AFC Stoneham 3 Millbrook 1 - Russell Cotes Cup

AFC Stoneham vs Millbrook RCC Match Report:

Stoneham hosted Millbrook once again on Tuesday night at Stoneham Lane, coming out with a 3-1 win against their counterparts in the Russell Cotes Cup.

Goals from Ash Pope, Owen Fee and Josh Williams secured the win.

Ash Pope latched onto a ball early on down the line before calmly slotting home to give Stoneham the lead. Stoneham’s second effort of the match came on the fifteen minute mark after more possession from the away side.

Good interplay allowed Josh Williams to slip the ball into Tyrell Sampson however his long range deflected effort was comfortably saved by the goalkeeper. A corner nearly proved to be the achilles heel for the away side soon after, after pinball in the box lead to an overhead kick effort from Ash Pope which he caught well, but saw sail just over the bar. Stoneham started to gain further control with an effort two minutes later after a good ball from Jim Orvis into Owen Fee. Fee then turned the ball across and saw it cleared away before Tyrell Sampson drilled an effort just past the post.

The Purps were inches away from extending their lead just before half time as Tyrell Sampson cut inside and drilled a shot against the post before it cannoned wide off Owen Fee.

This was then followed by a driving run from Ash Pope who was unable to keep his shot on target, before a Millbrook cross was diverted against the post. The first action of the second half saw Lewis Nagle drive a shot over the bar after being coolly teed up by Owen Fee. Millbrook remained a threat and soon had their equaliser as Bobby Gorman played a long ball down the pitch and Brandon Chebby used his body against Tom Annetts and turned home for the away side.

Ash Pope was once again within the action for the home side, winning the ball and turning across for Owen Fee to turn home and regain the lead. Josh Williams added to the scoreline with a debut goal, turning home in the top left corner on the half volley following a flick on to seal the win.

Manager Interview

James, you must be getting tired of me saying how did you play against Millbrook,

but how did you feel that one went?

Yeah, it wasn’t particularly a pleasing game to watch to be honest. Two teams that battled it out really, both teams competed really well. There was a lot of second balls and that sort of stuff and there wasn’t masses of possession for either side really. I thought that both teams had a little spell each, but it was a very competitive game and there were no yards really given to each other so it was entertaining from that point of view, we would like to have had a bit more control at times but we knew it was going to be that type of game.

You said that you were going to make changes for tonight’s game and you did, so what was your assessment of the players that came in tonight?

Yeah, I mean it was eight changes from Saturday I think, seven or eight changes. We needed to use our squad, especially with the weeks we have coming up. But I thought they did really, really well. A couple of special mentions to Dan Thompson and Clarkey coming in, I thought they defended really well, especially seeing as they haven’t had a lot of minutes recently. Josh Williams did very well, obviously great technique for his goal, that was pleasing as well. But everyone that came in, Tom came in and did well at full back, Popey did well, so it was very pleasing.

You mention Ash Pope, he has found a goalscoring touch with two goals and one assist in his past few games, what has changed in his game to provoke this?

Im not sure really. He is just one of those lads, that you know he is always tuned in and you can always rely on him to come off the bench. Yes, he wants to be playing more, of course he does, and he was getting a bit frustrated a few weeks ago but as I keeping saying to all of them, they just have to try and stay with us. We have got a brilliant squad now. Wellsy wasn’t here tonight, Dan Millar coming in, so there is so much strength in depth but he keeps himself well motivated most of the time and trains really well, so no real complaints. It is so easy to lose players in terms of their application and mentality in training, but he always tops the charts for running andthat sort of stuff. He is a great lad and he thoroughly deserves his goals and assists tonight.

You reference Dan Millar, what will his signing bring to the team from Sholing?

Exactly that, he has experience in absolute abundance, experience at different levels as well which I think is really important. We have seen that with Wellsy coming in, you know just those different parts to the game. He is an absolute man mountain as well so that will give us some prescence in both boxes. He is a great guy, wanted to come and fits in with what we do, so I am sure he will be a great asset.

What is your thoughts ahead of the big tie against Portishead at the weekend?

Yes of course, it is the furthest we have ever been in the Vase and we want to continue that. Obviously, we know it will be a tough game. They are flying in their league, we have had some very good reports on them, so we are expecting a tough game. But, we have nothing to lose now, we are 18, 19 unbeaten so we will go into it full of confidence and see how we get on.