from Stratford Town twitter

Bards have today announced 3 new signings who are listed on our squad page

The winner of the February £100 lottery draw prize was Roy Craddock. Congratulations Roy. 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/

Please support Chris on his walk for The Brain Tumour Charity.

Chris is doing a charity walk from Shipton on Stour to Knights Lane to raise money for the Brain Tumour Charity. It’s called the Twilight Walk and is done every March in groups or as an individual walk that Chris is doing

More research is needed into brain tumours as it has been under resourced in comparison to other cancers and it is a charity that is close to his heart.

People can donate on the link below via the Just Giving page – there will also be collection buckets at he Alvechurch game

https://www.justgiving.com/page/chris-simpson-1675374684740?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=one_page&utm_content=page%2Fchris-simpson-1675374684740&utm_campaign=pfp-share&utm_term=5882e5999c5f4b06aa49dbf150340385&fbclid=IwAR2fG5DOZEUgi7PWt-_GZo7jBhuueQ8tFnayampudUzRF0LlcovWSxZ45_Y

Good luck, Chris

At half time of the Stourbridge game, we presented a £1,000 cheque for the Cody 23 fund thanks to your help

The supporters association yesterday donated £1000 towards the Cody 23 community fund. Thanks to all our members, bingo players, and everyone who buys a 50/50 and lottery ticket. We can’t do these things without your continued support

As well as Woody’s monthly quiz on the last Friday of the month, the club have announced a quiz night that players and staff will be attending as well on Tuesday 14 March. There are rumours that your committee will be forming a team and we will hopefully do a 50/50 as well.

The winning ticket worth £77 was claimed for the 1-1 draw against mid-table Stourbridge

Other prize draws are on the 50/50 tab here

At half time, we presented a £1,000 cheque for the Cody 23 fund thanks to your help

It was a good game with little goalmouth action in the 1st half. Early in the 2nd half, a shot from Will Grocott took a huge deflection and looped in the net. Bards then dominated the game and were certain to double the lead but for a last saving block on the line. However, a free header at the back post on 68 saw Stourbridge come more into the game after not really threatening. The Bards had the better of the game overall and chances to win but had to settle for a share of the spoils. Ison and Bennett had good games and have proved to be excellent additions but we have more of a hill to climb as Bards are now 5 adrift of safety after Kings Langley won.

At home games, we’ll be in our usual spot by the Tuck Shop selling our 50 / 50 tickets (average prize this year around £70), the excellent revamped programme, hats and scarves and will have membership forms with us if supporters would like to join on the day – it only costs £10 for adults a year. This year purchasers of 50 / 50 tickets are able to claim 10% off Car Servicing and have MOT’s for just £40 at Arden Garages when they present their ticket. Arden Garages have also helped to fund the cost of printing the tickets saving the The Supporters Association money.

DW – any views are those of the author

The winning ticket worth £56 was claimed for the 3-3 draw v St Ives and was kindly donated to our projects fund

Other prize draws are on the 50/50 tab here

Somewhat disappointing to draw 3-3 in a game where we were leading 3-1 early in the 2nd half and the usual ex players scoring against the team they used to play for – Nabil Shariff and Jordan Williams denying the Bards a much needed all 3 points!

Our new weapon, the Lewis Ludord-Ison long throw saw Bards open the scoring with McCone scrambling the ball home. However, St Ives equalised on 25 with a 25 yarder shot that bounced past Liam. On 44 Bards went into the break 2-1 up when a low cross was cleared onto the chest of Andre who smashed the ball home. Early in the 2nd half, a low cross was fumbled into the net at the near post by the St Ives keeper. However, quickly after, Shariff again scored against us, this time turning and volleying home. Man of the Match, Lafferty hit the bar with a thunderous effort with 15 to go but after 80 minutes, Jordan Williams rose to send a looping header over Liam to deny Bards a much needed win. The defending again at times was poor, maybe there is a lack of pace to hit teams on the break. Too many long balls were launched as we regularly fail to win the 2nd ball. Highlights on Youtube .

Bards According to Rod’s stats, goal attempts were 13-11 in favour of The Bards with 8 on target compared to 6

At home games, we’ll be in our usual spot by the Tuck Shop selling our 50 / 50 tickets (average prize this year around £70), the excellent revamped programme, hats and scarves and will have membership forms with us if supporters would like to join on the day – it only costs £10 for adults a year. This year purchasers of 50 / 50 tickets are able to claim 10% off Car Servicing and have MOT’s for just £40 at Arden Garages when they present their ticket. Arden Garages have also helped to fund the cost of printing the tickets saving the The Supporters Association money.

DW – any views are those of the author

Experienced midfielder Kyle Bennett has joined The Bards – another one with Hednesford Town links and was their vice captain. Kyle has plenty of football league experience especially for Doncaster and Portsmouth where he made over 100 appearances. He dropped down to non league with Telford Utd and The Pitmen before joining Bards – Pitmen web

more – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Bennett_(footballer)

Lewis Ison has signed for the Bards from Hednesford Town where he was captain so it’s good to have a another leader in the team. He was an ever-present in the side and showed his versatility, playing in various midfield roles and at centre-back and regularly scored. He was named the supporters’ Player of the Year at the end of the 21/22 campaign – pitmen web

https://southern-football-league.co.uk/News/133297/Ison-Switches-to-League-Rivals

The Beast Mikey Taylor has left after his 4th spell – scoring 2 goals in 11 appearances (4 as sub). Will he return?

The winning ticket worth £58 was claimed for the 1-1 draw v Ilkeston

4/2/22 – Ilkeston (h) 1-1 – a penalty from Will right in the corner secured a point for The Bards after going behind deep in first half injury time to a wicked deflection. There was some encouragement in the 2nd half performance and the game could have gone either way with goal-line clearances and the woodwork hit. Maybe 3 points were there for the taking but a game we could have lost.

At home games, we’ll be in our usual spot by the Tuck Shop selling our 50 / 50 tickets (average prize this year around £70), the excellent revamped programme, hats and scarves and will have membership forms with us if supporters would like to join on the day – it only costs £10 for adults a year. This year purchasers of 50 / 50 tickets are able to claim 10% off Car Servicing and have MOT’s for just £40 at Arden Garages when they present their ticket. Arden Garages have also helped to fund the cost of printing the tickets saving the The Supporters Association money.

DW – any views are those of the author