Stamford Strollers walking football round-up
Stamford Strollers' Over 60+ squad are celebrating success at the finals day of the ASHA Healthcare Midlands Cup.
They were 3-1 winners over Oakham in the semi-final before defeating Matlock 2-1 in the final.
Strollers and Oakham both started well in their game with some high tempo football being played.
A lovely through ball and Steve Adcock was able to turn the defence and drive a shot straight into the corner of the Oakham goal.
Strollers weren't having it all their own way with Bill Whittle and Graham Curry being stretched to keep Oakham at bay.
As half time approached, Oakham finally found a way through Stamford's defence to equalise.
The second half started with some half chances for both teams, Chris Keirl continued to drive the midfield forward encouraging Strollers to shoot on target.
John Hutchins found some space on the left and hit a shot that slowly squirmed through the Oakham keeper's hands and legs to give Stamford the lead.
Oakham were now chasing the game and Strollers were finding space - some good movement across the midfield left room for Bill Whittle to find Steve Adcock who produced a 'Cruyff' like turn to fool the defence and find the net with an emphatic finish.
The final was always going to be a cagey match as all players know each other well and so it proved to be.
Matlock started sharper than Stamford as they attacked well and defended in numbers.
Strollers were finding it difficult to hold them back and a quickly taken free kick from Matlock caught Strollers out and was clinically finished and this was how it stayed until half time.
Strollers made a change at half-time to mix things up but opportunities were few and far between for both sides.
Lee Tillen worked his socks off marking Matlock's tricky midfielder to ensure they didn't extend their lead further.
Strollers continued to push forward with Chris Keirl, Paul Beard and Lee Tillen looking for space while Bill Whittle and Graham Curry kept Matlock at bay at the back.
Another good passing move enabled Steve Adcock to spin the defender and beat the keeper to equalise.
Strollers and Matlock went looking for the winner in the last quarter of the match.
Starting from the back, Whittle passed to Curry, then on to Lee who produced a neat pass to Adcock who drifted across the goal and hit a sublime curling shot into the top right corner.
Matlock pressed for the equaliser but Strollers held firm with a great defensive shift by the whole team.
Adcock won the Golden Boot for the second year running with 10 goals this season, including four on the finals day.
In addition to the finals day squad, Tim Marsden, Bill Heath and Colin Barrett-Treen also played in the group stages of the cup.
Stamford: Bill Whittle, Chris Keirl, John Hutchins, Lee Tillen, Paul Beard, Steve Adcock, Graham Curry.
Stamford Strollers' 60+ A team are also three points clear at the top of the Lincolnshire FA Premiership with one matchday to go.
First up were Grimsby Reds and Strollers soon got into their stride taking the game to their opponents and dominating from the off.
First half goals from Chris Keirl and Andy Vessey (two) put Strollers well in control as their slick inter-passing proved too much for their opponents.
With two tough games to come, Stamford took their foot off the gas in the second half for a 3-0 success.
The second game was against league leaders Grimsby Corinthians and the teams had met twice before already this season, winning one game each.
Strollers were always dangerous going forward with the front three of Steve Adcock, Andy Vessey and Bill Heath running Grimsby ragged.
But it was a great strike from Dave Guest which broke the deadlock before two goals from Adcock put the game beyond the reach of Corinthians.
A late goal was their only consolation as Strollers defended superbly with Bill Whittle and Dave Guest both outstanding.
The final game was the National Cup match, again against Grimsby Corinthians.
Strollers started slowly but always looked solid in defence and dangerous in attack and it was no surprise when Steve Adcock gave them the lead.
Corinthians were desperate to avoid back-to-back defeats and resorted to some strong arm tactics.
They did equalise when a ricochet gave them a sight of goal but Strollers clicked back into gear and the forward play between Lee Tillen, Steve Adcock and Andy Vessey opened them up for the Vessey to score the winner.
It was an excellent all round performance with every player in the squad playing a full part in a very successful day.
A special mention for Andy Vessey who came in at the last minute and was outstanding.
Stamford: Bill Whittle, Steve Adcock, Andy Vessey, Dave Guest, Bill Heath, Lee Tillen, Chris Keirl.
