Home to Hartwood Fathers in the Temple Colston cup.

Good conditions for football with the odd strong gust of wind and the surface just a little
slick. Straight from the kick off Hartwood put heavy pressure on Bradley Stoke across the field, but stoke weathered their early attentions. 20 minutes into the game, against the flow, Dave Stephen flicked himself a ball as he turned the centre back, then before it drop flipped the ball over the closing keeper, 1-0. This began Hartwood transformation from eager attack
into self loathing at there fruitless sting. Stoke were still defending well and occasionally breaking out on the counter attack, when Jordi Palmer was pulled down in the box. Dave Stephens blasted the penalty straight up the middle, 2-0.

Hartwood previously undefeated where not in the slightest bit amused as they began the second half bickering about every single decision the referee made. This was inflamed even more as the ref missed a clear hand ball in the Stoke box. Without an immediate firm hand by the ref the game took a turn towards violent, as bad language and dangerous challenges became more and more frequent. Stoke stretched the lead to 3-0 as Smith squared a goal kick to Luke Taylor who’s great vision set Dave Stephens free on a one and one with Father's keeper, slotting the ball home under his falling backside, 3-0. Hartwood didn't roll over, no they just got angrier, and swarmed forwards. They then pulled a goal back from a well weighted free kick that everyone misjudged as it floated into the Stoke net. Not long after that they got another back as a player weaved his way in from their left and struck the ball firmly into the far side netting. Now 3-2 and the game on the knife edge one of Hartwood Father's midfielder was sent of for foul and abusive language directed at the ref. Following this Stoke finally finished the game off with an attack that saw Dave Stephens heading a cross from Chris Hodge off the upright of the goal and as it fell Luke Taylor hooked the ball into the roof of the net with his nostril hairs as his body was parallel with the ground.

Hard work from all saw a fine win against impotent aggressors, who after the match carried on their rantings at the referee.

Match report courtesy of Roger Smith.