Premier Division
Hollands & Blair 2 Bearsted 1
Saturday, 15 September 2007
Unlike previous weeks Bearsted can feel unlucky not to have come away with a result after such a spirited performance from start to finish. Indeed they might have gone ahead after just 5 minutes when Russell Mcleash was allowed to run on clear at goal only to fire his effort directly at Lewis Flisher. Flisher was again brought into action soon after turning away an angled cross- shot from Stuart West from 12 yards. Hollands & Blair also came close midway through the half when a left wing free kick by Mark Chapman found Cliff Eldridge unmarked pulling out a great save from Phil Lewis turning his shot around the post. Lewis was immediately called back into action turning over a fierce volley by Dan Poet from the resulting corner. However, despite several attacks mounted by the away side Blair’s defence stayed resolute and as is often is the case, if you don’t put your chances away you might be made to pay. That is exactly what happened just before half time when a defensive mix-up allowed Lee Preston in to round keeper Lewis to score into an empty net. Things could have been worse immediately after when full back Ryan Plummer was allowed to run on before seeing his shot tipped over once more by Lewis.
The equaliser should have arrived soon after the break when a right wing from Seb Brimsted found Gavin Vennamore only for him to head into the grateful arms of Flisher instead of finding the back of the net. Bearsted’s approach during this half was to try to exploit their opponents who had to defend into the sun, by using the direct tactic to try to get in on goal. Although this was proving effective it was the home side that were to further extend their lead. This came after 60 minutes when Darren Blackburn turned Alan Swift to send over a deep cross to the far post for Eldridge to run in and score from 6 yards. With the game now looking out of sight, the Bears did not lie down and their reward came five minutes later when a long Alan Budden throw was allowed to bounce up and allow West to head into the top corner from 5 yards. As the game wore on chances fell at both ends notably when Eldridge once more came close with his opponents forward looking for an equaliser. Sadly for Bearsted this did not arrive and leaves them positioned at the wrong end of the table. However on this form it can only signal a positive reaction, one of which Hollands & Blair would not argue with?
Team:
P.Lewis, A.Budden, (R.Haywar),G.Andrews, R.Stevens, A.Collings, (A.Swift), G.Vennamore, D.Channey, (G.East), S.Brimstead, R.Mcleash,
S.West, L.Radford.
Subs: D.Dayal
|
|