TYPICAL ADAM STACEY

Cardea veteran striker Adam Stacey once again found himself on the score sheet as Cardea scraped a 2-1 win at home, against still winless Hampton A.

Middletons Road, with its bars outside the changing room and unfriendly exterior proved a very welcome sight for the reserves this week, a home game which had felt like forever in the waiting.

The reserves hadn’t played at Middletons since the opening day, where they lost right back (now coach) Dan Chamberlain after 10 minutes, and it was after 10 minutes of this game where yet again it was injuries that claimed not one, but two of this weeks starting 11. Peter Green put in a superb tackle in the area to halt an attack, but tweaked a quad in the process forcing him off to be replaced by left back Kieren Brown. Glen Read had also taken a knock earlier in the same move after a robust challenge, he was also forced off and replaced by the resident hooligan and hollyoaks fan, Daniel Robinson.

It was substitute Robinson who opened the scoring after 20 minutes, Wayne Ward was brought down just outside the area, the positioning giving the left footed Robinson to cross the ball in or take the shot on. He whipped the ball into the box with pace & into a fantastic area, a deflection off a Hampton defender left the goalkeeper totally helpless as the ball flew past him into the net. With the ball clearly on it’s way to the far corner of the net, the dubious goals panel, which featured Assistant Manager Lee Jacobs as he was inputting the goal scorer on the app, decided that Robinson should be awarded the goal.

To be honest… nothing else really happened in the first half, a couple of chances here and there, Peter Green grafting on one of the Hampton players “WAG” (this later led to some CIA level Facebook stalking) and Jon Saunders losing a ball in one of the gardens overlooking the pitch at Middletons Road. This provided some much needed laughter, as the resident of the aforementioned house came out to inform Saunders that the ball was in fact, right in front of him.

The start of the second half was a much more positive one for Saunders, as once again he found himself towering above everyone else from a corner, only to see his header cleared off the line well by a Hampton defender.

However, after 48 minutes, it was somehow 1-1. A communication error at the back saw a Hampton player presented with a golden opportunity, which he did not spurn. This was Hampton’s first league goal of the season, and I doubt they’ll have an easier one.

The equaliser gave Cardea a well needed wake up call, and 2 minutes later the lead was restored, with a classic Adam Stacey goal. The old-timer had netted 3 goals in 2 games coming into this week, most of these goals being in uncharacteristic fashion. His goal to restore Cardea’s lead this week though… much more Stace-like. After a corner from Wayne Ward, and Hampton failing to clear their lines, Stacey poked the ball over the line from about 2 yards out. Making it 2-1 and putting Cardea, who had been the better side, deservedly back in front.

Now at this point, I would mention all of the chances that Wayne Ward had and times that Cardea hit the woodwork in the second half (about 2 or 3). Unfortunately though, Cardea Clipboard manager and Money Man, Adam Youell, has since deleted all of the notes made for this game, so you’ll have to settle for the subs and the times they were made:

60’ – Kaylum Clark (ON) > Josh Sieley (OFF)
65’ – Eddy Underhill (ON) > Adam Stacey (OFF)
83’ – Peter Green (ON) > Aaron Lewis (OFF)
83’ – Tom Jacombs (ON) > Daniel Robinson (OFF)

The reserves managed to hold on to the 2-1 win and carry on their good run of results, they will be looking to add to this in future weeks, especially next Saturday when they take on Limetree next week, in a 2nd v 3rd battle. A real test, after Cardea claimed a 3-3 draw on the opening day to current table toppers Casterton.

Man of the Match this week was the returning Aaron Lewis, the right back didn’t put a foot wrong throughout the game, was calm and precise on the ball and solid defensively. Only cramp forcing him off in the later stages of the game, to be expected after a couple of weeks off.

Dave Hardingham (Player/Co-Manager) had some time to reflect before his comments on the performance:

“A battling performance. We’ve definitely played better games but there were some spells of very good football.
Winning games when you aren’t at your best is important, and the most vital thing is that we closed out a tight game and came away with 3 points.
Onwards and upwards to next weeks game against Lime Tree, a real test of how far both teams have come since we last met in pre season.”

Special Mention should go to Big Dave, who took part in the Great Eastern Run on Sunday, achieving a time of 1:54:27. Well done mate, fantastic effort! Will be good to have you back next week.