Middlezoy Rovers Reserves 2 Wrington Redhill 2

With no game for three weeks due to postponements, Wrington Redhill travelled to table topping Middlezoy Reserves who had a resounding midweek 6-1 victory against lowly Staplegrove. With both teams desperate for three points to enhance their promotion push as expected the visitors provided a much sterner challenge in this fixture.

A very strong wind gusting straight down the pitch made conditions difficult and Wrington Redhill started with the wind at their backs seeking to put pressure on the home side. From the off wide men Joe Creese and Reece Ferguson-Obamwonyi looked lively with their pace causing problems and the midfield trio of Ayrton Phillips, Leigh White and Sam Harvey worked tirelessly to gain control of the game and keep the team on the front foot. A number of robust challenges were leniently judged by the referee but as Joe Creese got clear through on goal he was cynically brought down just outside the penalty area by a Middlezoy defender who somehow still managed to avoid a card.

The resultant free kick was driven over the crossbar by George Fake but this sparked the visitors to create further scoring chances. Ferguson-Obamwonyi was through on goal but failed to finish and White headed a Harvey corner over the bar. For all their pressure they could not get the all-important breakthrough and nearly paid dearly. As the half time break was approaching  Dan Ferguson was penalised for a foul on Middlezoy’s attacker on the edge of the box but was relieved to see the free kick blocked to maintain a 0-0 scoreline.

In the second half with the wind to their advantage the hosts adopted a more direct approach and caused problems by launching long balls and at times frantic defending saw a number of free kicks conceded. From one such free kick Middlezoy took the lead when Jack Chillingworth fired goalwards and a slight deflection saw the ball elude Matt Hill and end up high in the net.

This undeserved set back stung the team into action and for the next ten minutes or so totally dominated possession with their slick one touch football and two goals were the reward. First Creese struck well in a crowded area, then Ethan Johnson’s well saved shot ended up with Fake heading home to take a 2-1 lead.

It looked like the lead would be extended but the third goal just would not come, and Ryan Pugh replaced the injured Fake to add some creativity and help to get the three points they deserved. It was not to be as the home keeper Scott Rich launched a wind assisted ball deep over the defence and was pounce upon by Adam Long and whilst Hill thwarted his initial shot the lose ball was stabbed home by Long to bring the game level.

It was still Wrington Redhill who drove on to find the winning goal with full backs Josh Pitt and Jordon Bonner driving forward. It looked as if they would be rewarded when Creese broke through yet again but Long somehow kept the effort out with a boot deflecting the ball for a corner.

Whilst this was a good point to gain in an away fixture to the top of the table side their was a tinge of disappointment in not securing all three from an  overall gritty and in periods dominant performance. The draw keeps both teams in the hunt for promotion and will meet gain in the reverse fixture at The Recreation Ground in two weeks’ time.

Player of the Match was awarded to Ayrton Phillips


Team:

Goalkeeper: ​Matt Hill
Defence:      ​Josh Pitt, Dan Ferguson, Ethan Johnson, Jordon Bonner
Midfield:​Ayrton Phillips, Sam Harvey, Leigh White
Forwards:    ​Joe Creese, George Fake, Reece Ferguson-Obamwonyi  

Substitutes:​Ryan Pugh (for George Fake), Ollie Clements (unused), Kyran Garrett (unused)