Stoke started the league campaign with a controversial defeat away at Canvey due to some poor refereeing and some wayward finishing.
The game started brightly with Scott Tarr having to deal with a shot from Berquez and stoke soon after put some good moves together but were never able to put that final killer ball through to Macca or Roach
1-0 Canvey
Then just as we were coming into the game the ref gave canvey a soft penalty as their player went down very easy in the area as Elad challanged for the ball. Gregory dispatched the penalty down to Tarr's left and although Scott got a hand to the ball he couldn't keep it out 1-0 Canvey
1-1
Minutes later we were back on level terms as terms as we played a quick free kick by laidler found Lambert who had shot tipped over and from that corner Steve Hemmings header was flicked into the net by Roach, the goal was debatable as the keeper seemed to be blocked off but Roach won the header.
2-1 Canvey
We really took the game to Canvey after equalizing but failed to have any clear shots on goal and just as we looked to be going in at half time 1-1 Steve Hemmings gave away a free kick on the edge of the area although he seemed to win the ball in the air and Ty Gooden dispatched the free-kick into the back of the net.
Just before the break both Canvey and Stoke had golden opportunities to get another goal but failed McAllister dragging his shot wide from 10 yards - McAllister seemed to low in confidence in front of goal and although he is still strong in the air we need him where it counts in front of goal.
2nd Half
from what i can remember of the 2nd half we seemed to take the game to canvey and should have really finished our chance better McAllister and Roach the main culprits and we looked in control of the game playing the offside trap well.
Then the ref had a moment of madness again as a nice through ball was flagged offside and Scott Tarr tried to retreave the ball but failed and also brought down their striker a clear penalty and red card, the ref gave the penalty and was about to produce the red when our players politley imformed him that the lineman was flagging and thankfully the ref gave us a free-kick for offside.
Not long after we had another shot on goal which was again an easy save for harrison and our misery was complete when a superb last ditch tackle on Bolan by Steve Hemmings was jugded to be a push in the back by Hemo and the ref was all to keen to award Canvey their third penalty of the afternoon even though Canvey players where lining up for a corner. Bolan cooly dispatched their penalty sending Tarr the wrong way.
Full Time
Although we lost this match alot of positives come out of it David Ray, Steve Hemmings and Steve Laidler we superb and new signing Rob Kember looked very useful out on the right of midfield as was also good to see Stamp come back into the action after 2 weeks out with a Hamstring injury. If we can play like we did today against Hendon on tuesday night im sure a victory will be on the cards |
