STRATFORD Town boss Carl Adams was full of praise for his side despite slipping out of the Birmingham Senior Cup at the hands of a youthful Wolverhampton Wanderers team.
Southern League Division One South & West leaders Town had extended their winning run to eight matches after coming away from Mangotsfield United on Saturday with a 4-2 win thanks to goals from Tyrone Fagan, Chris Sterling and a brace by Sam Adkins.
But they were unable to get the better of Wolves, who came away from the DCS Stadium on Tuesday night with a 4-2 win in front of the club’s largest home attendance of the season (376).
Bradley Reid headed the visitors in front after three minutes but Richard Gregory bagged his first goal of the night to get Town back on level terms before the break.
Wolves showed their class in the second period and goals from Connor Hunte and a second for Reid saw the visitors pull away at 3-1.
Gregory pulled one back for the home side to keep them in the match with 20 minutes to go but winger Jordan Graham put the result beyond doubt seven minutes from time to break Town hearts and put Wolves through to the next round.
Talking to www.stratfordtown.net, Adams said: “I am really proud of how we played.
“It speaks volumes when Scott Sellars, the Wolves Under-21 head coach, says that it was the toughest test his side have had this season.
“Richard Gregory will take all the plaudits for his two goals, but I also felt that Chris Sterling was absolutely brilliant up front for us and that Loyiso Recci had another immense game in the middle of our defence.
“Having said that though, everyone who played for us deserves enormous credit for a tremendous effort, and it shows that we are continuing to make progress in the right direction.”
This Saturday Town are in cup action again when they travel to St Ives Town in the FA Trophy preliminary round.
Should no Trophy replay be required, Stratford will host Evesham United in the Red Insure Cup first round on Tuesday.
