22/11/14: Mendip were able to field a full strength side for the visit of Bristol UWE and had every reason to feel confident going into the match. However, the students are undoubtedly a talented side whose performance belies their lowly league position.
The visitors started very brightly and took the game to Mendip but stand in left back Tim West was on hand to snuff out the majority of the forays down the right and was linking up well with man-of-the-match Will Lawton, who was playing in a more advanced attacking position rather than his usually midfield role.
Despite good spells of possession and applying pressure in and around the 23m line, UWE never really created a clear cut chance and the Mendip defence was able to comfortably play their way out from the back using the full width on both flanks.
The midfield trio of Paul Floyd, Andy Wood and Josh Sutton were simply excellent, providing a flow of service for the front three and Mendip would surely have gone ahead but for some quick reflexes and superb saves from the Bristol keeper who when faced one-on-one against both Will and Liam was equal to the challenge to keep the score goal less at the break.
There was no need for Mendip to change the way they were playing in the 2nd half and they only had to remain patient and wait for the chances to come their way.
When it did come, the first goal was an absolute peach, involving quick accurate interchanges between all 3 forwards as the ball was moved quickly out wide to Liam who picked out Steve arriving late in the centre to fire home.
Mendip maintained their discipline and shape throughout and once going ahead tightened their grip on the match and never looked likely to relinquish the lead.
That said it remained at 1 – 0 for the majority of the half as the student defence put up sterling defiance but when a short corner was awarded Giles Denning found time and space to pick his spot and drill a well struck shot into the corner.
That goal seemed to break UWE’s resolve and late on when Tim West picked up the ball in his own half he charged forward, breaking through a number of ineffectual tackles until he reached the D and let rip and fired home a vicious shot to seal the 3 – 0 win.
The Team was: Leigh Taylor, Andy Flint, Giles Denning, Rich Penn, Tim West, Paul Floyd, Josh Sutton, Andy Wood, Joe Thacker, Will Lawton, Liam Young and Steve Smith.
Thanks to Vicky Parfitt and Maureen Mitchell for umpiring.
Andy Flint.
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