Goals landmark for Uley legend (From Gazette Series)

Goals landmark for Uley legend

Uley Reserves 6 Arlingham 0

A flattering but deserved scoreline marked one of the Stroud League's greatest achievements - Diddy Williams' brace of goals brought up his 600th strike for Uley Football Club.

Whilst Uley dominated the first half, they found it difficult to make their possession count.

As the Uley frustration grew, Baz Hughes typically won a 50:50 ball in midfield and played through James Stennett who cracked an unstoppable (apparently mis-hit!) shot into the top left corner. Although Uley went in only 1-0 up at half time, their midfield dominance was to tell.

A James Stennett cross teed up Williams for his first - a diving header - and quite an athletic effort for a 46-year old! Substitute Rich Kemp then finished a move he started on the edge of his own box with a carefully placed shot past the Arlingham keeper.

It was all Uley now as Williams rose at the near post to head in Danny Walton's right wing corner for his 600th league goal - a total unequalled by any player in Stroud League history and one which is unlikely ever to be bettered.

After good interplay with the evergreen Williams, Dez Hughes placed a pinpoint cross for Luke Gradwell to head home from five yards.

The best was still to come as Gradwell split the visiting defence, Baz Hughes delicately tapped a trademark inch-perfect back-heel to Kemp who slammed the ball home from fully 25 yards.

This comfortable 6-0 win saw Uley maintain their seven match unbeaten home record due to their mix of youth and experience. Eighteen year-old Adie Powell again excelled in central defence.