Sharpness 1 Berkeley Town 0

SHAPRNESS grabbed their first Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One win of the season with a derby day victory over Berkeley Town.
It was a well contested derby in very hot conditions and was a game of two halves with Berkeley having more of the lion share of the ball in the first period and creating the better opportunities.
Sharks did have the first chance when Turner went through one-on-one with the debuting Berkeley keeper but he came out and made a good save.
The first real good chance of the game fell to Lavis who played a quick one-two on the edge of the box but could not direct his shot goalwards.
Berkeley should of taken the lead on the half-hour mark when Palmer did well out wide on the left, evading three Sharpness players and then delivered a brilliant cross along the six-yard line but neither Edwards or Stevenson could finish when it looked easier to score.
Sharpness looked dangerous on the counter attack with Dan Turner and Aldridge’s pace causing the Hunters’ defence a lot of problems but they could not muster a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Sharpness struggled to supply the front two of Bennett and Watkins with any decent ball as they were well marshalled by the Town defence.
The second-half was a different affair with Sharpness coming more into the game.
A rare foray forward by left-back Diurno ended with a decent strike from distance but the Town keeper smothered it comfortably.  
Manager Phil Orsborn rang the changes shortly after the break and the different personnel and formation put The Sharks well on top.
John and Penlington were the fresh faces and they added extra steel to the side.
It was the former who broke the deadlock when receiving the ball on the left-hand side of the 18-yard box.
He spun his man and rocketed a shot into the top corner of the net.
This spurred the home team on and Hewer nearly doubled the lead but Town keeper made a good save.
Skipper Paterson headed against the bar from close range when he should of scored but his blushes were saved by the linesman’s flag.
 Berkeley did have their moments and nearly scored when Palmer’s free-kick on the edge of the box grazed the outside of the post.
But the Sharks’ back four of Collard, Higgs, Freeman and Diurno remained strong in the final 15 minutes and, along with Paterson and Hewer in midfield, stopped Berkeley from threatening Neale in the home goal to take all three points.