Page 14 - Brislington FC v Wincanton Town 090923

Close thing but three points

Middlezoy Rovers v Brislington 2/9/23
A scorching hot a ernoon suited more to a day at the beach than a football match saw the
Foxes travel to Toolsta on Western League new boys Middlezoy Rovers.
Lee Perks was s ll missing Dean Griffiths and Jack Allward but was also without Joel Smith
and Danny Doddimead, both injured in Tuesday night's win against Bishop Su on. Two of
the young Foxes came in to bolster the bench, Callum Pritchard, who had impressed with
his cameo in midweek returning, along with Sam Garrod, yet another exci ng prospect
from the Brislington U18s.
Middlezoy have had an indifferent start to the season with three wins, one draw and five
losses as they get to grips with life in step 6, si ng 14th in the table.
Brislington have also had a less-than-convincing start, losing the big games against teams
expected to be there-or-thereabouts at the end of the season. However, they have
despatched the teams around and below them, some mes ruthlessly!
The temperature definitely had an affect on the game, both teams making sloppy
mistakes. It was the visitors who came closest with Oaklan Buck hi ng the bar in the ninth
minute, with his header from Joe McLennan’s corner.
Perks made a change at half- me, Jordan Williams replacing George Jones, moving Buck
into the centre and McLennan switching wings. Buck’s energy immediately unse led the
hosts, and there were early chances for Ricke s, McLennan and Scadding which showed
promise. However, there was to be a twist!
Two quick goals for the home side rocked the defending champions. Both were more a
product of poor defending than good a acking play.
The first was a long ball that held up in the wind instead of carrying to Dorrington, catching
out Lewis Dunn and Harry Tobin. Striker Harry Smith looked to be racing clear but Dunn
managed to edge his way in front, and in trying to nick the ball away his a empted tackle
rebounded off Tobin, leaving Smith to finish past the keeper who was wrong footed. 1-0
Middlezoy 62’
The second was another error, this me skipper Asa White had got back to take the ball off
winger Liam Gilbert and when all looked controlled, conspired to tee the wide man up for
a free shot at goal from 6 yards, his powerful finish from close range bea ng the keeper at
his near post. 2-0 Middlezoy. 65’
At this point the visitors looked dejected and I couldn’t, if I’m honest, see any way back; it
just seemed to be ‘one of those games best forgo en’.
However, the Foxes were, in fact, shocked into ac on by the 2nd goal and started to a ack
with ever more vigour and belief.
Their efforts paid dividends in the 67th minute. Harry Tobin’s run and cross was only
par ally cleared by the home defence. McLennan gathered the ball and beat his man to