Premier Division
Shortwood United 2 Pegasus Juniors 2
Saturday, 21 December 2002
Pegasus Juniors gained their first point under the new management team of Paul Mann and Chris Hyde with a solid workman like display that showed some promise for the future.
Both sides started brightly, however, it was the home team that gained the first advantage, when an unchallenged Chris Phillips crossed the ball from the right, Matt Taylor failed to collect and Mike Green headed home. The visitors were on level terms on the quarter hour following a corner kick by Del Ewers, a new signing from Abergavenny; Neal Hotchkiss rose unchallenged to score a headed goal. The celebrations had barely ceased when Shortwood regained the advantage after a defensive clearance fell to Craig Cole who lashed the ball into the back of the net through a crowd of players. Pegasus continued trying to play neat football that was sometimes a little over elaborate that lead to a loss of possession, however, on thirty five minutes; following a period of Pegasus pressure the scores were levelled. Another Ewers corner saw a Hotchkiss shot cleared off the line by Steve Walker; Ewers who was fouled collected the clearance. The nineteen years old left wingman took the free kick himself and Ben Wheeler playing an unaccustomed central midfield role was on hand to guide the ball past goalkeeper Adam Thomas.
Half Time: 2-2
The second half was played in treacherous conditions that made ball control difficult, the visitors had a scare when Cole crashed the ball against the upright from an offside position. Taylor made a good save with his legs to deny Rich Evans. The defence was well marshalled by the reliable Steve Aubrey and man of the match Darren Braithwaite. At the other end in the latter stages of the half the lively Ewers created difficult chances that were not taken by Hotchkiss and coach Chris Hyde.
This was a satisfactory result for Pegasus who are starting to show signs of recovery and they managed to prevent the opposition from scoring during a full forty-five minute period.
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