Page 15 - Ashton & Backwell FC v Clevedon Town 151022

Match Report

SALTASH UNITED 4 V ASHTON &BACKWELL UTD 1
PROMOTION HOPEFULS PROVE THEIR PEDIGREE
The home manager admitted he had to change his team formation after 30 minutes to
cope with the impact the Stags were having on his side. What a decision! A & B barely
got a look in for the next 60 minutes.
Anyone still in the bar, missed the action straight form kick off. Within 30 seconds, A &
B should have been 1 up, Miles crossed from the left D.J. (Preddie) was completely
st
unmarked but headed wide from 6 yards. A minute later Ashes 1 chance but Cairo fired
wide.
Saltash’ s next attack saw a great block from Bish, the rebound fell kindly to left back
Martingdale whose clever chip caught Coomber off his line and floated into the far
corner. 1-0 after 3 mins. We responded as Shea headed across goal to D.J. who side
footed from close range to force a great save from Jordan Duffy. Ashton Backwell were
now on the front foot, competing in midfield, movement from the front 3, pulling the
Ashes defence all over.
We got our reward on 20 mins, another Mile’s cross found Joe Banks, his shot was well
nd
saved, Shea followed up the rebound for his 2 goal in 2 games.1-1. 10 mins later DJ
had another opportunity from close range but shot wide.
The hosts then took control, play the ball into 2 big, high quality strikers who continually
held the ball up extremely well, then the runners came from midfield. Attempts went
wide, numerous blocks from Stags defenders but injury time the pressure told as a late
Charlie Saunders challenge gave the ref no choice but to point to the spot. Home
skipper, Dave Barker was no mistake, 2-1, then half time.
By their own admission this was the Ashes best 90 minute performance of the season.
Maybe we did well to keep it to 4-1. Coomber made numerous good saves, the back 4
blocked shot after shot. Adam Carter from close range increased the lead on 55 minutes
nd
and skipper Barker nabbed his 2 goal following another good Coomber save, only to
parry into the path of Barker , 4-1 75 mins.
Team, Coombes, Anthony©, Bishop, Hedges (Press), Robinson, Charlie Saunders, White
(cummings), Hardidge, Banks, Bennington-Mannings, Preddie (Cattermole)
MILLBROOK F.C. 2 ASHTON & BACKWELL UTD 1
Injury winner sinks Stags
Perhaps we beat our hosts too convincingly last April,? Perhaps we knew that our hosts
had lost the last 6 games? conceding 20 goals in the process. Whatever it was Millbrook
certainly deserved their 1-0 half time lead, albeit in controversial circumstances.
Dangerous home striker Foster, was down injured, “screaming” in pain! In an offside
position, miraculously jumped up, crossed the ball, a clever step over and Sean
Thompson finished clinically from 10 yards giving Coomber no chance. BUT where was
the of side flag? There wasn’t one. Perhaps we would have felt better if substitute Josh
Toulson’s 25 yard shot that crashed against the cross bar had gone. Just before halftime,
2 players got their matching orders, a Millbrook player for stamping on Harry Walker,
and Harry for his subsequent retaliation. H/T 1-0
Whatever Beech said during the break, it worked. We created numerous chances, Wil,
Shea, Joe all narrowly missing the target. Alfie’s curling free kick was tipped over by
their keeper. Then Miles and Charlie went close as A & B dominated the play. Finally the
pressure paid off as a long ball from Bish found jack Plant, he played in Shea who beat
a defender and rifled home from 15 yards. 1-1.
Minutes later Shea had the ball in the net again with a great lob but was offside. With
5 minutes left it that man again forced their keeper into a great low save, Charlie
followed up but shot wide. With a share of the points seeming a fair conclusion, the
hosts launched 1 more attack, we didn’t stop the cross, we didn’t stop Toulson turning.
He swivelled and hit a good shot low into the corner. 2-1