Wrington Redhill 2 Chilcompton Sports 3

Chilcompton Sports, last season’s league champions andsitting in second place at this time, were the visitors to the Recreation Ground this week. The match referee was concerned about the very soft condition in certain parts of the pitch but following consultation with both managers, who were both happy for the game to proceed, it did.

The conditions were to be testing for both teams and the hosts got off to a promising start with most of the play in the visitors’ half. Joe Creese was finding plenty of space on the right flank but without carving out any real goal opportunities. Unbelievably with their first attack of the game a break down the right flank and a low cross driven across goal was stabbed home despite keeper Regan  D’Arcy managing to parry the first attempt away.

Following promotion last season, it has proved to be difficult to adjust to the new level, but the team showed a real gritty battling performance in the heavy conditions to stay in the game. Their reward came with a well-deserved equaliser when George Fake latched onto a pass from Ryan Pugh to calmly stroke the ball past Robson Cole.

Josh Pitt and Jordon Bonner  kept providing good outlets for Dan Ferguson and Ayrton Phillips to find from the middle of the park with some good football being playedwith a high press against their opponents. As the pressure increased Fake had another view of goal but instead of one of his trademark strikes, he passed inside, and the opportunity was closed down. This was a vital stage inthe game as Chilcompton went straight up the other end and scored.

To be 2-1 down at half time was disappointing  as it could have been the other way round which would have given Wrington Redhill a much-needed boost to their confidence and something to hold onto.

The second half started badly when Chilcompton soon went further ahead, a stunning volley leaving D’Arcy no chance of keeping out. In recent weeks, this kind of setback had seen Wrington Redhill cave into heavy defeats but not this week. The team rallied and dug in deep and worked incredibly hard for each other with a renewed spirit. Jake Harris was introduced and immediately made his presence known and was unlucky to see his strike from 25 yards hit a post with the keeper well beaten. He then provided a measured pass for Dan Ferguson to latch onto and slot a left footed effort home to make it 2-3.

Looking to seek out a deserved point sharing goal Rory Thomas and Matt Walsh were brought on with Leigh White and Ollie Clements left at the back to sweep up any balls heading their way. Wrington Redhill just could not find that elusive goal and as Mark Brown replaced the cramped-up Phillips the game ended with a narrow defeat.

All the team can take credit out of their performances and more like this will certainly see them win a few more games.

In the aftermath of the game Wrington Redhill Chairman, Steve Porter added ‘OK, we lost but I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the game yesterday. A competitive game with good goals, great saves, competent refereeing, no remonstrations, no yellow cards, no swearing, and no over-elaborate goal celebrations. We might say we need a bit more passion, but I think we did ourselves credit yesterday against a top side.’

 

Team:
Goalkeeper: ​Regan D’Arcy
Defence:      ​Ollie Clements Leigh White, Ethan Johnson
Midfield:​Josh Pitt, Ryan Pugh , Ayrton Phillips, Dan Ferguson, Jordon Bonner
Forwards:    ​Joe Creese, George Fake,
Substitutes:​Matt Walsh (for Ryan Pugh), Jake Harris (for George Fake), Mark Brown (for Ayrton     Phillips), Rory Thomas (for Ethan Johnson)