A team looking like they expected their game to be cancelled, and weren’t interested in getting ready for the match ahead of them was the sight just before kick off against top of the league. An absent manager, no water bottles and no balls to warm-up with was not the best pre-match preparation.

However, visiting first team manager (James Palmer) did his best to rally the troops and get some motivation in the team for what was obviously going to be a tough tie. Maybe partially thanks to a better attitude at kick off, Bradley Stoke set about working hard to make the game as difficult for Long Ashton as possible. And this hard work was quickly rewarded as Town took the lead after about 5 minutes. A long free kick taken by Craig potter evaded the defence and allowed reserve team top goal scorer Jay Eager to head past the on rushing keeper.

Unfortunately this slender lead was never going to last the game as Long Ashton started to become more and more creative and gradually took control over the game. The home side managed to get ahead by half time courtesy of a spectacular long range effort that flew into the top left corner of the goal and a cross field ball that the Stoke defence were unable to head clear, leaving the small Ashton attacker the chance to control the ball on his chest and unleash an unstoppable shot.

2-1 down at half-time and some more motivation was needed, as well as a reflection on how well they have done against a top of the league team that were being made to look quite ordinary.

The second half began with limited movement and some tired looking legs battling to get back into the game. Unfortunately it was a stranded Bradley Stoke central defence pair that were left in a two-on-two situation and were unable to stop a third goal going in for the home side.

A struggling Chris Hodge was substituted in the second half – the injury coming courtesy of a bizarre slide for a ball he was never going to reach. This caused his shorts to ride up and injure him in the most sensitive area!!!

In order to claw back the home side’s two goal lead, Bradley Stoke adopted a 4-3-3 formation and had to start taking some risks. This led to a foul on the edge of the Stoke box, but thankfully, James Potter did well to get across and stop the resulting free kick that was heading for his bottom left corner. At 4-1, there would have been no hope at all. But instead, with only minutes left on the clock, substitute Wayne Hudd gambled off the back of the last defender and was blatantly pulled back in the box as he attacked the cross. After some indecision, Chris Tysoe took control of the situation and stepped up to stroke away a fine penalty to the right of the keeper.

The home side were just strong enough to last the game for their win, but a very good battling display from Bradley Stoke Town will have done their confidence the world of good.

A couple of notable displays were seem from Luke Taylor as man-of-the-match in a strong central midfield partnership with Adam Morris and Jay Eager who didn’t stop battling all game…and even managed a comedy trip in front of the visiting supporters – he was nutmegged and then proceeded to trip himself up by kicking one leg onto the back of the other and taking a tumble!!!

Match report courtesy of James Palmer.

A second report:

Away to Long Ashton on a lovely sunny winter's day, the pitch was small and very heavy.
Bradley Stoke quick out of the blocks put immediate pressure on Long Ashton, controlling the middle of the field and breaking forward down the lines. The first goal came early in the game as Craig Potter’s beautifully weighted free kick, drop on the penalty spot, behind a defence who were fast asleep. The ball bounced up to meet the head of James Eager and flew into the corner of the net pass a static keeper. Slowly but steadily Ashton began to arise from their slumber. The equalizer came from a stunning strike over the keepers head from 25 yards out after a high ball played up pitch was unsuccessfully headed clear. During the remainder of the first half both team had some opportunities to break the deadlock until Long Ashton’s finally pulled them in front. Their forward controlled a pass off of his chest, down onto the grass as he turn out and around his marking, then finally drilled the ball in the near posts roof of the net.

The second half started a bit muted as both teams had to learn how to navigate through the crowd again. The ball seldom leaving the centre of the park for anything other then goal kicks and throw ins.

With time both teams were opening up routes into the final third with both teams defending well even thought the majority of possession was Long Ashton’s at this time. A third goal for Long Ashton was a unfortunate bobble before the foot of Craig Potter, the Ashton forward ran onto the loose ball and inside a pursuer to finish with ease into the corner. Bradley Stoke change formation to 3-3-4 to chase a goal with more attack as the game was still clearly in reach. The final goal was a calmly taken penalty by Chris Tysoe, passed into the corner with style. The penalty was given for the man handling of Wayne Hudd in the 6 yard box. 3-2 the final score Bradley Stoke ran out of time but not desire. Unfortunately the game was a lose, but if not for some brilliant finishing by Long Ashton, Bradley Stoke more than disserved a point, at least…

Match report courtesy of Roger Smith