With a strong team set to take on top of the league BAWA Aces, hopes were as high as they could be considering the previous meeting ended in a 6-2 defeat for Bradley Stoke.  The Manager was back in charge and ready to get the troops fired up for the tough task that lay ahead – including an experiment with a new formation of the Christmas Tree!

A lost toss meant that Bradley Stoke would contest the first half up the slight hill that the pitch was on.

Immediately the match had the appearance of being a tough battle between two sides in very competitive spirit.  Some early “juicy” challenges from the away team got BAWA’s back up and ensured that any fluidity the home side were hoping for was broken up on every occasion…the midfield battle was proving to be a tough one to win, but Bradley Stoke started with the upper hand.

BAWA’s forwards caused the Bradley Stoke defence a great deal of problems, that wasn’t helped by some quite woeful defending and poor concentration.  Unpredictability saw the away side seeming to forget the basics of football in one minute and then in the next instance look assured and composed as they cleared their lines.  This provided BAWA with some good opportunities that Bradley Stoke were grateful to their man of the match goalkeeper Roger Smith to keeping out.  A couple of the most notable saves came from some wickedly swerving balls that Smith kept his eye on to keep out of the net.

However it was Town that got on the score sheet first.  A free kick from Andy Gray from the edge of the penalty area that the keeper fumbled was followed in by three orange and black shirts, but it was Kevin Gray who got there first to slot home his second goal in as many games underneath the body of the on rushing goalkeeper.  Town were able to maintain structure and solidity as they held onto the lead until halftime.

The second half saw Bradley Stoke come out of the blocks firing on all cylinders as they showed what they are capable of for the next twenty minutes, not giving BAWA a sniff.  Good creativity from the centre of the park using the additional midfielders and tireless efforts of Dave Stephens up front enabled Town to take control of the game.  However, without being able to capitalise on the superior possession and general play was an indication that the home team would get back in it.  And they did.  With a third striker thrown on upfront, BAWA took the game to Bradley Stoke. There were a couple of worrying moments for Town including some corners cleared by Smith punches, but it was a corner that eventually evened the match.  The ball, which was not adequately defended, fell to a BAWA player who forced a save out of Smith, but the loose ball fell to the feet of another BAWA forward who slotted in an easy goal.

There were several additional chances at either end, but the final score of 1-1 was really a fair reflection of the game.

A good performance and some positive things to develop – including the new formation.

Match report courtesy of James Palmer.