Oldland 1 Ashton & Backwell 1

The O's gave away a lead and were left regretting missed chances last night especially as other results went their way. The draw leaves The O's still third ahead of Saturday's home game with Chard, but fourth place Keynsham now have three games in hand.

The game was made to look a lot faster than it actually was owing to the wet surface and early rain which caused it to zip around all over the place. There was also a a bizzare temporary hold up whilst replacement Toolstation balls were pumped up after four disappeared in rapid fashion early in the second half - even the referee was confused as to what to do next and the opponents were convined of a deliberate conspiracy as Oldland had just scored!

Oldland started with just one change, Jordan Greenwood returning after suspension to replace the injured Ashley Bernard. Josh Williams also returning with a place on the bench after being absent at the weekend. They could have scored in the first minute when Olly Trevarthen was put through, but he opted to try and round the keeper rather than shoot and his chance was gone. As the half went on, Ashton threatened a couple of times and keeper Chris Manns did well with one superb close range save on 36 minutes after the ball had bounced around near the six yard box. The referee and his two young assistants tried to let the game flow as much as possible, perhaps due to the conditions, but this was not to the liking of the rival managers and volume levels were rising at the side of the pitch. Just before half time, both physios were on for the Ashton right back who had taken a knock and he was eventually substituted and on 44 minutes another close range chance was fired straight at the keeper by the home side so goalless at half time.

In the second half, Oldland started slowly and there was uncharactaristic indecision at the back. Almost right away, a weak clearance fell to an Ashton forward and his long range shot was again superbly pushed away to his right by Chris Manns in the O's goal. They did though recover and after some fine passing play and moves forward constantly engineered by Shamori Sengor from midfield, feeding Josh Southway down the right Oldland eventually won a corner on the left. Joe Walters put across a great ball and centre half Scott Gregory was there to smash the ball home with his head from close range on 59 minutes. Shortly afterwards Connor Davies replaced Danny Carter and then the game to a rather strange twist...........

It's not unusual, like at many local grounds, for the occasional ball to go over the protective fencing and into or behind the bushes - this time though, all four went in one direction or another and could not be located - all within several minutes of each other. As Oldland Chairman Derek Jones and three members of the ground staff all disappeared for pretty much the whole of the rest of the second half looking for the lost balls, there was confusion after the fourth one went over and none were left! The game was briefly held up whilst Tom's cooking of the curry was put on pause and three replacement Toolstation balls were located from the lock up then rapidly pumped up at the side of the pitch. It's a good job Millie works out!

Once the game restarted, Oldland looked slightly disjointed and were out of sorts. One misjudged clearance followed by an attempted ball back put Ashton forward Sam Skidmore through on goal. He was challenged by Chris Manns outside the box but the ball broke loose and he cooly finished to make it 1-1 on 67 minutes. Josh Williams then came on for Joe Walters, who had put in a good shift and some decent crosses, and Oldland started to come back into the game. Olly Trevarthen started to pull wide left more often and after one great run put the ball across but Jack Metcalf could not convert at the far post. Metcalf himself then put a ball over which Luke Lecrass volleyed towards goal (in Mark Hughes scissor kick fashion) only for the keeper to parry and the ball hit a defender running back then dropped back into the keeper's hands before it could be converted.

Connor Davies was fouled on the edge of the box after trying a run at the Ashton defence, a tackle which earned the defender a yellow card and after Matt Ellery replaced Metcalf on 86 minutes another fine cross saw Olly Trevarthen's header flipped up onto the bar by the Ashton keeper. There was still time for one last piece of action as following a tackle in the Ashton half, defender Reece John and his opponent clashed, both picking up yellow cards and the game ended in a draw that Oldland should have taken more from.

Man of the Match: Shamori Sengor - some great turns and midfield play with excellent probing passing throughout the game