Milton United v FC Stratford

Stratford report

What a game for the neutral, for me the game had everything that shows what non league is about. Both teams have made a positive start to the season and I personally believe that Stratfords league position right now does not reflect their team and they will be right up there this season. They were a very well drilled team and clearly managed very well. They caused us problems early with their high press and quick counter attacks. We gave them an early goal through switching off from a thrown in and their number 9 finished well. I think we were off it and didn’t play to our strengths leading to a frustrating first half. However we did well to stay in the game and half time came at a perfect time. The team talk was intense and direct to the point. We wasn’t good enough and lacked quality.

We made some tactical subs and changed our shape around to get into the game and disrupt them. It worked well and we put the pressure on them within the first 20 mins. We arguably left ourself exposed at times however we needed to get back into the game. We scored from a great finish from Louis Joyce and the game became winnable very quickly. We will never be the team that plays for a draw and that’s the way we played those last 20 minutes. With a great ball behind their defence from Harry, Louis managed to get in behind and square the ball to Freddie who finished comfortably.

I want to apologise for my swearing at times during the game, my passion can sometimes take over! In my short managerial career I can say that games like this were why I got involved.

Every player to every sub that came on were different class and we fully deserved the 3 points.

We go into Saturday against a very strong team from the league above being Reading City. We will need to be at our best and we will be training Thursday to prepare. I hope to see as many people there as we can supporting the little kickers (who we look forward to joining us as mascots) and the first team.

See you Saturday

Christian