Page 14 - Brislington FC v Bishop Sutton 290823

Vase triumph at Oldland

A break in the league fixtures saw the Foxes travel to Aitchinson playing fields, Oldland to face the
O’s in the Isuzu FA Vase. Oldland who were promoted from the Toolsta on Division 1 via the playoffs
last season are finding life in the Premier league a li le tougher having won once in four league
ou ngs losing the other three.
Manager Lee Perks was missing Lewis Dunn, Jack Allward, and Asa White, but welcomed back Harry
Tobin, Danny Doddimead and Josh Egan.
The first half was dominated by the visitors who had the majority of possession and territory
however they were unable to capitalise on their dominance by conver ng the numerous chances
they were crea ng, although the home side were ge ng lots of bodies behind the ball Closing the
gaps and pu ng bodies on the line.
Three minutes in, McLennan’s in-swinging corner was pped onto his far post by the O’s goalkeeper
just evading Buck at the far post in the process.
Oldland returned fire themselves hi ng the post with a header a er a deep free kick on 12’ mins.
Brislington con nued to push with both fullbacks Withey and Tobin having lots to say going forward,
but as with previous games the foxes were trying to force their opportuni es as the frustra on
increased. Great work from Withey down the right was followed by an inch perfect cross which was
met by birthday boy Jordan Scadding who’d perfectly med his run into the area, however his header
was pped onto the bar by Oldland‘s number 1.
Worryingly for Brislington Dean Griffiths was forced to leave the field with a knee injury, being
replaced by Doddimead on 35 minutes.
Ricke s came close with a pile driver of an effort as a weak clearance fell to him following a free kick,
the ball flashing across the face of goal just wide of the mark. Barwood also went close from
Brislington’s ninth corner of the half, his header just over the bar.
Then came the defining moment of the game! A free kick to Oldland just inside the Brislington half
wasn’t dealt with by the Foxes defensive line and eventually a headed effort toward the Brislington
goal looked to have been cleared off the line seemingly by Barwoods head.
However the appeals from the home con ngent including sizeable crowd was for the ref to act on
something, and a er a period of conversa on with his assistant, the referee awarded a penalty,
apparently because whoever had cleared the ball from the line had used a hand. However more
crucially, despite stringent protests from the home side, there was no cau on, and more importantly
for the Foxes no red card!
With the crowd and players s ll supercharged by their perceived injus ce the penalty kick was taken
low to Dorrington’s right, however the keeper had guessed correct making a strong save. The ball
rebounding into play was pounced upon fastest by an Oldland player, only to be ‘skied’ from inside
the 6 yard box as he followed up! This undoubtedly deflated the hosts who had hung in well up un l
this point, and a goal plus man advantage surely would have change the complexion of the game
offering the O’s a be er chance of producing a more favourable outcome.
Half Time: Oldland Abbotonians 0-0 Brislington
The second half was one way traffic, the visitors making the most of their good fortune with barely
any meaningful a acking moments coming from the hosts and complete domina on of territory
possession and chances From the Foxes. Although the breakthrough goal had s ll not materialised
the visitors were charging the gates with more purpose, and closing down any Oldland a acks before
they could get started.
Doddimead & Buck in par cular were threatening with channel runs and McLennan along with Tobin
were causing lots of trouble down the le .