This season is winding away into the history books with only a few games to go. Today Bradley Stoke welcomed Air FC to Savages Woods for the first encounter of the year with the sequel coming in a week or two. Air have an impressive record not having lost since November of last year.

The game started briskly with both teams wiping the ball around the park. It appeared that both teams were eager to play fast flowing football in search of the opener. Early on Bradley Stoke found a few opportunities to score but failed, as the Air keeper appeared to handle the ball outside the box on 2 occasions. The first creating a free kick that Andy Gray curled into the post and the second interfering with a Dave Stephens breakaway. A fast counter-attack by Air saw the ball closing in on Bradley Stokes box, followed by a superb looping shot that sailed over keeper James Palmer’s head, into the far corner of the goal. Back at the other end, Bradley Stoke quickly
became level through a corner kick by Andy Gray. The ball floated invitingly along the line of the six yard box and threaded its way through a crowd of heads. Roger Smith, at the far post, chested the ball back to Mark Palmer who had found a little space. Palmer volleyed the ball from short range into the roof of the net. Unstirred, Air raised their game and began pressing Stoke for the rest of the half. James Palmer made some remarkable saves to keep Stoke in the game but eventually Air would score again. After a hard challenge by Chris Tysoe on one of the Air forwards,
the ball spilled unluckily into an area of space. From there the free ball was blasted past Palmer into the corner of the net. Then, just before the end of the first half, a 50/50 ball bounced towards Stoke’s box. The keeper and forward collided at high speed resulting in a penalty for Air FC which was converted into the low left corner.

With the start of the second half Bradley Stoke had not yet conceded defeat and came out of their corner ready to fight. A high work rate and positive communication came together beautifully to see Stoke control the majority of the half. However, this did not mean that Air was no longer dangerous as Palmer saved the day a fair few times before the conclusion. (Including a volleyball session with one of Air’s forwards as he saved 4 shots back to back). It took a long time, but Stoke’s pressure finally paid dividends, firstly as a very long drop kick by Palmer was redirected off the head of Smith into the path of Dave Stephens. His contact on the ball at top speed was perfect as the ball fired into the left corner of the net. Then in the finale of the 90 minutes, Bradley Stoke counter attacked from an Air corner. The ball knocked clear of the box and fell to Smith. Smith turned up-field to see Stephens itching for a run on the half way line. The ball was knocked into the space beyond him. Stephens pace left the defenders behind, he then played the ball around the keeper finally scoring from a narrow angle close to the goal line. A great game to watch with both teams producing some outstanding football. The 3-3 score line was probably
deserved by both teams on the day. Maybe Stoke could of knicked the 3 points???

For interest: See the battle for the top….

P W D L GF GA Diff P
Longwell Green 24 18 3 3 97 42 +55 57
BAWA Aces 25 18 3 4 96 42 +54 57

Bawa only have struggling Little Thatch to play. (Probably 3 points and a high goal tally).
Longwell have to play Talbot and Shaftesbury in two very hard games! If anyone messes up, Air FC still has a chance to get into the promotion picture.

Match report courtesy of Roger Smith.