Superb Sarries and disjoined Stonehouse battle out a draw

Cheltenham Saracens had to settle for a point as Stonehouse Town remained in the play-off places following Saturday afternoon’s 1-1 draw.

Joe Richards’ opener was cancelled out by Tiger Harris’ equaliser, with both sides creating chances to win the game and despite Sarries having most of the play in the second half – their lack of quality in the final third stopped them from claiming all three points.

For Stonehouse, they struggled for rhythm for the most part and were out-fought in midfield during the second half – but Adam Coyle’s side saw their best chances to win the game come in the latter stages of proceedings.

The draw sees Stonehouse move onto 39 points and in 4th place in the Hellenic Division One table, whilst Sarries are only six points outside the top 5 with 13 games left to play.

Stonehouse move onto an away fixture against Woodford United next weekend, whilst Sarries head to Cinderford Town in the County Cup in midweek, before hosting Redditch Borough next Saturday.

The visitors started well, with Jack Hughes playing a ball through for Tommy Bond – who nearly beat Stonehouse keeper Leimar Dinnall to the ball, but the keeper did well to clear his lines.

Dinnall then saved well from Essa Sabally’s long range effort, before DInnall’s opposite number Harvey Need was brave as he smothered Will Hawes’ first touch before he could get a shot off.

On 10 minutes, debutant Hughes was caught by Lee Keveren as the defender tried to clear a bouncing ball on the turn in a really innocuous incident.

Hughes ended up needing to be replaced by Callum Dark and is believed to have suffered a suspected broken nose.

The first 20 minutes was really stop start, with four breaks in play due to injury, including Hughes – but the visitors struck with their next chance.

Tommy Bond beat Dinnall to a through ball this time and after his touch taking him wider than he wanted, Bond showed great composure to pull back for Joe Richards to sweep home into the bottom corner.

Given Dinnall was nearly beaten to one through ball and then beaten to the next, Stonehouse weren’t learning and played two short back passes that nearly played the keeper into trouble.

First Bond nearly dispossessed Dinnall as the keeper went to take a touch, but he recovered well – then Ryan Dobbins nearly beat him to another pass back but Dinnall came out to send the ball into the stands.

Richards was frustrated just after the half hour mark, as he met Sabally’s cross but sent his header over the bar.

And within seconds Stonehouse were level as Kye Simpson laid the ball across the 18 yard box and after Connor Stalley made a great block to deny Josh Beadle, Tiger Harris was on hand to blast past Need.

Spencer Martin and Jamol Dare combined well down the left as the hosts tried to build momentum, leading to Simpson cutting in and having an effort saved by Need.

After Sarries had to replace Hughes early on, Stonehouse lost Finn Rees and Keveren to injury as conditions took it’s toll.

Both keepers made key saves in the final minutes of the half, with Need saving well with his feet to deny Simpson, whilst Dinnall saved from Bond, Sabally and Ryan Dobbins.

Callum Dark had an effort cleared off the line just after half time, as Sarries went in search of regaining their lead.

As the half wore on, the visitors had much of the play, but couldn’t turn their pressure into clear cut opportunities.

Stonehouse created a good chance on the break, but after Simpson and Hawes played a one two just inside the box – Stalley made a great sliding challenge to take it off Simpson’s toe.

Both sides created big chances to win the game late on, with Need rolling a goal kick to Austin Parker and after the ball trickled under his boot, Simpson slid in to send the ball off the foot of the post.

Josh Aldridge’s free kick into the box was headed down by Tom Hoskins and after Dobbins’ effort was blocked, Adeji could only head straight at Dinnall.

Then in injury time, substitutes Antonio Pirelli and Dan Gayner combined for Stonehouse as Pirelli’s ball in was headed onto the bar by Gayner – with Need stranded on his line.

In the end it was a fair result, but based on the majority of the game it felt like it would have been a travesty had Saracens not claimed a share of the points.

Stonehouse Town: Dinnall, Rees, Martin, Kibble, Thwaite, Keveren, Harris, Beadle, Hawes, Simpson, Dare

Subs: Turner, Hudd, Pirelli, Gayner, Walters

Cheltenham Saracens: Need, Stalley, Sabally, Parker, Hoskins, Richards, James, Aldridge, Dobbins, Hughes, Bond

Subs: Dark, Hitchman, Alder, Rose, Adeji

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Oakley James (Cheltenham Saracens)

READ MORE: Check out the list of Saturday’s results in and around Gloucestershire right here