First Team Match Report

Stockbridge 0
Verwood Town 2
STOCKBRIDGE’S fine run came to an end at a murky Rec on Tuesday as Verwood rode their luck in the first half then were comfortable for the last half hour.
In what was an excellent game with both sides looking to attack from all angles Stocks could have been home and dry before the break but Steve Witt hit the bar and missed two other chances while Nick Coates also was denied by visiting keeper Dan Fawcett. Having lost striker Simon Nelson in the warm up, Stocks regrouped but after having the better of the first 20 minutes they were delivered a blow when Dan Goodall’s shot was saved by Allen Ralph only for it to cannon in off Dave Allen. Witt was twice denied around the half hour but after the break Verwood looked to sew the game up and after Dan Bagley had brought another fine save out of Ralph, they again profited from a rebound as Bagley tucked the ball home after Ralph had somehow kept out his first effort.
Stockbridge continued to buzz around but as the fog lifted the game drifted away from them and Verwood were good value for their win, if a touch fortunate with two rebounded goals separating the sides.
Sports editor
Kerry Miller

Stockbridge 2  New Street 0

Stockbridge beat local rivals Andover New Street  2-0 at the Recreation Ground to continue a run that has seen them take 16 points out of a possible 18 in the Wessex League Division 1.  Stockbridge dominated most of the game and but for some fine saves by the Street keeper could have won by a large margin.  Stockbridge’s first attempt on goal came in the fifteenth minute when Ryan Boare slid the ball to Nick Coates whose shot went just wide. A Street effort then sailed over the Robin’s bar in one of their rare attempts on the Stockbridge goal.  The home side came close to going in front when a through ball from Chris Payne found Boare whose shot was well saved by the keeper. Stockbridge got the lead they deserved when Sam Coleman fired in his first goal for the Club from a free kick.  The early part of the second half  saw Stockbridge lay seige to the Street goal.  Skipper Steve Witt had a free kick saved early on and the same player was denied soon after by a fine save from the Street keeper. Again  the visitor’s keeper denied Stockbridge making a point blank save from a close-in shot from Simon Nelson.  Street continued to ride their luck as a shot from Robin’s Coates struck their crossbar as Stockbridge piled on the pressure.  The second goal that was always coming happened when a through ball from Witt found Boare who slid the ball home to give Stockbridge the three points they deserved.  Tuesday night Stockbridge are home to Verwood, K.O. 7.45 and on Saturday they travel to Horndean.