Page 16 - Ashton & Backwell FC v Tavistock 050322

Match Report

ASHTON & BACKWELL UTD 3 PORTISHEAD TOWN 0

On a very wet evening, after a number of recent postponements it was good to
see that Stags back in action, this time Les Phillips Cup First Round versus local
rivals Portishead, from the division below. We did very well to get the game on
but the damp pitch was a leveller, though, and in early exchanges both sides were
very active in attack, indeed Simpson's drive on goal in the first minute needed a
good save from West, whilst minutes later Hartley, who along with Sell tormented
the Town defence all evening, combined with Charlie Saunders, only a Hurst boot
on the line keeping the ball out.

There then followed a period of sustained pressure from Town,former A & B
player Callum Townend thirty yard curler the pick of the shots. But Stags
weathered that storm and came back strongly, Hartley robbing Munton in his own
half, pacing wide and just failing to connect with Connor Saunders boot at the
other end. Class was now beginning to tell and on the half hour Simpson cut in
along the byline into the box, shot, West parried and Sell helped himself to an
easy tap in.1-0.
Straight after the interval Stags were looking for goals to kill off the game, Connor
Saunders putting Simpson through for a chance, and minutes later Sollars's free
kick beating the wall but not West. Portishead were under pressure, Simpson a
constant threat up front, White a real presence in midfield and the back four solid.
A second goal came almost inevitably from the Bradley/Sell combination, the
latter's glorious long ball split the Town defence wide open, the former pounced
on it and was demolished in the box for a clear penalty; Charlie Saunders slotted
it home.

Even at this point the visitors did not fold, any openings and they went for it. Both
Linham's strikes necessitated robust defence, Coombes and Sollars both keeping
the ball out. In between, though, Stags had got their third, a strong header from
Cummings meeting a Price cross.

Given the conditions both sides deserve thanks for putting on a competitive and
entertaining game, a great confidence boost for the Stags and they move into the
second round, and a good preparation for Saturday's visitors, table toppers
Tavistock.

Man of the match JAMES WHITE

Coombes, Anthony (Ford 53), Hedges, Press, Sollars, White, Charlie Saunders,
Connor Saunders (Cummings 65) Sell, Simpson, Hartley (Price 65)