Match Report

WINTERBOURNE UNITED RES 2 HIGHRIDGE UNITED RES 0

The Bourne reserves got back to winning ways after last weeks setback and have now lost just two league games this year.

Further changes to the side saw Benny Rhodes and Puttsy come into the side, the latter strengthening our font options and we were lucky that Si Curtis was on good form to cover the rather erratic Rhodsy at the back.

Captain for the day Budders, lost the toss and we played with the breeze over our shoulders in the first half. The difficult weather conditions were quickly overcome as The Bourne tried to settle into our usual passing game, It was soon apparent that, despite not having a good season, a youthful Highridge side were not going to lie down and were a handful coming forward but rather slow and square at the back (much like us really).

Half chances came and went with some good balls being played into the box but we were just unable to connect and break the deadlock. Highridge did start to pick up the second ball in midfield and gained the initiative but alert defending from Curtis, and Benny Walker made sure that Planty’s goal was well protected.

Slightly against the run of play, we took the lead. Leading goal scorer Sean Cooper popped up in the box for the first time in the game and looped the ball over the keeper into the corner of the net. Surely no one can catch him in the goal scoring stakes now.

Playing into the breeze in the second half, we expected Highridge to come at us but this never really happened. Their lively forward went off injured after getting kicked by Benny Walker and that was probably the end of their chances.

Our positioned was also strengthened when Ricky was finally pushed up front so we stopped wave after wave of attacks coming down our left hand side. Ricky killed the game off in the 75th minute with a surprisingly sublime finish to lob the goalkeeper.

Steve Baker had probably the best chance after this goal but only succeeded in putting the ball onto the roof of the school (into the wind) when just 6 yards from goal.

The game overall was comfortable if unspectacular though we could have scored two or three more. Our missed chances kept Highridge in the game but, in the end, we ran out deserved winners.

Team: Plant, Walker, Rhodes, Curtis, Powell, Budd (Capt), Baker (ex Capt), Cooper (leading goal scorer) Hemmings, Peacock, White, Watts, Blake.