FC STRATFORD paid the price for failing to put away their chances by dropping points for the first time in their Midland League Division Three campaign.
After six successive wins, Dave Poulson’s side had to settle for a 2-2 draw at CT Shush on Saturday, despite leading 2-0 at half time.
Poulson felt his side should have put the game to bed after missing other chances before the hosts rallied and, after bagging a stunning late equaliser, they might have snatched a winner.
Stratford will look to bounce back on Saturday when they head to AFC Solihull before facing two cup games against the league’s current top two – Bartestree and GNP Sports – the following weekends.
“In the first half, we should have been out of sight,” said Poulson. “We had lots of opportunities, good chances not just half chances, but we didn’t taken them
“It’s frustrating but fair play to CT Shush.”
Stratford looked in control at Shush after Dan Kirby headed home from a left-wing corner from Dan Stokes to give them the lead and then Tom Daccus broke away after Ashley Wilkes led a swift counter-attack to tuck his shot below the advancing keeper.
Daccus and Stoke had chances to extend the advantage but failed to hit the target before Shush pulled a goal back midway through the second half through Dan Luby’s header following a long throw-in.
The game became a more end-to-end affair as Daccus and Tom Parnaby fired off target and Jay Tilbury was denied, but Stratford keeper Archie Donaldson was becoming increasingly busy and denied a goalbound volley with a flying save.
However, it only delayed an equaliser for a few moments before another thumping shot from Oliver Hayes from outside the area flew past a helpless keeper.
