Premier Division
Pegasus Juniors 1 Bishops Cleeve 2
Monday, 30 August 2004
Pegasus Juniors put in an impressive display in the GLS Football Hellenic League Premier Division fixture against the title favourites but, for all their endeavours they were unable to make a dent in the Gloucestershire teams one hundred per cent record.
Robbie Aldridge was available for his first game of the season; this allowed Junior's manager Chris Hyde to make several changes mainly positional, Aldridge became the fifth player to fill a central defence position in four games.
Playing against the wind it was the home side that looked most likely to break the deadlock, in the 14th minute a free kick from Fergie Harrison saw Cleeve keeper Jon Skeen clear weakly to Leigh Harris, his goal bound shot was deflected for a corner. Two minutes later following another free kick the same player sent a shot crashing into the side netting. Jamie Cuss shot wide after some neat approach play from the home side. Twenty-four minutes elapsed before the visitors, despite plenty of possession, had a shot on target but Scott Hodgetts was well placed to deal with a vicious Billy Davis shot. On the half hour Neal Hotchkiss gained possession in his own half and ran with the ball to near the edge of the visitor's penalty box before unleashing a shot that Skeen saved at the second attempt. After a thoroughly entertaining first period where last seasons third placed team had the greater share of possession neither side was able to make any impression to the score sheet.>
Half Time: 0-0
After the interval Bishop's Cleeve were more physical, determined and took the game to the home side but, were unable to force Hodgetts into action. Bishop's Cleeve took the lead on the hour when referee David Commander harshly penalised Rob Laurie for a tackle inside the penalty area, Kevin Slack hit the back of the net from the penalty spot. Two minutes later the match official had the opportunity to address the balance when a similar tackle at the other end went unpunished. Two minutes later Andy Keveren scored with a speculative shot from thirty yards, the ball dipped in front of Hodgetts and bounced over his outstretched hand. The home side were not going to be denied as they took the game to the opposition with Harris again forcing Skeen into action to make a block from a far post header following a corner kick. On sixty nine minutes Pegasus scored a goal their play deserved when they were awarded a free kick inside their own half, Aldridge drove the ball beyond the visiting defence, Cuss anticipating the situation cleverly lobbed the ball high over the head of the advancing Skeen into the empty net to score his first senior goal for the club. The visitors became anxious as the young Hereford side dominated possession with Harris again being denied by Skeen; however, they were unable to add to the score line their play and determination richly deserved.
Chris Hyde was pleased with the performance of all his players with Aldridge, David Hart a recent signing from Bristol City and Ritchie Thomas returning from around the world travel all catching the eye, if all of his players make themselves available this young side will soon start climbing the league table.
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