CALLUM Ebanks’s sensational goal helped Stratford Town return to winning ways with a 2-1 victory against Coalville Town.
Ebanks doubled Stratford’s lead with an acrobatic effort after substitute Jack Storer opened the scoring with Kieran Cook netting for Coalville at the Arden Garages Stadium.
And the result means the Bards sit sixth in the Southern League Premier Central table, outside of the play-off places on goal difference.
The home side dominated the opening exchanges and went close to taking the lead when Ebanks crashed an effort against the crossbar.
Coalville created few chances of note in the first period as Liam O’Brien comfortably Andi Thanoj’s free-kick from 25-yards out.
At the other Charlie Williams saw his effort skim the top of the crossbar as the first-half ended goalless before Luke Shaw hit the bar for Coalville in the opening few minutes of the second period.
However, the game burst into life on 56 minutes as half-time substitute Storer powered the ball home from 25-yards out from Dylan Barkers’ pass.
And Gavin Hurren’s men doubled their lead in style on 73 minutes when Ebanks showed great strength to hold off his man, flick the ball up and acrobatically fire home from Lewis Ludford-Ison’s long throw.
Coalville reduced the deficit three minutes later as Cook finished past O’Brien when one-on-one from Thanoj’s through ball.
O’Brien superbly kept out a deflected shot in the closing stages with Ebanks denied at the other end as the Bards held on to secure a fifth league win in their last six matches.
Stratford are next in action away at AFC Sudbury on Saturday, December 9 with kick-off at 3pm at MEL Group Stadium.
