This weekend saw all remaining Stratton teams playing their final games of another successful season. Well done to everyone who contributed and we look forward to seeing everyone in 19/20!

Stratton Youth U/7s played against a good Cirencester Town team. Cirencester took the lead after 5 mins but Stratton Youth hit back with a free kick from Sion Jones. Stratton then took the lead with Harry Johnson scoring a rocket of a shot into the roof of the net. Moses Allen then added a 3rd for Stratton Youth. It was end to end attacking by both teams with Sion Jones scoring a hat-trick with his 2nd and 3rd goal of the match. Ethan Parry scored with 5 mins remaining but Cirencester hit back with 3 quick goals but it wasn’t enough to stop Stratton Youth picking up another victory and to finish off the season with another win.

Stratton Youth U/9s also played at home to Blunsdon. The first quarter proved very competitive with some fine attacking football and committed challenges. Stratton then started to gain control in the second quarter and some excellent build up play led to goals for Liam Smith and Fin Pearcey. Blunsdon then started the second half brightly and were rewarded with a goal from a fine strike in the bottom corner of the net. Stratton’s response was immediate and Woody Whitehead scored the goal of game after an excellent through ball from Leo Scott. Xavier Elderby Harris then scored the final goal of the match to seal the win for the home side. It was a great performance to complete a fine season for Stratton Youth U/9s.

Stratton Youth U/10s Blues had a good quality game in blustery conditions away at Blunsdon with the complete squad available for selection. They quickly created a number of one on one openings but were unable to take advantage. Ben Seakins was sensational in the middle of the pitch with some great interceptions, jinking runs and clever passes. Leighton Emson was energetic on the wing but the Blues found themselves a goal behind after conceding a corner and from the cross it took an unfortunate deflection off a shoulder and dipped past Toby Robinson in goal. The Blues enjoyed the majority of possession and this continued in the second quarter despite wholesale changes due to the introduction of all six substitutes. Toby Stallard made some great runs down the wing and the Blues were unlucky not to equalize when Evie Stratford found herself in space but saw her shot go just wide. Jack Cummins had a number of neat touches and played intelligent balls through the back while Julian Gurung and Cory Stewart did well at the back against a quick opposition attack. Bertie Jarvis, Oscar Omerod, Harley Bennett and Mike Bettington-Walker all did well in midfield and it looked as though the Blues would get their deserved draw when Toby struck home from close range. Harry Maloney made some magnificent saves but was unable to keep out a powerful shot with the last kick of the match. The Blues can feel proud of their development this year and have progressed well as a team but most importantly had fun. Player of the match was Ben Seakins for one of his best displays in a Stratton shirt.

Stratton Youth U/11s travelled to Wroughton to wrap up their season. A tight first half of few chances saw some resolute defending from Luke Baker, Otto Baxter, Ben Szczerkowski and Sami Zamiri backed up with the excellent James Bassett in goal. Stratton played some nice football building from the back but despite lots of endeavour from Jaden Mullis, Thomas Foley and Player of the match Jack Miller were unable to find the decisive finish. The midfield worked hard with Tyler Drew, Ted Lawson-Thomas and Toby Telling but were unable to stop the home team.

Stratton Youth U/13s finished the season with a 0-1 home defeat to champions Ramsbury, but to finish runners up to a very good side was no mean achievement. Stratton played with plenty of fight & spirit with some good pressing & passing. The defence was bolstered by the return of Emmanuel Meeke in goal while Holly Giles worked tirelessly in midfield and it looked like a draw would have been a fair result until the away skipper ran clear with pace and power to slot the ball home. The game was played under the new coach Ady Meredith, who takes over the reigns from Matthew Boucher who has brought the boys from the start of their playing days at U/7 to now. He has now started his own family so will take some time out, but we feel sure he will be back in the not too distant future to pass on his desire and knowledge to another batch of grateful players.