Stratford Football | Taranaki Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Taranaki

THE Stratford Premier Reserve team are lined up for a crack at the Nimmo Cup on Saturday, a trophy they haven’t held for 10 years, after winning the semi-finals last weekend.
Last Saturday McDonalds Real Estate Stratford took to the field for what was probably the most important game of the season so far.
After having beaten both Eltham 2nds in the first round and Peringa  2nds in the quarter final, Stratford were to face Waitara at home in the must win semi-final of the Nimmo Cup.
With a full squad available, it was to be one of the strongest teams that Stratford had fielded all season, and hopes were high for a win. But Waitara are a well coached side and are able to call on a few experienced players to strengthen their squad.
The game kicked off with McDonalds Real Estate Stratford defending the boggy eastern end of the ground, and Waitara attacking from the western end with a strong wind at their back.
Both teams were tentative in the opening quarter of an hour, but as they settled into the game it became obvious that neither team was going to give any quarter, with both sides producing some bone-crunching tackles.
As the first half wore on, Stratford started to play some good controlled football and was starting to find some holes in the Waitara defence.
With pace up front and some old experienced heads in the midfield, Stratford created three or four good chances but unfortunately could not find the back of the net.
At the other end of the park, Stratford’s back line was working overtime, and restricting nearly all of Waitara’s attacks to shots from outside the eighteen yard box. And with super keeper Gaston in goal, these were not a problem. As we went into the half time break, the score was locked up at nil-all.
As the second half started, McDonalds Real Estate Stratford slipped into an all too familiar second half slumber and were lucky to survive several good scoring chances from a Waitara side pressing hard to open the scoring.
After what seemed like an age, Stratford finally got back into the game, and with some good passing through the midfield the ball ended up at Claudio’s feet, splitting the Waitara defence. Unfortunately Claudio was unable to get the ball onto his favoured right foot and could not get any power or direction into his shot.
With less than 20 minutes left in regular time, Stratford gave away a free kick about 30 metres out on the angle. This was to be Waitara’s best chance of scoring. With the free kick being played into the Stratford goal area, a Waitara player out-jumped the Stratford defence and glanced a header towards goal. A diving left-handed save by Gaston pushed the ball wide of the left hand post and Stratford were able to scramble it clear.
After surviving that near miss, the Stratford midfield put another great ball through, this time finding Noodles in the clear and with a one-on-one with the Waitara keeper. Unfortunately he suffered a hamstring tear in the chase for the ball and could not control the shot. With time running out and Noodles off with injury, a couple of changes were made with Chris and Avinesh taking the field.
With about ten minutes to go Stratford pressed hard and were starting to find space out wide. With Brent and Ricky working tirelessly through the midfield, they were able to construct a great passing move that ended with a fantastic ball over the Waitara defence for Chaddy and Avinesh to run onto in space. Avinesh got to the ball first, wrong-footed the last defender and chipped the keeper before he could be closed down. At last, a goal, one nil to Stratford.
With a one goal lead and six minutes to play, McDonalds Real Estate Stratford defended to a standstill. And when the final whistle blew, there was a great sense of satisfaction and a little relief that we able to finally produce a result that we have been capable of in the past, but unable to deliver.
We now have only one game and one team standing between us and the Nimmo Cup, a trophy that has eluded us for a very long time.
The Nimmo Cup final is to be played at Pukekura Park (weather permitting) on Saturday, September 11, 12pm kickoff. Check Daily News closer to the day for confirmation.