Needing to gather as many points as possible and playing a group of struggling teams in the bottom half of the table, Bradley Stoke must perform and take all the points available. Their hopes of getting into the top three and any chance of promotion are quickly slipping away. So a must win situation verses visitors Coalpit Heath who are in the bottom three. The sun was blinding and the wind was gusting at gale speeds.

Bradley Stoke kicked off with the wind in the first half, hoping to build a large lead of which they could hold onto in the second half. But a reactionary attitude to the game made them second to every challenge and spectators to the game. Within the first 25 minutes, considering the strong tale wind, Stoke had no shots on goal and Coalpit were regularly getting out of their half to attack. The first goal for Heath came as a result of a pass to their large forward in the D. He took control of the ball facing away from goal then turned over 180 degrees to fire low and into the corner. I believe I have seen milk
turn faster then this striker, but if no one wants to tackle him it makes a forward’s life very easy.

Ten minutes later a second goal came from a long ball that split the Bradley Stoke defence. Coalpit Heath’s other forward got well ahead of the pursuers as he charged towards the box. The keeper came out and spread himself but the Coalpit Heath forward calmly lifted the ball over his legs, from the top of the box.

Andy Gray pulled one back just before the half with, what is turning into, a trademark wicked corner that the wind grabbed and pulled towards goal. The ball was cleared but only after it had passed over the goal line.

The second half was a much better team effort but the strong wind pinned Bradley Stoke back for most of the half. Towards the end of the second half Bradley Stoke had a couple of opportunities to tie the game up but the finishing was not on target. Lots of goal kicks (that travel 20 yards) and not much else worth a mention.

This has probably ended any realistic chances of any promotion (if they hadn't already disappeared), let do it for pride next week & work towards a good campaign next season!.

Match report courtesy of Roger Smith.