Post by Dave on May 27, 2023 9:39:18 GMT
Match Referee Martin Williams
Final Score Brixham Town 5 Watcombe Wanderers 2
Match preview
It was only five weeks ago when I last covered a game at Furzeham Green, the Lidstone Cup semi-final between Brixham Town and Watcombe Wanderers. I felt that day that the Watcombe team I knew had not turned up. That is not to take anything away from the way Town played; they matched physically the greens all over the pitch and on the balance of play fully deserved their win.
Report on that game
davesworld.proboards.com/thread/1089/brixham-town-watcombe-wanderers-april
Town went on to win the cup final against Newton Abbot Spurs 3rd by three goals to two, who thumped them seven goals to nil just two days later in a league fixture. Town did bounce back well last weekend beating Totnes & Dartington at home by three goals to two. A great result against the team that will finish as the runners up in division two this season.
As I write I fear all is not well at Brixham Town, I firmly believe there has been fallout between certain people within the club and as a direct result Town have folded their second team. The club statement put out by the club seems to contain some misinformation possibly that has only added to the confusion which does not help. When covering games I talk with both players and managers and was aware of certain issues that were upsetting some within the club.
I hope there is no lasting damage to the club as since it reformed it has made so much progress both on and off the pitch. The first team will have to be content with finishing third in the league table this season, but at least won some silverware again.
Watcombe come into the game knowing they are this seasons division two champions and they have done that in style. Unfortunately their hopes of maintaining their 100% unbeaten record this season came to an end this week. They were beaten by Totnes & Dartington away by three goals to one. Interestingly Brixham Town were at home last weekend against Totnes & Dartington and won the game by three goals to two.
The teams met in the league on the 28th January at Long Lane and Watcombe won the game by four goals to nil. Both team managers will want to end the season with a win in the final game, but it may well come down to what players they have available.
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Match Report
Unable to park close to the Green I finally found a space to park my car some distant away. It did not matter on such a lovely sunny afternoon. As I walked to the pitch some of this season’s memories came flooding back. Did I really sit in the hedge at Whiterock on a Sunday afternoon to cover the Villa Ladies match that took place during a monsoon? Did I really nearly freeze to death at the Windmill Hill Ground covering a Waldon 2nd game in the bitterest of conditions?
The answer to both questions is yes, some might think I am mad, but let me tell you I just love the game of football. It has been a joy for me this season but like most things it has had to come to an end. But I do have one more special game to cover next Sunday so stay tuned for that one.
It was good to see some of my Paignton Villa friends at the game today and as always it was good to see again both team managers and all the lads who took part in today’s match. It was also nice to see match referee Martin Williams who I have not seen for a good number of years.
Both Watcombe Wanderers and Totnes & Dartington fully deserve their promotions this season, but it is a shame Brixham Town are unable to join them as they are more than good enough to play in a higher league. To beat the league champions twice in the space of five weeks is no mean feat and they did so in style today.
The referee got the game and underway and Brixham started the better of the two teams, but soon found themselves a goal behind. Big questions need to be asked about their defending from set pieces. Watcombe had won a corner and the ball was fired towards the near post. Sam Pyne was there completely unmarked and hit a first time shot into the back of the net.
The Greens Charlie Uniacke hit a good shot from the edge of the box at the Town box that only just went wide of the left hand post. Up the other end and from just inside the Greens box, Jack Turack got a shot away that flew high over the crossbar. The ball was long gone and the other two match balls Town had before the start of the game had gone missing. So a perfect opportunity for a well deserved drinks break for both sets of players.
A ball was finally found and the game got back underway, Town’s George Meredith hooked a shot at goal from just inside the box that only just went wide of the left hand post. He appeared to have been caught when the ball left his boot and went down in a heap, but nothing was given.
Town finally got back onto level terms Points who seemed to be falling, got a shot away from just inside the box. Oscar Way in goal for the Greens got a hand on the ball close to his left hand post, but could not keep it out.
Oscar Way then pulled off a great save pushing the ball over his crossbar, but there was nothing he could do about the wonder strike by Jack Thompson. At least 20 yards out Jack hit the ball so sweetly and powerfully and it was a goal worthy of winning any match on its own. One that would be played over and over again on match of the day.
Town were unable to hold onto their lead for very long and gave a free kick away just outside of their box. The wall was lined up but it made no difference as Jamie Carter hit a beautiful shot into the back of the net.
That was it for the first half and on the balance of play the score was just about right, I felt the game could still go either way.
The first real chance of the second half fell to Greens Liam Strong, a long ball played him into the Town box and he hit a low shot that only just went wide of the right hand post.
But it was Town who went back in front and it was their man of the match Jack Thompson they have to thank. What a player this young man is and he must be one of the first names the manager enters on the team sheet. Jack was so determined to hold onto the ball on the edge of the Greens box and got his reward when he finally got a low shot away that beat the keeper.
Greens Jamie Macintyre was shown a yellow card for a not so nice looking challenge, some were shouting for a red card, but in my opinion it was only worthy of a yellow card.
Greens Oli Pyne hit a decent enough shot from about 20 yards out, but Towns keeper Cam Atkinson was well placed and made the catch look easy.
Town then extended their lead in the match when Paul Christie was hacked down in the Greens box. Paul took the kick himself and while Oscar Way dived the right way, the ball was too well placed for him to make the save.
Towns Ricco Moranzoni who had a good game, took a shot from just inside the Greens box that only just cleared the crossbar. Greens Liam Strong got a shot away that ended up being blocked on the line. Liam also got another good shot away from the edge of the box that the keeper did well to beat away.
Paul Christie put the icing on the cake for his side when he scored goal number five for Town. He got on the end of a defence splitting pass and once in on goal picked his spot and coolly slotted the ball home. Jack then forced another great save from Oscar Way who tipped the shot over his crossbar.
A very enjoyable game to watch, on the balance of play and chances created Brixham Town deserved their win. Lets hope they will be able to play at their JC Park ground next season, they will surely start next season as the favourites to win division two.
Many thanks to both team managers to day for your help with the team sheets and the warm welcome; I look forward to cover both teams again next season.
