Page 16 - Ashton & Backwell FC v Millbrook 050222

Match Report

Ashton & Backwell UFC 1 v Clevedon Town FC 1

On a damp and dull afternoon the action in this hard-fought local derby was
anything but! From the start there was frantic end to end stuff, very high on
commitment, yet too often there was pace over the quality. In the early exchanges
Tom Anthony, with his probing crosses and free kicks, and the pace and direct
running from Henry Sady stood out for the Stags, whilst Feltham on the right for the
visitors was a real handful.

The first real strike of the game on 26 minutes brought the first goal, Anthony’s well
flighted freekick from wide right fell sweetly for Miles Hardidge to volley from 12
yards into the roof of the net for the Stags lead, but Town came close to an equaliser
twice, Camper’s free kick narrowly going over, and Salmon’s distance shot tipped
over the bar by the ever-vigilant Coombes. The Stags only other chance came when
Charlie Saunders robbed Hayer, found Hardidge whose shot was deflected for a
corner. This lack of clear-cut chances was due to the resolute defending by both
sides, in the back line and in midfield.
The second half was to much the same pattern, Town were a little more aggressive
in attack, substitute Ferris having the most chances, without that finishing touch,
whilst Stags were now moving the ball from their own half, multi-player passing
action in attack, Price narrowly shooting over from perhaps the best such assault.
Backwell’s backline stood firm as they faced a bombardment of long balls directed
at them from the visitor’s defenders, with Reece Hedges the stand out figure out of
4 good performances. Solo efforts were there too, Sady dispossessed Babington
just outside the box, Smith, struggling, smothered his shot.

No side could dominate, and the chances of further goals were always present, in
the end there was only one, an equaliser, a scrappy goal headed in from close range
off the post by Camm after the ball was punted into the home box. From then on
Town seemed much more energised and laid siege to the Stags goal without adding
to their lead, though Nicholson and Hayer, both kept out by a diving Coombes, might
have got a winner. Sadly tensions which had been simmering all game blew up in
added time, with a brief melee in the box, with a red card shown to Miles Hardidge
and yellow cards randomly being dished out.
The Stags remain unbeaten this year and welcome Millbrook as visitors next
Saturday as they look to protect that unbeaten record and strive to exit the
relegation zone. Ashton & Backwell utd website is back up and running.
Photographs from this game and all the latest news can be seen at
www.ptchero.com/clubs/ashtonbackwellunited.

Lewis Coombes, Tom Anthony, Regan Sollars, Connor Saunders ©, (sub Dylan
Hepplethwaite 69m), Reece Hedges, Joe Bishop, Charlie Saunders, Alfie Cummings,
Miles Hardidge, Sam Price (sub Mason Hardidge 85m), Henry Sady (sub Tom Press
78m). MoM: Stags – Reece Hedges
REPORT DON DAVIES