TERRIFIC TRIO MAKES IT HAPPY NEW YEAR

Owen McCallum's terrific shot and a spectacular effort from Danny Carter gave the O's a two goal half time lead with Ryan Dunn (pictured) scoring a wonderful free kick on 51 minutes. Jordan Anstey pulled a goal back late on, followed by a red card for Josh Dempsey, but the visitors held on and were full value for their fourth away win of the season at second placed Keynsham.

Following the debacle at Malmesbury on Boxing Day, Oldland made four changes to their starting XI for the short trip to Crown Field. Josh Dempsey replaced George Dempsey in goal and there were returns for the experienced Jordan Richards and Ashley Bernard in the back four along with Lewis Parker in midfield and Wayne Pearce up front. Dropping out along with Dempsey were Jason Side, Cash Vinall and Ali Bamford, who joined Cadbury Heath this week.

The O's took less than two minutes to take the lead when Owen McCallum hit a low 20-yard shot into the bottom corner. Gary Shorney almost added a second on four minutes but his shot wouldn't quite curl enough and went wide. Keynsham were stung into action and after a brief lull to gather themselves, launched several attacks on the Oldland goal. Jordan Anstey scooped over the bar, a good chance, and Pat Davison brought the best out of Josh Dempsey with a header that looked all the way in.

Ben Harris fired over from the edge of the box too but against the run of play a little, Oldland added a second on 29 minutes when Danny Carter hit a beauty over the back pedalling Ashley Wintle, his second in two games. Before half time, the striker almost grabbed a second but as with Shorney, his shot wouldn't go in at the far stick.

As the second half began, the O's almost made it three when after some great team buildup involving Carter, Owen McCallum and David Stone, the latter hit a swerving shot over the crossbar. But the joint manager was soon celebrating when Ryan Dunn hit a peach of a free kick into the top corner to make it 3-0 after 51 minutes.

Carter sent another shot over the bar from miles out on the wing and McCallum was denied by Wintle's save with his legs as O's refused to sit back on their lead. At the other end, Dempsey dealt with an effort from Cam Shorney then had to watch as Nath Curnock's long run ended with a shot that went narrowly wide.

The game looked to be petering out into a comfortable Oldland victory till the 77th minute when Keynsham grabbed a lifeline. Harris floated in a free kick that was met by Anstey; in the aftermath of the goal, Oldland keeper/manager Dempsey saw red for raising his hands. Tommy Hutton, who was coming on anyway as a sub, changed into the green goalkeeper's shirt with McCallum going off.

Harris, one of three K's playing against his old club, almost rattled in a second with a fierce shot that cannoned off the post and Anstey missed a clear header on 89 minutes that would have made for a nervy period of stoppage time. But O's hung on for what would be considered a deserved victory, setting them up for the visit of Corsham Town in midweek. A win against the Wiltshiremen would see Oldland jump four places in the table to 16th, including leapfrogging Corsham in the process.

Kickoff is at 7.30pm at Castle Road.