ADAM Rooney turned in a man of the match performance on his highly anticipated Stratford Town debut as he provided the assist for Ash Sammons’s winner against Hednesford Town.
A bumper 677 crowd turned up to the Arden Garages Stadium as former Solihull Moors, Aberdeen and Salford City star Rooney made his home debut having signed for the club last week.
And the striker guided Stratford to their first win of the season when his physical presence created space for Sammons to volley home the winner on the half-hour mark.
Stratford held on to claim a crucial 1-0 win with Bards goalkeeper Liam O’Brien making a crucial second-half save to keep out Kyle Bennett’s shot from close range.
The Bards sit 13th in the Southern League Premier Central table.
Stratford are next in action away at Kings Langley on Saturday, August 27 at Gaywood Park before hosting Bromsgrove Sporting on Monday, August 29 at the Arden Garages Stadium.
Both matches kick-off at 3pm.