Three games into the league and McDonald Stratford are still finding their feet and coming together as a solid unit.
The first half of their game against Face Pace Solutions Woodleigh was marred by niggles and unruliness between both teams and this had an effect on the way Stratford performed.
Rather than playing the game the way they wanted it they were cornered into playing Woodleigh's game and it was one Stratford struggled against.
That said Stratford started the first 15 minutes well and while being put under pressure held out and in doing so were able to produce the first goal of the game. It was a marvellous text book affair with a goal kick, taken by Juming Ma, finding the feet of striker Brad Townsend just outside the opposition 18 yard box. Townsend turned it around his mark and took it straight into the goal box where he proceeded to easily beat the keeper.
Woodleigh responded very quickly with a breakaway run from half way that beat the defence, and keeper, levelling the score.
Then the game deteriorated with niggly tackles, off the ball pushing, and heavy charges. Through this Woodleigh scored twice more and Stratford seemed to break apart in the middle. Captain Ian Thornton worked hard to maintain discipline and Stu Hawkless was brought in from the side line to regain control of Stratford's "shape"
Half time, with Woodleigh 3:1 ahead, saw some inspirational words put forward with an emphasis on Liverpool's Jurgen Klopps encouragement to his players in their stunning comeback against Dortmund. He told them " to create a moment they could tell their grandchildren about". Central Football Mens Div 2 isn't quite the same league but the heart in every player is the same.