Victory gives ladies a lift in basement battle (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Victory gives ladies a lift in basement battle

Stratford Town Ladies 2, Rushall Olympic 1

AFTER the previous week's 7-2 mauling of Romulus, Town were looking to take that form into Sunday's home game against tough opponents.

Two enforced changes saw Ali McHugh replace the influential Natalie Lawrence in midfield and Sian Phillips returning in place of the unlucky Janine Hay at left back.

Stratford started impressively with the ball being knocked about confidently and Lisa Bright and Bridget Richards linking well on the right.

The hosts soon started to create Olympic problems and great work by the latter duo produce a chance for Taylor that brought a weak finish.

Melissa Ball was brought more and more into the game and every time she got the ball the visiting defence seemed to panic.

Town took a deserved lead after 17 minutes when Bright and Richards combined to set Lisa Morrell free and she coolly rounded the keeper.

Within six minutes the lead had been doubled when great battling from Bright saw the ball find its way to Morrell.

A great 30-yard crossfield ball split the defence for Ball to control magnificently and coolly slot the ball beneath the keeper.

Olympic, who were playing with the increasingly strong and icy wind behind them, were gradually allowed more possession but they never really threatened Lisa Slowther's goal.

Morrell was again set free after great work from Phillips and Ball but the usually reliable striker scuffed her shot wide.

Poor set-piece defending that has blighted Town's season resulted in an unmarked attacker heading home a corner from three yards to halve Stratford's interval cushion.

Manager Guthrie brought on Hannah Buckley for McHugh in an attempt to add a bit more composure to the midfield as Town played with the icy wind at their backs.

The second period never really sparked into life with Town having the bulk of possession but unable to break down the visiting defence.

The only chances that came Rushall's way were on the break but, with captain Warrington and Kate Saint in fine form, an equaliser looked beyond them.

However, with only a few minutes left, Rushall were awarded a corner and this caused a few anxious moments for Guthrie and new head coach Marcus Town-send until Morrell showed her defensive qualities by clearing the danger.

This was another good performance and, with some fresh ideas and lots of knowledge being brought in by Townsend, it's hoped the girls can escape relegation.

Thanks must also go to new kit sponsors Qwick-bucks.com who are fronted by local businessmen Jeff Arnold and Aidan Butler.

Town are at home again on Sunday against fellow strugglers Romulus (2pm).