This was a game between the bottom two sides of the League and Wrington Redhill needed all three points in their fight to avoid the drop with their hosts already relegated. New signing Tom Sage made his debut in defence with anattacking line up selected by Player/Manager Leigh White which resulted in an encouraging first half. Early on a Leigh White free kick was blocked by the defensive wall with the ball finding Ollie Clements and his long range effort was collected by home ‘keeper Cameron Shipway. Further half chances came from two corners from Jake White and another Clements free kick. The lively duo of Ethan Williams and Ben Griffiths were causing the home defence problems and both were continually being brought down which eventually led to James Payton being yellow carded for one too many on Griffiths. It was fitting that on the half hour mark Griffiths fed a slide rule pass through the defence into the path of Chris Bradley who fired an unstoppable shot past the ‘keeper to take a 1-0 lead.
The back line held firm against the odd counter attack with Tom Sage and Mike Rowcliffe forming a good central pairing and full backs Callum Briggs and Ethan Johnson, back from injury, both supporting well. Rowcliffe’s cross field ball to Jake White just eluded him as he was shaping up to strike at goal but despite pressing for another goal Wrington Redhill had to settle for a 1-0 half time lead.
Odd Down started the second half very lively and Briggs headed clear a cross from Martin Smith for a corner which was cleared by Matt Hill and at the other end Williams and Jake White combined well without getting the final shot in at goal. John Elliot blasted over when Hill punched a corner away tohim. Chris Holland came on to provide some extra physical presence in the place of tiring Williams to keep the pressure on the defenders.
With twenty minutes from the end Wrington Redhill were stunned when Odd Down were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area which seemed a very harsh decision. Substitute Curtis Dunn line up his effort to perfection and the ball sailed over the defensive wall and into the top left corner of the net leaving Hill no chance to get close.
Late on Adam Caulfield and Sam Clements replaced Leigh White and Briggs as the last chance to seek the winning goal. It looked like the tactic had paid off when Ollie Clements fired in a corner with his brother Sam rising to head the ball down and then saw it cleared off the line by a desperate lunge from a home defender.
The final score was 1-1 and with results elsewhere going in their favour this point might well yet be vital to stay in the top division of the Somerset County League. Next week’s home game against Westfield one place above Wrington Redhill becomes yet another vital clash for the battling squad.
Bill Gough man of the match was awarded to Ben Griffiths.
GK, Matt Hill
Defence: Callum Briggs, Tom Sage, Mike Rowcliffe, Ethan Johnson
Midfield: Chris Bradley, Ben Griffiths, Leigh White, Ollie Clements
Forwards: Ethan Williams, Jake White
Subs: Chris Holland (for Ethan Williams, Adam Caulfield (for Leigh White), Sam Clements (for Callum Briggs)