Liam strike brings Stocks draw

1:04pm Wednesday 20th August 2008

Stockbridge 2 US Portsmouth 2.

Stockbridge drew 2-2 with US Portsmouth at the Recreation Ground in a game in which they had enough chances in the first half to kill the game off.

They were unlucky not to go ahead in the first minute when a cross from Mike Barker found Steve Witt whose superb strike was somehow kept out by the visitor's keeper. On eight minutes a cross from Adam Kerr was headed over by Witt from close in. Soon after Barker was unlucky to see his overhead shot go just wide. The Portsmouth side's first real chance came on 35 minutes but keeper Allan Ralph pulled off a good save. Robins' Lou Bain then had a shot turned round the post and soon after Witt saw his effort on goal go just over the bar. Stockbridge finally got the lead they deserved when Barker's header across the goal found Kerr who slotted home.

The second half saw the visitors start better and they equalised on 15 minutes before taking a 2-1 lead from the penalty spot. Stockbridge were then stung into action and Kerr headed over before substitute Liam Edwards levelled with a clever chip.

Warminster Town 1 Stockbridge 0.

Stockbridge lost this closely fought game when the home side scored the only goal in the second half.

Liam Edwards partnered Mike Barker up front and was unlucky not to score early on when his shot from a Nick Coates corner was stopped on the line by a home defender. Coates was in fine form and causing panic in the Warminister defence, and from another of his corner skipper Simon Poultney headed over.

Stockbridge scorned another good chance soon after when Gavin Burgess blasted a free-kick over the bar and as the home side began to get into the game near the end of the half Allan Ralph had to pull off a couple of good saves to keep them at bay. At the other end Edwards saw a shot go just wide.

Warminster started the second half well and got the all important goal on 15 minutes. Despite the narrow defeat they can take some positives from the game. Apart from the lively display by Coates, Gavin Richards again put in another great display at centre half well supported by his partner Dave Barker. Adam Kerr and Lou Bains worked hard in midfield. Mike Barker up front held the ball up well and Edwards showed some good touches.

Stockbridge's match at Shaftesbury on Wednesday night. was postponed due to the home team having an FA Cup replay

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