Took a drive over to Stockbridge to spend a peaceful sunny Saturday afternoon at one of my favourite Wessex League grounds.
Whitchurch took the lead after seven minutes. This was their third breakaway attack in as many minutes and the goal came from a close range tap in over the keeper from a cross.
Stockbridge equalised after 12 minutes from a freekick in what is commonly described as ‘Beckham Territory’. The finish was of international quality too - an excellent pacey shot to the keeper’s left and past his outstretched hand into the back of the net. Stockbridge had the best chance to take the lead just before halftime. A cross came in and a flying header put the ball just wide but it would have been best left as the boot of the player waiting to tap it in by the far post was a better option!
On 65 minutes Whitchurch had a good chance to go in front. A Stockbridge player tried to head the ball back to his keeper to pick up but the back header was too short and allowed a Whitchurch player to get to the ball first. His shot was saved well and the ball went wide for corner. There was a similar chance for Whitchurch ten minutes later when the ball was struck towards the goal from close in but was deflected over the bar with plenty of topspin for a corner.
The last real opportunity did see the ball in the back of the net but the goal was disallowed. With five minutes left to go, the Stockbridge keeper took a freekick close to the edge of his area. However the ball didn’t sail towards the halfway line as planned – the kick was sliced to the right, straight to a Whitchurch player who then ran the ball forward and passed it into the net.
The referee didn’t take any action until the 'goal' had been scored and then whistled furiously as if it was full time. He then disallowed the goal to the dismay of the away team and it wasn’t clear why he had decided on this course of action. The only explanation I could think of was that the keeper had been asked to wait for the whistle before taking the kick. My thought was that it was the keeper’s problem for taking it early and the goal should have stood but maybe that’s why I’m not a referee!
Since my last visit with Andy, a small stand has been built where we parked the car. This didn’t stop a few drivers from parking up behind the dugouts although I decided that the main road was a safer bet – less flying footballs!
No comments:
Post a Comment