Date

After last week's game was cancelled, Bradley Stoke took the points for the game. Today we entertain again at home and welcome our first game of the season against Lawrence Weston. Last season we beat them twice winning 7-0 at home and 3-1 away. However, I'm sure much has changed since then and current league position proves this. Lawrence Weston currently sit in 6th place after playing 6, winning 4, drawing 1 and losing 1. Their current points tally is 13. Bradley Stoke are currently in 8th having played 7, won 3, draw 0 and lost 4. We are currently on 9 points. 

1st Half
Lawrence Weston kicked off on a warm sunny November afternoon. 

Bradley Stoke started off very positively winning possession and winning the first corner of the afternoon on 3 minutes.

As we entered the 5th minute stage Bradley Stoke were still pushing forward and won another corner. As the ball was delivered into the box by Ben M, Matt shot over the bar. 

Lawrence Weston were making the odd break but Bradley Stoke remained in control with all team members battling hard. 

On 14 minutes, Lawrence Weston we beginning to get some passes together and were becoming more of a threat. They won their first corner but again the packed box of Bradley Stoke players cleared the danger. As the ball was cleared up the pitch James C released a perfect ball to Kye who found himself one on one with the keeper. The keeper smothered the ball preventing Bradley Stoke opening the goal account for the afternoon.

Within 2 minutes, Lawrence Weston broke through the defence and Fraser narrowed the angle as the ball was shot just wide. As Lawrence Weston continued to push forward they were awarded a free kick just outside the box. The ball bounced off the crossbar back into open play and was defended well by Bradley Stoke. 

As the game continued to change ends, on 25 minutes Bradley Stoke were again testing the Lawrence Weston defence. Good build up play by Matt found Ben M whose shot went just over the bar. 

Within 2 minutes Lawrence Weston broke down the wing. As they ran to the line a perfect ball was put into our penalty area. A Lawrence Weston striker received the cross and passed back to a player running in. His shot hit the back of the net. Bradley Stoke 0 Lawrence Weston 1.

Lawrence Weston still continued to push towards our goal but Bradley Stoke matched every attack as we entered the 32nd minute.

On 34 minutes another great build up by Bradley Stoke saw James S pass a perfect ball to Joe who inched the ball to Kye. Kye again found himself in front of the keeper but the keeper managed to claim the ball. Within one minute the ball was back down the other end and Fraser produced a perfect save to stop Lawrence Weston taking a bigger lead.

On 37 minutes the break came, as Will passed to Matt who passed to Kye who in turn passed to James. James calmly slotted the ball home for a very well deserved goal. Bradley Stoke 1 Lawrence Weston 1.

From the kick off, Bradley Stoke won possession and charged towards goal. The whistle was blown as a Bradley Stoke player went down in the box and a penalty was awarded. Up stepped Joe Cole to slot the ball to the right as the keeper dived to the left. Bradley Stoke 2 Lawrence Weston 1.

As the final minute of the first half was played, Lawrence Weston again made a break but again Fraser produced a fine save. The whistle sounded and everyone breathed a sigh of relief after a very well played, but frantic half. Bradley Stoke 2 Lawrence Weston 1.
 
2nd Half
No changes at half time as Bradley Stoke kicked off the second half. The game quickly gathered the pace of the first half.

Both teams continued to be highly competitive but no real chances were being made by either team as we hit the 6th minute.

On 7 minutes the first break of the half was awarded to Bradley Stoke. Matt found a perfect ball to Kye who made one of his darting runs towards the line. Almost at the line he shot towards goal seeing the final ball just go past the back post.

The end to end game continued and Lawrence Weston were unlucky in the 12th minute after their header clipped the crossbar. 

14 minutes Wesley on : Will off

As the game continued, Lawrence Weston seemed to pick up their game and found an extra gear that we simply could not match. 

On 19 minutes their continued pressure won as they stretched our defence and with a free man in front of goal guided the ball into the back of the net. Bradley Stoke 2 Lawrence Weston 2.

Within 2 minutes, James C saved us from further blushes as he headed the ball off the line. 

21 minutes Matt off : Josh on.

As the game continued Bradley Stoke were under attack and were struggling to get the ball out of our area. Lawrence Weston continued to attack and this was rewarded in the 22nd minute after a shot went off the post into the back of the net. Bradley Stoke 2 Lawrence Weston 3.

26 minutes James C off : Kieran on.

Lawrence Weston continued to play the stronger game but Bradley Stoke made the odd breaks towards goal as the stopwatch showed 32 minutes. 

The game became physical but Bradley Stoke continued to break towards goal. As the clock counted down the last 4 minutes we were unlucky not to equalise through efforts by James S and Kye. 

As the game returned to the other end, Fraser again produced a 'top drawer' save. As the minutes came to a conclusion Bradley Stoke had to settle with losing 3 points as the final whistle was sounded. At times, a very enjoyable game, despite the final score. We saw some 'proper' football but the physical side spoiled the last 10 minutes or so. A special mention to Neil (Fraser's dad) who refereed a very difficult game at times but kept the game moving. Well done to Bradley Stoke for fighting to the end and keeping your heads when at times it would have been easy to lose them as well as the game. Final score Bradley Stoke 2 Lawrence Weston 3.

 Goals 1st Half  - James Snook (37th) Joe Coles (pen 38th)

 Goals 2nd Half - None

 Bradley Stoke                  3

  Lawrence Weston            7

 This weeks award was chosen by Sam Maddocks  :

 Fanfare Please !!!!!!!!!!

 James Snook (leadership and determination)

 Well Done

 MAN OF MATCH AWARDS......(as picked by parents & friends)

 James Clayton, James Snook (2), Kye Worner, Ben V 

It's nice to get the award but don't forget you still need the other 10 players !!!!!!

Any queries or comments please email on:

dave.salter@blueyonder.co.uk

Thanks

Dave Salter