THE FOXCOTTE LAST TIME AT STREET 2 ROBINS 0

2nd November 2021, Wessex League 1

Words: John Gorman

The Street came into the game on the back of their impressive FA Vase win at Cribbs and a disappointing 3-3 draw with Millbrook, who had equalised through a 90th minute penalty after the Street looked to have won the game after coming from behind twice.

A tough mid-week fixture came next against a Downton side that had beaten the Street a month earlier in the League Cup through a Sam Howe free kick.

Downton started the better and an early cross found no takers in the area before Cameron Butler saw a shot saved after a corner, one of three corners in quick succession as the visitors’ pace on both flanks caused the home defence problems. Home keeper Sean O’Brien was forced into a hasty clearance that fell to Shaun Prentice, but his first time shot went over a unguarded goal.

Darryl Phillips found Reece Rusher in space only for his shot to be parried by Matt Fredericks and two more efforts from the same player were inches too high. The home side were now having more of the game, though it was the visitors who looked the more dangerous, but too often their final pass went astray.

Downton::

Fredericks, Macki, Howe, Moss, Ovington,? Clarke, Clark, Smith, Laptas, Butler, Prenticek

A brave block by Alderman stopped one goal bound shot and in a scramble another shot appeared to strike the post – a crowded area made sighting difficult – and the half-finished all square and had done little to raise the temperature on a cold but still evening.

There was a brighter start to the second half with an early chance for Shane Lock, but the shot was the wrong side of the post and a chance missed for Downton after the referee had allowed a good advantage, Prentice shooting wide with only O’Brien to beat.

Adam Pearson had a header from a corner at the other end came back off the bar before the deadlock was broken with little more than ten minutes left. Lock showed fine control in collecting a long clearance on the tight and his low cross from the bye line was nearly turned past Fredericks by Mikey Davis at the far post. O’Brien went down bravely to save at Marcel Laptas’s feet as Downton sought the equaliser but with the clock ticking towards stoppage time New Street made the game safe. Alderman carried the ball forward before finding Davis on the left and his shot went between the keeper and his near post to give the home side the points.

THE GOALKEEPER: WILL BETTS

Betts has been with the Robins for three seasons, joining Downton in the 2018 -19 season and making 3 appearances.

He made just one appearance last season but has established himself as the Robins number one and has made 18 appearances to date this season.

THE DEFENDER: JAMES CLARK

Started with the Robins in 2018, Clark is a reliable defender and has made 113 appearances for the club over the past five seasons.

He has made 23 appearances so far this season, with just 1 coming off the bench.

THE MANAGER: BEN SMITH

The player-manager has been at the club for over 10 seasons now and has made over 270 appearances for the Robins in his time there and has scored 56 goals for the club.

Ben joined Downton from local rivals Laverstock & Ford in February 2009 and made his debut in the 1-0 win at home to AFC Aldermaston. Smith took over the managerial position in May 2017 and guided the club into 12th position in the 2017 -18 season. This was followed with a 7th place finish the following season.

Currently in 5th position, the Robins will be hoping for a play-off place this season.