Stratford Town 5, Holwell Sports 1

A SATURATED surface on a dreadful night failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the Town players who turned on a superb show to book a place in the third round of the Rameses Midland Invitation Cup on Tuesday, writes Mervyn Collins.

A scratch side, that was only put together less than hour before kick-off, revelled in the conditions with temporary manager Ian Muir the star turn with a masterly midfield performance.

"We played really well tonight and knocked the ball about confidently in what were horrible conditions," a delighted Muir said.

"Holwell played their part but I stressed to the lads before the game the importance of taking chances and the three early goals settled the tie quickly."

Jon Brant scored the first after eight minutes and then set up Michael Stephenson for a second nine minutes later. Muir's wonderful solo strike two minutes later rounded off a scintillating start and left Stratford in total control.

A heavy downpour as the game started prompted thoughts of an abandonment but happily the rain relented shortly after Muir's master class.

Wayne Houghton should have given Holwell the lead before Brant's opener and the Leicestershire Senior League leaders certainly didn't lie down after their early setbacks.

Both goalkeepers made fine stops, while Steve Rule cleared off the line after a scramble in the Stratford six-yard area.

Leon Allen, one of a trio of substitutes recalled from training at Alveston, replaced Stephenson at half time and his peach of a pass after 51 minutes was clinically converted by Peter McBean.

Holwell were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Warren Ayres appeared to bundle over Rob Gooding before Town made it 14 goals in two competition ties when McBean tapped in his side's fifth on the night after Scott McGregor's centre fell kindly for the striker.

Gooding reduced the arrears 13 minutes from time by which time the introduction of Andy Beechey and Jamie Faulkner had disrupted the home side's rhythm.

However, Muir's men had done more than enough to secure a trip to either Handrahan Timbers or Pelsall Villa in the next round.

Watching groundsman Sid Keenan was left wincing as puddles formed on the surface and admitted the pitch had been in better condition when previous matches had been postponed. But, at least one fixture had been taken off Town's hefty backlog.