Andy and I wandered over to Western Way for this twice re-arranged local derby and our first sighting of an orange ball this season.
As with most local derbies there was an extra bit of spice to the game and this was apparent after two minutes when a Bemerton player was booked for sliding into the Laverstock keeper on the edge of the box. Laverstock started well and almost scored after 8 minutes. A freekick from the right hand side level with us was taken as a shot rather than a cross but ended up just over the bar. They were unfortunate not to score 15 minutes later when a Bemerton back header was too short for their keeper to reach and the ball was crossed into the centre, only for a free kick to be given for a challenge in the box on a defender. It took Bemerton 30 minutes to have a shot on target but it went straight to the keeper.
The rest of the first half was end to end play and on 42 minutes Bemerton were unlucky not to take the lead. The ball came out to the right hand side of the area and a well struck shot came in but ended up in the side netting. Just before the whistle they had a corner that went across the area and was cleared. A Bemerton player controlled the ball before running right through the Laverstock defence. His shot was deflected wide and went for another corner.
We were a little concerned that the two teams might cancel each other out for a 0.0 draw on the first half display but things improved in the second half. On 55 minutes Bemerton were unlucky again. A great through ball saw Mankin in on goal. His shot from close range beat the keeper but hit the left post and bounced out for a throw.
Three minutes later Bemerton took the lead. A freekick was floated into the centre of the area and a Bemerton player headed the ball down and into the net. Laverstock hadn’t offered much in the second half and made a couple of changes after 70 minutes, moving to a 3-4-3 and putting on a very tall, blonde striker. It was no surprise to hear his team mates shouting at ‘Crouchie’ to get forward!
On 88 minutes, the extra spice kicked in again after a dubious corner that was awarded to Bemerton. There was a bit of handbags and the referee spoke to players on both sides once things had calmed down. There was a bit of sting and venom in the tail too – in the final minute the ball broke to the edge of the Bemerton box. A Laverstock player carefully lined up a shot and kept the ball down and travelling towards the goal with some pace. The keeper was beaten but at the last second the ball curved to the right and ended up just wide. It really looked like it was going in and would have been a fantastic goal at any level.
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