SDL Div 4 Paignton Villa 2nds Vs Ilsington Villa 16/5/2015

[Dave]

South Devon league Division Four



Paignton Villa 2nds Vs Ilsington Villa

Saturday 16th May 2015 Kick-Off 2.30pm

Venue Whiterock#1

Match Referee Barry Hayward

Final Score Paignton Villa 2nds 2 Ilsington Villa 3

After a rather dull start in the Bay weather wise,thankfully the sun finally decided to make an appearance. The football season is nearly over and I have enjoyed this one so very much. There are lots of games I would have liked to have covered but that has not always been possible as there are so many teams playing in South Devon and only one of me. I would like to thank all the people who have made me so welcome and very importantly all the local referees for all their help.

It matters not to me if I’m watching a game at the Heath, or a local park, it’s the game of football itself that I love and my only hope is the game at local level will remain alive and healthy.

I decided this morning to cover another game from division four of the South Devon League, maybe on paper not the most attractive looking fixture, but one I still hoped would be a good game to watch.

Both teams have had a very poor season and sit near the bottom of the table. Only Babbacombe Corinthians 2nd are keeping Ilsington Villa off the very bottom spot and Paignton Villa 2nds are only one place higher up the table than Ilsington Villa.

Before today’s match Paignton Villa 2nds had played twenty five games, winning just five of them, drawing four and losing sixteen. They had scored forty five goals but conceded seventy nine and had amassed nineteen points

Ilsington Villa had played twenty four games winning only four of them, drawing none at all and losing twenty of them. They only managed to find the back of the net thirty times and conceded a massive ninety goals in total, giving them a point’s total of just twelve.

This was Paignton Villa 2nds final game of the season and one I’m sure they expected to win; Ilsington Villa had this game to play with their last game taking place this coming Wednesday.

Barry kindly let me take a photo of the team sheet and I have kindly put up a photo I took of him in his dressing room to prove to everyone that referees really do need glasses. Only Joking Barry as he did not wear them during the match and missed nothing he should have in the match itself. He had a fine game and got every decision spot on.

Onto the game itself and for most of the first half there was only one team in it and that was Ilsington Villa. Their number ten Steven Chivers had the first strike on goal but he hooked his shot wide of the left hand post.

It did not take Ilsington Villa long to take the lead and a good through ball was pushed down the left hand side to their number nine Andrew Cooper. There were big shouts for offside but I could not tell if he was from my position. Alan Aughton in goal for Paignton came rushing out towards the edge of his box, but Andrew was able to send in a low shot that hit the back of the net.

The only goal action for Paignton was when Ryan Bull went on a run beating two players to get into the Ilsington Villa box, but he took his shot early and was unable to get any real power into it.

Ilsington Villa added to their lead and it was a bit of a strange goal really. Their sixteen year only defender Samuel Butler hit a long hopeful high ball forward that ended up not only bouncing over the head of his team mate but the Paignton goal keeper as well.

Paignton upped their work rate as the half wore on, but was not able to create a good chance that would narrow the gap. Barry blew up for halftime and Ilsington Villa were well deserving of their halftime lead.

The second half got underway with the wind this time in Paignton’s favour. It did not take them long to score their first goal of the match. Ryan Bull just inside the right hand side of the Ilsington Villa box, lobbed the ball over Michael Tapp the Ilsington Villa keeper.

Paignton were now looking the more determined team and with just nine minutes of the second half gone, they got back onto level terms. They won a free kick out on the left hand side that was fired into the box. There was a bit of a goal line scramble and the ball crossed the line. I’m not sure who got the final touch but looking at my pictures it might have been Connor Hunter.

At this stage of the match I thought there was only going to be one winner Paignton Villa, but some poor defending was to prove very costly for them. The ball in their box should have been dealt with and cleared away to safety, but it wasn’t and Steven Chivers was able to put his team back in front. Just before he did there was big shout for handball and after the goal was awarded a Paignton defender had his name taken and put into Mr Hayward’s book.

Steven Chivers came close to getting another goal for his side after a bad mistake by the Paignton keeper, but the keeper deserves much credit for blocking the final shot with his body.

Right at the death the Paignton sub wearing the number fifteen shirt was in on goal and tried to lift the ball over the keeper. But Michael Tapp was able to get up high enough the get finger tips onto the ball and behind for a corner.

Barry Hayward looked at his watch and blew the final whistle and that was that. Really enjoyed today’s game and some good football was played and what a beautiful afternoon it has been here on the English Rivera.