PAUL McCone was pressed into emergency action between the sticks as the Bards moved up to second.
Stratford Town’s skipper paid tribute to his team mates for ‘doing what they needed to’ as Paul Davis’s side ran out winners over Royston Town after three second-half goals.
McCone, usually Mr Reliable at the heart of defence, proved just as adept with the gloves after regular No.1 Jake Weaver was substituted with concussion following a heavy clash midway through the opening half.
But Stratford re-organised and came out 3-0 winners to move up a point behind this week’s leaders in the Southern Premier Central Division, Bedford Town.
McCone said: “The lads dug in. They stopped them shooting. We got into half-time with the game goalless and did what we needed to and then exploited their spaces.”
Lewis Ison grabbed the first from a corner, Owen James added a second following a flick on from Callum Ebanks and then sub Charlie Williams rounded off the scoring.
Delighted boss Davis said: “It’s not very often that you play an outfield player in goal.
“Fortunately, Jake is okay. Macca stepped up and I said to the lads at half-time that there have been plenty of games this season where Jake hasn’t had to make too many saves.
“I said that if we defend properly that Macca won’t have to, either.”
Weaver was treated by both physios with Stratford thanking Royston’s medic for helping with the aftermath of the collision.
The Bards’ keeper was well enough to be interviewed afterwards and said: “It was a heavy collision. He came in with force and there was a heavy impact.
“Fortunately, common sense prevailed. The issue was taken out of my hands and I had to come off.”
