The match was played at a very quick pace, especially in the first half with both sides pressing and chasding hard. The first real chance came on 32 minutes when Josh Williams headed flick put Olly Trevarthen through, he lobbed the keeper but a chasing defender got to the line in time and knocked the ball off the line. Later in the half Shaftesbury broke and Chris Manns saved bravely at the feet of an incoming attacker then right on half tie Shaftesbury scored. The ball broke across the box and was finished superbly with a low shot across goal and into the bottom left corner.

The pace slowed a little in the second half as players tired. Oldland had one good chance which the Shaftesbury tipped away high to his left for a corner before a flurry of substitutions from both sides in the final quarter broke the game up. Special mention to 16 year old goalkeeper Luke Wilson who replaced Chris Manns on 65 minutes to make his debut confirming our continued investment in the youth team who have trained with the seniors all summer.

Two late goals from Shaftesbury sealed the defeat, a close range rocket into the top corner following a goalmouth scramble on 80 minutes and an absolute worldy from out wide on the left in the last minute giving Wilson no chance.

An excellent work out against a very good side to start the campaign. Impressive performances from keeper Manns, solid Jordan Greenwood, Shomari Sengar and Man of the Match right wing back Luke Lecrass with some crunching tackles and excellent forward movement.

Attendance 66 (shame we didn't charge!)