ALMONDSBURY UWE 4 OLDLAND ABBOTS 0

A first half defensive horror show saw the O's three down inside half an hour and Almondsbury killed the game off just after the hour mark to win their fifth league game in a row and deny Oldland the chance to leap six places in the table.

Oldland couldn't have got off to a worse start as they went a goal down inside three minutes, Nick Rugman intercepting a weak back pass and beating keeper Jamie Powell from the edge of the box. On ten minutes, it was 2-0 as striker Simon McElroy was allowed time and space to thread a left foot shot through Powell and into the net.

John Black's side were looking dangerous with every attack and they had two chances to make it 3-0 before Oldland had a clear sight of goal. McElroy sliced a shot wide of the near post and Daniel Lane headed over but O's gradually found their feet and got back into the game. Connor Davies forced home keeper Matt Semple into a fine save, tipping his curling shot away for a corner.

The pitch, subject to an inspection before the game, was by now cutting up badly and players were often made to look foolish with the uneven and irregular bounce of the ball. Almondsbury adapted better though and on 28 minutes, they stretched their lead further still. McElroy was again involved, pulling the ball back for Joe Black to drive home via a deflection from an Oldland defender. If anything, the goal was slightly against the run of play as Oldland had been the better side for 10-15 minutes.

Jamie Powell saved a Rugman free kick just before half time and either side of the break, Ryan Ashwood threatened down the flank but nothing came of his strong wing play. The O's then paid for allowing Almondsbury to cut through them on 63 minutes when a shot rebounded into his own net from an attempted clearance by Josh Dempsey.

As the second half wore on, Almonds looked the more likely to score next with Powell saving well from Danny Lock and fellow sub Ricky Chandler blazing the loose ball over. Oldland chances in the latter stages were few and far between with Ashwood's shot spilled by Semple and Connor Davies shooting straight at the keeper as he broke down the right and had no support.

A bad day at the office then for Oldland who now face a home match with Warminster Town this weekend.