Stratton Youth U/18’s
This local derby with Ashton Keynes Youth produced an entertaining game, and Stratton’s first win of the season. Starting brightly, Stratton pressed Ashton hard, keeping them pinned in their own half. On 12 minutes Stratton were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box, and Charlie Hardiman stepped up to score a scorcher into the top right corner, Ashton started to get more into the game, but Stratton continued to dominate possession, and on 33 minutes Josh Littler-Jennings put Aaron McKillop clear to score a fine solo goal. Two further goals from Aaron McKillop again, and a fine left footed strike of his own from Josh Littler Jennings made it 4 – 0 to Stratton at half time. Ashton Keynes rallied for the beginning of the second half, but a lack of substitutes started to show in tired legs, and Stratton again started to dominate. Five minutes into the second half a good corner from Sonny Williamson was finished off in the goalmouth by James Bird. Seven minutes later James Bird then returned the compliment by putting Taylor Wilden clear to chip the keeper. Ashton Keynes then dug deep to hold Stratton at bay, with some excellent defending and goalkeeping, but determined to get his hat trick, Aaron McKillop struck again on 76 minutes.

Stratton Youth U/14s
The U/14s held their own against a team that have not dropped points all season. Stratton lead at the break 2-1 with goals from Zac Zamiri and a wonder strike from Lennon Skinner. Stratton matched and at times out played their opponents. Fine displays from Emanuel Meeke in goal and George Quli and Joe Lovell at the back. Malmesbury never gave up and equalised with 5 minutes to go. A fine display from a Stratton squad that are improving week on week. Final result 2-2 with a MoM performance from Zac Zamiri.

Stratton Youth U/14s
The U/13s extended their unbeaten run to four games with a hard-fought draw against Highworth Town. On an undulating, sticky pitch with a strong wind blowing from end to end, it was always going to be hard to play good football but both teams tried and it was Highworth, with the wind behind them, that made the breakthrough, seizing on indecision in the Stratton defence to score first. Jonny Reynolds equalised with a precise finish a few minutes later as Stratton started to dominate the game and play more and more in the opposition half. This continued after half time, and with the wind in their favour Stratton enjoyed long periods of possession and deservedly took the lead with another accurate strike from Jonny Reynolds following good work down the right wing. Stratton looked set to build on that lead but instead conceded a second direct from a free kick and had a frustrating end to the game as they tried through individual effort rather than teamwork to work an opening that would have given them victory. Thomas Gunning at the heart of the defence was awarded player of the match.

Stratton Youth U/12s
The U/12s played the reverse fixture to last weekend, away to Marlborough U12s. The game saw all four seasons from glorious sunshine, a howling wind and torrential rain. Stratton started brightly and played some superb flowing football and were unlucky to go into the break all level at 0-0. Despite the conditions Stratton came out strongly in the second half with some excellent play from Sami Zamiri, Jack Miller, Sam King, Caleb Kavannagh and Tom Wilkinson setting up the hard-working Tom Foley up front. The Marlborough defence and keeper continued to keep Stratton goalless despite numerous efforts. Luke Baker, Otto Baxter and player of the match Ben Szczerkowski continued to make life difficult for the away team limiting them to long range efforts. As Stratton pressed for the winner Marlborough had a quick break away and against the run of play took the lead. Stratton were again unlucky to concede a second as they continued to throw caution to the wind in search of what proved to be an elusive goal. Right until the final whistle Stratton pressurised the away team’s goal and were only stopped by some superb goalkeeping and a number of excellent challenges. The hosts ended up 2-0 winners in a very entertaining game.

Stratton Youth U/10s
The U/10s played their first game of the new year against Abbey Meads at home. The first half of the match was very evenly balanced with Abbey Meads testing Xavier Elderby Harris in goal on a number of occasions. Some fine defensive work by both teams was hard to break through. However, Josh Price’s run from one end of the pitch to the other ending with a great pass for Liam Smith to chip the goalkeeper broke the deadlock. Stratton then relaxed into the game and more goals followed from Archie Miller, Xavier Elderby Harris and Tom Pritchett managed to find the back of the net twice. Lucas Scotford had no chance of saving Abbey Meads free kick just outside the area which deflected off a Stratton player. With the whole team playing so well, it was very difficult for the Managers to pick the man of the match this week but for his outstanding display in defence, it was awarded to Harry Truckle.

Stratton Youth U/10s Blue
In a lively match against a strong home team, the Blues started well and had much of the possession in the first quarter. Against the run of play, the opposition scored from a well-taken corner to take an early lead, and both teams started to tire a little in the very wet and muddy conditions, perhaps exacerbated by the Christmas break. The Blues defended well and created numerous chances on the counter-attack but couldn't quite find the fluency they have enjoyed in recent matches. Blunsdon continued to press hard and the second half saw lots of action at both ends, with some good set-piece play from corners in particular. Overall, it was a tense and hard-fought match, with the boys pleased to get back on the pitch after a few weeks and some good passing across the pitch. Xander Dean was named man of the match for a strong performance in centre-midfield.

Stratton Youth U/8s
The U/8s started the New Year with a Winter Trophy cup match against a strong Abbey Meads team. The match started very competitively with both teams competing well for the ball. But it was Stratton who struck first with Captain for the day, Daniel Price, scoring after a great pass from Sion Ellis Jones. However just as the half was about to end, Abbey Meads equalised. Ollie Saunders then scored for Stratton after a scramble in the box. Ethan Parry then extended Strattons lead after a well taken goal. However Abbey Meads then pulled one back before half time. Sion Ellis Jones again pased through to Daniel Price who then scored to extend Strattons lead by 2 goals. Sion Ellis Jones then got on the scoresheet himself and Ollie Saunders added a 6th goal. An excellent team performance from Stratton and they booked themselves into the trophy cup final. Player of the week went to Ethan Parry for his excellent team work and giving 100%.

Stratton Youth U/7’s
The U/7s played their first cup match away to Wooton Bassett, Stratton didn’t disappoint in one of the best games of the season so far. The first quarter saw Stratton go ahead in the first two minutes through Isaiah Allen. Oscar Branigan soon made it two with a great shot in the bottom corner of the goal. Stratton could have scored more with Theo Pritchett making some great passes into the forwards who were unlucky not to score. Bassett pulled one back but could of been more if it wasn’t for James Pearcey making some fine saves. The second quarter was more evenly matched, however with some resilient defending from Cody Moisjeves and Jacob Sharma, Bassett only managed to score one making the scores level at half time.The third quarter saw Bassett start the stronger of the two teams and scored a couple more goals but yet again would of been a few more if it hadn’t of been for Isla Bailey making some last ditch tackles. Going into the fourth quarter being two goals down Stratton had to do something special and that’s just what they did. With James Pearcey and Elliot Fountain up front, the pair of them didn’t give up on anything with James Pearcey scoring straight from the kickoff. James Pearcey once again found the back of the net with a great tackle from Cody Moisjeves, only to find its way to Elliot Fountain who then passed to James Pearcey. This made the game very tense in the last few minutes with Henry Sutton keeping a clean sheet with some fantastic saves between the sticks. With only a minute to play Stratton pressed high up the pitch and the box was full of bodies desperate to find that winning goal, with the ball going in all directions it finally fell to James Pearcey who converted with great conviction to complete his hattrick. A great team performance today with player of the day going to James Pearcey for his continuous pressing and fine finishing.