| Sponsored by the Ship public house,
Stock |
Ground: Mill Lane, Stock |
| With the Christmas break now
out of the way the second half of the season was due to start on January 6th,
but torrential rain resulted in the game at Silver End being called off by the
referee because of a waterlogged pitch. The last game before Christmas at
Southminster also went the same way , but at least on this occasion the team
was saved the long journey. |
| This means Stock
Utd will have been unbeaten for the last five weeks when they hopefully play
Gallabright from Little Waltham at home on Saturday 13 January. Positives must
be found wherever possible as the first half of the season has been
disappointing for the club. With only three wins in ten league matches, Stock
are currently fourth from bottom of division one of the Mid Essex League with
nine points. Any chance of Cup glory also vanished in the early rounds. Stock
went out in round one of the league cup, 2-1 at home to Springfield Rouge. In
the Dave Strachan Cup progress was made to round two before falling to Gidea
Park, again at home 3-1. The dizzy heights of round three were reached in the
Essex Junior Trophy, but the triumph of reaching the area final in 2006 will
not be repeated in 2007 as Stock were thrashed 5-0,at home again, by Scotia
Billericay Reserves. |
| The season so
far can best be summarised by using that old football adage “it’s a
game of two halves”. Stock have often been by far the better side in the
first forty five minutes of matches, but have failed to create or take chances
and have then succumbed in the second half. This was most apparent in the game
away to Scotia Billericay, currently one of the top sides in division one.
Stock stormed into a 3-1 half time lead and it looked like there was no way
back for Scotia, but by full time Scotia had won the match 6-3. In the words of
Jimmy Greaves “it’s a funny old game”. |
| This season is
being regarded as one of transition. Five players have left the club since
September, but eight new players have joined, mainly local youngsters. The
squad is strong, which is just as well given the usual injury list longer than
a team sheet. The aim is to get a settled side by the end of the season and
stay in division one. Then, hopefully, next season a genuine challenge can be
made for promotion to the premier division. |
| Thanks to the
efforts of Wendy Wray and other Stock villagers a boys under 9’s team has
been set up and is playing in a local league. Just before Christmas they were
still looking for their first win, which is surely not far away, as they are
being coached by Ross Catchpole who has signed for and also helps to train the
senior side. |
| A very successful quiz night
was held last September, organised by Ann Tully who can normally be found
shouting support to the team from the sidelines. This event raised over
£500.00 for the club’s new pitch/facilities fund. |
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