The Championship

Exeter University 1 Wotton-under-Edge 3

IN A FAST-paced match, Wotton’s maturity and experience conquered down south against a young and very fit university team.

Wotton faced a young Exeter University side that needed points to assure a place in the Championship league next season.

The game was very tight for the first 15 minutes, with both teams struggling to really threaten the opposing keeper.

A few half chances came, but it was a match battled in the middle of the park.

Wotton's midfield three of Matt Fairburn, Rob Davies and Michael Buist made it very hard for Exeter to create any threatening attacks. When they did, the solid back line of James Cruickshank, Henry Patteson and Alistair Hammond kept the university boys at bay.

As the game struck the half way point at 0-0, Wotton knew they could give more in this game.

A strong few words from Andy Edwards, Hammond and Fairburn helped Wotton increase the intensity and effort going into the second half. In the first few minutes, Wotton finally broke the deadlock.

A brilliant long ball through the middle of the park was delivered by Davies to Willcox. David Holt’s excellent run into the D made the keeper come off his line to cut off the pass. Leaving his front post wide open for a simple finish by Willcox.

With sou’wester wind in their sails Wotton surged on and a Fairburn short corner flick was stopped on the line by a foot. Fairburn stepped up to take the penalty flick, converting it with his usual aplomb.

At 2-0 down, Exeter started to chase the game, coming close to scoring from two hits in quick succession, both hitting the post. Finally, Exeter penetrated the Wotton defence, scoring a well-worked short corner routine to bring the game to a tense 2-1.

Wotton had many more chances, with Jones and Buist breaking through the Exeter defence on several occasions.

At last, the third goal came from a great run from Buist and a pass to Willcox in the D, whose signature turn-and-shoot shot came off.

The action-packed match and resulting three points puts Wotton-under-Edge Mens firsts one step closer to Premiership hockey, an achievement that would be a first in the club’s history.