Watson wonder save earns Bulldogs a point (From Gazette Series)

Watson wonder save earns Bulldogs a point

Cam Bulldogs 0 Lydbrook 0

AS predicted the previous week by Bulldogs' boss Stuart Grimwood, Lydbrook proved to be a hard nut to crack.

"They are a hard working team who came to Cam hoping to get a draw and did exactly that. They got lots of men behind the ball and defended very well," said Grimwood afterwards.

In an instantly forgetable first half Cam tried to break down the visitors for long periods, but failed to trouble the visiting goalkeeper.

The second half was only a little better. Cam again huffed and puffed, but too many players were off their game.

The big talking point came ten minutes into the second half when a corner was drilled into the box by Pete Holder and Mark Downs pounced on the loose ball to drill it goalwards.

The visiting keeper pulled off a fantastic save to deny him, but the referee had spotted an earlier foul on Jack Barnfield and pulled back play for a penalty. Tony Goodwin hit the ball low towards the corner only to see the keeper again pull off a brilliant stop to keep the score at 0-0.

With 15 minutes remaining the keeper came to the rescue once more when out of nothing Downs hit another shot from distance that was turned around the post for a corner.

There was nearly a sting in the tail for Cam when from one of Lydbrook's rare attacks a cross came in from the right edge of the penalty area.

The forward headed powerfully for goal from eight yards, but Cam goalkeeper Keith Watson, who was going the wrong way, somehow adjusted in mid-air to get a strong hand to it and push the ball out to safety.

Grimwood added: "I will just have to put this game down to a bad day at the office as probably seven of the 11 players had an off day. We all owe Keith a drink for that wonder save at the death to earn us a point.

"There will be some changes for Saturday's game with Simon Penny unavailable and Brad Price still struggling with injury. Two new signings could be available for selection though to keep the players who didn't perform on their toes.

"This Saturday we're home again, this time to Bishops Cleeve Reserves (kick off 2.30pm). We had a very tough game away to them but came away with a victory so I'm hoping for a similar result."