Wotton Under Edge 4 v 1 Swindon
Man of the Match: Ryan Howarth

Wotton had played Swindon in a friendly last year and from which, knew, that Swindon would give little time to the Wotton players on the ball. Starting the game, Swindon pressed high stopping any transfer around the back. This did however, leave large spaces between the mid field and attack and Wotton knew that the best chance in the game would be on the counter attack. The first goal came within 10 minutes, where Ryan Howarth won the ball from defender and drove to the base line where he hit the it back across the goal for Andy Edwards to push it into the back of the net. Again wotton found it hard to string passes together due to the Swindon high press, however, the Wotton defence held strong and even when Swindon managed to get a string of short corners, imperious captain Ali Hammond was there to stop them. Unfortunately, in this passage of play James Cruckshank, who had be keeping it cool around the back, got knocked to the floor while chasing back to the goal and in the process knocked himself out. This resulted in the reliable veteran Mark Pullin replacing him and steadying the ship. Wotton pushed back at Swindon which resulted in Andy Edwards picking the ball up on the right hand side of the D, while bouncing, and with his back to goal, turned quickly to hit the ball across the D where Howarth then tapped the ball passed the goalkeeper. The 2nd half started with Swindon not pressing so high, which allowed Wotton to gain more control. Good up front leg work from Ash saw the ball going across the D passed the keeper to an awaiting Howarth stick which allowed for the trademark reverse stick classic goal to be scored. Some good work from the ever-green Dave Newns in midfield meant that Wotton could keep attacking with pace. Swindon was still not out of the game, taking the ball down the left side, they managed to get past Wottons strong defence with some good skill from their striker and getting a free shot at the top of the D for an easy goal. Swindon then began to push high again, and began to pose a little bit more of threat to the Wotton side. However, this was then broken, when Matt Fairburn took it past two Swindon players to hit the ball into the D for Howarth to complete his hat trick, as he deflected it past the keeper. The game ended with a 4-1 win to Wotton. There were good performances from the ever reliable George Lampkin in goal, Ash Lingham and Michael Buist. Next weekend Wotton look to take on another tough opponent away to Hereford 1st.