The Marches 2 League

Lansdown C 2 Wotton-under-Edge 4ths 1

HARD-WORKING Wotton were pipped at the post by Lansdown in a tough Marches 2 League clash in Bath.

In a match where two teams were motivated, as much by pride and team development as league position, the encounter promised to be a spirited and hard-fought affair and it delivered on both counts. Perspective was provided prior to push back as both teams united in observing a minute’s silence out of respect and support for those affected in the Paris atrocities.

The opening encounters saw Wotton retaining possession and distributing the ball wide and with intent. From high on the right, the impressive Luke Messer descended on the Lansdown defence, tormenting and forcing a series of short corners for the men in blue.

A flurry of saves from the opposition goalie, a post struck and a goal not given, when advantage might have been offered, thwarted the industrious Dave Chevin and Martin Dove.

Marshalled by man of the match Ben Gough in goal, the defensive line of Richard Gunton, Alan Hooper, Brian Patterson and Jonathan Glover smothered Lansdown’s incursions, showing composure on the ball and confidence in each other.

Fresh from an international flight and foreign time zone, Mike Froggat showed great stick work, combining well with the multi-talented Leo Wells and the irrepressible Ollie Setterfield.

Half-time was reached without any score from either side but there were high expectations that the deadlock would be broken during the second period of the match.

And a shift in momentum became apparent early in the second-half with Lansdown putting together a telling series of passes and creative forward play that had Wotton on the back foot.

Lansdown found the breakthrough and scored but, having gone one goal behind, it was a credit to Wotton’s team spirit that parity was quickly restored by the deserving Chevin who notched the ball into the home net.

And it was a match which either side could have won as they both pressed for the winner. There was little to choose between the two teams but Lansdown continued their expansive play as Wotton tired.

Dove, Wotton’s sole substitute, brought fresh legs and keen tackling to the defence but it was not enough to prevent a well-taken goal by Lansdown that was the decisive strike of the game.

Wotton had to pull out all the stops to get a point from the match and they tried their hardest to do just that. There was nothing left behind in the last 10 minutes but Wotton lost shape with tiring legs and a second goal was not forthcoming as the game headed towards the final whistle.

The hurt of defeat was plain to see to a man, at the end of the game but the determination to learn and improve as a team remains unquenchable.