Stratford Town have signed midfielder Jesse Akubuine from Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central rivals AFC Rushden & Diamonds – https://southern-football-league.co.uk/news/132829/Akubuine-Makes-Bards-Switch
He joined the Diamonds in 2019 and scored 9 goals in 74 games.
He played in our 2-0 win against Diamonds in September and was booked after 78 minutes! He also scored against us in their 4-2 win in 2020
(this article is also under the latest news tab)
The winner of the October £100 lottery draw prize was Ron Castle. Congratulations Ron. A full list of monthly lottery winners and details of how to join can be found under the lottery section or at https://stratfordtownisa.com/stisa-lottery/
The winning ticket worth £61 was claimed for the disappointing result v Hitchin – the winning prizes this year are listed on the 50/50 tab.
MORE POINTS THROWN AWAY – “WE BEAT OURSELVES”
Speaking to supporters at the 50/50 stall, all the talk was of the much-improved performance on Saturday but the need to cut out sloppy goals……. Playing Hitchin Town who were without a win in 6 and the 2nd lowest scorers gave The Bards fans hope of another victory under the new brighter floodlights. Jack Storer’s fine control and shot looked to have given Bards the lead after half time only for the offside flag to be raised late and after consulting the assistant, the referee disallowed the goal. Dan Lafferty’s pile driver on 58 minutes after another fine move did put us ahead and moved The Bards close to a play-off position. But another defensive mix up (the sort of goal that makes the Christmas ‘blooper’ DVD’s with defender heading past their own keeper after a punt upfield) drew Hitchin level. After Hitchin scored their 2nd with 10 to go, there were a couple of scrambles in the Hitchin box and what looked like a foul on Sammons in the area waved away by the ref as frustration grew. Hitchin held on as the game neared the 100th minute and The Bards find themselves down in 16th after Hitchin leapfrog us. We won’t win many points conceding an average of 3 goals per game this month, some of which have been avoidable, and we do miss Liam’s presence in goal – hopefully he will be back soon as having had to use 5 additional goalkeepers in 9 games can’t be helping the defence. As Gavin said – “As a Manager I was really happy in how we played, how we created and how we kept our shape but if you’re not clinical in both boxes you won’t win a game you won’t even draw a game. For 85% of the game we dominated the game and played some great football but we beat ourselves“.
We’ll see you on Saturday 5th November v Basford United playing them for the first time in this league as they have transferred from the Northern Premier League and are sitting near the play offs (after finishing 20th in their league last year). Before then, we travel to 19th placed Barwell on Saturday looking to avenge our 4-0 defeat last year. Come on The Bards!
The winning ticket worth £69.50 was claimed for the excellent win against Needham Market – the winning prizes this year are listed on the 50/50 tab.
BARDS PUT 4 PAST THE LEAGUE’S MEANEST DEFENCE
After 2 crushing defeats and no league wins in 4, I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who travelled to The Arden Garages Stadium to face a side winning their last 3 games and with the meanest defence in slight trepidation! After a fairly even first 25 minutes against a team who have won through to The FA Cup first round, 2 quick goals eased the fears with Jack Storer and Andre Wright opening their league accounts. 2-0 at half time but The Bards are still conceding sloppy goals and after we lost the ball in possession near the halfway line, Needham Market reduced the arrears. The Bards, however, hit back straight away to regain their 2-goal advantage – Jack finishing in the box again from a cross, one of many fine moves throughout the game. Once again, a sloppy goal was conceded but another fine individual effort from Andre won the game 4-2. Special mention to Will’s magnificent volley from outside the box which would have made the Goal of the Season shortlist had it not been for the offside flag! Many Bards fans were impressed with the slick passing moves throughout the game and there were a number of Man of the Match candidates – Dan Lafferty (tannoy), Andre (club award) and Jack Storer (Non-League paper). Sam Wilding also had a fine debut providing much needed defensive midfield duties. The front 2 benefitted from much improved service (compared to sometimes the striker(s) being isolated in previous games) – Andre combining well with Jack, linking up play and providing much needed presence – as the club’s match report by Kevin sums up, “This was a much-improved performance from the Bards playing in a way that ensured transition from front to back and that gave the forward players the service they both deserve and need.”
We’ll see you on Tuesday 25th v Hitchin Town under the new floodlights which I’m informed are far brighter and more energy efficient. Hitchin lost at leaders Tamworth 2- 1 on Saturday, are the 2nd lowest scorers in the league, without a win in 6. It’s our 7th home game v Hitchin at this level and it’s pretty even W2 D2 L2 including a 1-0 win for Hitchin in the last game. We’ll be in our usual spot by the Tuck Shop selling our 50 / 50 tickets, the excellent new programme, hats and scarves. Come on The Bards.
DW – any views are those of the author
The Bards have announced former Sunderland Under 23 captain Sam Wilding has joined us – https://www.stratfordtownfc.co.uk/news/sam-wilding-joins-the-bards?id=416174. Sam is a defensive midfielder and was at Hednesford earlier in the season
Members should have received communication about our upcoming AGM. If you haven’t, please contact us especially if you have updated your details – https://stratfordtownisa.com/first-team/home/officers/
The committee would like to give notice of the 2022 Annual General Meeting which will take place in the function room at Knights Lane on Wednesday 16th November at 7.30pm.
Agenda: (please see e-mail)
Please do try and attend our first face to face AGM for two years and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible.
The STISA Committee
Bards will be at home to a West Bromwich Albion side in the 2nd round of the Birmingham Senior Cup. Date to be arranged – ties must be played by Saturday 26 November (usually on a Tuesday night). It will be the Baggies second visit to The Arden Garages Stadium this year after the sides met in a friendly in July – https://www.stratfordtownfc.co.uk/Matchreport.aspx?id=580477
The Bards moved swiftly to sign forward player Andre Wright following Adam Rooney’s departure. Andre has come from a higher level and seemed to have most success in The League of Ireland Premier Division including scoring 4 goals in one game – more from the club – https://www.stratfordtownfc.co.uk/news/andre-wright-signs-for-the-bards
Adam Rooney has left the Bards to join Brackley Town a step above us. Adam scored 2 league goals in 7 appearances plus the hattrick at Cleethorpes in the FA Cup – and maybe should have scored a few more. His experience will be missed – it was noticeable that he was guiding several players during the games. more from the club – https://www.stratfordtownfc.co.uk/news/rooney-leaves-the-bards
The winning ticket worth £69 was claimed for the defeat against Royston – the winning prizes this year are listed on the 50/50 tab. After consecutive 2-1 defeats to them in The Trophy, let’s hope we draw a different side next season (as long as it’s not Rushall Olympic!)
TIME TO CONCENTRATE ON THE LEAGUE
Despite the Royston keeper having a busier time than our debutant on-loan youth keeper Luke Bell, The Bards only goal came from a fine finish by a Royston defender under no pressure from a cross 3 minutes into the game (according to the new ‘stopwatch’ on the scoreboard). However, Bards conceded another soft goal just before half time with maybe the aid of a deflection. A tap in from a low cross for the visitors with 15 to go saw the Bards bow out of the competition at the first stage for the fourth year running. Still it was good to see more first teamers back – maybe some not fully fit yet – but it has been acknowledged the service to the front 3 needs improving.
We’ll see you on Saturday 22nd v Needham Market by the Tuck Shop selling our 50 / 50 tickets. Out of both major cups, it’s time to concentrate of the league.
Stratford Town Independent Supporters Association 