VWFC vs Sandhurst Town
20/02/2018 Virginia Water 0-3 Sandhurst Town
Hellenic Division One East
Report by Ceri Jones
Virginia Water lost for the first time at home this season to an in form Sandhurst Town team, who thoroughly deserved their win. The visitors were by far the more determined, physical and first to every ball, displaying a desire that should push them close to promotion at season’s end.
The match itself, in front of a bumper crowd, was a very fiery encounter that at times came close to getting out of hand, with few clear-cut chances. Rather unusually all of the goals were own goals and all from set piece plays.
It was evident the home side were very rusty, this match was only their second league game in a staggering nine weeks – and it showed!
Waters only had notable shots on goal by Josh Hill, Adam McNamara, Steve Williams, Dan Whatford and Josh Guichard, but none of them tested or troubled the Sandhurst goalkeeper. The visitors, other than the goals, had a few more shots on target, all of which Matt Jones saved.
Sandhurst went ahead on 30 minutes when, from a corner, two Waters players hesitated in defence, and the ball deflected in off the back of the unfortunate Dan Whatford. On the stroke of half time, an over hit free kick deflected off one of the home defenders past Jones in goal, and despite Marc Lansdowne recovering off the line, the linesman felt (from some distance away) that the ball had crossed it – VAR would have helped!
The game ended as a contest early in the second half when, from another corner, Sandhurst’s striker glanced a header that appeared to be going wide, but deflected in off Jones for the third goal. Waters were soon reduced to ten men, which made their task even more difficult. Jake Baker was harshly shown a red card after a coming together with a Sandhurst defender. The officials felt he used his head, although bizarrely no action was taken against the other party.
Waters huffed and puffed from then on and had an effort cleared off the line, but sadly got what they deserved from the game – nothing. Manager Ceri Jones will be hoping for a reaction on Saturday with another tough match away at Wallingford Town.
Team:
Matt Jones
Adam Mills
Finn Evered
Marc Lansdowne
Louis Sanders
Josh Hill
Richard Bond
Josh Guichard
Steve Williams
Dan Whatford
Adam McNamara
Subs:
Joe McBride
Jake Baker
Max Samyint