Jake’s winning double fires up Gillford
Last updated 11:39, Friday, 18 April 2008
GILLFORD Park A striker Jake Williams netted two goals to earn the points in this hard-fought victory.
The home side were made to fight all the way by a lively and committed Stanwix team.
The Gillford players controlled and passed the ball accurately and it needed a timely tackle from Stanwix defender Harry Nixon to halt Brady Loughran as the midfielder homed in on goal.
Gillford gained a corner on their left but the impressive Nixon was again on hand to clear Joe Lightfoot’s dangerous cross for a second corner.
Stanwix regained their composure and a promising move came to a halt when Lightfoot tracked back to rob Michael Coulthard.
Stanwix continued to drive forward through Oliver Sloan and when the ball fell to Rhys Graham his low shot was saved by Alfie Boyle in the Gillford goal.
Gillford won their third corner when Sloan turned a Dylan Atkinson throw behind, but Zak Thomason cleared for Stanwix and Lightfoot had to track back to dispossess the tricky Graham.
Ben Beattie had a shooting chance when Graham found him with a pinpoint pass but Luke Hodgson was quickly in to block the shot.
Stanwix were having a good spell and Boyd was forced into making a good save following a clever dribble and shot from Sam Grogan.
The ball then ran loose to Graham but Boyle again got a hand to the ball, conceding a corner when Loughran’s desperate clearance rebounded off Lightfoot.
The Stanwix players went up in numbers but they were caught out when Hodgson headed Beattie’s corner to Ewan Douglas who moved the ball forward before finding Loughran with a perfect, long range pass.
Striker Jake Williams then finished with an unstoppable shot into the top corner to put the home team ahead. Gillford ended the half on top with Douglas shooting narrowly wide after beating Thomason.
Stanwix made a good start after the interval, when Sloan drove forward to gain a corner. Beattie found Adam Harrison who passed short to Grogan but the striker shot wide. Play was quickly transferred to the other end of the field where Stanwix ’keeper Grant Taylor saved well from Douglas.
The visitors replied and the lively Grogan again came close with a shot which ended in the side netting. Loughran then robbed Coulthard before finding Douglas but Thomason produced a great tackle to regain possession and Harrison was eventually off target with his shot.
Gillford doubled their lead, in the 21st minute when Williams grabbed his second following good work by Lightfoot who beat two players before trying a shot which Taylor saved but couldn’t hold.
Gillford wrapped up the game with a third goal when Douglas passed to Lightfoot who shot for goal and Taylor was rather unlucky to see Nicky Nanson-Berridge score from close range after the ’keeper had made a good save.
Taylor prevented a fourth goal when he saved from Williams following combination play between Hodgson and Douglas.
The Stanwix players were determined to score and Boyle had to make a save from Graham when the forward broke away. Graham was then hurt when his attempted shot was blocked following good play from Grogan and Coulthard.
Gillford took up the running with Douglas shooting wide after beating Coulthard but despite his valiant efforts Douglas could not get on the score sheet and he was again thwarted when Thomason produced the perfectly timed tackle in the final minute.
Match facts
Gillford Park A: Alfie Boyle, Luke Hodgson, Dylan Atkinson, Ewan Douglas, Jake Williams, Brady Loughran, Joe Lightfoot, Nicky Nanson-Berridge, Simon Shepherd, Conner Corry, Jordan Cartwright and Ross Salven.
Stanwix: Grant Taylor, Harry Nixon, Zak Thomason, Oliver Sloan, Michael Coulthard, Ben Beattie, Adam Harrison, Rhys Graham and Sam Grogan.
Referee: Peter Shepherd
Man of the match: Luke Hodgson, defence, Gillford Park. Luke gave a faultless display in defence and he also moved forward to help the midfield. Stanwix were a good team but they were unable to score against Gillford due to solid tackling and good positional play from Luke. He began the move which led to the first goal when he rose above everyone to clear the ball with a powerful header.
