21st feb - results

This week was a bit of a "mare", with loads of players injured, away, ill, working etc. This meant that all 3 teams were weakened, the 2nds quite a bit and the 3rds very much so, but we did manage to get Jigger (Alex Orledge) to play for the 3rds after his self imposed exile! It was definitely worth it for him, as he got on the scoresheet along with Ben Pantry, although sadly it wasnt enough, as the 3rds went down 2-5 against Calne Eagles.

The 2nds played 2nd placed Byrons Wanderers and lost 0-4. Byrons now look to have a realistic chance of catching Greenmeadow at the top.

The 1sts went to a very strong and well organised Westbury Utd Res. The Meadow Lane ground is a very good facility - probably the best we have been to so far - and this seemed to have our lads at ease, pre-match. It was obvious that the home players were expecting an easy game, which was perhaps understandable after our last 2 results, but was the same mistake Bromham had made at their place before we beat them!

As it turned out, this was a game of few chances. FCCY had a double penalty shout in the 1st half when Aarron Merryweather was shoved over from behind and then the ball squirted to Mark Nolan who was tripped, but no dice from the officials. Westbury had one chance when the striker won 4 - yes 4 - consecutive tackles before making Webby make a save. Then a deflected pot shot hit our bar, before going out for a corner. Then a great sweeping move from the back, involving 4 passes and excellent movement, followed by a quality finish from Mark Nolan was struck off for offside. Nolan insists he ran past the defender after the pass, but hey-ho!


The 2nd half was just as tight. Westbury had a 15 minute period on top, but could only manage 2 strikes from distance which didnt trouble Webby at all. Then the game evened up and FCCY started to put some pressure on the home defence. This lead to a penalty! Aaron decided, in the interests of making life exciting, to pass it to the keeper who made a meal of it and palmed the ball round the post!

Then, amazingly (though correctly), we were awarded another penalty 2 minutes later. This time Pepe Petrov volunteered (as most of his teammates headed for the half way line!). After a very long delay caused by the protestations from the home players, Pepe kept his cool and buried the ball past the despairing dive of the home keeper. This left 5 minutes to play, during which time Westbury had several corners and a couple of half chances but we held firm and managed to inflict Westbury's 4th defeat of the season.

This result was built on a great team spirit with excellent performances from Chris Meaton and Jack Forester at the back and everyone working hard and doing their job. The next game is another easy one (not) at Calne Town Res, who sit 2nd in the table. We have now moved up to 13th and still harbour ambitions of reaching 8th.