Mens 1st vs Westbury & United Banks 1

Mids were looking for their first 3 points of the season after 2 hard games. Mids also welcomed back Stefan Tinniman who had been AWOL for the start of the season.

Both teams were fired up and knew getting 3 points today would make the difference near the bottom of the table. Westbury started very strongly and kept possession well trying to work chances to no avail. Mids defence held firm tracking the attackers movements and channels they were trying to create.

Tinniman was controlling the centre of the park well and did what he does best hold and pass the ball. However chances were had by both teams and a baseline run by Westbury led to a pass across goal being turned in by Connor who wrong footed Hesk who couldn't prevent the ball crossing the line.

Mids knew they had to stay switched on and could get back into this game, the next goal was crucial, with teams keeping possession well and turnovers only happening when long ball hockey came into play. Mids pressed Westbury and a halfway line turnover led to a Mids attack down the left hand side where short passes broke the Westbury defence Ollie Smart was in the right place at the right time as a pass from Korbyn allowed Ollie to put the ball past the keeper to bring the game level.

At half-time a positive team talk was all that was required Mids knew they were in this and could win.

Mids started the second half by giving the ball away and with Westbury stretching the game with 3 up top creating the space in the middle possession was going to be key in breaking down the other team. Tired legs from both teams meant chances were there for both teams a rare card was shown to Westbury which allowed Mids to build chances Ben Osmond and Chris Young were allowed space and several attacks allowed the confidence to grow.

Some tactical positional changes at the back allowed Tinniman to spread the ball to the left where Dan Rogers was allowed to drill the ball into the D on a 45 degree and connecting with Chris Young who with a deft touch made contact with the ball, everyone thinking this is going to be the goal Mids deserve, only to be denied by a Westbury foot. the resulting short corner was a opportunity to get that goal.

Tinniman injected to Ollie Smart at the top of the D, who through out the game had some success with short corners being on target, decided to slip it back to Tinniman who for a split second was going to drill it from the baseline but saw the keeper already going down decided to lift it over the keeper and into the side net to make it 2-1. the cheers from the side-lines were well deserved.

Mids needed to stay switched on and knew Westbury only needed one chance. the final 10mins were very panicky with both teams pushing and pressuring each other into mistakes. Mids defence held firm with clearance after clearance just to waste time and to allow the midfield and attackers to help defend

Westbury couldn't get through however Mids had several chances to extend the lead with several easy opportunities and one open goal moment to seal the 3 points were missed. However the full time whistle was blown and Mids got their first 3 points of the season.

MOM - Stefan Tinniman

DOD - Pat Mathers

Mids travel to Minehead next Saturday another team they know they can come away with 3 points!

A huge thank you to Peter Edmondson who kindly took the photos of todays games