Page 14 - Ashton & Backwell FC v Keynsham Town 261222

Match Report

Ashton & Backwell UFC v Sherborne Town AFC

3 December 2022 at Lancer Scott Stadium, Backwell
rd
FINAL SCORE: A+BUFC 2 [BENNINGTON-MANNINGS 20M; CATTERMOLE 42M]
V SHERBORNE TOWN FC 2 [MURPHY 4M; FARTHING 46M]; HALF TIME 2-1
On a cold murky December day, with a pitch looking in magnificent condition,
the Zebras were much the fastest out of the blocks, within a minute Mapletoft
had crossed to Cornish in the box, his shot charged by Stags defence, then
from a throw in, that same defence attempted to pass the ball around in their
own box, with Murphy easily latching onto the move to Coombes, snatching the
ball and scoring an easy opener. Murphy was a real handful, reading the Stags
own half passing well, putting on pressure and creating openings, in the tenth
minute he outpaced Pearce, crossed to Mapletoft who supplied Herrin, his shot
only stopped by bodies in the way. When the Stags did manage to move
forward it was far too error-strewn and lacking in purpose, then out of the blue,
Bennington-Mannings got the ball on the left of the box, scythed through the
Zebras and shot past Attwood for the equaliser.
This goal did seem to give more direction to the home side, yet there were still
a lot of heavy touches and poor decision-making; the Zebras were certainly
better and 33minutes in were unlucky not to retake the lead, Herrin’s ball
finding Farthing, whose shot beat Coombes, but not the crossbar. Yet the Stags
went into the break ahead, a free kick on the edge of the box was expertly
steered around the wall and into the net by Cattermole, though that did not last
long, 46 minute and a first Zebras’ attack of the half led to Farthing lobbing
th
Coombes, his despairing fingertips only helping the ball on its way to tie the
scores.
That apart the half offered little beyond honest endeavour from both sides, 63
minutes and Coombes made two great saves from Murphy and Herrin in very
quick succession, 92 minutes and the keeper had to be at his best to deny
Cornish, whilst Newman’s great run down the left, beating the defence but
shooting wide with Hardidge available, was the best for the Stags, who seemed
somewhat bereft of ideas as the game wore on, finishing with four centre backs
on the pitch, whilst the Zebras perhaps did too much too early and ran out of
steam; a point each probably a fair result.
Next match is a much sterner test, against high flying Bridgwater Town, a
Friday night, 7.30 encounter under the Lancer Scott lights.
MAN OF THE MATCH: JOE CATTERMOLE – LEADING A STRONG DEFENSIVE
MIDFIELD PERFORMANCE AND A GREAT GOAL
Team:
COOMBES, FORD, WALKER [SUB NEWMAN 58M], CATTERMOLE [SUB PRESS
73M],REECE HEDGES , PEARCE
BANKS [SUB BISHOP 73M], CHARLIE SAUNDERS, FILLINGHAM , CUMMINGS
[SUB CONNOR SAUNDERS 58M]
BENNINGTON-MANNINGS [SUB HARDIGE 58M]