Monday, March 01, 2010

Game 44: Bemerton Heath Harlequins 1.2 Totton & Eling (WESS PREM) 01.03.10

An unusual situation at this Monday night game as the reverse fixture had only been played 48 hours previously - a 3.1 win for Bemerton. It certainly seemed like both teams knew what to expect as they cancelled each other out for nost of the first half and the only talking point early on was the collapse of two slabs from the terrace when one of the locals decided to crawl under the barrier to walk round to the stand. The general concensus was frost damage as he tried to move them back into place.


Bemerton took the lead in the 27th minute when James Rowe picked up the ball in midfield and went on a mazy run from the left wing to the right side of the penalty area. He then let fly a low shot towards the left post which the keeper couldn't reach and the ball ended up in the back of the net. Bemerton almost extended the lead a minute later but a header ended up just wide of the goal. Sanger also came close to scoring with a header placed high into the centre of the goal but the Totton keeper flew up into the air and made a spectacular save to tip the ball over the bar.


Totton scored the equaliser five minutes before the break with a great overlapping run from the fullback down the right wing. The ball was played forward and into his path. There was no cover on that side and he was able to take the ball into the box and place a shot under Porter's dive and in - a well worked goal.


Five minutes after the break and Totton scored again with a fluke goal. The ball was cleared from a corner and fell to a Totton player on the right side of goal. He hit a low shot without much power but Porter wasn't able to see it in time due to the number of players from both teams who were in front of him. The ball ended up in the back of the net despite a desperate scramble to try and palm it away to give the visitors a 2.1 lead.


Bemerton came close on a number of times to an equaliser but their shooting was rarely on target. Totton started to take control of the game, aided by Bemerton's poor ball control, passing and a lack of width. When Bemerton's attacks broke down they were quick to try and exploit the space behind the defence and it was only a couple of last ditch interceptions that kept the score down. Porter pulled of a great one on one save to keep his team in the game but it was a frustrating night for the home team who were unable to pull a goal back. A third home defeat in a row and in all probability an end to Bemerton's title aspirations.

No comments: