Page 18 - Ashton & Backwell FC v Wellington 070323

Match Report

HELSTON ATHLETIC 0 V ASHTON & BACKWELL UTD 2
9am saturday we set off for a 360 mile round trip to deepest Cornwall for our 1st game
in 26 days, without the unavailable Tom Anthony, Joe Banks, Shay Mannings, Lewis
Hedges, ill, and Lewis Coombs still injured. However, there was a new face on the
coach, Beech’s latest signing Olaoluwakitan Jaiyeoba (Kitan). We even managed to
remember to bring our kit! (Last season, we arrived in Helston with the kit bag still in
Backwell).
7th placed & highly ambitious Helston had the 1st shot on target with former Millbrook
striker, Ricky Shepherd, testing our keeper Tom Roberts with a left foot curler, which
Tom dealt with comfortably. James White tried his luck with a similar attempt just
going wide. Helston came close to taking the lead in the 17th minute, Ruben Wilson
heading against the crossbar, and Tom gathered to save. A minute later, a great first
touch from Harry Walker allowed, a 20 yard attempt on goal, which Kyle Moore saved
comfortably. Backwell finished the half in the ascendency, Charlie Saunders came very
close to giving us the lead, he was 25 yards out on the right wing, spotted Moore off
his line. Charlie’s well struck chip had Moore backpedalling, who managed to fingertip
a great save around the post. From the subsequent corner, James shot straight at the
keeper from 25 yards. The Stags continued to press the Hosts goal, and Miles Hardidge
spotted a great run by Alfie Cummins, who shot over from 20 yards. H/T 0-0
Ashton Backwell started the second half, as they finished the 1st 45, Conner Saunders
hit a left shot from a distance that went just wide. Wilson thought he had given the
home side lead with his shot 3 yards out, but somehow Harry Walker miraculously
scooped the ball off the line with his trusty left foot. From the subsequent cross Wilson
headed wide from close range when well place to score, that was a decisive moment
in the game.
In the 65th minute, a well flighted freekick from James found Charlie, playing in an
unaccustomed no.9 role, who saw his near post diving header tipped round the post
from another brilliant save from Moore. The end to end action didn’t stop as Colwell
saw his 20 yard shot tipped over by Tom, then Wilson again headed wide. A scary
moment for Ashton & Backwell on 75 minutes when Joe Cattamole was penalised for
handball literally millimetres outside the box. However, the direct free kick came to
nothing.
Then came 2 moments of true quality to decide the game and they both come from
the Stags. Miles received ball from Joe, beat his man, and 25 yards from goal, saw the
Helston keeper on his 6 yard line, then watched his delightful chip sail over the keeper
into the roof of the net,1-0 and deservedly so. Minutes later, we played out from the
back, Luke Newman found Kitan in plenty of space who was allowed to run 20 yards
unchallenged, then cut inside a static defender, smashed his right foot shot into the
bottom corner of the net giving Moore no chance. 2-0 & 3 points coming back to North
Somerset.
This is one of our best away victories and most complete team performances I have
seen from an Ashton Backwell side. There were a number of outstanding
performances, but the players voted man of the match to young Tom Roberts in goal.
Team. Roberts, Ford, Hedges, Pearce, Walker (Newman) Connor Saunders (Kitan),
Cattermole, White, Hardidge(Bishop), Charlie Saunders, Cummins(Press)
For match highlights google “Helston Athletic V Ashton Backwell” on youtube.