14/3/15: On Saturday, the Men’s 2nds travelled to nearby Keynsham to face local rivals, Keynsham A, a team fighting for survival against relegation in 10th place, the exact same scenario that Mendip A were facing this time last season. How things can change in one season, with the away side now currently sitting comfortably in 5th. With the two clubs being somewhat local rivals, all matches between the two have always been fought passionately and as a result, are extremely unpredictable. In addition, with the home side being in the position that they were in, there was no telling of what sort of side the men in yellow would be facing.
Keynsham, playing in navy blue, started the brightest and right from the off showed their intent at trying to attack the Mendip defence with pace. For the first 10 minutes, Mendip held firm and were able to establish some counter-attacks of their own, as Keynsham left themselves vulnerable at the back. However, it was Keynsham’s pressing which led to the first goal as the home side whipped a ball into the D for one of their attackers to get a touch on the reverse stick and score.
After this, the game continued in the same manner and remained end to end for the rest of the half. Yet, before half-time, Mendip were able to score an equaliser. Chris Hampshire made a burst into the D and was able to pull the ball back to Tyler Wiltshire at the top of the D. Tyler was then left with just the keeper to beat and he did so, as cool as you like, sweeping the ball below the keeper’s reach. 1-1 was the score at half-time.
The second half continued in the same way as the first had finished. The main battle continued in the midfield with Tyler Wiltshire and Keelan Shearn having to run back and forth almost constantly!
As time went on though, Mendip became stronger and looked the more likely team to score. Paul Woolway and Mark Weston, who were playing in the central area of the defence, became more dominant and kept the Keynsham strikers away from Barry Sewell in goal. Andy Baird and Toby Green were also able to quieten their wingers.
Unfortunately for the away team, they were unable to beat the ever-determined Keynsham keeper who pulled off some top saves before the full-time whistle went. This meant that there were no goals in the second-half and the game ended at 1-1, which overall was probably the fairest result.
This leaves Mendip in 5th place still, level with both South Gloucestershire A (in 4th) and Imperial (6th). All three teams are on 35 points and with only one game to go before the end of the season, there’s still a lot to play for!
Mendip A take on Bristol & West C, who are the current league leaders, this Saturday and could help to decide who wins the West Central 2 division title. The game is at Norton Hill School at 12 noon and all support is welcome!
The Team: Barry Sewell, Andy Baird, Austin Sage, Paul Woolway (Capt.), Toby Green, Mark Weston, Keelan Shearn, Tyler Wiltshire, Mike Bristowe, Will Holmes, James England, Chris Hampshire.
Mike Bristowe
Comments are closed.