VWFC v Brackley Town Saints
14/08/2018 Virginia Water 0-2 Brackley Town Saints
Hellenic Premier Division
Report by Ceri Jones
A disappointed Waters team
Virginia Water suffered their first league loss to an excellent Brackley Town Saints team, who deserved their win on the night.
In an even first half, the difference was the visitors took one of their chances well – Alex Stott giving Brackley the lead, whilst Waters failed to take any of theirs. Waters defended well, with Josh Hill, Finn Evered, Adam Mills and Louis Sanders strong at the back, with Matt Jones comfortable in goal.
Not for the first time this season, Waters didn’t capitalise on chances at this level, with Josh Guichard, Adam McNamara and Harvey Griffiths all going close with Brackley’s goalkeeper making one terrific save to deny Guichard at point blank range.
The second half was dominated by the visitors, with Waters not quite matching their better fitness and experience.
As a match, it was turned on its head in the 55th minute, when McNamara put Guichard through on goal. Guichard then appeared to do the hard work, having rounded the goalkeeper, but uncharacteristically, dragged his shot wide of an open goal. From the resulting goal kick, Brackley were able to get in behind Waters’ defence and work the ball to Ryan Knight, who hit home a half volley to put the game beyond the home team.
Both sides kept battling, albeit with Waters chasing and getting exposed on occasions, Jones saving well to prevent them from conceding further. At the other end, Waters had more half chances, but did not recover from going 2-0 down when it should have been 1-1 with the home team having the better of play at the time of Guichard’s miss.
But that isn’t to take anything away from Brackley, Waters manager Ceri Jones was disappointed, but gracious in defeat, “I thought they were excellent and will be a real force this season – we wish them well. As for us, we are getting there, but nothing a bit of confidence in front of goal and 3 points wouldn’t change.”
Line Up:
Matt Jones
Josh Hill
Finn Evered
Adam Mills
Louis Sanders
Liam Whyte
Steve WIlliams
Harvey Griffiths
Josh Guichard
Lorenzo Di Felice
Adam McNamara
Subs:
Sam Devoil
Dominic Clarke
Jake Baker
Scott Jackson
Richard Bond