MEMORY MATCH

Street 2 Downton 1, Wessex League One, 19th December 2020

WORDS: JOHN GORMAN

STREET:

O’Brien, Field, Wright, Hibberd, Scott, Dempsey, Lock, Dockree, Harding, Davis, Thompson

DOWNTON:

Taylor, Palmer, Howe, Hassle, Smith, McGregor, Starr, Water, Moseley, Mann, Vint

The Street were poised for an instant return to the Wessex Premier following their one season stay in the Wessex top division in the 2018-19 season.

The “promotion” word looked very much on the cards for Street, especially when they embarked on a 12-match winning run, starting with a 3- 2 victory against Newport, which put them into second place behind leaders United Services Portsmouth but with a number of games in hand.

Unfortunately, the 2019-20 season would be abandoned in mid-March with around 10 matches remaining, due to the global pandemic.

Lockdown gradually ended and the Street would be able to start to prepare for the new season, which would start a month later in September.

A new looking management setup was introduced with Jamie Coleman and Danny Dolan joining forces in the dugout, while John Smith and Iain Meechan, would have the opportunity to help all the club’s sides in their new Director of Football roles.

Pre-season would see the majority of the squad remain and were boosted with impressive signings of striker Brett Denham, midfielder’s Scott Kinge and Connor Thorne, defenders Danny Field and Gary Thorne and also goalkeeper Sean O’Brien

Although pre-season matches are viewed as an opportunity to get minutes under the players belts, the Street were worryingly not performing to the best of their ability with some Jekyll and Hyde performances, when playing against the likes of Salisbury, Eastleigh Development Squad and Basingstoke Town.

The season would start brightly for Street with an impressive 2-0 victory away at Newport IOW with Ally McCracken and Shane Lock both scoring.

A disappointing home defeat to Petersfield Town came next, with Kinge scoring an own goal late on to give the Rams the 3 points.

Early cup exits at Bashley, and New Milton hardly lightened the mood before Totton & Eling were defeated at Foxcotte Park, with Denham scoring a brace and Mikey Davis scoring a worldie on his debut.

A disappointing 5- 2 defeat at Andover Town, with the Street 2- 0 up at half-time and tough 1-1 draws to Hythe & Dibden and at Downton meant the Street were always playing catch-up to the promotion challengers.

Home defeats continued with losses to Alton and Romsey Town but a 1-0 win over neighbours Whitchurch gave Street a boost with Lock scoring the only goal early on.

After a 3- 1 away defeat to leaders Laverstock & Ford, the Street took on Downton in what can only be described as a highly entertaining game of football.

The Street opened the scoring thanks to some silky magic down the left-hand side from number seven Shane Lock. The Street forward, approached the Downton defence producing a ‘Ronaldo like’ step-over that left the Downton defence stranded. Lock then put the ball on a plate for Street number nine, Craig Harding, who fired the ball passed Downton keeper, Taylor.

Harding and Lock seemed to have a telepathic understanding of each other playing some magical football between them. The second goal for Street started when Harding’s deft first touch created space for him to deliver the perfect pass for Shane Lock, whose delicate chip over the flailing Taylor sailed beautifully into the back of the net.

Going into half time, Street were two goals ahead and looking very comfortable.

As the second half got under way, Shane Lock was attacking the Downton defence once more and he almost scored his second.

It was some solid defence from Downton that stopped his left footed strike from converting.

From this point onwards, Downton seemed to pull their socks up and put tremendous pressure on New Street.

In the 58th minute, a whipped in cross from the left led to a first- time finish from Downton number nine, Moseley, beating Street goalkeeper Sean O’Brien with ease.

However, as the rain began to pour and the flood lights lit up Foxcotte Park, Street held onto their lead and came away with a much-needed victory.

Craig Harding deservedly took the man of the match award. His first touch was exquisite all afternoon. Shane Lock wasn’t far behind in terms of his outstanding performance.

Unfortunately, or fortunately for the Street, the season would end there without another ball being kicked as the country would be put back into lockdown with immediate effect, which would mean the season was declared null and void