What a difference a week makes.
First game up in the second round saw McDonald Stratford face off against Pipeline Peringa who thrashed them last week 6-0.
So it was with a sense of trepidation and determination that Stratford took to the field. They knew they had been strong in defence last week and now knew what to expect when the attacks came, and with Brad Townsend back on the team, having not played last week, there was an unknown edge to their attacking play.
And attack they did. From kick off Stratford kept play in Peringa's half with wave after wave of ball movement pressuring the Peringa goal. Two early chances were missed when all that was needed was for the ball to be touched into goal but the inevitable came and when it did it was Townsend who delivered. A beautiful cross from Ron Washer on the right wing was deftly controlled on the penalty spot by Ros Sombath who laid it up for Townsend to finish, team play that Stratford is getting better at producing as the season has progressed.
On the back line Stu Hawkless maintained a vigilant eye on where they now knew the danger lay from the Peringa forwards and was able to rally his defence for optimum effect. Peringa tried but were denied access for most of the first half.