13/12/2014 : For their final match before the Christmas break, the Mendip Men’s 2nds faced bottom of the league Westbury & UB E at Norton Hill School.
The away side started with only 10 players for the first 10 minutes or so, thus making the prospect of a strong start to Mendip being the most likely outcome. However, this wasn’t the case as Westbury looked to prove that they were stronger than that of what their league position suggested. It took a while for the home team to get going, but after 15 minutes, it soon became apparent that the Westbury keeper would be having a busy afternoon. During the first half there were a number of chances made by the A’s, however the two forwards, Mark Weston and Chris Hampshire, just couldn’t find a way past the impressive opposition keeper!
It looked quite possible that the score would still be level at half time. However, team captain, Paul Woolway, had other ideas as he hit a powerful strike towards goal and with the help of a deflection from an opposition defender, scored the first goal of the game. 1-0 up and the very least that Mendip deserved from all of the pressure that they had put on Westbury in the first half. Apart from a quick counter attack which caught the defence off guard, forcing the Mendip goalkeeper Karl Birk to make a smart save, Westbury’s attackers were kept relatively quiet.
The second half continued in the same manner as that of that of the first half, with Mendip continuing to dominate the play, however still having little success in beating the opposition keeper. It wasn’t until midway through the second half that the all important second goal came. Again, Paul Woolway was involved in the build up play, putting a pass across the D to an unmarked Will Holmes at the far post who calmly put the ball away despite the keeper’s best efforts to put him off!
After this point, Mendip should have finished the game off, yet it wasn’t to be this way. The final whistle went at 2-0, with the team satisfied with the win and 3 points. This now leaves Mendip A well placed within the table in 4th position as we go into the Christmas break.
Thanks go to Carol Holmes and Andy Flint for umpiring the match!
*EDIT: In last week’s report, I reported that Chris Hampshire scored Mendip A’s first goal. However, this was incorrect and in fact it was Paul Woolway who scored! My apologies Paul and Chris! This shall not happen again!
Mike Bristowe
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