Men's 4th XI Vs Stone 4

Telford 4ths played Stone 4ths away at Enson Lane on a sunny but rather windy late Saturday afternoon. Both teams started strongly though Telford started to gain control around the ten minute mark. Several attempts at goal were thwarted by a decent Stone keeper before Ian Cole's shot-come-pass found Roger Marsh in front of a grounded Stone keeper, finding just enough lift on his shot to deflect in off the keeper.

Stone were playing a predominantly youthful side and throughout the half probed the Telford defence for any openings. With several peculiar umpiring decisions beginning to blight the game Stone forced a prolonged attack around the twenty-five minute mark and were awarded a short corner. A fizzing dragflick found its way into the keepers top left of the goal. A fantastic finish was the only way into the Away teams' goal. The score remained a goal apiece through to half time.

The second half found Telford in a tricky position. Clearly the better team but the umpiring again providing the Home team with a lot of possession. Eventually Stone got a few short corners early in the half. One of these was executed bottom corner, keepers left with a deceptive but highly accurate strike. Stone found Telford's D hard to penetrate for the rest of the half. Paul Cousins and Joshua Carr-Yetzes with some vital interceptions and superb distribution.

Noticeable now was throughout the game George Pittson, Joshua Sykes and James Stevens rotating on the flanks provided constant pressure on the Stone team both in attack and defence. Roger Marsh was given a green card for hitting the ball. Shortly after Roger came back on, Tom Hurst ventured to the top left of the D from centre back position to take a free hit and skilfully manoeuvre the ball to top centre edge of the D, throw the ball into the awaiting Roger Marsh who moved it past the keeper for his second of the day. 

Telford pressed for a winner, Scott Marshall and Kieran Mountford tirelessly running the middle of the park and David Stephenson working in tandem at the back with Tom meant Stone had no more meaningful opportunities before the end of the game. Roger Marsh received a yellow card. After stopping the ball in the D to shoot the umpire awarded a free hit to Stone and this upset Roger so he questioned the decision. Kieran Mountford received a yellow card for trying to make a tackle and equally questioning the decision.

The author would like to state that there is a reputation for these two particular umpires, however, Stone last time provided fantastic umpires. Bradley Williams was solid as ever in goal and in no way responsible for the two conceded. A draw on paper is a tremendous result away at Stone 4ths though Telford 4ths may perhaps feel hard done by.

Man of the match was Joshua Sykes. Strong work ethic, ability to win one on ones then distribute and winning back lost possession among a number of reasons for the award.

Goals – Roger Marsh – 2 

Assists – Ian Cole 

             - Tom Hurst