Brian Darth Funeral Services Men's A hockey team played their first game of the season against Hawera on Friday night.
The game started well with plenty of possession in the first half and our defence working well. But opportunities in and around the goal mouth to score were lost.
Eventually one movement that started deep in our defence, flowed down the right hand side and a Leslie Longstaff cross found Caleb Robinson for Stratford's first goal. Hawera had one penalty corner in the half, but good defence from Chris West kept Hawera scoreless. Half time score 1-0 to Stratford.
The second half saw more injection of movement in the midfield with Scott Williams and Jayden Roodbeen around the centre. The speed and agility of Stratford's front runners were able to link with Williams and Roodbeen coming through the centre. Curtis Boyde scored twice in a short space of time to give Stratford a buffer and take a comfortable 3-0 win. Stratford coach Paul Williams was satisfied with the second half effort, with Hawera really challenging Stratford's goal. Scott Williams, John Neild and Curtis Boyde had good games for Stratford.
- CMK Stratford Women's A
Anzac Day saw the first Club Women's games. A new young but talented CMK Stratford Women's A team started the season against an experienced Master's Classics team.
Stratford took 15 minutes to settle into play and string passes together and soon saw a beautiful opening goal from Jessica Taunt. Even possession from both teams sent the ball up and down the turf. Stratford managed a few break-aways from mid-field play, which then lead to a deflection from Kelsi Bayly, to take the score to 2-0 shortly before the half time break. With instruction from coaches Grant Boyde and Glen Taylor, the second half started with more structure and generally better play on our behalf. Early on Kylee Perrett made sure the win was out of Master's reach and finished off the final goal of the game, to make the score 3-0 to Stratford. The teams overall lack of fitness began to show in the second half causing simple mistakes to be made. Master's were a challenging team to play with their ability to read the play and were quick as always to pick up on our fumble, we look forward to meeting them again in the future.
- Stuart Bayly Contracting Stratford Women's B
Stuart Bayly Contracting Stratford Women's B played Apex on Saturday.
Stratford started with 11 players but before the first half was over they dropped to 10 due to an injury. Being the first game of the season the team showed great potential and after many goal opportunities missed Stratford finally came away with a 2-0 win.
Janika Hey scored in the first half and Amelia Williams in the second. Player of the day went to Te Ora Reihana as she played brilliantly and showed great potential in what was her first game outside of summer hockey.
- CMK Stratford Avon
CMK Stratford Avon played the reformed Te Kiri Rovers on Sunday. The game was very even with play from one end to the other. Te Kiri opened the scoring from a penalty corner. Avon then scored a hard fought field goal passing the ball within the circle to get around their keeper. The second half started at one all, the game went back and forth with Avon unable to get the ball in the goal. Tekiri scored again from a penalty corner. Te Kiri took full advantage of lapses in Avon's defence and scored another 2 field goals. Avon's goal was scored by John Noblett and player of the day went to Stephen Woolridge.
