Strollers FC 3 - 4 Green Park Rangers

1 November 2006

What started out to be a perfect sunny day at Market road was the calm before the unseen storm that lay ahead for Strollers FC.

In the first 20 minutes of play Strollers enjoyed a large portion of play and possession. Several times the defence of GPR was opened up from the midfield and fortunately for GPR the finishing was not up to scratch.

Again and again Strollers went forward from both sides of the park to take advantage of the sustained pressure but the dead lock couldn’t be broken.

In true football fashion, GPR went ahead against the run of play. They scored from a dead ball situation right on the edge of Strollers penalty area. The ball was half cleared from the Strollers defence only to land on the shoulder of a very thankful GPR forward.

Moments later the Strollers were level after Barrett latched on to a Levinger flick and calmly waited for the GPR keeper to fall over before side footing the ball gently down the middle – a finish that is becoming his trademark. Half time.

After a positive team talk at half time, and the usual food-of-champions (sweets and water), Strollers were ready for the second half.

Enjoying the sensation of coming on equal terms, Strollers dream was about to turn into a nightmare. (and I don’t mean Loz Gray turning up to see his beloved Strollers play football) What only can be described as several moments of madness Strollers were to find themselves 4-1 down after some unfortunate incedents. GPR couldn’t believe their luck.

After the What-the-fuck-has-just-happened-feeling had evaporated Strollers began to play with more purpose. Not long after GPR had scored their forth goal, O’Brien leapt like a salmon to head home from an inch perfect cross from Barrett.

With spirits higher Stroller plugged on to take his game back. GPR to their credit did put up a fight and didn’t make it easy for the Strollers, time was running out.

With 10 minutes to play Kinery volleyed past the keeper from yet another quality delivery from Barrett. With the score at 4-3 a draw was on the horizon.

When the unofficial extra time on the clock had run out the Strollers couldn’t find that extra yard to level things up. It was a valiant effort, but to most of the Strollers it was the drama that wasn’t written in the script.

Match details

MoM: Tear

4-4-2 (first half)
Land – Stroud, Tear, Blackburn, Bailey – Keniry, Muhsin, O’Brien, Woz – Levinger, Barrett

4-4-2 (second half)
Land – Stroud, Tear, Blackburn, Bailey – Keniry, Muhsin, O’Brien, Woz (James 70) – Levinger (Thomas 55), Barrett

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