Arlesey claim the trophy

Stotfold 2

Arlesey Town 4

The Blues won the Jan Anderson Memorial Trophy at Roker Park on Tuesday night.

Arlesey made most of the early running and two headers in quick succession came back off the bar.

A quick break on 22 minutes saw hot-shot Michael McKenzie out-pace the defence and slide the ball home to give them the lead.

McKenzie could have had a second when he drew the keeper off his line and slid his shot past him. But the defence got back to cover and clear the ball to safety.

Arlesey were worth their 1-0 lead at the break but the second 45 minutes had barely started when Mark Holmes smashed home the Stotfold equaliser after a jinking run from Callum Donnelly.

Arlesey hit back just as quickly when Craig Rydeheard's superb free-kick gave the keeper no chance.

Stotfold piled on the pressure to get another leveller but were denied by a couple of great saves from Jack Rashid.

Arlesey managed to regain their composure and the match started to swing from end to end, with Stotfold still looking more likely to score. A cross from Ozie Foster was headed wide by Rydeheard with Arlesey hoping to put the match beyond Stotfold's reach.

The Blues were now more in the match and began putting some good moves together.

A great run from McKenzie saw his shot beaten away but when the ball was crossed back in, the hosts failed to clear and the ball was laid on for Foster to drill home through a crowded area on 72 minutes.

A hefty clash in the middle of the park saw Andy Findlay stretchered off and taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.

Jay Thomas added a fourth in the closing moments before Stotfold were awarded a penalty that was scored by Nathan Moulton although Rashid did get a hand on the ball.

# A weakened Arlesey side went down 2-0 at Brackley Town on Saturday.