Post by Dave on Sept 24, 2022 7:56:51 GMT
Match Referee Sam Gill
Final Score Chudleigh Athletic 0 WBB 6
Match Preview
When I was a very young boy growing up in Newton Abbot, whenever I heard the word Chudleigh mentioned images of coach and horses would come into my head. Was that because of Chudleigh’s Highwayman Jack Witherington? Jack was the youngest of five brothers who were all hanged. He is said to have committed several hold-ups on the Chudleigh to Ashburton road. He was finally captured by the militia at Malmesbury after staging another robbery. He was hanged at Tyburn on 1st April 1691.
It was claimed to avoid capture he would hide in the chimney of Rowell's Farm which around 1957 was converted into the inn now know as the Highwayman’s Haunt.
Much later as a young teenager I dated a Chudleigh girl and she took me to the Chudleigh cave which back then you could go in before it finally was fenced off.
In the last three years of my working life I found myself in Chudleigh everyday delivering to a number of establishments, I made good friends with Sally at the Harvey’s Café (where I intend to pop into before the match) and the Highwayman’s Haunt along with a few others. My late wife and I did have one nightmare experience in Chudleigh once; you can read the story here.
davesworld.proboards.com/thread/62/rock-cave-waterfall-apologies
So onto today’s game and my first ever visit to the Chudleigh Sports Centre. I did cover a 1st team game on the 18th March 2017, a Dartmouth Cup semi-final away to Stoke Gabriel 2nd which they lost by two goals to nil.
Report On That Match
davesworld.proboards.com/thread/623/dartmouth-stoke-gabriel-2nds-chudleigh
I also covered another 1st team game way back on the 5th September 2015, an away game against Foxhole United which they lost by three goals to nil
Report On That Match
davesworld.proboards.com/thread/1001/fhsf-paignton-villa-chudleigh-2022
Chudleigh Athletic were founded in 1904, another local club with a very long history. Last season the 1st team finished forth in division one, but were moved up into the premier division for the 2022/2023 season.
Chudleigh lost their opening game of the new season away to East Allington United on the 3rd September by five goals to three. Last weekend they were in Devon cup action against Combe Martin FC and lost that match by three goals to two. So their manager will be hoping his team can record their first win and get their first points on the board.
Watts Blake Bearne were founded in 1965 and play at Abrook Park. I covered the first teams Herald Cup Quarter final game last season against Kingsteignton Athletic on the 19th Match which they lost by three goals to nil.
Report On That Match
davesworld.proboards.com/thread/995/hcqf-kingsteignton-19th-march-2022
What a start to the new season for WBB, beating last season’s premier champions Buckfastleigh Rangers at home on the 3rd September by three goals to nil.
WBB were also in Devon Cup action last weekend at home against Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police 1st who were relegated last season from the Peninsula League to the Devon league. At full time the score was one all, but WBB lost 5-4 on penalties.
Match Report
Very impressed with the Chudleigh Sports Centre, a good football and cricket pitch and even a top class bowls green. I could not have chosen a better place to watch what turned out to be a very good quality local football match. I will go as far to say I might have watched this seasons premier champions in action.
Chudleigh looked a good side and at the start of the match there was very little to choose between both teams. But as the game wore on WBB just kept changing up the gears especially in the second half of the match.
On a nice green pitch match referee Sam Gill who had such a great game in the middle, blew up for the start of the match. It was all much a very even affair to start of with, neither side were able to get any real control in the match.
The first half chance fell to Chudleigh’s Matthew Rushton, he took a shot from just inside the right hand side of the WBB box that went wide of the right hand post.
Spencer Taylor also had a good effort from outside the left hand side of the WBB box that only just went wide of the far right hand post.
At this point it was end to end and from the edge of the Chudleigh box, Cameron Gill who had a fantastic game, hit a powerful shot that got defected behind for a corner. The ball was fired into the box from the resulting corner and Sam Peardon rose well and got a good head on the ball, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.
Chudleigh’s Henry Buckpitt hit a good shot from the edge of the box that was well held by Jack Callum in goal for WBB. Samuel Stowell came close for WBB when out wide on the left hand side, hit a cross come shot that forced Niall Herbert to rise high and tip the ball over his crossbar.
Niall was then forced into a low diving save when Micheal Tapper hit a powerful low shot from 25 yards out. WBB changed gear and started passing the ball very well and they then took a much deserved lead. Samuel Stowell did some excellent work out on the right hand side and played a perfect ball to Beck Hannah who was in the Chudleigh box; Beck picked his spot and fired the ball into the back of the net.
Chudleigh’s Christian Williams fancied his chances from 25 yards out, but his shot flew over the crossbar. WBB were looking for that second goal, from a corner Mark Perring headed the ball onto the crossbar. From another corner soon afterwards Mark won another header that only just went over the bar.
Sam Gill blew up for the end of the first half, the WBB boys stayed out on the pitch while the Chudleigh boys headed back to the dressing room. WBB were only leading the match by the single goal, could Chudleigh step things up for the second half and get back onto level terms?
Sadly not and they soon found themselves even further behind. A ball into their box from the left hand side eventually fell to Beck Hannah and from a tight angle hit an unstoppable shot into the back of the net.
WBB were well on top and hungry for more goals, Gavin Weeks hit a wonder shot from out wide on the left hand side of the pitch that Niall Herbert did well to tip over the bar. WBB then forced the ball over the goal line close in, but the goal was ruled out for handball.
Micheal Tapper hit a shot just inside the Chudleigh box that only just cleared the crossbar. We did not have to wait to long for goal number three, Cameron Gill played a super ball for Benjamin Berrow to run onto with just the keeper to beat, he picked his spot and fired the ball home.
To Chudleigh’s credit they did not let their heads drop and kept fighting for every ball, but they failed to create any meaningful chances.
Cameron Gill was then played into the Chudleigh box for goal number four. Cameron Gill is such a strong player on the ball and he shrugged off a very strong challenge outside the left and side of the Chudleigh box, he marched into the box and fired a powerful low shot into the back of the net to make it five nil to WBB.Gavin Weeks added a six goal to complete the scoring for WBB.
One final effort for Chudleigh, a 20 yard effort by sub Sam Clarke that went over the crossbar. The final effort for WBB was a really neat turn and shot from the edge of the box by Gavin Weeks that also just cleared the crossbar. Sam Gill blew up for the end of a very enjoyable and entertaining match.
Many thanks to both team managers and the match referee for all your help with the team sheet. It greatly helps me as far as my reports go.
The WBB side today looked such a much better side than the one I watched against Kingsteignton last season. If they can keep playing the high standard they did today, they will win the league this season and claim the bragging rights in the town, I really hope they do.
As I walked away from the ground I thought about Brixham Town 2nd players who love me covering their games as they say they always win when I am there. I hope Chudleigh do not see me as some sort of bad omen as I have yet to see them win a game I have covered. They will get over today, plenty of good players in the side and a good manager who will turn things around.
