6/12/14 :
With 11 players, 4th placed Mendip Men 2nds made the trip up to Winterbourne to face Bristol & West C who were third in the league and only one point ahead. It was always going to be a tough match and with no subs, the outcome could not be predicted.
The A’s unfortunately didn’t get off to a great start, conceding within 5 minutes of the start, leaving the defence scratching their heads after a creeping ball snuck in at the near post. However, rather than invite further pressure upon themselves after the goal, Mendip started to take control and fought back to try and get back into the game. After some good play by the midfield, the ball fell perfectly to our captain, Paul Woolway, who was in the D to strike home and level the scoreline. Things were looking up as Mendip continued to pile on the pressure. However, this led to Bristol & West increasing their efforts in the counter-attack and shortly before half-time, this tactic paid off as they caught the defence out with their pace, leaving the score at 2-1 to the home side at the end of the first whistle.
Despite a slight change to the formation, Mendip continued to struggle against an ever increasingly dominant Bristol & West and eventually their pressure led to a third goal. The onslaught was becoming increasingly worrying and with no substitutes, there was no way of resting tired legs. A fourth goal 20 minutes from time meant that a thrashing by the home side might be on the cards.
However, the A’s were not going to let this be the case! Despite these setbacks, heads did not go down and the men in yellow were not going to leave from the pitch without something to shout about before the end. For the last 15 minutes, Mendip took the game to Bristol & West with increased pressure from the midfield. After several short corners, one deflected off of the keepers’ pads and fell to Chris Hampshire who happily found the team’s second goal to reduce the deficit.
Bristol & West continued to pressurise on the break and looked sure to score their fifth when one of their strikers was away from the defence. However, Keelan Shearn showed scintillating pace and an amazing determination to run from the halfway line and all the way back, to intercept just before the attacker was about to shoot. It was this kind of determination that summed up the last 15 for Mendip. Despite being down and almost out, the team kept going and made the scoreline more respectable. Yes, it was a loss, however, should this attitude continue, there’s no doubt that the team will finish high up in the league this year and maintain a healthy position during the Christmas break.
This result leaves the team 4th in the league.
The last league fixture before Christmas will be at Norton Hill School’s astro turf this Saturday at 12:00 noon against Westbury & UB E. Please come along and support!
The Team: Barry Sewell, Andy Baird, Austin Sage, Karl Birk, Mike Bristowe, James England, Keelan Shearn, Will Holmes, Paul Woolway (capt.), Chris Hampshire.
Mike Bristowe
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