Four on the trot for Robins (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Field penalty makes it four on the trot for Stockbridge

12:10pm Tuesday 5th March 2013 in Andover

Ringwood Town 1 Stockbridge 2 Stuart Thomson’s Stockbridge took all three points away from struggling Ringwood Town on Saturday. They made it four wins on the trot with a hard fought victory on a hard bobbly pitch which made it difficult to play good football.

“It was a great result” said a delighted Thomson whose take on the first half was that it was ‘pretty even’ with his side continuing their recent good run of form after the break. The Robins found themselves under pressure for the first 20 minutes and just when they seemed to be getting a foothold in the game, they failed to deal with a long ball from the Ringwood keeper and went behind. They struck back a couple of minutes later when some good work down the right by Danny Field and Dave Cotter resulted in Cotter crossing to Mike Barker who fired home from eight yards. Ten minutes after the break Stockbridge took the lead from the spot after Jack Hutchings was brought down by the home keeper. Field made no mistake but with ten minutes left Stockbridge had Allan Ralph sent off for retaliating after being bundled over. They then had to battle hard to keep their lead and they have to thank keeper Pete Roberts for making a fantastic save to secure them the three points.

“I thought the penalty was a bit soft but some you get and some you don’t” Thomson admitted “but we are on a roll and have a run going now". The Robins travel to Tadley Calleva on Tuesday for a league game then are home to troubled Amesbury Town, whose behaviour on and off the pitch at Whitchurch last week is being investigated by the Wiltshire FA. l Former Andover Lions boss Paul George has signed for another spell at the Rec and he will be in the squad tomorrow for what Thomson says is ‘a very winnable game.’ Next Saturday Stockbridge are home to Amesbury and follow that with a home match with Fleet Spurs next Tuesday.