De Cymru & The Marches 2

Wotton-under-Edge 2nd XI (A) 3 Swansea University A 2

WOTTON second XI knew that only one result would keep their dreams of staying in the Marches and Cymru 2 league in their hands, which turned out to be the spark they need to get the win in the bag.

Wotton started off spritely, with strong passing leading to Ben Butter winning a short corner in the first minute. However, Wotton failed to capitalise on this chance after a good drag flick and rebound from John Shovelton.

Swansea stepped up their attacks but the Wotton defence of Ben Eames, Benjy Wells, Shovelton and captain Neil Forsyth stood strong, often putting bodies on the line.

Wotton broke the deadlock first through good discipline. Whilst Swansea argued with the umpire James Cruickshank played the ball forward to Callum Niddrie who took the opportunity to put Wotton into the lead.

During the rest of the first half, Wotton’ defence soaked up the pressure and kept pressure at the Swansea end with good work from the forward three of Butter, Archie Cropper and James Bull.

Half time came with Wotton still 1-0 to the good. A strong team talk from captain and player-of-the-match Forsyth, encouraged the team to keep the good work going and not to start the second half slow off the blocks.

The whistle blew but immediately all the half time plans went out the window. Wotton passing had dropped making it hard for them to get the ball out of their half. This pressure from Swansea led to them winning a short corner after a wayward pass from the back, which Swansea scored from.

Wotton did not crumble after this and kept pushing. Some great saves from Charlie Thomas and tackles from the defence kept it to one all.

The next breakthrough came from another short corner won by Wotton’s forward line constantly working hard and drawing fouls from Swansea’s tiring defence. The short corner broke down and following a scramble around the Swansea goal keeper Wotton won a penalty flick for a desperate stick tackle. Step up Cruickshank, who calmly put it in the bottom corner.

Swansea feeling aggrieved pushed on, but Wotton soaked up the pressure and released Cropper who took the ball around the last Swansea defender and then the keeper before finishing from a tight angle.

Swansea continued to apply pressure to the end, but Wotton were not going to let their lead slip away. A stunning team performance kept the visitors at bay right to the end when they grabbed a consolation goal.