Stratford Town 6-1 The Mikes

Although the Mikes were defeated by higher level opponents the score line did not reflect the true story of a game played in the afternoon sunshine at Knights Lane. A difficult week at the club with Stuart Grosvenor departing and four regulars missing on a boy’s jolly in Las Vegas meant that a difficult away tie became even harder not helped by Kyle Byrne pulling up lame in the pre-match warm up and having to be replaced by Simeon Tulloch. Under 21 Manager Nick Heath took charge and handed debuts to goalkeeper Harry Buttery and Jack Burgess whilst Brandon Williams and Luke McGinnell made their first starts of the season with another youngster Jake Allen amongst the substitutes.
Stratford made a lively start to the match but it was Boldmere who had the better early chances both falling to Tulloch. He spotted Elliott Taylor off his line but lofted his effort way over the bar then headed just over after a lovely four man move culminating in a Jack Skinner cross from the right. The home side were a bigger powerful unit and with Kurtis Revan a constant threat down the right flank the Mikes defence was put under a stern examination. Joe Lyng led by example making several strong headed clearances under pressure from the burly Liam Hughes whilst debutant Buttery handled confidently when called upon. In the 23rd minute the home sides pressure was finally rewarded but it was somewhat fortuitous. Conceding a free kick on the left-hand side, Ross Oulton’s free kick eluded the first pack of players then took a deflection off McGinnell past Buttery’s outstretched arms. Boldmere’s midfield trio of Burgess, Owen Parry and Alister Brauns were working tirelessly in midfield but in the face of pacy opponents were finding it difficult to provide any consistent service to Jack Skinner, Rikardo Reid and Tulloch. On the other hand, Revan was proving a handful for Barry Healey and the Stratford lead increased from this source. Healey who battled gamely against Revan’s threat fetched the winger down as he bore past him into the box and referee Conde’s penalty decision was not really contested. Liam Hughes did the necessary from the spot with a thunderous shot.
Two goals behind at the break but the Mikes came out fighting in the second period and troubled their hosts in the first quarter. Following a corner Jack Skinner rifled home from twenty yards to reduce the arrears. It was the home sides turn to come under the cosh now and Parry shot just wide with Taylor a mere spectator and a Reid free kick was saved by Taylor before the striker saw an effort from the left elude the far post after being put through by Burgess. As luck would have it, or not as the case maybe, Town increased their lead in the next attack. A poor clearance was picked by Hughes now operating in a deeper role and his through ball allowed Nabil Shariff to find the net from close range; he repeated the dose just minutes later heading home after a half-cleared corner was recycled to give the homesters a three-goal cushion. It could have been worse if Buttery had not made a great save low down to his right from an Ivor Lawton strike. Most of Stratford’s threat had come down the right and Harry Sweeney was introduced, following this two-goal salvo, replacing Healey. Did the Mikes lie down, not at all; Skinner thundered a shot on goal that Taylor somehow kept out with his feet whilst Parry had another good effort drift wide. Taimoor Hussein and Allen replaced Tulloch and Burgess in the closing stages and worked hard as the game entered the final quarter. It was rough justice on the visitors when Stratford added two further goals in stoppage time. Shariff completing his hat-trick and substitute Callum Ball adding the final insult with a deflected left foot shot from the edge of the area.
The final score barely reflected ninety minutes of honest endeavour but it leaves the Mikes free to concentrate on FA Vase and League matters. It will be an interesting couple of weeks at Church Road.

The Mikes: Harry Buttery, Brandon Williams, Barry Healey (Harry Sweeney 63), Alister Brauns, Luke McGinnell, Joe Lyng, Jack Skinner, Jack Burgess (Jake Allen 85), Rikardo Reid, Owen Parry, Simeon Tulloch (Taimoor Hussain 66). Subs not used: Kyle Byrne, Callum Hall
Stratford Town: Elliott Taylor, Lewis Wilson, Daniel Vann, Luis Morrison, Linden Dovey, Ross Oulton (Dylan Parker 66), Kurtis Revan (Callum Ball 79), Ivor Lawton, Nabil Shariff, Liam Hughes, Chris Wreh (Mitchell Glover 66). Subs not used: Sam Lomax, James Hancocks, Joel Gyasi, Richard Platt.