Tuesday 24th August 2010 - Otterbourne 5 Overton United 0

Otterbourne strengthened their position at the top of the table on Tuesday evening with another emphatic victory. Although the game was over as a contest within sixteen minutes, as Otters raced to a four goal lead, Overton, nevertheless played their part. Having nothing to lose they attacked with vigour and came as close as any team in this fledgling campaign to breaching Otterbourne’s perfect defensive record.

Overton did not have the best of fortune in the opening exchanges. Less than a minute into the game a hapless defender turned a cross from Darren Brown into his own net. Having had an appeal for a penalty turned down moments earlier the visitors conceded one as Jamie Nash was taken down. Craig Willson placed his spot kick perfectly sending goalkeeper Nic Stones the wrong way.

Stones had better luck as Youssef Elmasri found Aaron Milne with a perceptive through ball. The striker looked odds on to score but was thwarted by a full length save.

Otterbourne did not have to wait long to increase the lead though as Tom Milzarek put Chris Knight in and he rounded the keeper before applying a cool finish. A deep cross from Brown saw John Jannaway make it four-nil with a looping header.

Otters looked likely to record an embarrassing score line at that point but credit must be given to the visitors for picking up the pieces and taking the game to their opponents. In one move Dan Gallant cleared from the Otterbourne goal line and a return shot was thumped against the crossbar. Jason Graham then stung the hands of Otter’s custodian Jamie Flood with a full blooded drive on the stroke of half time.

Goalmouth action was more scarce in the second period. With a quarter of an hour left Nash missed a great chance on meeting a low cross from substitute Liam Davies. His tame effort was blocked by the legs of Stones. Nash was presented with a further opportunity but, on racing clear, he took the ball wide to evade the keeper and fired into the side netting.

With six minutes remaining Nash made amends, maintaining his goal a game record in the process. Sent clear again he this time made no mistake despatching a rasping drive into the corner of the net.