Date

First home game of the season at our new venue at AXA. A great playing surface which should add to the excitement of our first home game. 

Today's visitors are Longwell Green. Last season we had a six pointer beating them at home 5-2 and winning away 7-4. However, that now counts for nothing as we look forward to this game. Longwell Green, like ourselves have only played one game. Also like us they have lost their first game. Longwell Green currently sit in 8th position with Bradley Stoke in 10th. Longwell Green are above us due to a better goal difference. 

Prior to the kick off Bradley Stoke could be heard in the dressing room with their rally cry of 'come on you reds' before they ran out onto the pitch. We have arrived at  AXA our new home pitch. 

1st Half
Bradley Stoke kicked off the first half but quickly lost possession to Longwell  Green. They continued to come forward and had their first shot within 1 minute before being collected by Fraser. This early possession continued with Longwell Green making some good breaks into the box.

Bradley Stoke made their first chance on 6 minutes following a good build up by James S. 

As we approached the 10 minute spot, Longwell Green continued to have the better game. 

Within 2 minutes Bradley Stoke created another chance with Kye going close after picking up a loose ball. On 13 minutes a great play between Ben M and James S won us our first corner of the afternoon. Ben delivered a perfect corner onto the back post and James C was unlucky as his header went wide.

This persistence paid off within 1 minute when again James S and Kye again worked well before the final ball was driven into the back of the net by Kye. Bradley Stoke 1 Longwell Green 0.

Following this goal Bradley Stoke allowed Longwell Green to get back into the game. 

On 23 minutes Longwell Green were awarded a corner and the ball was delivered into a crowded box. As players tried to clear the ball, Longwell Green finally got a shot but Kieran, perfectly placed on the line, cleared the ball. 

As the game pressed towards the 28th minute mark, Bradley Stoke began to enjoy a better period although chances were few and far between. On 33 minutes Longwell Green broke down the wing and placed a pass into the middle of the box. A Longwell Green striker made no mistake as he slotted home the ball to bring the scores equal. Bradley Stoke 1 Longwell Green 1.

As we headed towards the conclusion of the first half, Longwell Green again began to control the game. Fraser pulled off a fine save on 38 minutes. On 41 minutes Bradley Stoke made a rare break forward and again James S and Kye worked well before the final shot by Kye went just wide.

As the whistle went for the first half Bradley Stoke counted  themselves very lucky that at this stage the points were shared. Bradley Stoke 1 Longwell Green 1 
 
2nd Half
Kye off : Joe on

Longwell Green kicked off the second half and raced towards our goal. Despite some tackling they managed to keep possession and from the wing put the ball into our box. Once again we were second to the ball and again they found the back of the net. Not the start we wanted. Bradley Stoke 1 Longwell Green 2.

Within 5 minutes Longwell Green were again unlucky not to extend their lead as a shot well out just went over the bar. 

8 minutes:  Will off : Josh on

Longwell Green still looking  the better side came forward and although Bradley Stoke defended well few chances were being made to get the goal back.

On 16 minutes Bradley Stoke slowly began to pick up their game. Josh, Joe and James all had chances that were either cleared or saved. Was this the start of the comeback ?

17 minutes: James C off : Kye on.

18 minutes: Matt off: Wesley on.

As we reached the 20th minutes Joe, James S and Kye were all making good runs looking for a goal. 

On 25 minutes Kye again made a fast run down the wing. James S and Joe ran into the box beating the defenders as Kye pushed the ball across the box. James S was just short of the ball but Joe converted the ball into the back of the net. Bradley Stoke 2 Longwell Green 2.

As the minutes ticked by the rain began to fall, Longwell Green began to come back at us.

38 minutes: Sam off : James C on.

On 40 minutes Joe found himself well out of goal with ball. With the keeper off his line he shot high. Looking at first it was going over it dropped over the keeper into back of the net. Fantastic goal, Bradley Stoke in the lead. Bradley Stoke 3 Longwell Green 2.

On 42 minutes almost in the same place as Joe, James S again found he had time and space with the ball. The defence had been split and James perfectly floated the ball over the keeper and into the net. The goal celebration by James S as he  'belly dived' across the wet pitch with the rest of the team on top must have been a relief after what could have been today. Bradley Stoke 4 Longwell Green 2. 

Longwell Green must have gone away today as the final whistle sounded very disappointed. For long periods of the game they looked the better side. However, goals count and Bradley Stoke proved that today. Well done to Bradley Stoke and hard luck to Longwell Green. Final score Bradley Stoke 4 Longwell Green 2

 Goals 1st Half  - Kye Worner (14th)

 Goals 2nd Half - Joe Cole (25th, 40th) James Snook (42nd)

 Bradley Stoke Utd     2

  Longwell Green          5

 This weeks award was chosen by a few parents :

 Fanfare Please !!!!!!!!!!

 James Snook (persistence)

 Well Done

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

 James Clayton, James Snook

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