Banahan a treble tonic for Stratford

Banahan a treble tonic for Stratford

On an excellent Les Quennevais surface, Banahan, one of six new Wanderers’ signings this season, showed his eye for goal well on the night to be accompanied on the scoresheet by Muratti striker Chris Andrews and Jon Southern in a 5-0 win against Division II St John.Victorious manager Martyn Stratford, who took over late last season and kept Wanderers in the top flight, said: ‘It was a good win, we played very well.

We got an early goal but then I felt we sat back a bit and let St John come at us before adding two in quick succession just before half time.’That put the game out of St John’s reach and in the second half I thought it was one-way traffic.

Throughout we played a mixture of short passing and long ball and we had St John on the run.

Banahan is in good form with seven goals in three games but it’s not all about him.’Yes he’s looking sharp and doing a terrific job but to do well he has to have the service from the team and they provided that well last night.’Stratford was equal in his praise to his opponents.He added: ‘St John worked hard as well and they contributed with some good football too.

Coach Tony Hoyland has them well organised and although they were not at full strength they grafted throughout and played some good football and I’m sure they will do well in Division II this season.’Hoyland said: ‘I’m disappointed with the result but not our performance.

Box to box I felt we played the better football.

The difference between the teams came inside the penalty area where Wanderers were clinical with their finishing.’Hoyland said Aaron Travers and Ramsey Cudlipp had excellent games for his team, Travers in attack and Cudlipp in midfield.Wanderers play the winners of tonight’s semi-final between Jersey Scottish and First Tower – being played at Les Quennevais – in the final at Springfield on Tuesday 9 September.St John: Richard Trott; Eric Guégan, Darren Parker (Christopher Hoyland), Stuart McIntosh, Graeme Prescott; Carl Eubank, Stuart Cameron (Frank Blasco), Ramsey Cudlipp, Steve Brady (Paul Roche); Paul Cotillard; Aaron Travers.Wanderers: Jimmy Styles; Chris Corfield, Craig Grant, Leigh A’Court; Andrew Johnstone, Chris Hamon (Bradley Vowden), Neil Cabot, Chris Andrews, Kevan Crowell; Paul Banahan, Jon Southern (Daniel Alfano).Officials: Chris Gouyette, Robin Stockton, Steve Proffitt.

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