Post by Dave on Aug 23, 2014 18:52:20 GMT
CSWPL Div 1 East/ Galmpton Utd V Exeter Uni 23/ 08/2014
Final Score Galmpton United 1 Exeter University 1
Last Saturday I went and watched an unbeaten Brixham AFC get well beaten by Liverton, but surely it was not my presence at the match that brought Brixham any bad luck? With Galmpton making such a fine start to this season and also being unbeaten so far, did I really want to go and watch them play today? Just how would I feel if they lost?
The good news is they did not get beaten and in my opinion a draw was the right result for both teams. I arrived at the ground very early and was impressed with the way the Galmpton players were warming up. It was clear to see they are a close set of players who all get on very well with each other. The pitch looked fine but really needs some much needed rain on it as it is looking rather parched and yellow in places.
The Exeter Uni side was made up of very young players and as is so often the case with uni sides, contained a number of very skillful standout players. Almost from the off they came very close to taking an early lead after a fine lofted lob by their number eight Jess Wilson. It was a good job Galmpton’s keeper Matt Cougdon was very alert as he was forced into making a fine save pushing the ball over his crossbar.
Exeter looked neater and tidier on the ball and their build up play was often first class, but they failed to create that many goal scoring opportunities in the first half. Credit needs to be given to the Galmpton defence who dealt with most of the threats from the Exeter forwards.
Galmpton came very close themselves to opening up the scoring after a fine shot from the right hand side of the box by Alex Bayliss. He did everything right by hitting his shot low and hard across the Exeter keeper Tim Salinger, but Tim got down well and made a full length diving save.
Up the other end and Exeter’s number eleven Peter Beadle showed some good control and neat footwork on the edge of the Galmpton box to create enough space to get a good effort on goal. Sadly for him his shot narrowly went over the Galmpton crossbar. Shortly after that Exeter’s number six Luke Roper hit a fine shot from the edge of the box that was well saved by Matt Congdon
Galmpton should have gone in at halftime one nil up after Liam Jones found himself in the Exeter box with just the keeper to beat. The keeper rushed out and Liam did well to take the ball around him but as a result ended up rather wide of the target. The angle now was much tighter and while Liam got the angle right, he was unable to get that much power into his shot. Just as the ball looked to be going over the goal line it was cleared by an Exeter defender.
The temple of the second half was much faster than the first half and both teams now looked more evenly matched and it was just the case of which team was going to score first. Exeter’s came close to getting that first goal when he burst into the left hand side of the Galmpton box. He forced another fine save from Matt Congdon and from the resulting corner found the ball at his feet at the far post, but he could only managed to scope the ball over the bar.
Exeter then took the lead following a cross into the box from the right hand side. Luke Roper seemed in acres of space close to the penalty spot and had to stoop to get his head onto the ball. It bounced once before it hit the back of the net. Josh Higgins for Exeter also came close to scoring for his side but once again he was unable to beat the in form Matt Congdon in the Galmpton goal.
Galmpton worked hard looking to get back on level times and did not have to wait too long. Mark Newbould was just inside the Exeter box and was being closed down fast by the Exeter keeper. Mark managed to flick the ball up and over the keepers head and the ball dropped in behind the keeper. Alex Bayliss ran into the space and tapped the ball home into the empty net.
A good enjoyable game to watch and played the way you want to see a game of football played. I can see Galmpton doing very well this season and good luck to them as they are another fine local club to be proud of.
