Page 17 - Patchway Town v Cribbs Res 250323

By Mark Simpson
I do believe that this is the first full League fixture list for some time. Cribbs
Reserves, Gala Wilton, and Rockleaze Rangers keep the pressure on at the top
whilst Patchway Town did themselves a power of good at the bottom.
At Scott Park Patchway Town opened an albeit small gap over the two below
them with a good win over a useful Wick side. First chance fell to Wick’s Seb Scott
whose shot from distance didn’t really trouble Burgess. Patchway’s first effort was
from Hassan Hussein and his first time shot following Adam Porter’s long throw was
just wide. On fifteen minutes a Wick corner led to a goalmouth scramble with the
shot saved and cleared. Wick took the lead on 23 minutes, Paul Noyes initial shot
was dealt with but the ball fell to James Fox who rounded two players and gave
Burgess no chance. The hosts drew level not long after when a Porter corner found
the head of Harrison Murdock-McCormack who rose highest to nod past Trott.
Patchway came storming out for the second half and within two minutes a strong
run out of defence by Murdock-McCormack found Sam Finn who put Porter through
and a hard shot found the net for 2-1 to Patchway. On 77 minutes it was 3-1, a free
kick on the edge by Brandon Detain saw a great save by Trott but the ball spilled
to Joe Dalby whose shot hit one post then the other and then the net.
Two matches for Cribbs Reserves this week and the first on Tuesday under the
lights at The Lawns against fellow top side Bromley Heath United saw a goalless
draw from a hard-fought affair. A tight game In blustery conditions and the nearest
to a goal came on 75 minutes when substitute Dan Monk’s viscious shot from 15
yards hit the outside of the post.
For Saturday came a visit to Hamfields where Sharpness knew they’d have to be
at their best. Cribbs Reserves started brightly and were denied by a great save
early on when Clayton’s shot found Taylor at full stretch. Cribbs controlled
possession but The Sharks were dangerous on the break and Dan Taylor had a
good chance from Bennett’s pass but smashed his shot wide. Cribbs continued to
pressure the hosts back line who held firm for 30 minutes until Dan Burgen made
another useful run into the box and was brought down by George Thomas and
Liam Clayton made no mistake from the spot. The Sharks, however, equalised on
the stroke of half time when a free kick on the halfway was flicked on by Thurston
and Paterson was there to finish with a left foot volley. The second period was
similar to the first with Cribbs controlling possession but the hosts defence again
holding firm. Jack Guthrie had a good chance latching onto a through ball but lifting
his effort over the advancing Taylor and the bar. Cribbs went ahead with 20
minutes left. A through ball found Clayton who cooly rounded Taylor and finished.
Cribbs had a succession of corners, but nothing came from them. Sharpness had
two good opportunities late on to grab a point, first Tainton’s ball over the top
found Strickland whose shot was deflected for a corner and minutes later Tainton
showed great composure to cut in onto his left foot only for a Cribbs defender to
block the ball. Cribbs take the three points 2-1 but were well pushed by Sharpness.
Down to the other end and to Henbury’s fight at the bottom this week at Arnall
Drive against Cheltenham Civil Service First chance fell to the hosts on 15
minutes when a free kick from Service keeper Cheal was intercepted by Rhys Iles
who drove into the area and with a shot on goal looking likely he chose to pass and
was intercepted by the Service defence. The deadlock was broken on 34 minutes