Page 10 - Ashton & Backwell FC v Ilfracombe Town 181221

Match Report

Ashton & Backwell UFC 2 v Keynsham Town FC 2

On a cold and sunny December afternoon, the Stags welcomed local rivals Keynsham
Town for the first time since 2018 for what was a game of high pace and pressing, the ball
flowing quickly from end to end with numerous half chances for both sides. It was also
beset by constant niggling behaviour from the visitors who at times seemed more intent
on intimidation than football. That at the end they seemed to be deflated by only achieving
a draw was largely of their own making.

The bare facts of the game were these. The Stags welcomed two new signings,
Goalkeeper Joel Manning, from Bromley Heath, to replace the suspended-till-next-year
Lewis Coombes and centre forward George Brimson, who moved from Roman Glass, to
lead the line. In terms of goals, there were two in each half.

The home side took the lead in the 34 minute, Charlie Saunders, playing out wide with
th
pace, went down the right, supplied Brimson on the box edge, he passed to Sam Price
who spectacularly volleyed into the top corner. The K’s equalised eight minutes later when
Rooke’s shot hit the cross bar and Dancy scored from the rebound, this consolation for the
shot he had earlier that Manning’s dive kept out.
Meet the Player
The visitors took the lead, five minutes into the second half, with much disputed score, a
goalmouth melee with Baker scoring from close range seemingly offside. The Stags
equalising five minutes later in a great move, Sollars moved smoothly down the left flank,
found Connor Saunders who moved quickly onto Man of the Match Hardidge for him to
loop the ball into the goal from twenty yards out.

2-2 was the final score, both sides having chances to take all three points, Manning saved
well from Baker, Cottle and Hailston, the latter also hit the post with Manning beaten,
whilst for Stags Devoy and Charlie Saunders’ move brought a goalline clearance, Miles
Hardidge beat Locke but hit the upright and Anthony’s free kick skimmed the cross bar.
That there were few chances was testimony to the hard work done by both defences, the
Stags back line never stopping running and the midfield really putting in a shift too.
So a hard-fought valuable point for the Stags to put them in good heart for next week’s
basement clash with Cadbury Heath. They are making so much progress in this division,
let’s hope that leads to more self-belief too.

Joel Manning, Billy Devoy, Regan Sollers, Tom Anthony, Tom Press, Joe Bishop, Charlie
Saunders, Connor Saunders ©, George Brimson (sub Cameron Main 46m), Sam Price
(sub Dylan Hebblethwaite 85m ), Miles Hardidge.

MoM: Stags – Miles Hardidge