Wrington Redhill Reserves vs Banwell Reserves

Weston and District Division 3

7 February 2015 2.30pm

Banwell held Wrington to a goalless draw at home with a combative team performance. It was clear that the away side had set up not to lose the game, and judging by the reaction of their players and management after the game were delighted to leave the Recreation Ground with a point after Wrington failed to convert several good chances.

Stand-in goal keeper Louis Rouvrais was rarely threatened by an away side content to keep men behind the ball, and was protected well by a back three of Nick Curtis, Phil Williams and Paul Burnett. Paul Faulkner returned to the side on the right wing, putting in a typically solid performance, with Kyle Selman on the opposite wing causing difficulties with his movement and pace, which ultimately resulted in his enforced second half substitution after a late, high tackle to his knee left him unable to continue.

Whilst the game was not played with a particularly nasty attitude, it was competitive throughout, with Mick Edmunds battling well against his centre-midfield opposite number, and Banwell’s number 9 eventually being booked in the first half for a combination of late tackles on Williams and Joe Moore, who lined up with Edmunds and Phil Hartnup in a midfield trio last seen together in the Reserves’ fine 4-0 win at Cheddar.

In attack, Jan Nielsen played his first game for the club and impressed with his ability to hold up the ball and bring Wrington’s midfield into the action. Nielsen was joined by Tom Johnson, and the newly acquainted strike partnership will be disappointed not to have converted at least one of the chances that were created throughout a frustrating afternoon, including two “one-on-ones” for Johnson and a close-range attempt for Nielsen. Banwell’s keeper also deserves credit for pulling off several fine saves.

Overall, manager Julian Moss will be pleased with the return to solidity of his defence after conceding 12 goals in their previous three games, and some encouraging signs in attack, not least the creation of plenty of chances, which on another day could have resulted in a comfortable victory.

FULL TIME Wrington 0-0 Banwell

Wrington: Rouvrais, Curtis, Williams (C), P. Burnett, Faulkner, Moore (McMullen), Edmunds (Burnett), Hartnup, Selman (Buck), Nielsen, Johnson

MOTM: Curtis