Report

Strets went into this game without Chris Rothwell, Richard Woodward, Si Greaves, Will Hobson, and Manager Danny Coughlan. Assistant Manager Mike Howarth took charge for the 3rd time this season, and it was a similar story to his first game in charge when Strets beat Stoconians 9-0.......and quite the opposite to the Irlam Steel defeat!

The game started quite slowly as Strets looked to avenge the 4-1 defeat from the reverse fixture. Captain Mike Howarth had a free kick deflected wide and Ste Howard also went close as Strets started to dominate the game. The deadlock was broken in spectacular fashion after 15 minutes when a long throw by Ashleigh Twentyman, returning to the side following a lengthy spell on the sidelines, found Howarth. He turned his man, rode another challenge, and drove the ball into the far top corner from 25 yards. Strets then took the game to Aldermere and scored a second immediately after their first. Danijel Jepuranovic collected the ball 30 yards from goal, beat three players but was brought down on the egde of the box. The referee played advantage as Jepuranovic's last touch put Ste Howard through on goal, and he prodded the ball into the corner.
Shortly after this Howarth played a 1-2 with Howard, and Howarth struck the post with a left foot volley from the edge of the box.
After 30 minutes, the "goal of the season" arrived when a long kick from Mike Kurtianyk found it's way to Mark Baker. He played it to Howarth, who from 35 yards, chested the ball down and struck a left foot volley, which flew over the goalkeeper and into the roof of the net! That was Howarth's 20th goal of the season.
Just before half time, Jepuranovic got the goal he deserved. Again, collecting the ball from 30 yards, he beat 3 men before weaving into the box and drilling the ball low into the far corner for 4-0! The referee's whistle saved Aldermere from further first half embarrassment.
In the second half, Strets started where they left off with Andy Wood controlling the game from Defensive Midfield. Ashleigh Twentyman played a 1-2 with Howarth, before striking the ball just wide from 30 yards. That was to be his last action as Howarth brought off the impressive Twentyman for Martin Davis, due to lack of match fitness. Howarth also switched Mike Hornby from right to left wing, and replaced Ste Howard with Dean Ellwood. It wasn't long before the switch paid dividends as Ellwood's inch perfect cross found Hornby on the edge of the box. He took his time, teed it up and drove a half volley into the corner past the keeper.
Not long after, Hornby turned provider from the left as his deep cross found Andy Wood, who's header/diving header/fall/jump flew into the net and he followed! It was a goal that capped a fantastic performance from the veteran midfielder.
Strets weren't finished there. Howarth received the ball from 25 yards, he rolled it to the impressive Baker on the far corner of the box who curled the ball into the far corner for 7-0!
Shortly after, Howarth again received the ball, this time down the right, he powered into the box and squared the ball to Hornby who scrambled the ball home from 5 yards. 8-0!
Just before the final whistle, Aldermere had their best chance of the game when their striker went clean through to surely make it 8-1. However, Strets' Keeper Kurtianyk was more than equal to the challenge and pulled off a spectacular save to keep a well deserved clean sheet, which was his 5th of a very impressive season for last year's Manager's Player of the Season.

Man of the Match - Danijel Jepuranovic. Outstanding performance from the big Serbian who showed his true quality by tearing the Aldermere team apart time and time again.