Home   Stamford   Sport   Article

Subscribe Now

Blackstones beat Saffron Dynamo in United Counties League Division One match




Three goals inside the opening half-an-hour helped fire Blackstones to victory against Saffron Dynamo on Saturday.

A brace from Connor Pilbeam following Ricki Goodale's early opener ensured a second successive home win for Stones in the United Counties League Division One.

It means their new management team of Lloyd Burton and Jan Czarnecki have taken seven points from their three matches at the helm despite having to make a number of changes to Saturday's starting line-up.

Ricki Goodale opens the scoring. Photo: Martin Davies (53877649)
Ricki Goodale opens the scoring. Photo: Martin Davies (53877649)

They handed debuts to Matt Cox, Harley Williams, Trey West and Pilbeam while Zac Treweek was introduced as a second half substitute.

Boss Burton said: "We had six players missing from the week before but, as soon as that whistle went, we were all over them like a rash.

"I don't think that some of the teams who are coming to play us think there's been a change at the club and we're catching them out a little bit.

Connor Pilbeam scores the second goal. Photo: Martin Davies (53877643)
Connor Pilbeam scores the second goal. Photo: Martin Davies (53877643)

"Our start really hit them and it put us on a high for a bit which we kept going and it was really good."

It took Stones just four minutes to break the deadlock as West caused chaos in the Saffron penalty area and Goodale fired home from close range.

West continued to dazzle and confuse the defence with darting runs and never giving up a chase as Stones doubled their lead midway through the first half.

Connor Pilbeam makes it 3-0. Photo: Martin Davies (53877637)
Connor Pilbeam makes it 3-0. Photo: Martin Davies (53877637)

Pilbeam was able to break clear of the Dynamo defence and slot past an advanced keeper and his covering defence for Stones' second goal.

With no let up in the Stones attack, the visitors were left chasing shadows.

Once more Pilbeam worked himself some room on the left, went one-on-one with the keeper and calmly slid the ball under him and into the net.

Connor Pilbeam celebrates. Photo: Martin Davies (53877651)
Connor Pilbeam celebrates. Photo: Martin Davies (53877651)

Stones had more chances to increase the lead as a long ball forward from Mario Neves found West who was adjudged offside.

Goodale then broke through from the back, beat the keeper who was left stranded well outside the box and then chipped the last two defenders, only to see the ball strike the bar.

The half-time instructions in the Saffron changing room certainly galvanised the visitors who came out and took the game to Stones after the break.

Harley Williams, Photo: Martin Davies (53877664)
Harley Williams, Photo: Martin Davies (53877664)

However, their defence held firm with a solid second half display that saw goalkeeper Max Peverell keep the club's second clean sheet of the season.

Burton added: "The first half was a real positive and we had done so well but none of that mattered until the 90th minute because that's where the score finishes.

"Saffron came out fired up for the second half but we never caved in and it was good to show the effort to match those who had made the effort to come out and support us."

Stones: Peverell, Gilbert, Pike, Goodale, Madigan, Cox, Williams, Neves (Parker-Meadows), West (Joe Cox), Pilbeam, Sakovich (Treweek). Subs not used: Wallace, Clemenson.

Trey West. Photo: Martin Davies (53877639)
Trey West. Photo: Martin Davies (53877639)
Josh Pike. Photo: Martin Davies (53877645)
Josh Pike. Photo: Martin Davies (53877645)
Mario Neves. Photo: Martin Davies (53877647)
Mario Neves. Photo: Martin Davies (53877647)
Ed Sakovich. Photo: Martin Davies (53877656)
Ed Sakovich. Photo: Martin Davies (53877656)
Ricki Goodale. Photo: Martin Davies (53877658)
Ricki Goodale. Photo: Martin Davies (53877658)
Ricki Goodale hits the crossbar. Photo: Martin Davies (53877662)
Ricki Goodale hits the crossbar. Photo: Martin Davies (53877662)


This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More