Page 14 - Brislington FC v Hallen 220423

TITLE IS SEALED BY EFFICIENT FOXES

Manager Lee Perks and his Brislington team's relentless march toward the Toolsta on Western
league Division 1 tle has seen them win 21 league games in a row scoring 76 goals, and conceding
only 12 in the process. The Foxes needed only 1 point from their last four games and Wells (the only
team mathema cally capable of catching them) couldn’t afford to drop any points if they were to
have any chance of spoiling the party.
With a refreshing change in the weather the poten al champions elect made the short trip to
Longwell Green who they’d recently beaten 5-1 at Ironmould Lane, The Green having won all four of
their league ou ngs since that game.
FEBRUARY AND APRIL FOR MAY
Perks was s ll without striker Dean Griffiths who was serving the third of his ridiculous 4 match ban
and goalkeeper George Dorrington through injury, Liam May stepping in again to cover for a second
me this year a er keeping a clean sheet for the Foxes against Almondsbury in February.
With the hot sun baking Longwell’s ar ficial pitch and in front of a considerable crowd a compe ve
game between two in-form sides ensued. Although pancake flat, these plas c pitches aren’t as easy
to play on as one would expect, throwing up many strange bounces, random backspin, and striking
the ball cleanly with no drag, as the rubber crumb catches a rubber boot is an art in itself, especially
on a dry surface!
DANNY DODIMEAD ALMOST DEADLY EARLY DOORS
It was clear the home side had a be er measure of the surface, but it was the visitors who had the
first chance, Danny Dodimead hi ng the upright in the first minute.
MAGIC SPONGE FOR MAY
However, the next 15 minutes belonged to the home side. Stand-in goalkeeper Liam May went down
twice for treatment on his hamstring and a calf muscle, leaving him unable to kick. This contributed
to the back line struggling to move the ball forward effec vely, ge ng themselves into trouble on
numerous occasions. A combina on of aggressive pressing from the home side and dubious passing
choices from the back line, leaving the Brislington net looking uncharacteris cally vulnerable.
Green, capitalised on the indecision, and had their first shot 15 minutes in, a rasping effort which was
pped over spectacularly by May, thankfully the goalkeeper's hands were s ll working!
DING-DONG BATTLE
A er withstanding more considerable pressure, and a (albeit weak) penalty appeal, a Longwell
corner from the right was brilliantly saved by May as it looked to be sneaking in at the near post. The
parried clearance found its way to McLennan, whose early ball forward was flicked on by Dodimead
for Buck, who in turn took a touch and shot early from just outside the box bea ng the goalkeeper
desperately-diving to his right, of course to no avail, pu ng the visitors ahead, and se ling any
possible pre game anxie es. Incidentally to the great joy of the away dug out.
DOGGED FOXES!
Ge ng over the line has looked to be playing heavily on the Foxes in recent games and there has
been a nervousness about their play that wasn’t visible earlier in this incredible winning run.
However, there is a dogged, steely grit and determina on on evidence every week, and plenty of not
too inconsiderable talents in this squad who have all taken turns in rising to the big moments, and
'finding a way'!!
With the hot sun now blazing down, the Foxes were s ll working hard and crea ng chances, mainly
from the right where Buck was finding finding plenty of space. First Buck's low cross was par ally
cleared to Me ers, who couldn’t react quickly enough to find the target, then a pass inside to
Dodimead whose shot was blocked by one of two defenders desperately throwing their bodies in the
way. Ricke s had a shot from distance which flew narrowly over a er a Brislington corner wasn’t
cleared by the hosts, and Lewis Dunn hit the stanchion from a cross-come-shot a er another corner.
DODIMEAD DOUBLES THE LEAD
Then a er 35 minutes, another Buck cross found Scadding, who de ly knocked the ball down to the
wai ng Dodimead who in turn swept the ball home from six yards. 0-2 and one hand on the tle!!