It's been eight years since I visited Stony Stratford Town to watch a game (Desmond For Stony And Aston). However, I have been back since, as a coach with my daughter's team in a pre-season friendly. I remember it well, and still constantly remind my daughter of the moment in the very last minute when, on hat-trick, she was one-on-one with the goalkeeper only to put it wide. We still won the game, so it wasn't all that bad, but I'm not sure she'll get a better chance to score three in a game. The eight years since I last visited Ostlers Lane have been tumultuous to say the least. They dropped out of the Spartan League at the end of the 2015-16. They then made a return to local football in the North Bucks League for the 2020-21 season, beginning a three-year reinvention and success story. They won Division 2 in their first season, won Division 1 then next season and then, last season, completed a treble by winning the Premier League and achieving promotion back into the Spartan League set-up at Division 2 level. This evening's visitors, Old Bradwell United, can now be considered stalwarts of Spartan Division Two, having been in the same division since dropping down Step 6 in 2001. They have won Division Two in the past two seasons (presumably not being promoted because of ground-grading?) and were top of the table on both previous years when the seasons were abandoned. They have not finished outside the top five since 2014. Going into the game Old Bradwell were sitting in fourth spot, ten points adrift of leaders AFC Welwyn, with three games in hand. Stony Stratford sat tenth, a further eight points behind their visitors. The reverse fixture, played back in November, ended in a fairly comfortable 3-0 victory for Old Bradwell. All three goals, two from Sam Sibley and one from Scott Valentine, came in the first half. Having said that, recent results suggested that Stony Stratford were in slightly better form, winning five of the past six games. Old Bradwell had won four, drawn one and lost one. So, both sides were looking good and, with only just over 3 miles between the grounds, this was all set to be a tasty local derby.
Stony get a shot off Thankfully the rain, that had been hammering down on my short drive over to Stony Stratford, had stopped by the time I parked up on Ostlers Lane and made my way over the cricket pitch to the football ground. Thanks to the club officials who gave me access to the Old Bradwell team sheet and, later on, the Stony Stratford line-up. Much appreciated.
Backed by a good following from the other side of the A5, it was the visitors who settled into the game better. Lucas Bailey was the first to get a strike off, firing wide of Jake Blackhurst's goal in the third minute. United continued to boss the ball for the opening period and, in the 13th minute, they deservedly took the lead. Jake Stronge tried his luck only for his effort to be blocked, but the ball fell invitingly for Ryan Don on the edge of the box. He found the far corner of Blackhurst's net via the inside of the post. 0-1
A few minutes later Scott Valentine's snapshot was well held by Blackhurst as the visitors went looking for more goals. We were well past the halfway stage of the first period when Stony Stratford managed their first meaningful strike and, even then, Jamal Kamuss's free-kick didn't trouble Liam Jahn as it flew way over his bar. Two minutes later, however, Town did finally make Jahn get his knees dirty when Jack Smith's swerving drive forced him to go full length to make the save.
On the half-hour mark Ross Butler got in behind the Town defence, despite calls for offside, but the ball was always going away from the goal, forcing him too wide to get a meaningful strike away. Stony thought they had equalised after 33 minutes when a left-wing corner was met by a powerful header that was matched by Jahn's diving save. The home players, especially Kamuss, who had taken the corner, were convinced that the ball had crossed the line. However, there's no goal-line technology at this level and the assistant didn't flag, so no goal was awarded.
It only remained for Kyran O'Dell to turn well on the edge of the home box before skying his effort, before the referee blew for the end of the half.
HT Stony Stratford Town 0 Old Bradwell United 1. Given the amount of possession, Bradwell probably went in feeling a little disappointed whereas the Stony coaching staff were pleased to get to their half-time talk only a goal behind. Still plenty to play for.
Backed by a good following from the other side of the A5, it was the visitors who settled into the game better. Lucas Bailey was the first to get a strike off, firing wide of Jake Blackhurst's goal in the third minute. United continued to boss the ball for the opening period and, in the 13th minute, they deservedly took the lead. Jake Stronge tried his luck only for his effort to be blocked, but the ball fell invitingly for Ryan Don on the edge of the box. He found the far corner of Blackhurst's net via the inside of the post. 0-1
A few minutes later Scott Valentine's snapshot was well held by Blackhurst as the visitors went looking for more goals. We were well past the halfway stage of the first period when Stony Stratford managed their first meaningful strike and, even then, Jamal Kamuss's free-kick didn't trouble Liam Jahn as it flew way over his bar. Two minutes later, however, Town did finally make Jahn get his knees dirty when Jack Smith's swerving drive forced him to go full length to make the save.
On the half-hour mark Ross Butler got in behind the Town defence, despite calls for offside, but the ball was always going away from the goal, forcing him too wide to get a meaningful strike away. Stony thought they had equalised after 33 minutes when a left-wing corner was met by a powerful header that was matched by Jahn's diving save. The home players, especially Kamuss, who had taken the corner, were convinced that the ball had crossed the line. However, there's no goal-line technology at this level and the assistant didn't flag, so no goal was awarded.
It only remained for Kyran O'Dell to turn well on the edge of the home box before skying his effort, before the referee blew for the end of the half.
HT Stony Stratford Town 0 Old Bradwell United 1. Given the amount of possession, Bradwell probably went in feeling a little disappointed whereas the Stony coaching staff were pleased to get to their half-time talk only a goal behind. Still plenty to play for.
Equaliser from the spot Stony came out firing in the early stages of the second half, especially striker Sam Oyediran, who looked as if he had decided to take on Bradwell by himself. The Stony number 10 struck a sizzling low drive from way out just five minutes after the break. He hit it so early, and so well, that it seemed to take Jahn by surprise forcing the keeper to just parry the ball away, luckily not into the path of any attackers. A minute later Oyediran was at it again, this time bringing an outstanding, full-length, diving save out of Jahn.
Having survived the early onslaught unscathed, Bradwell tried to steady the ship and made a few moves forward themselves but they were indebted to their keeper again after 62 minutes when Jack Smith's superb effort appeared to be heading for the top corner before Jahn threw himself to his right, getting a fingertip to the ball and diverting over for a corner. Great strike, great save.
Although Stratford were not dominating the ball in the same way that Bradwell did in the first half, the pendulum had certainly swung into the favour of the home team. Bradwell were getting forward at times but were not getting any meaningful strikes on goal.
With fifteen minutes to go Stratford again launched a rain up their right. A cross-cum-shot came back off the far post and, when the ball was recycled back into the box, United substitute Jack Harrington got his timing wrong in the tackle, taking Kamuss rather than ball. Penalty to Stony. Sam Oyediran stepped up and calmly stroked the ball home for 1-1. An equaliser that even the Bradwell X Admin said was deserved.
At this point it felt as if the game may well remain level, a result that would probably have been fair on the overall balance. However, neither team wanted to settle for that and, as we entered the final ten minutes, the pace seemed to pick up from both sides. On 83 minutes Bradwell were awarded a free-kick some 25 yards out and well right of centre. With players massing towards the far post and the keeper edging forward in expectation of the deep ball, Don unexpectedly went for goal, sending the ball sailing over Blackhurst only to see it smack off the crossbar and rebound to safety. Very unlucky for the United goal scorer.
Not to be outdone, Stony went straight up the other end and came exceptionally close themselves after a ball was sent deep towards the right-hand post and then played back across the face of goal, narrowly avoiding that killer touch from any striker.
Having survived the early onslaught unscathed, Bradwell tried to steady the ship and made a few moves forward themselves but they were indebted to their keeper again after 62 minutes when Jack Smith's superb effort appeared to be heading for the top corner before Jahn threw himself to his right, getting a fingertip to the ball and diverting over for a corner. Great strike, great save.
Although Stratford were not dominating the ball in the same way that Bradwell did in the first half, the pendulum had certainly swung into the favour of the home team. Bradwell were getting forward at times but were not getting any meaningful strikes on goal.
With fifteen minutes to go Stratford again launched a rain up their right. A cross-cum-shot came back off the far post and, when the ball was recycled back into the box, United substitute Jack Harrington got his timing wrong in the tackle, taking Kamuss rather than ball. Penalty to Stony. Sam Oyediran stepped up and calmly stroked the ball home for 1-1. An equaliser that even the Bradwell X Admin said was deserved.
At this point it felt as if the game may well remain level, a result that would probably have been fair on the overall balance. However, neither team wanted to settle for that and, as we entered the final ten minutes, the pace seemed to pick up from both sides. On 83 minutes Bradwell were awarded a free-kick some 25 yards out and well right of centre. With players massing towards the far post and the keeper edging forward in expectation of the deep ball, Don unexpectedly went for goal, sending the ball sailing over Blackhurst only to see it smack off the crossbar and rebound to safety. Very unlucky for the United goal scorer.
Not to be outdone, Stony went straight up the other end and came exceptionally close themselves after a ball was sent deep towards the right-hand post and then played back across the face of goal, narrowly avoiding that killer touch from any striker.
Don's FK about to hit the bar There was, however, still some drama to come. As the clock ticked to two minutes into added time, Dan Rothwell popped up in the box, latching onto a great through ball, to volley past Jahn and spark celebrations from the team and the bench. 2-1.
Old Bradwell launched a few waves of attacks, desperately trying to earn a point, but the home side held out for the remaining few minutes before referee Simon Castleman brought proceedings to a close. Derby joy for Stony Stratford but the late winner left the visitors holding their heads in disbelief.
FT Stony Stratford Town 2 Old Bradwell United 1. A cliché maybe, but this really was a game of two halves. Old Bradwell were well on top in the first half but only managed to take a single goal lead into the break. The second half swung in favour of the home side and they took full advantage of the fact. All played out in front of a good crowd of 70 on a bitterly cold evening. The result sees Bradwell remain in fourth spot, still ten points off the leaders. Stony Stratford leapfrog Totternhoe into ninth.
If you want to catch either team in action, they are both on the road this coming Saturday. Old Bradwell united go to 16th placed Caddington, who are battling against relegation. This will be their first meeting this season. Meanwhile, Stony make the trip to Sarratt who currently sit 14th but are also only four pints clear of the bottom side, Berkhamsted Raiders. Sarratt won 2-0 at Ostlers Lane earlier in the season though two second-half goals from Harry Foot and Daniel Ormsby.
Stony Stratford Town: 1.J.Blackhurst, 14.L.Blackhurst, 3.Bland, 5.Ford, 6.Watson, 4.Bent(c), 9.Smith, 7.Kamuss, 10.Oyediran, 8.Fraser, 11.D.Rothwell. Subs: 2.Moore, 12.Bailey, 15.Goldsmith, 17.Ali, 16.H.Rothwell
Old Bradwell United: 1.Jahn(c), 2.King, 3.Dazley, 4.Butler, 5.Keene, 6.Don, 7.Johnson, 8.Bailey, 9.O'Dell, 10.Valentine, 11.Stronge. Subs: Ennis, Harrington, Cooke, Hamilton, Sibley
Old Bradwell launched a few waves of attacks, desperately trying to earn a point, but the home side held out for the remaining few minutes before referee Simon Castleman brought proceedings to a close. Derby joy for Stony Stratford but the late winner left the visitors holding their heads in disbelief.
FT Stony Stratford Town 2 Old Bradwell United 1. A cliché maybe, but this really was a game of two halves. Old Bradwell were well on top in the first half but only managed to take a single goal lead into the break. The second half swung in favour of the home side and they took full advantage of the fact. All played out in front of a good crowd of 70 on a bitterly cold evening. The result sees Bradwell remain in fourth spot, still ten points off the leaders. Stony Stratford leapfrog Totternhoe into ninth.
If you want to catch either team in action, they are both on the road this coming Saturday. Old Bradwell united go to 16th placed Caddington, who are battling against relegation. This will be their first meeting this season. Meanwhile, Stony make the trip to Sarratt who currently sit 14th but are also only four pints clear of the bottom side, Berkhamsted Raiders. Sarratt won 2-0 at Ostlers Lane earlier in the season though two second-half goals from Harry Foot and Daniel Ormsby.
Stony Stratford Town: 1.J.Blackhurst, 14.L.Blackhurst, 3.Bland, 5.Ford, 6.Watson, 4.Bent(c), 9.Smith, 7.Kamuss, 10.Oyediran, 8.Fraser, 11.D.Rothwell. Subs: 2.Moore, 12.Bailey, 15.Goldsmith, 17.Ali, 16.H.Rothwell
Old Bradwell United: 1.Jahn(c), 2.King, 3.Dazley, 4.Butler, 5.Keene, 6.Don, 7.Johnson, 8.Bailey, 9.O'Dell, 10.Valentine, 11.Stronge. Subs: Ennis, Harrington, Cooke, Hamilton, Sibley
The Ground
Stony Stratford play their home games at Ostlers lane, a multi-sport complex to the North-West of the town centre. Apart from the football club, it is also the home of Stony Stratford Cricket Club, Lawn Tennis Club and Bowls Club. There's good-sized car park on Ostlers Lane and a gate that takes you onto the sports fields between the small club, changing rooms and the cricket pavilion. The football pitch is at the far end of the complex, a short walk down the side of the cricket pitch. New additions since I last visited are the toilet and tea bar cabins situated just before the entrance to the football ground, which is now barriered off. Entrance fee is paid at the snack bar.
The ground has a single spectator stand, on the far side from the entrance, a covered standing area with the club name and logos emblazoned across the front of the roof. Dugouts are on the entrance side of the pitch.
Considering the recent weather, including a couple of downpours during the day, the playing surface looked to be in remarkably good condition. The 17th century chapel, which I believe is now an Indian restaurant, situated over on the High Street side of the ground, looms even more ominously when visiting the ground for an evening game.
Ground Number: Re-visit
Att: 70
Entrance: £3.00
Programme: N/A
Stony Stratford play their home games at Ostlers lane, a multi-sport complex to the North-West of the town centre. Apart from the football club, it is also the home of Stony Stratford Cricket Club, Lawn Tennis Club and Bowls Club. There's good-sized car park on Ostlers Lane and a gate that takes you onto the sports fields between the small club, changing rooms and the cricket pavilion. The football pitch is at the far end of the complex, a short walk down the side of the cricket pitch. New additions since I last visited are the toilet and tea bar cabins situated just before the entrance to the football ground, which is now barriered off. Entrance fee is paid at the snack bar.
The ground has a single spectator stand, on the far side from the entrance, a covered standing area with the club name and logos emblazoned across the front of the roof. Dugouts are on the entrance side of the pitch.
Considering the recent weather, including a couple of downpours during the day, the playing surface looked to be in remarkably good condition. The 17th century chapel, which I believe is now an Indian restaurant, situated over on the High Street side of the ground, looms even more ominously when visiting the ground for an evening game.
Ground Number: Re-visit
Att: 70
Entrance: £3.00
Programme: N/A
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