First Team Match Reports

Hardwicke 3 - 1 Wotton Rovers

Saturday 29 October 2005

Gloucestershire County League

This was an important game for Wotton against a side just above them in the table where the points would be at a premium. The team approached this game in the right way and started the game in a determined fashion. The midfield, under the command of Owain Clement, took control from the start. It was not long before the visitors turned their pressure into a goal when Richard Buhagiar hit a sweet shot to beat the keeper from 20 yards. Wotton started to dominate and looked to be cruising until things started to go wrong. In the 40th minute, what appeared to be a cast-iron penalty was not given when Steve Nicholas was hacked down in the box. Even the home supporters expected the worse but it was not to be. A second goal at that stage would have sealed the game. To make matters worse, Hardwicke broke away and scored a lucky goal when a deflected shot by Hacker beat Craig Bond in the Wotton goal.

The second half continued much the same as the first and Wotton were not dismayed by their bad luck before the break. The defence looked sound under the strong marshalling of Allen Tatton and Marc Jenkins. Wotton created several more chances but were denied by some excellent saves by Gibson in the Hardwicke goal. On the 70th minute disaster struck when a through ball to Harris, clearly in an offside position, led to a goal for the home side. Both teams expected the whistle (even the linesman) but nothing happened - bad luck indeed! But still Wotton plugged away and kept their formation. In the final minute Madame Fate decided to cast her spell when another Hardwicke breakaway led to Leccacocui tapping in a third goal from 1 yard out, again standing in an offside position, but by this time Wotton did not expect any favour from the referee and the goal was given.

Despite the result, this was an excellent team performance and the players gave their all. The management are considering enlisting the power of the supernatural in this season of Halloween to help with team selection.

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Wotton Rovers 0 - 3 Yate Town Res

Saturday 5 November 2005

Gloucestershire County League

Wotton knew that they would be in for a tough game against Table-Topping Yate who were strengthened by a number of new signings from Western League Hallen. The home side had to call up a number of Reserve players due to injuries to key First team players. However, were taken aback by the grit and determination with which the young Wotton side approached the game. Despite their lack of experience at this level the Reserves took the game to Yate and had them rocking in the back foot. It would be unfair to single out individual players, because the whole team played well and with a great deal of spirit. However, the experience of the visitors started to tell land gradually they began to make their mark on the game. In the 43rd minute a fine move down the right led to a cross from which Justin Cattle scored with a fine volley. Wotton were not to be outdone as Simon Jackson caused the visitors all sort of trouble with his strong running. The sound half started with the visitors in determined fashion to extend their lead but they were thwarted by the resiliance of the Tomlin brothers, Hurcom and Tatton in defence and the outstanding performance of Craig Bond in goal. Jon Stokes was outstanding for Wotton along with Matt Cook and Tony Buckley. Wotton had a number of opportunities to draw level but in the last 10 minutes Yate sealed their win with a second goal from Cattle and a third from Justin Bishop. If Wotton continue to perform with this degree of grit and determination, they are surely bound to start the climb up the table. Finally, a mention for referee Steve Ticker, who controlled the game superbly.

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Yate Town Res 5 – 1 Wotton Rovers

Saturday 1 October 2005

Gloucestershire County League

Wotton travelled to Yate Town on Saturday to face the league leaders expecting a tough challenge. Although Wotton are languishing at the bottom of the League the home side must have been surprised at what the faced when Wotton took to the field. The visitors went straight at Yate and took the game to them with swift passing and probing down the wings. Using the favoured 4-5-1 formation Yate found the Wotton defence difficult to break down. It was not long before the first goal came when Rich Buhagiar crossed from the right for Rob Lyon to head home on the far post. Wotton more than held their own for the first 15 minutes but they were to experience a string of misfortunes that had a direct bearing on the outcome of the game. On the 15th minute they lost the services of Owain Clement who was holding the defence together. He had to retire due to a stomach bug. This did not weaken the side, as Wotton were able to bring Allen Tatton on in his place. Tatton had an excellent game and was a tower in defence but it might have been preferable to be able to use is strength up front. Shortly afterwards Yate scored their first goal when they won the ball in midfield and a cross field pass found Cattle in acres of space to score. This seem to give the home side more confidence and Bond, who had an excellent game, was forced to make a point blank save in the 24th minute. The pressure was mounting and Simon Graham made a goal line save in the 30th minute and 3 minutes later the Wotton defence failed to clear their lines to allow Brown to come from deep to smash the ball home. Although Wotton were trailing they were still very much in the game with Buhagiar ploughing a lone furrow up front supported by the strong running of Steve Nicholas. However, shortly before half-time fate struck again when Wotton’s most dangerous player, Richard Buhagiar, sustained a leg injury. Although he tried to continue, he had to leave the field shortly after the break. This was a serious blow to Wotton’s chancesThe second half started much as the first half, with Wotton making all of the running. However, as the game wore on Wotton started to wilt, as their lack of fitness was clear for all to see. Switching to a 4-4-2 formation, Wotton started to cause problems with the dogged persistence of Eldridge up front supported by the swift passing of Steve Nicholas. Nick Tomlin also came out of the game with credit for his hard tackling and good distribution of the ball. A corner 10 minutes into the second half led the third goal for Yate scored by Cattle and 10 minutes later he completed his hat trick when he scored again. Wotton continued to press and were unlucky not to get one back when a terrific blast by Paul Eldridge looked goal-bound until it was inadvertently ‘saved’ by Jim Stanulewicz. It was obviously not to be Wotton’s day! The final nail in the coffin came 5 minutes before the end when Metherington scored from the penalty spot.So this was not a performance to remember but Wotton proved that they could match the best in the League but only of their players stay fit and keep fit.

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Wotton Rovers 0 - 3 Oldland Abbotonians

Saturday 17 September 2005

GFA Trophy

Wotton welcomed the top side in the Somerset County League, Oldland Abbotonians, to Synwell on Saturday who had not lost a game all season. With Wotton going through a bit of sticky patch, Oldland started as the favourites. However, they were not prepared for a Wotton side in determined mood. Rovers started the game with confidence and went straight at Oldland pushing for a early goal and in the first 15 minutes Wotton had most of the possession playing some great pass and move football with Owain Clement and Jim Stanulewicz at the heart of midfield. However the deadlock was broken on 20 minutes when a fine move down the right lead to a cleverly worked move in which the visitors opened their account with a close range shot from John Mayo. However, Wotton were not to be deterred as they hit back with a furious barrage of shots and were very unlucky not to equalise before the break.

In the second half Wotton again started the strongest but were unable to capitalise on their chances. Pete Jagger worked tirelessly and Rob Lyon gave his all. At the back, Nick Tomlin, Marc Jenkins and Simon Graham had control over the visitor’s strike force. However, in the last 10 minutes the visitors grabbed two quick goals from Williams and Huxley to be rewarded with a flattering scoreline.

Despite the defeat, there were optimistic signs for the future and it will not be long before the side gets back to their winning ways.

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