VWFC vs Bicester Town
02/12/2017 Virginia Water 4-2 Bicester Town
Hellenic Division One East
Report by Ceri Jones
Virginia Water avenged their only league defeat of the season so far, with an emphatic win over top of the league Bicester Town. It was a nervy start to the game, with two good sides cancelling each other out.
In the 27th minute, Steve Williams opened the scoring when receiving a pass from Richard Bond in space, to drill a shot from 25 yards into the bottom corner, giving the Bicester goalkeeper Joe White no chance. At the other end the home defence was their usual strength, although Matt Jones was forced into a good save, when the away striker shot from 15 yards out.
Waters’ full backs of Louis Sanders (MoM) and Josh Hill were excellent, ably supported by Marc Lansdowne and Adam Mills at centre back. Waters pressed forward for a second, and were rewarded on 41 minutes, when one of the many good runs by the tireless Adam McNamara resulted in his cross being met on the volley by Joe McBride to rifle home into the top right hand corner of the net.
Soon after Waters had a glorious chance to make it 3-0, only for Sam Devoil’s effort from close range to be brilliantly saved by White in goal. After the break it was more of the same, but only after Waters weathered a brief storm, where Jones was forced into a great double save through a mass of bodies.
The home side then went up the field, and from a set piece, Lansdowne pounced to shoot home on 61 minute and put the result beyond doubt. Josh Guichard latched onto a loose ball on 77 minutes to slot home with his left foot from 18 yards to further increase Waters’ lead.
To their credit, Bicester kept working and deservedly grabbed a couple of very late consolation goals through Gavin Kidd and Jason Prpa, after Waters themselves had made three substitutions with the match won.
A great result and performance that maintains a comfortable top three position for the home side, and closes the gap to Bicester, who still top the table, but Waters have two games in hand and trail by five points.
Team:
Matt Jones
Josh Hill
Adam Mills
Marc Lansdowne
Louis Sanders
Sam Devoil
Joe McBride
Richard Bond
Josh Guichard
Steve Williams
Adam McNamara
Subs:
Liam Hill
Tom Curran
Ryan Curtis