Cup – Stonehouse 1 Sharpness 1 (Stonehouse win 5-3 on penalties) - Pedrick on fire!

The Magpies never stopped trying against their opponents from a higher division, and a stunning penalty save by Will Pedrick finally doused the opposition flames, after the Sharks deservedly equalised with a header that singed the post, in the very last minute of the game, to take the game into a penalty shootout. Mike Ashenhurst had earlier netted a scorcher for the Magpies - his burning pace throughout the game almost caused the Sharks to call for the Fire Brigade to stop him! Harry Wootten, his partner in crime up front, also produced a performance that set the large crowd watching alight, winning him the Man Of The Match award just ahead of the fiery Peter Ockwell.

Cup – Stonehouse 4 Tidenham 0

Terry and Don, two veteran Stonehouse Town stalwart supporters, left this game wondering why Stonehouse don’t charge spectators for admission after the Magpies served up some of the best football seen on the hallowed Oldends Lane turf. Mike Ashenhurst again led the way with another superb hat trick, his second in 2 weeks. Tidenham started well, matching the Magpies for their footballing prowess. However, after Pete Ockwell nodded into the far corner for the first goal from a Sean Bailey cross, it became the Mike Ashenhurst show, the first a header from another cross from Bailey, then rounding the keeper to put Stonehouse 3-0 up at half time. In the second half, Tidenham had more of the game, but Stonehouse finished the afternoon on a high note with Ashenhurst completing his hat trick after a fine chip over the keeper to send the Magpies into the next round. Bobby Humphries was named Man Of The Match after a great performance on the right wing, but the whole team played so well that Terry and Don felt that they need not stray from Stonehouse anymore!

Stroud League Div 3 - Minchinhampton Res 0-6 Stonehouse Res

Stonehouse continued their fine run of form with an impressive victory over local rivals Minch RDS. Rob Ind opened the scoring with a header from a Nick Humphreys cross, and the second came when full back Jordan Dean picked the ball up on the half way line and smashed it into the net from 30 yards. The second half started with Minchinhampton on the front foot, Mike Dixon in goal acrobatically saving a goal-bound header by tipping it onto the bar, whilst Toby Gardiner also cleared one off the line. Having weathered the storm, the Magpies got a third goal through Rob Ind, a bullet header at the back post from a corner. Nick Humphreys beat the offside trap for the 4th, and then went on to claim his first senior football hat trick after a further two neat finishes from close range. Men of the match went to young Nick Humphreys, for a tireless and professional performance and for getting a hat trick, and Nick Powell, who just seemed to be in the right place at the right time all game. Manager Haydn Murray was heard to say afterwards: “A great result and a great TEAM performance again- I am a very proud manager.”



County Cup – Elmbridge Old Boys 1 Stonehouse 3rds 2

It was a reflection of how much this really was a true ‘team’ effort that, in the votes for Man Of The Match after the game, 7 different Magpies’ players each received at least one vote, with Barney Witts and Jeremy Stephenson sharing the award with only 3 votes each! Despite going 1-0 down to a Mike Dixon own goal, the Magpies battled back with two goals from Matt Porter, the first one a marvellous header following excellent work down the right flank by Sam Birch, the second a speculative lob that fooled the Elmbridge defence and sailed into the net. Manager Ben Jones was delighted on hearing the news – work commitments had meant that he couldn’t make it to the fgame, but he is now pondering whether to stay away more often!



Stroud League Div 8 – Stonehouse 4ths 6 Shurdington 1

A strong Magpies’ side overran their opponents, with Jordan Dean, Robbie Ind, Jamie Dean (3) and Ross Linley, on his debut, all netting. Toby Gardiner ran Wayne Farrugia close for the Man Of The Match Award, but Farrugia clinched it with a powerful midfield display as well as contributing key assists for at least two of the Magpies’ goals. The game was very well refereed by Dave Hoskins, and a big ‘thank you’ to Dave Birt for his help over the weekend in preparing the pitches.