For the first Saturday this year, the sun was out and it was even reasonably warm. Perfect weather for a drive through the Cotswolds. Even more so when the destination was a crunch top of the table clash between Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One leaders Whaddon United and third placed Dursley Town. Having seen Dursley win impressively at Bibury a few weeks ago (Dursley Are No Muggles), this would be my first time watching Whaddon.
At the start of play Whaddon held a six point lead over both Longlevens Reserves, in second, and Dursley, in third. However, Dursley had two games in hand and unbeaten Longlevens a massive four games in hand. Whaddon, however, were yet to lose at home and had a very impressive defensive record, conceding just three goals in ten games at Whaddon Rec. With Longlevens still to visit Cheltenham and a final day return match at Dursley to come, this game was certainly a six-pointer.
Many thanks to referee Adie Shilston, who I spotted enjoying a bit of pre-match sun, for sharing the team sheets with me before the game.
At the start of play Whaddon held a six point lead over both Longlevens Reserves, in second, and Dursley, in third. However, Dursley had two games in hand and unbeaten Longlevens a massive four games in hand. Whaddon, however, were yet to lose at home and had a very impressive defensive record, conceding just three goals in ten games at Whaddon Rec. With Longlevens still to visit Cheltenham and a final day return match at Dursley to come, this game was certainly a six-pointer.
Many thanks to referee Adie Shilston, who I spotted enjoying a bit of pre-match sun, for sharing the team sheets with me before the game.
Brunsdon pokes home the opener The game started at a frenetic pace with both sides trying to establish some early superiority. However, neither goalkeeper had to make any saves in the opening encounters. Whaddon did, however, begin to gain the upper edge in terms of possession. Jordan Mitchell planted an eighth minute header wide of the mark and, a few minutes later, George Callinan did the same. Just before the quarter-hour mark a Will Arkell free-kick from practically the halfway line, was allowed to bounce in the Dursley area, forcing Jordan Schofield to back-peddle and palm the ball over the bar. Zack Hodges then hit the target for United, but it was straight at Schofield. The visiting keeper did do well on 18 minutes when a bit of pinball saw the ball fall to Mitchell, but the Dursley stopper readjusted well to make the save.
Whaddon were ramping up the pressure on the visitors who responded with a long-range Logan Weyman strike, that flew well wide of James Mitten's goal. A minute later, however, Dursley took the lead against the run of play. Whaddon conceded a needless free-kick wide on the left and, when the ball was delivered, it wasn't cleared and Luke Brunsdon was there to poke home. 0-1
The goal changed the complexion of the game. Where Whaddon had been dominating the ball, they were now finding Dursley had an extra spring in their step, although they did not unduly bother Mitten until the 34th minute. Once again the problem for the home side came from a free-kick on the left, this time a little further out, but still wide on the left. Dursley captain Joe Gray stepped up, sending the ball arcing over Mitten into the keeper's top left corner. A great strike if it was meant. Was it a cross, or did Gray go for it? 0-2
HT Whaddon United 0 Dursley Town 2. Whilst Whaddon had initially dominated the game, they were clearly rocked by the opening goal. Dursley came back into the game and play was fairly even from then onwards. The second goal was an added bonus for the visitors.
Whaddon were ramping up the pressure on the visitors who responded with a long-range Logan Weyman strike, that flew well wide of James Mitten's goal. A minute later, however, Dursley took the lead against the run of play. Whaddon conceded a needless free-kick wide on the left and, when the ball was delivered, it wasn't cleared and Luke Brunsdon was there to poke home. 0-1
The goal changed the complexion of the game. Where Whaddon had been dominating the ball, they were now finding Dursley had an extra spring in their step, although they did not unduly bother Mitten until the 34th minute. Once again the problem for the home side came from a free-kick on the left, this time a little further out, but still wide on the left. Dursley captain Joe Gray stepped up, sending the ball arcing over Mitten into the keeper's top left corner. A great strike if it was meant. Was it a cross, or did Gray go for it? 0-2
HT Whaddon United 0 Dursley Town 2. Whilst Whaddon had initially dominated the game, they were clearly rocked by the opening goal. Dursley came back into the game and play was fairly even from then onwards. The second goal was an added bonus for the visitors.
Whaddon pressing Whilst Whaddon came out with a renewed sense of purpose in the second half, they did little to trouble Schofield until past the hour mark and, even then, the main problem for the Dursley keeper was a miscued clearance from Alfie Mann that had the keeper back-peddling to see it just clear the crossbar. From the resulting corner Connor Barrowcliffe, arriving at the back post, smacked his header off the upright.
Panic over, and Schofield was again not troubled for some time. A Jed Payton long throw caused a small problem, but was headed out for a corner. It looked as if Dursley were going to hold on for a precious three points. However, no-one had any idea of what was to come.
82 minutes were on the clock when the home side finally got one back. It was created by some great work on the right by Tyler White, battling his way through a couple of challenges before sending over a ball to the far post, where substitute Jesse James met it with a stooping header. 1-2
Dursley had little time to steady themselves before the hosts were level. Just a minute after their first goal another ball in form the right was not cleared properly. Jordan Mitchell swung at it, his shot hitting a defender and looping over Schofield into the net. 2-2
Whaddon were throwing everything at Dursley now, but it looked as if they would need to settle for a point when Jordan Mitchell's acrobatic effort flew wide in the 89th minute. However, a minute into added time Mitchell was on hand again as the ball was flashed across the face of goal for the Whaddon striker to prod it home. 3-2. What a turnaround!
Dursley were rocked but did try to respond. The referee indicated that there was still 7 minutes left to play, which gave the visitors some hope. That was finally fully extinguished in the final minute of added time when Whaddon broke on the right again and, when the ball was played across the face of goal, there was Jessie James to slot home his second. 4-2
FT Whaddon United 4 Dursley Town 2. What a comeback from the league leaders. Maybe Dursley should have seen it coming? After all, when Whaddon brought on Jesse James, shots were bound to be fired. The result sees Whaddon retain their six point gap over Longlevens Reserves, even though they have played four additional games than the second placed team. Dursley drop to fourth after English Bicknor won 4-1 at Tredworth Tigers.
Next week Dursley are at home to Longlevens in a make are break six-pointer. Whaddon will be hoping that today's opponents can do them a favour next week, as they travel to Lydney Town Reserves.
A note about today's attendance. I didn't make a headcount but I can say that there was a very healthy number of supporters around the pitch, from both camps. Certainly more than you would expect to see at a Step 8 game.
Whaddon United: 1. Mitten, 2.White, 13.Arkell, 15.G.Callinan, 3.Barrowcliffe, 10.Hodges, 5.T.Callinan, 6.Payton, 11.Mitchell, 8.Alderman(c), 9.Denman. Subs: 14.Harrison, 19.James, 16.Burrows, 12.Oxley
Dursley Town: 1.Schofield, 2.Billings, 5.Barclay, 6.Monday, 3.Deakin, 4.Fowler, 8.Gray(c), 7.Weyman, 18.Brunsdon, 10.Herbert, 9.Mann. Subs: 11.Martins, 12.Clark, 14.Gosling, 15.Dolbear, 16.Harper
Panic over, and Schofield was again not troubled for some time. A Jed Payton long throw caused a small problem, but was headed out for a corner. It looked as if Dursley were going to hold on for a precious three points. However, no-one had any idea of what was to come.
82 minutes were on the clock when the home side finally got one back. It was created by some great work on the right by Tyler White, battling his way through a couple of challenges before sending over a ball to the far post, where substitute Jesse James met it with a stooping header. 1-2
Dursley had little time to steady themselves before the hosts were level. Just a minute after their first goal another ball in form the right was not cleared properly. Jordan Mitchell swung at it, his shot hitting a defender and looping over Schofield into the net. 2-2
Whaddon were throwing everything at Dursley now, but it looked as if they would need to settle for a point when Jordan Mitchell's acrobatic effort flew wide in the 89th minute. However, a minute into added time Mitchell was on hand again as the ball was flashed across the face of goal for the Whaddon striker to prod it home. 3-2. What a turnaround!
Dursley were rocked but did try to respond. The referee indicated that there was still 7 minutes left to play, which gave the visitors some hope. That was finally fully extinguished in the final minute of added time when Whaddon broke on the right again and, when the ball was played across the face of goal, there was Jessie James to slot home his second. 4-2
FT Whaddon United 4 Dursley Town 2. What a comeback from the league leaders. Maybe Dursley should have seen it coming? After all, when Whaddon brought on Jesse James, shots were bound to be fired. The result sees Whaddon retain their six point gap over Longlevens Reserves, even though they have played four additional games than the second placed team. Dursley drop to fourth after English Bicknor won 4-1 at Tredworth Tigers.
Next week Dursley are at home to Longlevens in a make are break six-pointer. Whaddon will be hoping that today's opponents can do them a favour next week, as they travel to Lydney Town Reserves.
A note about today's attendance. I didn't make a headcount but I can say that there was a very healthy number of supporters around the pitch, from both camps. Certainly more than you would expect to see at a Step 8 game.
Whaddon United: 1. Mitten, 2.White, 13.Arkell, 15.G.Callinan, 3.Barrowcliffe, 10.Hodges, 5.T.Callinan, 6.Payton, 11.Mitchell, 8.Alderman(c), 9.Denman. Subs: 14.Harrison, 19.James, 16.Burrows, 12.Oxley
Dursley Town: 1.Schofield, 2.Billings, 5.Barclay, 6.Monday, 3.Deakin, 4.Fowler, 8.Gray(c), 7.Weyman, 18.Brunsdon, 10.Herbert, 9.Mann. Subs: 11.Martins, 12.Clark, 14.Gosling, 15.Dolbear, 16.Harper
Whaddon Recreation Ground
The Ground
Whaddon Recreation Ground is literally opposite Cheltenham Town FC. There's no car park at the ground, but you can park alongside the pitch on Whaddon Road. Having said that, if Cheltenham were at home there would be parking restrictions in place. There are on-street parking places dotted around the ground, but you need to be aware of any permit restrictions. You could also park at the Parklands Community Centre, which is a few minutes walk away, although there is, I believe, a charge for parking.
There's not too much to say about the ground itself. It's a community recreation ground. There's a changing pavilion next to the children's playground, but no other features to speak of. No spectator cover, although there are a number of benches on the Whaddon Road side that offer a good view of the pitch, if you wish to sit whilst watching the game. The playing surface looked to be pretty much flat and in reasonably good condition.
Ground Number: 480
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
Whaddon Recreation Ground is literally opposite Cheltenham Town FC. There's no car park at the ground, but you can park alongside the pitch on Whaddon Road. Having said that, if Cheltenham were at home there would be parking restrictions in place. There are on-street parking places dotted around the ground, but you need to be aware of any permit restrictions. You could also park at the Parklands Community Centre, which is a few minutes walk away, although there is, I believe, a charge for parking.
There's not too much to say about the ground itself. It's a community recreation ground. There's a changing pavilion next to the children's playground, but no other features to speak of. No spectator cover, although there are a number of benches on the Whaddon Road side that offer a good view of the pitch, if you wish to sit whilst watching the game. The playing surface looked to be pretty much flat and in reasonably good condition.
Ground Number: 480
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
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