Clevellian C 1 Wotton-under-Edge 4th 1

WOTTON-under-Edge fourths unbeaten start to season continued on Saturday with victory over Clevellian C.

The first of two half term league fixtures saw an imposed raft of changes to the men’s 4th eleven in this away fixture against Clevellian C’s, a team frustrated by their own slow start to their league campaign.

Despite his absence, the team’s talismatic captain, Gideon York, organised an early rendezvous to facilitate team building for a squad which included two debutants. An eleven-strong group took to the field with many players showing their adaptability by adopting positions outside of their typical comfort zone.

The first half was a study in midfield pressure, with Pat Carr and Archie Cropper asking continuous questions of the Clevellian defence using their superior stick skills to carve openings high up the field. Their sniping runs were triggered by intelligent passes from deep, with Matt Wong and Mike Froggatt dominant in their defensive positions.

Many of Wotton’s telling first-half forays took place down the left channels with the industrious Stuart Jones linking well with James Cox, whose purposeful runs had the opposition defence stretched to their limits. Wotton’s overwhelming positional advantage and ball retention lead to a series of short corners, which could not be converted although near misses were plenty. In response, Clevellians were content to simply clear their lines and absorb waves of attacking play.

Although, the score board was not challenged by half time, Wotton were expected to make a breakthrough in the second half given the patterns of play seen in the opening 35 minutes. However, against the prevailing run of play, Clevellians opened the scoring with a fortuitous miss hit, following a short corner, which looped over the athletic Nick Watt in goal.

The team’s frustration was palpable and the opposition were now willing to show a more pressing intent with their one goal advantage. The defensive backline of Thomas Richfield, Brian Patterson, Mike Froggatt and Matt Wong worked hard to regain possession and to distribute into areas of danger. During this period, good patterns of play developed down the right side, orchestrated by the impressive Rich Watts. As the game went on, the skills and tenacity of man-of-the-match Tom Cranwell became ever more apparent and it was no surprise that a street wise defence used whatever means possible to neutralise his skills. This star of the future was however unflappable and his endeavour from the right side brought an attacking option on the top of the opposition D. A neat interchange of passes from Wotton’s front line saw Stuart Jones rewarded for his afternoon’s work, ghosting in from the left and coolly slotting home the equalizer.

With parity achieved both teams pressed hard for the winner in the final quarter. Clevellians called on their subs bench to inject fresh impetus to their attack. Wotton’s midfield left nothing behind both covering the back to stifle several opposition breakouts and pressing forward for what would have been a deserved winning goal. In the end the match finished one a piece. Any frustration at the final whistle in losing the top spot in the table is an indicator of where the Wotton Men’s 4th team, in only their second season of league hockey, feel they deserve to be. The next fixture brings home advantage against league leaders Gloucester City C. A victory will no doubt demand that individual skills are married with a cerebral approach to field position. The appetite is very much whetted.