Division One (East)
Finchampstead 0 Holyport FC 2
Saturday, 12 April 2003
A stranger at this top versus bottom Hellenic Football League Division One (East) at Finchampstead Park could be forgiven for thinking that it was visitors Holyport rather than Finchampstead that was the top side, for they played the champions and current league leaders off the park in almost every department to secure a well-deserved 2-0 victory. Having had a superb recent run of results against the top sides, Finch needed to win their last four games to be sure of runners-up spot if not the retention of the title, but if this display is anything to go by, they can kiss goodbye to both.
A goalless first half saw only one worthwhile attempt on goal, and that came from Finch in the tenth minute, when defender Kevin Prentice just failed to connect with the ball at the end of a good flowing move that was started and ended by him, with some neat one touch passing football contributed by Jeremy Lynch and Bruce Rolls in the build-up play. The remainder of the first forty-five minutes was a truly dour midfield stalemate, with Finch lacking any sign of passion or flair as they went about their task of trying to beat lowly Holyport. Allowing the visitors far too much possession and time on the ball, the Finch players seemed content to let Holyport come at them, and although the defence comfortably mopped-up anything that breached their midfield quartet, leaving Stuart Harris a spectator in the Finch goal, this was clearly no way to perform when a victory was needed to accomplish their ambitions. When Finch did approach the other end of the park, Chris Bagshaw and Daniel Masters demonstrated great understanding and skill in the heart of the visitors? defence as they combined well to break up any Finch attacking moves and clear the danger by turning defence into counter-attack. The half-time whistle was no doubt a welcome sound for everyone.
Half Time: 0-0
Finch started the 2nd half in a more ambitious mode, winning a succession of early corners as they battled for the lead against a stubborn, albeit at times lucky Holyport defence. Bruce Rolls met the first corner with a shot that rebounded off defender Jon Rowe?s leg and flew inches the wrong side of the left upright and as two more corners were scrambled clear of the danger area, Finch looked well on top. From the fourth corner, Matt Corder was unlucky to see a firmly driven effort finger-tipped over the bar by the fully stretched Mark Ramsey and it was from the resulting fifth corner in the 52nd minute that Holyport turned the tables. Defending the fifth corner well, the ball was quickly cleared out of the penalty area to David Butler, who broke with pace out of defence, flying down the right wing to cross into Colin Digby who knocked the ball down and into the path of Michael Tammo who met it on the run and drove it sweetly home from twenty yards out to put Holyport in front. Despite Holyport still looking the better side and enjoying the greater share of possession, Finch tried to get back on level terms, with Bruce Rolls jinking nicely in the penalty box but sending his shot just wide of the target after 67 minutes, and five minutes later Aaron Gilbert had a low drive cleared off the line by the keeper?s outstretched foot after a good run through from midfield. Then disaster struck for Finch in the 75th minute, as what looked to be a justified offside appeal went unheeded by the referee, allowing David Butler to race through on goal and strike the ball somewhat fortuitously home on the rebound off Stuart Harris whilst under pressure from the chasing Kevin Prentice. Finch at last got their act together in the closing ten minutes to set up a frantic grand finale that saw the Holyport goal under almost constant siege. Mark Ramsey denied Bruce Rolls and Andy Knapp with terrific acrobatic saves in the 81st and 84th minutes as Finch piled on the pressure without reward. Two minutes later Bruce Rolls had two headers cleared off the line by defenders as he tried desperately to salvage some pride and get Finch back in the game, but it was all far too late, allowing the jubilant Holyport players to leave the field worthy 2-0 winners on the day.
It?s a busy week ahead for Finchampstead. On Tuesday night, the first team travel to Penn & Tylers Green for a top of the table Hellenic Football League Division One (East) fixture and the reserves entertain Headington Amateurs in a Reserve Division One fixture at Finchampstead Park, both with 6.00pm kick-offs. Then on Saturday, Finchampstead entertain Penn & Tylers Green in the return league match at Finchampstead Park (3.00pm)BR>
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