A disappointing game as far as Stroud as concerned. From the kick off Gala forced the pace and put Stroud under alot of pressure but without actually creating any chances. It was Stroud after 20 mins who created the first real opportunity with Jafe Humphries forcing a great save from the Gala Keeper. On 26 mins, hit a fantastic looping shot from 25 yards over the keeper only for the ball to rebound off the upright and Ryan Renebach missing the follow up. A minute later Gala broke down the right flank playing the ball behind the back four for an oncoming striker to slot the ball in for 1-0 lead. Stroud again made the Gala keeper earn is crust pulling another fine save Ryan Renebach but 5 mins before the break, Stroud conceeded a silly foul 20 yards out and they slotted home the resultant direct free kick. 3-0 downn Stroud changed their system and bagan to push Gala but it remained 2-0 at half time. Within 5 mins of the start of 2nd half, Gala were reduced to 10 players but this seemed to affect Stroud more than Gala and no matter how hard they tried, their efforts were disjointed and not cohesive and Gala held out for the win.

After 1 min, Stroud were caught stone cold, Star were awarded a corner from which a high looping shot hit the crossbar bounced straight down and the Star playing reacted quickest hitting the ball into the Stroud goal. 3 mins later, a Star goalkick flew over the Stroud defence allowing their attacker to break through and slot the ball home for a 2-0 lead. Shell shocked, Stroud had to recover or fold and recover they did. After 15 mins thay started to play the football they know how to and on 21 mins got a goal back witht he head of Scott Montgomery. Stroud began to press and as the half went on Star were beginning to hang on. 2-1 at half time to Star. At the beginning of the 2nd half Stroud continued to dominate possesion and 15 mins into the half thought they had equalised through Sam Handy, when he hit a pile driver of a shot which hit a Star player on the line and rebounded out. However, 6 mins later, they got the goal they deserved with Fred Humphries firing low into the left hand corner of the goal. Star responded, with 10 mins remaining were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area on the left hand side. The kick was delivered hard and low, with a couple of deflections Jon Coleman could only parry a point blank shot and the Star attacker again was quickest to respond making it 3-2. Stroud forced and pushed everything forward, on 90 mins a long throw in into the Star penalty area by Andy Durrant caused confusion amongst the Star defence who headed into their own net. 3-3 final score, on reflection to be 2-0 down after 4 mins this was a valuable point gained. Man of Match : Fred Humphries

In a game that was most remembered for the 9 yellow and 2 red cards recieved by Lydbrook, Stroud deservedly took the points in this fixture. Stroud started as they meant to continue playing great football and closing down Lydbrook at every opportunity. After missing several chances early on, after 20 mins a superb move, starting at the back with Sam Handy finding Danny Alderman on the right flank who put in a superb cross met by the head of Steve Bick, giving the keeper no chance. Stroud continued to play high tempo football with which the opposition struggled and this led to frustration in their ranks and hence the cautions started to flow. It was a great effort by all the players to maintain their composure and keep taking the game to Lydbrook. There were several debuts for the 1st team and each one acquited themselves admirably. Excellent performance and great start to the season. Man of Match: Danny Alderman

With the majority of the first away on holiday, reserve U18 & U16 players were drafted in to fulfil the fixture. Albeit this was a closely contested game but the experience of Barnwood by taking their chances proved to be the difference.

12

Steven Bick

9

Frederick Owen Humphries

5

Scott Montgomery

4

Japhet Humphries

4

Daniel Alderman

4

Robert George Maizonnier

3

Shaun Poole

2

Dave Cleal

2

Warren Phillips

1

Sean McKeon

1

Liam Matthews

1

Karl Lewis

1