I was still in two minds about my choice of game this Saturday until the very last minute. I eventually settled on a North Bucks Premier League clash between current leaders Stewkley and sixth placed Twyford United. Prior to kick off, with the season rapidly coming to a conclusion, Stewkley held a three point gap at the summit, with six games to play. In second were MK United who also had six remaining. Third placed Old Bradwell United Development were a further four points adrift but, with only two games left, they were out of the title race. Fourth placed Great Horwood, however, were seven points behind Stewkley with a game in hand. Today's visitors also only had two games to play and were out of the running, although they could have a big say in the title run-in. Their final game is against MK United.
In the reverse fixture a single Kieran Roadnight goal had given Stewkley the points. Coincidentally, both teams had played the same opponents, bottom side Newport Pagnell Athletic in their previous league outings. Two weeks ago Twyford had beaten the basement boys 4-1. Last weekend, a further weakened Athletic side had gone down 11-0 at home to Stewkley.
Arriving early, I set about looking for the team sheets and was fortunate enough to come across referee Anthony Woodley who was also taking a few minutes to enjoy the weather before kick-off. Not only did he share the team sheets with me, we also had a pleasant chat about football in general. Both sets of coaches and a number of players from both sides came past, all of whom greeted the referee, who is clearly a popular figure in the league.
In the reverse fixture a single Kieran Roadnight goal had given Stewkley the points. Coincidentally, both teams had played the same opponents, bottom side Newport Pagnell Athletic in their previous league outings. Two weeks ago Twyford had beaten the basement boys 4-1. Last weekend, a further weakened Athletic side had gone down 11-0 at home to Stewkley.
Arriving early, I set about looking for the team sheets and was fortunate enough to come across referee Anthony Woodley who was also taking a few minutes to enjoy the weather before kick-off. Not only did he share the team sheets with me, we also had a pleasant chat about football in general. Both sets of coaches and a number of players from both sides came past, all of whom greeted the referee, who is clearly a popular figure in the league.
Okolie goes close With their closest rivals in cup action today, Stewkley had the opportunity to open up some breathing space at the top of the table and they started the game quite well. Neither side managed to create any major chances in the opening 10 minutes, but Stewkley did come close shortly afterwards. A free-kick delivered into the box from way out on the left flank got caught by the gusty wind, deceiving visiting goalkeeper Chris Stapleton. The ball sailed over his grasp before bouncing near the far post where Antonio Iannelli was arriving. He managed to get a head to the ball but could only divert it narrowly wide. However, three minutes later the home side did take the lead. When a clearance fell to Luke Alligan some 25 yards out, he took a touch before firing a low drive past Stapleton's right-hand into the corner of the net. 1-0
Stewkley were on top without completely dominating. Albie Whittemore headed a half-chance over the bar before, on 25 minutes, Pat Okolie, who had scored four last weekend, scuffed a chance straight to a grateful Stapleton, from inside the six-yard box. That should have been the second goal.
Twyford's opportunities at goal had been very limited to this point, with home keeper Will Essex barely troubled. Their best chance came in the 34th minute when Matt Bradbury rose at the far post to get a head onto a right-wing cross. However, under good pressure from the defence, he wasn't able to get it on target.
Just before the break Stewkley had another golden opportunity to go in two up when, after great work of the left from Dan Carter, Kieran Roadnight was unable to keep his left-foot volley below the bar.
HT Stewkley 1 Twyford United 0. Gusty wind and a hard, bumpy pitch not helping either team. Stewkley should be further in front. Twyford have the wind behind them in the second half, so it's far from over.
Stewkley were on top without completely dominating. Albie Whittemore headed a half-chance over the bar before, on 25 minutes, Pat Okolie, who had scored four last weekend, scuffed a chance straight to a grateful Stapleton, from inside the six-yard box. That should have been the second goal.
Twyford's opportunities at goal had been very limited to this point, with home keeper Will Essex barely troubled. Their best chance came in the 34th minute when Matt Bradbury rose at the far post to get a head onto a right-wing cross. However, under good pressure from the defence, he wasn't able to get it on target.
Just before the break Stewkley had another golden opportunity to go in two up when, after great work of the left from Dan Carter, Kieran Roadnight was unable to keep his left-foot volley below the bar.
HT Stewkley 1 Twyford United 0. Gusty wind and a hard, bumpy pitch not helping either team. Stewkley should be further in front. Twyford have the wind behind them in the second half, so it's far from over.
Bradbury(9) was close for United As expected, with the conditions now in their favour, Twyford started the second half in a much more positive vein. An early James Jackman burst saw the left-sided player get beyond the Stewkley defence, but Will Essex was off his line quickly forcing the strike to go wide of the mark. Twyford clearly thought the keeper had made the save, but the referee gave a goal kick much to their displeasure.
An interesting incident then happened at the opposite end of the pitch. Stewkley broke quickly, creating a three on two situation. The ball was fed across to Dan Carter who looked to be clipped by the defender. However, Carter stayed on his feet, cutting back onto his right foot before sending an effort over the bar. The question is, was he too honest? If he had gone down at the first contact, it would have been hard for the referee not to have pointed to the spot.
A few minutes later, Pat Okolie was sent through on goal but, as he was about to pull the trigger, Matt Ginger got back to make a superb, last-ditch intervention. Excellent defending from the centre-back. back up the other end, just past the hour, Jackman was again a little unlucky when he unleashed an absolute piledriver that flashed across the face of Essex's goal.
Alligan then came close to doubling his tally when his crisp drive was well saved by Stapleton. Inside the final twenty minutes, the home side should once again have doubled their lead. Carter broke down the left, beat his man before driving to the by-line and cutting back for Okolie. His effort was well blocked and when the ball dropped to
Jamie Hardings, he fired over the bar. Stapleton was then called into action once again, saving well from Xavier Kirchin's header.
That was the last of the real goalmouth action before referee Woodley drew a close to the action.
FT Stewkley 1 Twyford United 0. Not prettiest of games, but three more points on the board for Stewkley, who deserved the points on the balance of play. Twyford, however, pushed them all the way and were never out of the game, despite riding their luck at times. Whilst MK United were in cup action, Great Horwood drew 1-1 at home to Willen, meaning that Stewkley's lead at the top increased to five points, although MK United have a game in hand now, as do Great Horwood, three points further back.
Next week Twyford host MK United whilst Stewkley don't have a game. In fact they don't play until April 26th when they face Old Bradwell United Development in the semi final of the Premier Division Challenge Cup.
Stewkley: Essex, H.Reeves, Scrivener, Budgen, Iannelli, Whittemore, K.Roadnight, Alligan, Okolie, Hardings, Carter. Subs: Wagner, Kirchin, Cristofoli, Gray, K.Bailey
Twyford United: Stapleton, Curtis, Jackman, King(c), Ginger, Bailey, Best-Martinez, Palokwar, Bradbury, Dalton, Best. Subs: McLaughlin, Bannerman, Bunyan, Wall
An interesting incident then happened at the opposite end of the pitch. Stewkley broke quickly, creating a three on two situation. The ball was fed across to Dan Carter who looked to be clipped by the defender. However, Carter stayed on his feet, cutting back onto his right foot before sending an effort over the bar. The question is, was he too honest? If he had gone down at the first contact, it would have been hard for the referee not to have pointed to the spot.
A few minutes later, Pat Okolie was sent through on goal but, as he was about to pull the trigger, Matt Ginger got back to make a superb, last-ditch intervention. Excellent defending from the centre-back. back up the other end, just past the hour, Jackman was again a little unlucky when he unleashed an absolute piledriver that flashed across the face of Essex's goal.
Alligan then came close to doubling his tally when his crisp drive was well saved by Stapleton. Inside the final twenty minutes, the home side should once again have doubled their lead. Carter broke down the left, beat his man before driving to the by-line and cutting back for Okolie. His effort was well blocked and when the ball dropped to
Jamie Hardings, he fired over the bar. Stapleton was then called into action once again, saving well from Xavier Kirchin's header.
That was the last of the real goalmouth action before referee Woodley drew a close to the action.
FT Stewkley 1 Twyford United 0. Not prettiest of games, but three more points on the board for Stewkley, who deserved the points on the balance of play. Twyford, however, pushed them all the way and were never out of the game, despite riding their luck at times. Whilst MK United were in cup action, Great Horwood drew 1-1 at home to Willen, meaning that Stewkley's lead at the top increased to five points, although MK United have a game in hand now, as do Great Horwood, three points further back.
Next week Twyford host MK United whilst Stewkley don't have a game. In fact they don't play until April 26th when they face Old Bradwell United Development in the semi final of the Premier Division Challenge Cup.
Stewkley: Essex, H.Reeves, Scrivener, Budgen, Iannelli, Whittemore, K.Roadnight, Alligan, Okolie, Hardings, Carter. Subs: Wagner, Kirchin, Cristofoli, Gray, K.Bailey
Twyford United: Stapleton, Curtis, Jackman, King(c), Ginger, Bailey, Best-Martinez, Palokwar, Bradbury, Dalton, Best. Subs: McLaughlin, Bannerman, Bunyan, Wall
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The Ground
Stewkley play at Stewkley Recreation Ground, just off the main throughfare of the village. There is a small car park, but plenty of parking is available on Soulbury Road if this is full. There's a pavilion next to the car park, with a few tables and benches outside. The facing wall of the pavilion also feature a blackboard sign that, at one time in the past, was clearly used for notifying the public of the forthcoming games. Clearly no longer in use, but a great little nod to the past. This looks out over the cricket field and a few small-sided football pitches. The main football pitch is accessed by walking across the cricket field, through a wide gap in the trees. This then opens into another field, containing more small-sided pitches and the main full-size playing area. There are also a few benches spread around the perimeter of this field, which some spectators took advantage of. The pitch does not have any slope but did look a little bumpy and dry, following the recent better weather.
Ground Number: 444
Att:
Entrance:
Programme:
Stewkley play at Stewkley Recreation Ground, just off the main throughfare of the village. There is a small car park, but plenty of parking is available on Soulbury Road if this is full. There's a pavilion next to the car park, with a few tables and benches outside. The facing wall of the pavilion also feature a blackboard sign that, at one time in the past, was clearly used for notifying the public of the forthcoming games. Clearly no longer in use, but a great little nod to the past. This looks out over the cricket field and a few small-sided football pitches. The main football pitch is accessed by walking across the cricket field, through a wide gap in the trees. This then opens into another field, containing more small-sided pitches and the main full-size playing area. There are also a few benches spread around the perimeter of this field, which some spectators took advantage of. The pitch does not have any slope but did look a little bumpy and dry, following the recent better weather.
Ground Number: 444
Att:
Entrance:
Programme:
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