Stratton Youth U/10s Blues traveled to Swindon to take on Wims. At the start of the season Wims had won the corresponding fixture by 8 goals so this match was going to be a good assessment of how far the Blues have come this year. Harley Bennett and Toby Stallard have both been brilliant in recent weeks and this proved to be the case again. With Harley’s physical presence and Toby’s trickery they make a formidable duo. Jack Jones and Cory Stewart marshaled the defence well which enabled Toby and Harley as well as the ever-lively Leighton Emson to push forward. The Blues raced into a two goal lead with both coming from Toby, continuing his hot streak in front of goal. Bertie Jarvis made some important challenges while Harry Maloney was composed in goal. The second quarter saw the Blues continue their dominance in possession although Toby had to play in an unfamiliar defensive role due to a lack of available, recognized defenders. It meant the Blues weren’t as sharp in attack but Jack Cummins showed his trickery and clever passing by threading through Evie Stratford but she was just unable to get the ball past the onrushing ‘keeper. Oscar Omerod linked the play well and Ben Seakins jinked through the opposition defence with great effect.

The Blues looked very comfortable at half time then quickly increased their lead early in the third quarter as Toby completed his hat-trick. The team went into the last quarter with a three goal lead but suddenly found that cut to one by two quick, well-taken opposition goals. It would have been unfortunate for the Blues not to win but after the ball hit their own crossbar they attacked with lightening speed and Leighton found himself clear and made no mistake when one on one with the ‘keeper. The improvement in the last few games against tough opposition has been sensational and the Blues look a team to be reckoned with. They have just one more league game left and hope to finish with three wins in a row which is a marked difference to the start when they lost their first 8 games. Toby got player of the match for his hat-trick and energetic running.

Stratton Youth U/9s played an away league match at Stratton Wasps. Despite a numerical disadvantage, the visitors played very competitively in what turned out to be a close match. The home side dominated the first quarter and scored three goals despite great defensive work from Harry Truckles and goal keeping from Josh Price. After conceding again in the second quarter, Stratton came back into it with well deserved goals from Liam Smith, Finn Pearcy, Archie Miller and Josh Price. The visitors dominated the end of the game but were thwarted by some great goalkeeping from the home side. Special mentions for Ollie Jones and Zach Walsh for their hard work throughout, and Harry Truckles for a man of the match performance at the back.

Stratton Youth U/7s played Abbey Meads Colts in what proved to be a very good game with Stratton Youth getting plenty of praise from the opposition coach. Stratton Youth took the lead with some excellent passing from one side of the pitch to the other, resulting in a cross and a first time shot by Ollie Saunders which sailed into the top corner. Then Ollie added a 2nd a few moments later. Stratton continued to pose the opposition defenders and goalie lots of problems with shots coming in thick and fast and only good goalkeeping prevented Stratton Youth from being further ahead. Sion Jones then extended the lead further before Moses Allan made it 4. Ollie then scored 2 more to take his tally to 4 goals with Sion Jones then adding 2 more to seal his hat-trick. Daniel Price was named player of the match.