Page 10 - Ashton & Backwell FC v Buckland Athletic 020422

Match Report

Ashton & Backwell UFC 2 v Tavistock FC 1

In contrast to the bleak conditions of Tuesday night, it was bright dry weather as 2nd from
bottom Stags faced top of the table Tavistock, could the Stags face down the Lambs? They
certainly had a plan, the Stags set up for a battle with an unusual back five formation and
a massive work ethic. The Lambs played throughout as if just turning up was enough to
win them the game and in early exchanges the home side were certainly challenged by a
very good footballing side in the Lambs, however once they had weathered that storm,
they began to demonstrate their attacking abilities, Simpson and Hardidge in particular
keeping Lambs’ defence on their toes.
This certainly paid dividends 20th minute when Simpson picked up the ball, running
straight towards the away goal, beat Cross, found Hardidge in space, his shot was saved,
but Simpson picked up the loose ball in the box to slot home the opener. Falling behind
concentrated the Lambs’ minds and they swarmed forward, creating a number of chances,
the best perhaps to the league’s leading scorer, Prynn, but they found it hard to find the
target, such was the Stags resilience. And this is how the rest of the first half panned out,
a robust all team performance by the Stags, giving little latitude to the Lambs and making
sure that they attacked when given the opportunity. No one player can be picked out in
such a team performance, led by example by Man of the Match Charlie Saunders, closely
followed by his brother Connor.
Meet the Player
The period immediately after the interval was bound to be critical, the visitors came at the
home side hard and 8 minutes in the Lambs levelled. The ball was not cleared from a
corner, Watson, very active all day, took the ball out on the right, his cross to the far post
was headed in by Parry.
There was a fear this might open the flood gates, but the next decisive move came the
other way. 4 minutes after the equaliser Charlie Saunders was sent tumbling over just on
the edge of the box and 16 year old Cummings, belying his youth, curled an exquisite free
kick over the wall and into the net. 2-1.
From then on the pace was frantic, Stags under frequent pressure, Prynn challenge by
Anthony headed wide, Coombes saving well from Koita after a rare defensive slip,
Rosenquest punting wide when going straight looked easier, but that was about it for the
Lambs, indeed on another day Simpson might have two goals, a great solo effort, but a
poor finish, and then beating Lee from a narrow angle, only for the ball to run along instead
of across the goal line.
Then, after interminably long added time, the final whistle and a deserved victory.
Congratulations to all and now the same is needed against Street next Saturday!!!

Team: COOMBES, FORD, SOLLARS, WHITE (sub CUMMINGS 49m), HEDGES (sub
ANTHONY 58m), BISHOP, CHARLIE SAUNDERS, PRESS, SIMPSON, CONNOR SAUNDERS
(C), HARDIDGE (sub PRICE 76m)

REPORTER DON DAVIES