Stapenhill V Lutterworth Athletic (Division One)

Stapenhill were looking to build on their 4-1 mid-week win against Chelmsley Town with a result against Lutterworth Athletic yesterday at Maple Grove. The Swans have got off to a positive start under manager Louis Briscoe and could be a dark horse to challenge for the play offs if everything clicks. They notably beat step five side Pershore Town in the FA Vase a few weeks back.  

Lutterworth Athletic are building in step six under new manager Ben Steane who was appointed over the summer. The Leicester side were comfortably in mid table going into yesterday and had encouraging home wins against Allexton and Paget Rangers in the league. On paper, they have a tough schedule coming up with away games against Kirby Muxloe and Heather St John’s over the next few weeks.

Maple Grove is a brilliant ground to visit in step six and has a lot to offer for supporters of non-league football. The clubhouse is inviting and well presented, and the facilities are good for the level. The programme on offer by the club was informative and included a recap of their away win against Paget Rangers alongside a history of Lutterworth Athletic.  

Supporters can get the number 2 bus from Burton New Street and get off at the Lime Grove stop. From there it’s a two-minute walk to the ground. It’s an accessible ground to visit by public transport and well worth a visit for supporters based in the Burton/Staffordshire area. The Freddie Sleigh stand offers supporters a good view of the pitch and it was a good atmosphere yesterday. 

​Starting line ups

The starting line up for Stapenhill included Paul Hollis starting in goal and captaining the team. The formation looked like a 5-3-2 with a front two of Oliver Roome and Ryan King being supported by Cameron Steele from attacking midfield. It was an attacking formation by manager Louis Briscoe with James Frost and Ashton Frost playing as wingbacks.

There were three changes from the team that started against Chelmsley Town in mid-week with Ryan King coming into the team and playing as one of the main strikers.

Lutterworth Athletic’s starting line up included Kieran Culley starting in goal and Josh Thompson captaining the team from holding midfield. The formation appeared to be a 4-3-3 with Merdi Mukaba playing up front and being supported by Vinny Glaznieks and Lewis Kouakou on the wings.

There were four changes from the team that started against Birstall United in mid-week with Alexandre Olen coming into the team and playing in a holding midfield role. 

First Half

Stapenhill got off to a bright start in the opening stages of the match and were taking the game to Lutterworth Athletic. The Swans were creating a lot of clear-cut chances inside the opening fifteen minutes, and it was clicking in the final third.

Cameron Steele had a brilliant effort instinctively saved by Keiran Culley in the Lutterworth goal who managed to tip it round the top right post in the 9th minute. Charlie Rumin also got into a good position before having his shot well saved by Keiran Culley to keep it goalless.

The best chance for the visitors came when Lewis Kouakou cut inside from the left-hand side before having a shot go wide of the right-hand post in the 21st minute. Lutterworth gradually grew into the match as the first half went on with the goalkeeping of Keiran Culley and the defending of Jenson Corbett at the back helping them settle into it.          

James Frost made an inspired run down the left-hand side for Stapenhill on the half hour mark before having a shot well saved by Kieran Culley to keep it at 0-0. A few minutes later Cameron Steele had an effort tipped round the post by the Lutterworth goalkeeper who was having a brilliant first half in goal and keeping the visitors in it.

The pressure from Stapenhill in the final third eventually told when Ashton Frost was fouled by Callum Pinto in the box for a penalty. Oliver Roome stepped up and took a composed penalty into the bottom right corner to make it 1-0. It was an accomplished finish from the current top scorer in division one who scored a hat-trick in the win over Chelmsley Town.  

The back three impressed for the hosts throughout the first half and helped them get a foothold in the match. Josh Watson was brilliant in central defence and read the game well to take the pressure off the Swans at the back.

Outside of the chance for Lewis Kouakou, Lutterworth did not create that many clear-cut chances in front of goal but were still in the match going into the second half.

Second Half

Lutterworth Athletic were brave on the ball throughout the second half and were committing players forward in search of the equaliser. They showed their quality on the ball and had a brilliant passing move that resulted in substitute Luke Jones shooting at Paul Hollis who managed to save it.

A well worked set piece saw them get level on the hour mark. They took a free kick from the right-hand side and played a low ball into the box that caused some confusion in the Stapenhill box. Jenson Corbett reacted well and got to the ball before finishing into the bottom left corner to make it 1-1. It looked like something they practiced in training and caught the hosts off guard.

Stapenhill reacted well to conceding the equaliser and showed character to build some momentum in front of goal. Substitute Connor Richins had a guilt edged chance to make it 2-1 when he was free in the box with just Kieran Culley to beat. He had a shot saved by the Lutterworth keeper to keep it at 1-1 with 25 minutes to go.

Lutterworth were pushing for the winner in the second half and had a good fifteen-minute spell in front of goal. Their best chance came when they were awarded a penalty for a foul in the box. Substitute Luke Jones stepped up and his effort was saved by Paul Hollis who read it well and went the right way.

The visitors were linking up well throughout the second half thanks to the passing of Josh Thompson and Alexandre Olen who both impressed yesterday.

Stapenhill managed to withstand the pressure from Lutterworth Athletic in the second half thanks to the defending of Josh Watson and Harry Landsdowne at the back and were pressing for a late winner.

Substitute Connor Richins was causing problems in the final third and getting into some encouraging positions around the box. He had a shot well saved by Kieran Culley who tipped it over the bar in the 84th minute.

The match looked like it was heading for a draw until a moment of quality decided it late on. Oliver Roome made a good run off the shoulder and got in front of the Lutterworth backline before getting a shot off that was rebounded. The ball fell to Connor Richins who produced a composed finish into the top right corner to make it 2-1.

Not long after the referee blew for the full-time whistle with Stapenhill getting a momentum building win in division one.

Full Time

Stapenhill were tested yesterday by Lutterworth Athletic but managed to come through to get the three points. The Swans kept going in the second half and produced when it mattered to get the win. The most encouraging thing was how players such as Paul Hollis and Josh Watson stepped up and helped the match not get away from them.

Lutterworth Athletic showed character yesterday and should be proud of their performance despite the result. They competed well against a good Stapenhill side and showed their quality on the ball in the second half. There’s players to build around for the visitors such as Kieran Culley and Jenson Corbett who impressed in this match.

Overall, both teams are building in MFL Division one under new managers and the future is looking bright with a lot of players stepping up yesterday and playing well.       

FT score: Stapenhill 2-1 Lutterworth Athletic

Man of the match: Josh Watson (Stapenhill)

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League