After 6 weeks of no matches due to the poor weather it was a tough ask to get a result against the League Leaders Chisledon FC and especially as the match was played on the 3G pitch at Kingsdown school as the Chiseldon pitch was unplayable. As such, the pitch and strong cross winds played a key part in the defeat as Ramsbury were outplayed and outpaced in the first half as they struggled to match the opposition speed and ruthless finishing.
Ramsbury put out a strong squad with Fred in goal and a back 3 of Dan O, Chris (C) and Leigh with Max and Harry as wing backs. In the middle was Zac, Will and Stoner with Macca and Sam up front. Subs were Arun, Pricey and Dan S. However, the lack of matches (and training) for some, combined with a very fast flat pitch, did catch Ramsbury cold and within 25 minutes they found themselves down 4-0! It could have been more if not for some vital blocks by Dan O and Leigh and some superb midfield interceptions by Will as the Chiseldon forwards showed rapid pace and a clinical eye for goal.
However, it was not all one-way traffic as Ramsbury in possession looked good and played some great football with Zac and Stoner linking up well with Max and Harry and the two forwards and creating a couple of excellent chances. But we were not clinical enough and did not do enough in the final third to get on the score sheet. Instead, Chiseldon continued to use the width and pace of the pitch really well and eventually scored 2 more to make it 6-0. It was a chastening half of football for Ramsbury and made worse by Harry catching an elbow to his eye at the end of the half and needing to go to hospital for some sutures and glue! Needless to say no booking was given by the ineffective ref who genuinely should have gone to spec savers!!!!!
The second half was completely different as Ramsbury did not fold and instead took the game to Chiseldon and pegged them back for large spells of the match. Dan S slotted in neatly for Harry and Max on the other wing terrorised the opposition right back with Zac, Will and Stoner dominating the midfield. The pressure finally told as Zac popped a neat ball forward and a shot by Max (or Macca?) spun over the opposition defence and Sam was there to slot in a deserved goal. Pricey came on for Stoner and gave the opposition the usual ….hello boys its Pricey time…..and this was complimented by birthday boy Chris who having had enough of the opposition no9 made a tackle straight out of the WWE smackdown hall of fame……and was promptly given a non-argued Yellow card!!! Arun came on for Macca who had a frustrating afternoon but could not have run any more than he did; and the final 20 minutes saw more Ramsbury domination but no goal. The opposition did grab another goal as their two subs combined well on the break and caught the Ramsbury defence out to slot their final goal past Fred. This was a shame as just before this Fred had made a couple of fine saves and one a top draw finger tip save over the bar.
However, Chiseldon aren’t top of the league for nothing and if we could learn anything from todays game it is a need to have more patience at the start of games and to be more ruthless when we get into the final third. What was hugely encouraging was the team not folding and instead showing genuine resilience and a strong second half of quality football against a top side. The match ended 7-1 with Max and Will contenders for man of the match and birthday boy Chris awarded the shirt of shame for the smackdown special and yellow card!!!
North Swindon away next week and lets get a strong squad out for both training on Tuesday and the match on Saturday. This next match is without doubt one we need to win.
Cheers
Jon
