Lancing 4-2 OWFC 1s
Goals: Prichard, Hodnett
Not a good day. Consensus seemed to be throughout the first half that Lancing were one of the weakest sides we’d faced and were eminently beatable, as we went 1-0, 2-0 and 3-0 down. The first straight off a corner, the 2nd an admittedly very good headed goal, and the 3rd a soft unattended curled shot from around the edge of the area.
A Hodnett free-kick was turned in by a flying Dave Prichard just before half-time, giving us belief that we could get a result that reflected our abilities. In the 2nd half, we gathered confidence and a Hodnett long range shot pinged in off the post. 3-2 and with momentum, Lancing then re-established their two-goal lead at 4-2 after a freakish looping ball was misjudged. That killed the game and a result that was nowhere near good enough. We lie 8th out of 10 going into Christmas, knowing we can build on our 3 wins and do better in the new year.
OWs 2-2 Bancroft
Goals: Ollie Mitchell, Sam Cheetham
The 2s put together a truly gutsy and skilful performance to come from behind twice and get their first point for a long time in the league. Bancroft went ahead with a well worked goal but with some exceptional defending from our MoM Rich Cubitt in a newly found right back position the 2s started to get back into the game. Oli Mitchell showed his class at left wing beating a man before cutting in and finishing from close range
Sadly just before the break Bancroft struck back and at half time the 2s were down 2-1. Unperturbed there was an amazing show of belief amongst the team that not only could we equalise but we could win. The football got better and better and with roughly 20 minutes to go, a header in front of goal presented itself rather surprisingly to Captain Sam Cheetham. However, unsurprisingly he managed to put it over the bar.
We pressed on and with ten minutes to go after a passing display that originated all the way from the ever reliable Rollo Quinault in goal the ball was again cut back to Cheetham who this time did find the back of the net.
Sadly 2-2 was all that could be mustered but the 2s can be proud that a point has been won and was thoroughly deserved given the marked improvements all have been making. Big shout out must go to Gabriel Tiplady, John Wilson and stalwart Tom Vernon in the middle of the park, a calm Rob Selwyn and Harry Underwood at the back and tireless work from Tom Guest and even Al Wheal having to fill in at left back for a period of time!
Onwards and upwards - momentum is gathering... (P.S. sign up and play, this team is on the rise!)