Y2 Goals !  Stroud 2nd XI 2 : 2 Chippenham

Stroud's first outing since the Millennium celebrations was a friendly match against Chippenham and, hopefully, proved a good pointer towards better things to come.

The teams started fairly evenly with Chippenham marginally more successful in attack. Stroud defended well but attacks by Stroud forwards came to nothing. Chippenham broke the deadlock and Stroud lost their momentum, leading to a second Chippenham goal.

Anne-Marie Kent made several good runs forward before Stroud's fightback really began. Her shot on goal was deflected by the goalkeeper, only to be picked up by Karen Whitehead who pushed the ball past the keeper at the second attempt. Half-time came with Stroud in the ascendance.

After half-time Chippenham again put Stroud under constant pressure, foiled by good play from Karen Porter, Andrea Preston and Mel Clarke in defence plus several telling saves by Georgina Southam. Stroud then had some good attacking play, yet again involving Anne-Marie Kent. One such run resulted in another strong shot on goal. The subsequent deflection of the pads was picked up by Karen Whitehead who skilfully reverse-sticked the ball into the net for her second goal of the game.

The jubilation at the equaliser stirred the Stroud side into even more attacking. The midfield combo of Pippa, Katherine and Vicky helped Stroud into a prolonged spell of attacking play during which they were unlucky not to score the winner.

A very sound draw which augers well for the rest of 2000. If the team spirit and teamwork continue to improve as they clearly have done so far this season, the other League teams had better be on their guard !