing Davis moving away to his right, but Mills got it wrong and the ball went over the bar and landed on the top of the net. A few minutes later Phil Hall was on target with a good left foot drive but it was not good enough to beat Davis. Stanley’s fullback Luke Barstow who had moved up to the edge of the box let fly with a tremendous shot that had Portlock scurrying across goal but it went just the wrong side of the post. With just five minutes to go Taverners substitute Freddie Latchford should have got on the score sheet as he dispossessed the home keeper Davis, but then lost control with the goal at his mercy. Ben Newman almost scored Stanley a consolation goal right at the end but Portlock managed to get his legs in the way of his shot. Taverners recent good form has seen them move up to seventh in the table.
Action from Kings Stanley V Taverners
Image Courtesy of Carl Hewlett - Stroud News & Journal
Action from Kings Stanley V Taverners
Image Courtesy of Carl Hewlett - Stroud News & Journal
Action from Kings Stanley V Taverners
Image Courtesy of Carl Hewlett - Stroud News & Journal