Bridgwater Sports Colts 3-2 Dulverton Town Reserves

22nd September 2007 @ Pitch 2 BSSC

Squad:

Howes, Criddle, Savage, Walford, Hill, Townsend, Monaghan, Meaker, Epps, Clapp, Redman

Subs:

Lyons, Tilling, Selway

Scorers:

Epps, Criddle, Tilling

Another hot afternoon greeted the Colts as they took to the field buoyed by their results in recent weeks but far from complacent when facing a physically bigger team in Dulverton Reserves.

However, recent form could not be relied upon as five changes had to be made to the starting line up – including the withdrawal of Kevin Curren, who aggravated an old injury during the warm up!  This disruption provided the theme for the day, but showed an example of the strength that the club is fortunate to have right now in the depth of players available.

From the whistle, the standard of play from both sides was poor and it failed to improve throughout the first half.  Dulverton struggled to play through our mid-field, on the few occasions that they tried, and their preferred long balls were adequately dealt with by our defence.  However, our own game was equally short of quality; our play was disjointed and the players were looking strangely short of confidence and lacking in ideas.  Despite this, Gazza was largely untroubled in goal and it was hoped/expected that the Colts would click into gear at any time and start dictating play.

One bright moment came when Redders was put clean through on 20mins, but his attempted lob of the on-rushing keeper failed when the ball landed on the roof of the net.  Also, shortly after that, the Colts looked to have scored a good goal, only to have it chalked off by a keen referee when (of all people) Jordan Meaker was adjudged to have been over physical when winning the ball in the challenge before slotting home!  But chances were few and far between in a rather toothless first half which was not helped when, on 30mins, the influential S. Redman came off the field with a hamstring injury, to be replaced by debutant Iaine Selway.

As injury time approached and the management were weighing up their options to effect a change in the 2nd half, Dulverton sent a long throw into our box.  As in the previous week, and the one before that, and the one before that, and the one before that….our defending of balls played from wide into our area was inept – at best!!  The only people committed to dealing with these situations appear to be the opposition.  But on this occasion we didn’t even have to rely on them to embarrass ourselves, as the ball was allowed to bounce past two defenders before hitting a surprised Sav and deflecting in for an own goal!

Women, children and those of a nervous disposition were hurriedly removed from the home teams dug out as the whistle blew for half time.  Hair dryers, tea cups, pram toys and dummies littered the area after a frank (non) discussion from Farky, into the failings of the performance so far.  However, it was strongly felt that the game was there for us to win with just a small improvement, all round from everyone.  A switch to 4-4-2 was employed to open up the game and pressurise their defence with the pace of Jordan and Iaine up front.

Unfortunately, it was Dulverton who benefited from the more open game and soon after the restart broke quickly down the left.  The cross, pulled back to the penalty spot, was well met by the advancing striker who gave Gazza no chance in making the score 2-0.

Being 2 goals down for the first time this season was a test for this new team and it would be interesting to see how they would react.  The turning point came 10mins later when Jordan, Nathen and Andy Epps stepped up a gear to make a few good tackles, a few quick passes and with good movement and attacking intent the ball broke to Eppsy’s left foot on the edge of the box.  With one smooth swing of his leg the ball rocketed past the keeper for a well worked goal.

This brought some belief back to the team but more disruption was to follow when Eppsy jumped up to avoid a foul tackle only to land awkwardly and then having to leave the field with damaged knee.

But the moment of the game then followed with the resulting free kick, which young Nathen Criddle gratefully accepted the responsibility to take.  Quite simply, a better executed free kick you will struggle to see all season.  With the pace and accuracy, that David Beckham practises all year for, the ball curled and dipped over the wall and from 25yrds flew into the top corner, 2-2.

The momentum was with the Colts, as they now looked for the winner – which was not long in coming!  Just a minute later, Pete Tilling, with his first touch, on his first appearance for the club, having just replaced Eppsy, made a tackle and picked up the ball on the half way line.  With a belief and sense of purpose, sadly lacking for the majority of the game, he set off towards their goal.  Holding off a couple of challenges, he glided into the box and effortlessly slid the ball past the diving keeper, for Sports to take the lead, 3-2.

While England have their problems with metatarsals, the Colts appear cursed with hamstring injuries as Iaine Selway, having showed signs of the strength, pace and determination that he can bring to a team, sadly limped off with 10mins remaining.  Jay Lyons was his replacement, who dropped back to again make a tight 5 man mid-field which saw out the remainder of the game, to give the Colts, what seemed earlier, an unlikely win and take some credit from the game for a marvellous turn around and maintaining their 100% start to the season.

‘Played 4 - Won 4 - 5 Points Clear’ - makes good reading.  However, we will not get away with only turning up for 20 minutes of a game against better opposition and will certainly suffer if we give them a 2 goal lead.  The next game is an important one and expected to be more difficult, so lets regroup, refocus and be ready to hit the ground running at 2.30 next Saturday.  And don’t forget that being undefeated throughout September means drinks all round!!!!

Dream Team Ratings:

G. Howes 7, Criddle 8, Savage 6, Walford 8, Hill 8, Monaghan 7 Townsend 8 Meaker 7, Epps 7, Clapp 7, Redman 6, Selway 7, Tilling 7, Lyons  6

Star Man: OllyTownsend

Donkey: Craig Savage – OG!!

W**ker: G. Howes – accepting a lift on the back of a German blokes scooter when hitch-hiking home p!ssed up last weekend!