Stratton Youth U/7s The u/7s were hosts to Bishops Cannings in a thrilling first round cup match and with perfect conditions for playing football, this tie didn’t disappoint. Stratton started the first quarter with great energy and were unlucky not to take the lead through Oscar Braningan after a fantastic pass from Theo Pritchett. Artie Janvrin made some great runs down the wing and tested the goal keeper on a few occasions but couldn’t find a way to beat the keeper. As the quarter went on Bishops Cannings got more into the game and had several shots saved by Isaiah Allen, unfortunately a mix up in the box couldn’t stop a goal going in from just inside the area.

The second quarter saw five pairs of fresh legs come on for Stratton and straight away made an impact with Ethan Head, and Cody Moisejevs making some great tackles and being able to drive forwards with the ball. Stratton continued to press high up the pitch and with a quick throw in from Ethan Head he was able to find Elliot Fountain who skipped passed the last defender and smashed the ball into the back of the net. The third quarter saw both teams charging forward but with Isla Bailey's positional presence at the back it was hard for Bishops Cannings to find a way through. In the forth quarter Bishops Cannings were unable to get passed Jacob Sharma and Toby Liddle-Peters, causing the game to go into extra time. Extra Time was end to end football and a numerous amount of shots were being hit, hoping that someone would clinch the winning goal. Both teams came close with Ethan head striking twice inside the box only to have his shots saved from the Cannings keeper. Within a blink of an eye Bishops Cannings were in Stratton’s penalty box and thought that this was their chance to progress into the second round only to be stopped by Toby Liddle-Peters, not just once but a fantastic double save to make the game go to penalties. With Toby Liddle-Peters staying in goal for the penalties he started where he left off and made three consecutive saves, while his team mates converted all their penalties sending Stratton into the second round. All involved played very well, but with his heroics in goal, today’s player of the day went to Toby Liddle-Peters.

Stratton Youth U/8s
The U/8s booked their place in the Spring Trophy Final with victory away to Fairford. Stratton started strongly going 3 up within the first 5 mins. Daniel Price passed to Captain for the day, Ollie Saunders who scored Stratton's first. Then the role reversed with Ollie Saunders crossing the ball to Daniel Price to score. Ollie Saunders then received a pass from Henry Strange to run on and score. Stratton then slowed down the play and Fairford managed to score. Sion Ellis Jones then extended Stratton's lead with a great goal from a tight angle and Moses Allen passed through to Ellis-Jones who then got a 2nd. With Harry Johnston in goal and Henry Hurst and Lucas Garvey in defence, Fairford couldn’t find a way through. Stratton hit the woodwork a number of times, with Ethan Parry showing great skill. 2nd half started slowly for Stratton and Fairford pulled a goal back and then got a 2nd. But they couldn’t score any more with Jamie Portlock defending well, Ellis Jones dribbled past Fairford players to then score and complete his hat-trick and confirm Stratton's place in the final. Player of the week went to Sion Ellis Jones for his excellent hat-trick and for tracking back and defending well.

Stratton Youth U/10s Blue
Another week and another trip to our near neighbours in Fairford. A lovely, if slightly gusty, morning saw the U/10 Blues take on an organised Fairford Hawks. After what was a very tight first half, with some admirable attack and defence from both sides, we went into the break with Fairford having the tightest of leads. Stratton started the third quarter with gusto and quickly levelled through a well taken goal from Xander Dean. Some further excellent approach play down the right wing, with some lovely intricate passing, saw Luke Richmond finish off a great move. The last quarter was end to end stuff and neither side could really make the decisive move. Fairford equalised though to end a thrilling game. Xander Dean was awarded man of the match for an all round display of good passing, tackling and attacking work.

Stratton Youth U/10s
The U/10s played their latest league match away to Wanborough. Stratton took an early lead after Woody Whitehead found the net benefiting from good build up play down the right. Conditions were very tricky underfoot, and the home team soon gained ascendancy, scoring a number of goals either side of half time. Stratton slowly came back into the match, with fine goals from Xavier Elderby Harris and Archie Miller. However the home team prevailed in a tightly fought game. Liam Smith produced a creative performance for Stratton and earned a well deserved man of the match award.

Stratton Youth U/11s Blues
The U/11s Blues put in a great team display today. They pressed the opposition from the very first minute and there were some excellent examples of tracking back to win back possession. The passing has also improved, with some excellent through balls and crossing on display. Although the opposition came back into the match in the second half, they couldn’t match Stratton’s impressive work ethic, as personified by Oliver Keylock, whose player-of-the-match display was exemplified by two goal line clearances and a well taken goal - he covered every blade of grass during the match.

Stratton Youth U/11s
The U/11s returned to the home of youth football, Baunton Lane, due to their usual pitch being waterlogged. A fine day greeted the players for only their third game in 3 months. Missing two of their usual back three meant a makeshift defensive line. However, the u/11s started brightly with some slick interplay and the lively Oscar Edwards was at the heart of the early action. The opposition keeper made a string of smart saves as well as bravely thwarting the onrushing Idris Thomas-Jones. The u/11s have often been caught out this season by long balls over the top and the opposition struck home using this approach with their first attack. It was hard on the u/11s who had looked composed and in control up until that point. They had a goal unluckily ruled out for offside before falling further behind from a strongly struck free kick on the edge of the area. However, just before half time, a great run by Idris led to the ball dropping to Oscar for him to poke home from close range.

The u/11s started the second half positively and Idris drew the scores level with his usual surging run and strong shot. The teams were not all-square for long as the opposition struck back after a good team move. Idris then repeated his goal scoring feat to again draw level. With only a few minutes left the u/11s did not pick up on a short corner and a brilliant strike looked like it had won it for Wims. However, in the last attack, Dylan Morse bravely tried to reach a through ball but was fouled on the edge of the area. Up stepped Arthur Quli and he smashed home to give the u/11s a share of the spoils. It was a great, entertaining game and thanks must go to Gordon Varley for preparing the pitch at short notice. Player of the match was Ez Allen who excelled in a position on the left hand of defence which he hadn’t played in before.

Stratton Youth U/13s
The points were shared in this game away to Lydiard Millicent, which ended in a 4-4 draw.
After a long lay off, both teams were fresh and full of running but it was Stratton, through two thumping strikes from Jonny Reynolds, that took an early 2-0 lead before an equally powerful finish brought Lydiard back into the game at 2-1. A sharp downpour didn't slow the game down as both sides continued to ping the ball around confidently before an unfortunate ankle injury to keeper Brad Risby meant he had to leave the pitch and forced Stratton to re-organise. Lydiard were able to benefit from this, stealing an equaliser just before half time. In an open, sometimes frantic second half, Lydiard scored a third and a wind-assisted fourth separated by another solo goal from Jonny Reynolds whose strong, direct running continued to trouble the Lydiard defence. A superb goal line clearance from Player of the Match, Ethan Langfield kept the game alive at 4-3 and with shots from Nye Thomas and Ghaith Lahmar, Stratton finished strongly, capped off with yet another powerful solo run from Jonny Reynolds to give him his fourth goal and Stratton the point they deserved.

Stratton Youth U/14s A game of 2 halves, Stratton played some of their best football of the season in the first half competed matched and out played Ramsbury at times. Stratton had a few chances to take the lead with some long range shots and some very welll worked corners. Olly Duke in goal was very confident and made some very good saves. Ramsbury however started to press and grew into the game. a long throw in just before half time landed nicely for Ramsburys winger to volley in from close range to make it 1 nil at the break. Ramsbury certainly made use of home advantage in the second half as they threw long balls forward and their captain must have one of the longest throw ins around in youth football. Stratton fell behind when Ramsbury bundled the ball home soon it was 3 nil when another long throw in was converted. Stratton scored with an excellent drive from Lennon Skinner. Stratton now had some hope and pushed forward as they went to 3 at the back to try and get something out of the game. Unfortunately Stratton got caught on the break and let 2 goals in to make in 5-1. Two more long throws made the final result 7- 1. Ramsbury scored 4 goals from long throws, they are a strong powerful side which makes them a very strong contender to challenge for the league winners. Man of Match Olly Duke.