SDFL division five

Newton United reserves 0,

Stoke Fleming and Strete 1

Last weekend saw Stoke Fleming travel to Denbury playing fields to take on mid-table side Newton United.

Missing Danny Sha­ram and Jackson Cudd, Stoke made a few changes to the back four and midfield.

Stoke started nervously, failing to keep the ball on a very nice playing surface.

With Newton keeping the ball the better, chances would be created, but were kept to long-range drives as the Stoke back four kept it tight.

After 25 minutes Tom Moysey was called upon to make his first save and what a good one it was, diving in at the feet of the onrushing forward to block his shot.

Stoke continued to be wasteful in possession and United kept pushing forward, but again couldn't find a way past the Fleming back line.

After James Shep­herd's long throw-in wasn't cleared, the ball then bounced up and hit the hand of the United defender. The penalty was awarded and Luke Webber again made no mistake from the spot, smashing the ball home.

The goal gave Stoke hope and with Lance Worthington rolling back the years at the heart of Stoke's midfield, they had a few chances but couldn't find the target.

Half time came with Stoke leading by one goal to nil. Half time came and went and Stoke looked more up for the battle, with 50/50s starting to turn into Stoke possession.

Curtis Yeo and Danny Ewings on the wings played their part in pressing high up the field, causing mistakes to be made.

However Stoke, looking to make it 2-0, almost got caught out when a quick counter attack left the United striker one-on-one with the 'keeper.

He beat Moysey but the ball hit the post and bounced clear of danger.

Stoke, riding their luck at times, continued to pass and move and after Ewings broke away from his man he played a brilliant first-time ball across the box, but no-one could find the final touch.

The last 10 minutes became a nervous time, with United pressure causing Stoke to retreat further towards their own goal.

Gordon Green made a cameo appearance for Stoke as he came on up front due to an injury and held the ball up well, giving Stoke some breathing space.

With Watcombe in their minds Stoke knew anything was possible with only five minutes to go and almost conceded when the United striker found him free at the back post, but his shot was straight Moy­sey in the goal.

Stoke hung on to get the win and their first clean sheet of the season, it may have been at ugly defeat but Stoke didn't care.

Man-of-the-match went again to Lance Worthington. Next up Stoke travel to Broadhempston for a 2.30pm kick-off.