Page 20 - Brislington FC v Hallen 220423

NO LET-UP FROM THE CHAMPIONS!!

Newly crowned Toolsta on First Division champions Brislington were in ac on for the
second me in three days for a 'Monday night football' clash against fourth placed Oldland
Abbotonians at Ironmould Lane. This was to be the first of a Monday/Wednesday home
and away encounter between the two sides who haven't met so far this season. Oldland
had secured their play off spot so win or lose weren't going to change the outcome of a
play off home e, Therefore in essence it would be fair to think that neither side had
anything to play for, other than a emp ng not to lose players for important upcoming
games, Oldland for the pending play offs and Brislington with an eye on the Les Phillips Cup
semi final match V persistent premier league heavyweights Shepton Mallet.
However Brislington did have the remarkable 25 game winning streak to con nue and
Oldland presumably would like to be the team to end it, so whoever was playing for both
teams, would have added incen ve to perform rather than go through the mo ons. This
was to be the case!
Both sides had made changes to manage the players workload given the amount of games
that have had to be played in this last week of the league campaign. The foxes playing four
mes in eight days.
Lewis Ewins, Ben Tucker and James Dunn came back into the squad a er missing out
Saturday, Jordan Me ers, Josh Egan and Harry Tobin dropped out. Brislington were s ll
missing striker Dean Griffiths and goalkeeper George Dorrington. Chris Humphries coming
in between the s cks for his second appearance of the season a er an excellent cameo
against FA Vase semi-finalists Corsham when the two sides met in September 22, Corsham
star ng their FA Vase Journey nicking the result in a penalty shootout.
From Saturday's star ng 11, Oaklan Buck, Joe McLennan and Lewis Dunn made way for
Ewins, Joel Smith and Jordan Williams.
There was a classy touch of respect from the visitors as they gave the Champions a guard
of honour on entry to the field of play, however that's where the civili es ended.
The pitch was looking in perfect condi on, and the Foxes took advantage from the off. The
first a ack of the match saw Jordan Williams float an early free kick just over the bar. The
nervousness of the previous three games was nowhere to be seen and the home side set
about moving the ball freely, as they have done for most of the season. In par cular
Ricke s and Smith were having lots of me on the ball as they probed for opportuni es.
However Oldland were 'up for it', and working relessly and aggressively at mes to win
the ball back by fair means or foull. They was certainly compe ve!!
Another early chance fell to Danny Doddimead who darted between two defenders
streaking away through the middle of the pitch, unfortunately goalkeeper Norman was
equal to the Foxes forward.

It wasn't long before the deadlock was broken. George Jones was fouled just outside the
18 yard box. In true goal scorers fashion it was Jones who stepped up to strike his 22nd goal
of the season with a low shot below the jumping four man wall, into bo om corner leaving
the keeper's desperate dive wan ng.
The home side were controlling the game and possession looked comfortable as they
moved the ball rela vely freely from back to front. Apart from Jordan Scadding who was
halted with a series of fouls, as well as having a bang on the head a er another robust
challenge receiving a deserved free kick, then two minutes later felt the full force of a high
boot leaving him with cuts, nicely stud width apart to the face, and rightly earning