It was a completely different game and Inglewood were on top scoring two quick goals and there would have been a third except for an incredible penalty save by keeper Andrew Buckley.
It took a good 25 minutes before Stratford kicked back into gear and recovered some of their style closing the gap with a power house shot from the edge of the penalty box by James Burroughs into the top left of the goal but it was not enough. Final score 4:3 to Inglewood.
- The under 13 game against FDMC was another that was, based on previous games, expected to go FDMC's way.
However it was a completely different Stratford this time. They attacked, they defended and they scored.
A stunning run by Ben Lowe taking the ball down the left side, beating half the opposition, was unlucky not to score himself with the ball just bouncing off the keeper but a follow up from Isaac Burroughs finished it off.
FDMC kept pressure on Stratford trying every trick they knew but were defended from the back line of Ethan Parker, Ben Wilson, Michael Vogt and Fraser Copeman.
However a slight lapse of concentration saw FDMC able to score an equaliser and that's how the game ended. But Stratford can hold their heads up playing a fantastic game that displayed skill and tenacity.
- With a round two Federation cup match next week McDonald Stratford AFC were able to make the most of a bye this weekend to prepare. Resting injuries and working on game plays was the key approach ensuring Stratford was able to put forward its best on Saturday. The knock out game against Appmed House Porthill United FC, kicks off at 2:00 pm at Skoglund Park, in Palmerston North.