VWFC vs Bourne Blades
11/02/2017 Virginia Water 3 - 2 Bourne Blades
GWAFL Division 3
Report by Dan Basheer
With games few and far between for the A's because of the weather and fixture clashes, this home game was switched to be played at Bourne's ground so once again Waters found themselves on the road. The last time Waters were here they notched a 4-0 victory, but Bourne have been in good form of late and had climbed to second in the table since then. But with a strong squad, Waters felt confident of picking up a win.
The game was a scrappy affair, the pitch was not too bad despite the weather conditions, but the ball just did not want to seem to sit well for either team. However, Waters were the team attempting to play the better football and Bourne were looking at any opportunity get the ball over the top or in behind the Waters defence.
Waters opened the scoring through Ross Miller, who drilled home from 8 yards after Jake Basheer's corner had fallen kindly for him via Scott Ancell's blocked shot. Bourne had a great chance to equalise when one of their hopeful through balls did find its target. However, their striker shot high and wide and should have done better when one on one with Dan Roach in the Waters goal. Waters pushed for more goals, and some good link up play from Jack Deabill, Jake Basheer and Alex Ssenabulya was good at times, but not enough to create clear cut chances, and Waters went into half time 1-0 up.
Waters' started the second half a bit slower and Bourne tried to get back into the game. Ironically, Waters went 2-0 up when a long clearance from skipper Paul May caught the Bourne defence napping. Jake Basheer gratefully scampered onto the ball and calmly slotted home when one on one with the goalkeeper to give Waters a 2-0 cushion. It was a cushion that was needed, as Bourne did get themselves back into the game. A header from a corner saw them get the score back to 2-1 and they were looking to push on and get another.
The wind was taken out of their sails though by a fine individual goal from Basheer. Facing away from goal near the right hand side of the penalty area, his turn evaded two defenders, and he ghosted past a third before rifling a shot into the bottom corner of the goal. Waters were 3-1 up and looking to see the game out.
Credit to Bourne though, who kept playing, and their striker scored a neat second with a shot from just inside the box to make it 3-2. Waters had more chances though, Ashley Scott had an effort cleared off the line, and Sam Meadows should have done better when put through on goal.
However, Waters can be pleased with the 3 points that were well earned.
MoM = Ross Miller
Line up:
Dan Roach
Luke Turner
Paul May (c)
Ross Miller
Luke Constable
Alex Ssenabulya
Dan Basheer
Jack Deabill
Ashley Scott
Jake Basheer
Scott Ancell
Subs:
Sean Wilks
Freddie Turner
Sam Meadows