Warwickshire & West Midlands Sport

Town fight back to make a point

Stratford Town 3 Oadby Town 3
JEMIAH RICHARDS hit a late double to rescue an Aspire Midland Alliance point for below-par Town at the DCS Stadium on Saturday.
Oadby striker Danny Spencer took advantage of some woeful defending to hit a hat-trick that looked likely to earn the points before Richards popped up with his late brace which added to an earlier effort from fellow front-runner Mark Smith.
It took the visitors just ten minutes to break the deadlock when Spencer escaped his marker beyond the far post and superbly volleyed home a well flighted free kick from Leon Doughty.
Oadby should have doubled their lead in the 22nd minute when Spencer turned provider by releasing Nick Pollard who was denied by a smart save from Chris Jay.
Stratford hit back with Mark Faulds firing just wide from the angle of the penalty area before Smith and Richards neatly combined to find Sam Alsop whose well struck shot on the turn was saved by keeper Scott Handley.
Increasing home pressure was finally rewarded on the half hour as Tim Jackson delivered an inviting cross which Smith powerfully headed home.
But the joy proved short-lived as Oadby regained the lead within four minutes. Spencer was fouled on the edge of the area by Richard Softley and exacted revenge by curling the resulting free kick around the defensive wall to beat Jay at his near post.
Stratford’s defensive frailities were exposed again five minutes before the break when Pollard burst clear of Softley and Lucan Spittle but with just Jay to beat he fired straight at the relieved keeper.
But the visitors strengthened their grip five minutes after the interval when the unmarked Spencer completed his hat-trick with a simple header from Darran Butcher’s free kick.
It could have been worse for the home side midway through the second half as Spencer yet again sent Pollard clean through but his shot was saved by Jay.
Stratford continued to look a threat going forward and got back in contention after 73 minutes when Richards converted another dangerous cross from Jackson.
The hosts piled on the pressure with substitute Matt Gardner having an effort saved by Handley, while Smith had strong appeals for a penalty waved away after clashing with defender Lee Westley and was eventually booked for diving in the area.
Oadby almost wrapped up victory ten minutes from time with a fierce drive from Pollard which was brilliantly tipped around the post by Jay.
Stratford got back on level terms seven minutes from time when Jackson and Gardner combined to set up Richards who slotted home from close range.
Oadby went closest to grabbing a winner with Pollartd drilling his shot inches wide after Spencer had yet again carved open the home defence who endured a torrid afternoon.
The two sides were due to face each other in a rapid return on Tuesday night but the clash at Oadby was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
Town entertain Loughborough University at the DCS Stadium on Saturday (3pm)

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