WEEK FOUR
LEICESTER @ STAFFORDSHIRE REVIEW

The Staffordshire Stallions move to 4-0 as they beat the Leicester Longhorns 40-0 at the Stables.

Quarterback Ben Rowan threw two touchdown passes, one to Chris Ward for a 6 yard and another to Chris Birkedale. Running back Edem Goka stole the show once again however as the rookie score four touchdowns on the ground, gaining 178 yards from 20 carries in the process. The Stallion defense managed to stand firm late on to get their second shutout in two weeks.

It had been a long eight months since the Stallions had graced their home field of the Stables, nine months since their last victory at home was recorded, and the Stallions where not in a mood to continuing their two game home losing streak.

The Stallions defense forced Leicester to go three and out on their first possession to set Ben Rowan and the offense with decent field position. On the first play of the drive it Running Back Edem Goka thought he had scored a 45-yard touchdown, however full back Graham Roberts was called for a personal foul cancelling the score out. Three plays later, a hold call on wide receiver Rob Crossan prevented the Stallions taking the lead as Goka found himself in the end zone again.

Eventually Goka opened the scoring for his shortest score of the season on a five yard carry after Rowan connected with Tight End Chris Ward on an 18-yard completion to keep the Stallions first possession alive. Jon Wood converted the PAT.

Goka scored his second touchdown of the game half way through the second quarter to increase the Stallions lead to 14 before Ben Rowan hooked up with Ward for the TE's third touchdown of the season. The half ended 21-0.

The Stallions however knew that a 21 point lead over Leicester did not guarantee victory as in the opening week Andy Hill's Leicester team almost came back from 19 points down to beat Loughborough. Goka however made sure that it was more of a struggle for the Longhorn team to come back as he rushed in from 60 yards out for his sixteenth touchdown of the year.

Leicester's failure to keep control of the ball and possession in the Stallion side of the field thwarted their attempts to put some points on the scoreboard. Craig Silkins got an interception and a fumble recovery, while Free Safety Jon Wood picked the Longhorn QB of for his third interception of the season. Andrew Brannigan got pressure on the Leicester QB as playing both outside linebacker and defensive end got three sacks for a loss of 34 yards.

Goka scored his fourth touchdown of the game in the third quarter, this time for 25 yards and receiver Chris Birkedale complete the scoring in the fourth catching his first Stallions touchdown from Ben Rowan rounding off another 40 point victory for the Stallions.

MVps: Rookie - Lee Lewis, Special Teams - George Furlonge, Defensive - Rob Pickerill, Offensive Ben Rowan, Game - Chris Ward.

Notes: Staffordshire extend their record to 4-0, it is the first time the Stallions have achieve this fate.

Running Back Edem Goka is 80 yards short of 1,000 yards for the season. Goka, who is in his rookie year, has score 17 touchdowns, 15 on the ground, one passing and one kick return. Number 34 is closing in on former GB International Jason Prince single season touchdown record.

The offensive line of Mike Simcock, Graham Fellows, Peter Buckley, David Orr and Rob Pickerill, and Tight End Chris Ward have not gave up a sack in the four games this season.

The Stallions have a bye week in week 5 giving them a week break before the travel to Lincoln for the final game before Christmas.

Sunday, November 25th 2007