Match Report: FC Walthamstow HOME

Stratford Athletic 2 - 2 FC Walthamstow

Sunday, 17 March 2013 - KO 11:00 - Mabley Green, Hackney

Squad (4-2-3-1): Deacon; Wachowski (Gallie), Wall, Hope, P. Stanley; Reynolds, Jones (Kelly); F. Stanley, Bishop, Greening; Bocking

Stratford Athletic pulled off a daring comeback from the brink of defeat to snatch a point at home to FC Walthamstow. A capacity crowd at Mabley Green looked on as the Reds overturned a two-goal deficit to walk away with an unlikely draw.

On a rainy day in the heart of East London, the away side started brightly. A sublime goal-line clearance from Elliot Greening was the biggest talking point of the opening exchanges. The referee had to turn to his imaginary linesmen to confirm that the ball had not crossed the line. Captain Josh Jones finally nothed his first shot on goal. He's still trailing Deacon in shots on target though.

Tom Wachowski was lost to injury after only 20 minutes, setting the stage for Mark Gallie to enter the fray. He got to work immediately, being as ginger as possible at right-back.

Chance after chance was dealt with by the Stratford back four until a lucky deflection set up their No.3 for an audacious overhead kick into the bottom corner. Deacon was wrong-footed, the defence were stunned and FCW had the lead.

At half time, the Reds didn't know how to respond. Manager Mike Earll knew he had to lift his players but they looked dejected in their sodden kits, unable to find the extra energy that could give them an advantage in the match.

Walthamstow were two goals ahead soon after the restart. A long ball into the box was nodded past the onrushing Deacon, who never saw the late runner coming.

From here it would have been easy for Athletic to give up. Any other team might throw in the towel, but not these lads. Something changed the momentum, a tackle or a shot - that is unclear - but something gave the Reds a boost. They charged onwards, finding a passion that had deserted them in the first half.

Deacon got up well to spectacularly tip a brilliant effort over the bar. The Stanley brothers patrolled each flank, centre-backs Wall and Hope were unbeatable, substitute Oliver Kelly provided a new dimension, and the others followed suit. Stratford were back.

A neat ball through from 'top boyfriend' Ryan Bishop released Fred Stanley and the rest was simple for the young striker. He tucked the ball into the corner and rallied his team back to the centre-spot.

Athletic's pressure was unrelenting. Chances were falling for every one. Greening might have slotted one in from the edge of the box. Kelly nodded one just north of the crossbar. Bocking tried to sneak one home from close range. And Fred Stanley brought a fine save from the keeper when he curled a close range free-kick over the opposition wall.

In the blink of an eye it all became too much for the away side. A free-kick from Bishop was whipped in from the left wing. A scramble of bodies broke out and somehow the ball ended up in the net. Replays revealed that Nathan Hope, converted to a striker in the last 15 minutes, had done enough to nudge an opponent out of sight for Greening to knock home the loose ball. It was 2-2. Job done. But the home side didn't relent.

A few moments of brave defending at the back stopped any hope of Walthamstow snatching a win, while things were heating up at the other end. Several big chances went begging before the ref called an end to proceedings.

Overall, a fine day in Stratford Athletic's short history was completed by a team who never stopped fighting. Staring defeat in the face, they showed true courage and spirit to bring themselves back into the match. It could have gone either way towards the end but the boys did well to earn a point that sees them go six points behind top spot in Division Three.

Injury Update: Winthrop & Greening

Playing for Stratford Athletic can be dangerous, just ask those on the injury list. We did exactly that when we caught up with Will Winthrop and Elliot Greening.

Will Winthrop:

"I've got a physiotherapy session booked for my birthday. I've had surgery, the bandages are off and now it's all about the rehab. I'm working hard to get back into the squad; Walthamstow Village is my target. All I will say is; revenge is a dish best served cold.

"I was pleased to make it to the Stratford night out, celebrating Matt's birthday. However, I feel that my injury hindered me and therefore caused me to fail in my role as Assistant Manager. Without my assistance, Gaffer was seen shouting controversial chants at tube passengers, guilty of indecent exposure in Piccadilly Circus and has been accused of sexual harassment and cyber bullying after making several drunken phone calls to an unnamed female.

"Although I failed in assisting the gaffer, I'd like to think that I fulfilled my obligation to the players by assisting Matthew Wall and Darryl Kirby into a taxi. I shared a joyful bus-ride home and a delightful apple and blackberry pie with Top Boyfriend Ryan Bishop. Job done. Management."

Elliot Greening:

"I am putting my faith in club physio Tim Reynolds, who has diagnosed the injury as strained ligaments boys. Usually it takes three weeks to recover but without this weekend I should be available for selection for the FC Walthamstow game."

Match Report: Regents Park HOME

Stratford Athletic 1 - 0 Regents Park Rovers

Sunday, 3 March 2013 - KO 10:30 - North Marsh, Hackney

Squad: Deacon; Wachowski, Wall, Hope, P. Stanley (Hauser); Kelly (Kirby), Reynolds, Jones (C), Venus; Bishop; Bocking

Stratford Athletic managed to steal all three points at home to Regents Park Rovers on Sunday, notching their second win in as many weeks.

Alex Bocking scored the only goal of a scrappy game on the marshes as he latched onto the end of a through ball from Ryan Bishop in the second half.

Chris Deacon kept Rovers at bay with two big saves in the first half while Tom Wachowski and club legend Pete Stanley (returning from injury) made crucial challenges on the wing to deny the away team any space.

Athletic showed off some of their best passing play throughout the opening period, creating space with short sharp passes in front of the Regents Park back four. Despite a few half-chances in the opening 45 minutes, nothing could break the deadlock and the teams went in level at half time.

The second half went the same way as the first, with both sides getting into a midfield battle that often ended in a long ball forward.

While Stratford continued to slowly build up their attacks, Rovers put the pressure on. They were halted by Matt Wall and Nathan Hope defending brilliantly down the middle.

The only goal of the game (that's right Stratford fans) was as 'route one' as they come. A goal-kick from Deacon was brought down by Bishop, who knocked the ball into Bocking's path and the striker finished clinically. He just got in ahead of the onrushing keeper and the ball rolled slowly over the line.

For the last 20 minutes Stratford went all-out defensive. The urgency completely went from those in red shirts and maintaining the lead was the only priority.

Twice the away team came close. First from a long ball forward which missed their striker's head by inches before Deacon collected the ball in mid-air. The second was their best chance. A cheeky chip over the back four sent the tall forward away and, despite the protests from the static Stratford defence, he found himself one-on-one with Deacon. This time the Stratford No.1 stood firm and blocked the ball with his left leg before the Reds cleared their lines.

Manager Mike Earll introduced Darryl Kirby as a set of fresh legs before handing a debut appearance to Asa Hauser. Hauser, who wore 'SMITH' on the back of his shirt for some unknown reason (perhaps it's a nickname) was proud of his display. Earll stuck with his youth policy by bringing the attacker to the club but clearly doesn't want to rush the lad into the squad. Management.

The final whistle brought relief to the thousands of fans who stayed long after the game to chant the gaffer's name. Assistant Manager Doddsy came to face the media and thanked the fans for their loyal support.

He chuckled: "It's great to hear the fans getting behind the club. We earned our first clean sheet and I'm sure they're just as proud as we are. I hope Deacon doesn't spend that clean sheet bonus all at once."

He also spoke at length about the referee's performance.

"He was alright," admitted Winthrop.