Otterbourne Football Club 'A' Team Match Report

Saturday 7th January – Otterbourne 'A' 1 East Boldre 4

By George Black, 'A' Team Manager
Twyford Recreation Ground, Park Lane,Twyford

Goalscorer: Chris Peters

Playing their first game after the Xmas and New Year break Otters were optimistic and looking forward to starting the second half of the season by picking up their first points of the season against a team currently 2nd in the league.

Although a couple of players were unavailable Otters fielded one of the strongest teams they have put out this season. Otters were pleased to welcome back Chris Winsor in goal after his trip to Australia and Tom Bennett and Mark Wells two recent signings were making their debuts. Also returning from injury were Stuart Botto and Matt Simpson. Work commitments had restricted Kev Gleeson’s availability for the club recently so Otters were pleased to give him a game.

Otters started strongly pegging the visitors back for the opening quarter of an hour. Playing some good football they forced a couple of early corners that unfortunately came to nothing.

But then in the space of a few minutes the good work was undone when Otters were caught out by two hopeful long balls over the top that left Chris picking the ball out of the net twice and Otters found themselves 2-0 down. The visitors now had the momentum and Otters struggled to put passes together and create anything worthwhile. Some desperate defending on occasions and a number of important saves that Chris had to make saw the scoreline remain the same at half-time.

Marc Fox made way for Ahmed Sfagsi at the start of the second half which saw a great effort by Otters to get back into the game and this was rewarded when Chris Peters was on hand to rifle home a free kick from Sam Veal that had got through a crowded penalty area in the 62nd minute. Pushed on by Kev G and Tom B the visitor’s keeper was the busier and was forced into a number of saves. Otters thought they had equalised when a smart piece of football gave Mark W a chance in front of goal but unfortunately he shot straight at the keeper who held on to the ball. Tom B then saw a shot pushed away by the keeper but nobody was on hand to turn it in and the defence cleared.

Again Otters were dealt a severe blow when a few minutes later an attack down the left wasn’t cleared and the visitors scored again. Dave Farley replaced Chris P and Dan Holley came on for Sam Veal as Otters looked to get back into the game. But the introduction of the visitors two pacy substitutes saw them push Otters back and although they kept trying to look for another goal conceded a fourth goal towards the end of the game.

Once more the scoreline suggested Otters were well beaten but on the day they deserved more than they got. In truth Otters were punished for some poor defending and when after pegging the visitors back did not make the most of their possession when on top.

But the effort is there. Just need some belief and a result to go our way.

Just to say was really good to see the numbers at training last Tuesday and hope that continues.