STRATTON YOUTH ROUND-UP

Malmesbury U18s 1 Stratton Youth U18s 0

THE Stratton U18s travelled to Malmesbury Victoria on Sunday with a bare-bones side and suffered their first league defeat in more than 12 months, going down 1-0.

On a difficult surface both teams struggled to create chances with the majority of the game taking place in the middle of the field, Malmesbury broke the deadlock on 42 minutes after a slip-up in the Stratton defence allowed James Hurcombe to score.

Both teams had chances in the second half and Stratton shaded the play.

George Thrussell was denied an almost certain goal when his free kick was clawed out of the top corner by keeper Josh Langley.

Stratton camped in the Malmesbury goal area late on but couldn’t get the ball over the line.

Wanborough U17s 2 Stratton Youth U17s 6

FROM the first whistle Stratton were all over the home side like a rash.

Stratton created enough gilt-edged chances to have scored 12 goals by half-time but a silly defensive mix-up on 10 minutes gifted Wanborough the first goal against the run of play.

That prompted the Stratton onslaught. Every player on the team had an off-target attempt on goal until Dan James slotted home coolly on 20 minutes.

Kyle Kent added a second on the half-hour with a neat finish. Stratton continued to dominate but the score remained 2-1 at the break.

Within a minute of the restart Wanborough drew level after some nice passing and a real striker's finish.

Stratton once again were kicked into life. James Pitt restored the lead on 50 minutes and then Charlie Savage made it 4-2 with a determined run into the box that was matched by a superb finish.

As Wanborough came more into the game Ben Alexander pulled off a fine one-handed save to deny the home side.

Dan James then made it 5-2 with an unstoppable 25-yard effort into the top corner.

Chris Hicks added a sixth with 15 minutes to go, tricking his way into the home penalty area and squeezing home a finish from a tight angle. Wanborough then substituted a keeper who saved their blushes by pulling off a series of great saves. MoM: Dan James.

Stratton Youth U15s 0 Wroughton U15s 4

STRATTON were hoping to cause an upset in the league cup quarter final against Wroughton from division one and they started brightly, playing some excellent football.

Despite Jethro Kingsley sending in a number of dangerous crosses from the right, Stratton were unable to make their early pressure count.

Wroughton were strong in defence and started to get a grip in midfield.

After 20 minutes a move down the left drew the Stratton defence and when the cross came in the box, a Wroughton midfielder struck the ball perfectly into the top corner.

Wroughton continued to take the upper hand keeping goalkeeper Meichal Wright busy but he could do nothing to prevent Wroughton's second goal.

Michael Cook thought he had reduced the arrears when he turned the ball in after Joe Speak’s initial shot had been saved but it was ruled out for offside.

Wroughton’s overall strength showed in the second half as they added two further goals and Stratton were thankful to Wright whose brilliant saves kept the final score at 4-0.

Stratton Youth U14s 1 Ferndale Rodbourne U14s 2

ANOTHER close match for Stratton Youth U14s. The visitors took the lead after 10 minutes following several good attacking moves. Stratton equalised with a fine free kick by Ayden Clarke on 20 minutes.

The rest of the first half was hard-fought and it ended 1-1 at the interval.

The deadlock was broken on 58 minutes by Ferndale with a good attacking goal.

Stratton continued to work hard for an equaliser, but there were no further goals.

Stratton's MoM: Will Miles for excellent defending throughout the game.

Stratton Youth U12s 1 FC Abbeymeads U12s 2

STRATTON lost out in a close encounter having led after just three minutes thanks to a Barney Kimber goal following a superb pass from Harry Dyer.

The visitors then camped in the Stratton half for most of the game and despite a MoM display from keeper Fred Hall, the hosts were unable to stop Abbeymeads taking all three points.

STRATTON'S U7s were away to Ramsbury, where they continued to impress and develop nicely under the watchful eye of Todd Kavanagh.