With the sun gradually setting, Downton took the lead on 10 minutes with a close range shot from a right wing cross.Both teams were playing this local derby at a high tempo and some of the Bemerton tackles were rather strong. Once the goal had been conceded, Bemerton woke up a bit and were unlucky after a freekick when the ball hit the crossbar from a header and the follow up shot was saved. Another well positioned cross managed to beat the keeper but was too high for the oncoming striker to meet.
Downton started to put in some strong challenges as well and 2 players were booked in quick succession, 1 for sliding in on the goalkeeper after the ball had been cleared. Bemerton now had the upperhand and it took a good save from a header for Downton to keep the lead. The game was held up for a bit as a couple of players slid into the wall at the near end and took a knock trying to win the ball.
The best Bemerton chance of the half came on 40 minutes. One of the strikers beat the Downton offside trap and chipped the keeper with a powerful lob. Unfortunately for him, the ball bounced just in front of the goal and then bounced over the crossbar. Downton seemed content with their one goal lead and while our old shouting friend started up with some abuse for the officials, more strong tackles lead to another yellow card. They created one chance late in injury time, a shot that flew wide of the right hand post from a tight angle.
The second half continued in a similar vein - lots of Bemerton pressure but they couldn't find a way past the Downton keeper. The crowd was kept entertained by this and also the updates coming through from Old Trafford as Man United increased their lead against Roma in the Champions League quarter final 2nd leg.
The Bemerton pressure finally paid off in the 65th minute when they equalised with a screamer of a shot from 30yards from their no 13 (an unusual number for an outfield starter to wear!). A minute later and they were 2.1 up - this time a short range shot past the keeper put the hosts in front.
This time Downton woke up a bit and despite some comedy at a dropball that led to both teams berating their teammates, they created a couple of chances as the ball bounced from end to end like a tennis match. Even the goalkeeper fancied his chances, coming up several times for corners to try and cause some confusion in the box.
On 85 minutes it looked for a moment as if Bemerton had wrapped the game up as one of their subs broke down the left side and pushed a shot past the Downton keeper, only for the ball to bobble the wrong side of the post. Bemerton managed to run down the clock, keeping the ball in the corners as much as possible. In injury time, Downton managed to get the ball back and forced their own corner - no surprise to see the keeper jog up to the penalty spot but a poor delivery meant the rest of the team had to try and hold Bemerton up as he slowly jogged back towards his own goal. Late into injury time Downton tried but failed to get an accurate final ball towards their strikers and the home team claimed all 3 points.
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