Somerset F.A. - Junior Cup
Round 4
Odd Down Juniors 2 Coleford Athletic 4
Saturday, 14 January 2006
Junior Cup holders Odd Down Juniors are out of this years competition, beaten at home by Coleford Athletic in a pulsating game that wasn't decided until the very last kick of the match. The first 15 minutes was a cagey affair with the odd break but nothing to trouble either keeper. As the pace increased a Dan Welch effort rebounded from the post just out of the reach of the onrushing Charlie Walton. Lance Cray broke free for a one on one but was blown up for......well nobody seemed to know. Welch then hit a curler from the edge of the box from a Cray pass to give Coleford the lead after 23 minutes. Walton was wide when well placed but Odd Down hit back, a header that crept just wide before Lee Burns should have equalised, his weak shot that keeper Laurie Bigden saved with his feet. The home keeper brilliantly saved from Cray, and brother Adam should have scored but skyed over from close range, Coleford easily deseved their one goal half time lead.
Odd Down came roaring back equalising in the halves opening seconds, Johnny Clarke easily chipping Bigden who was far to slow to react. Coleford took a while to regain their composure as the home team pressed forward. Lance Cray was then again denied from another brilliant Bernie Cross save. Further chances came and went at both ends, Clarke again close for Odd Down and Tony Burton had a great chance but his first touch was at the best mediocre. Burton soon made amends heading home a cross from Adam Cray after another Coleford surge on the break.
The game should have been over after 70 minutes, a 30 yard John Billing free kick screamed into the top corner, but once again the home team struck back, Jason New making the score 3-2. Bigden made up for his earlier mistake preventing New from equalising with a smart save at the near post. The final 15 minutes belonged to Odd Down but Coleford's defence superbly marshalled by Marc Chalk held firm, and with the last kick of the match Welch bagged his second the game at last safe at 4-2.
Man of the match was Marc Chalk.
All players meet at 1pm on Saturday for a 2pm kick off at Stoke.
COLIN SHOTTER.
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