O's happy hunting at The Stags

Oldland Travelled to lowly Ashton and Backwell United for their first game in three weeks due to various postponements. Oldland welcome back into the squad striker Sam Vile who recovered from his bout of flu. Defender Luke Lecrass also returned following his latest Winter break to take his place at full back again. The O's however was without the injured number 2 stopper Luke Wilson so Manager Scott Armstrong took his place on the bench. Josh Southway and Shomari Sengor were both unavailable and never travelled with the squad. Tyler Davis came into the side to earn his first start having featured recently from the bench.

Credit to the hosts the playing surface was in very good condition and firm given the recent weather. The O's started brightly playing down the slope when a good midfield play saw the ball released to striker Olly Trevarthen who struck a delightful volley goal wards. The strike looped over the planted Will Justin in the Ashton goal only to kiss the face of the cross bar and then be cleared. The host then had a chance of their own when winger Connor Biggins ran at the back for a took a shot low to Chris Manns right hand post. The O's number one did well to turned shot around the post for a corner. This was a bit of a wake up call as the O's then struck back with another effort of their own good play by Lewis Parker and Courtney Charles saw the ball played into Josh Williams but he fired over the top. Midfielder Jack Metcalf broke well down the right to deliver a good cross in the box but this was cleared for a corner. From the resultant corner defender Mason Poole had his head sail over the bar from a good deliver again by midfielder Lewis Parker. The O's were becoming frustrated as the host defending was resolute and well organised. Ashton and Backwell did in fact have a glorious chance of taking the lead when they launched a counter attack which saw the ball fall to a midfield runner but he was superbly denied by Chris Manns with his feet. The hosts will some how wonder how they never scored from what seemed a likely goal. The O's suffered a similar fate at the other end when Will Justin produced an outstanding save from Tyler Davis down low to his right, from the rebound Olly Trevarthen followed up but this was superbly blocked by a recovering defender. The O's did have a final chance before the break when a good cross in by Jack Metcalf found Olly Trevarthen but his over head kick was saved.

HT 0-0

The second half saw Oldland playing up the slope and starting brightly. Midfielder Josh Williams had a shot low into the corner of the goal but was saved comfortably by Will Justin. Ashton and Backwell then had a chance of their own when Chris Manns pulled of a delightful block only to see the rebound fall to the on rushing striker. The striker looked destined to score until Scott Gregory who had been outstanding all afternoon produced another unbelievable block to keep the clean sheet intact. O's did take the lead when good play between the midfielder saw them release Olly Trevarthen in a wide position who delivered a delightful cross into the box, the ball evaded the on rushing Courtney Charles only to find Tyler Davis at the back post. Tyler Davis calmly placed the ball into the far bottom corner putting the O's 1-0 up.
The O's could of increased their lead when good play saw Jack Metcalf in a great position but he pulled his shot wide of the far post. Lewis Parker then had an effort which sailed wide of the goal. Oldland then had a further chance to increase their lead when Olly Trevarthen blasted the ball over the bar. The O's then rang the changes to give lads on the bench good minutes and to freshen the attacking line up. Scott Fear replaced Tyler Davis, Sam Vile replaced Olly Trevarthen and Sam Makepeace replacing Josh Williams. The O's thought they doubled their lead when a cross into the box saw Sam Vile place the ball into the net only to wheel away celebrating. However, much to the O's dismay the linesman then ruled the goal out for offside cutting short the celebrations. As the game wore on the O's did tire in the latter stages due to lack of games and the festive period but some great team defending by a well organised back four of Joe Walters, Mason Poole, Scott Gregory and Luke Lecrass saw the points safely into the bag.

Full Time
Ashton and Backwell United 0-1 Oldland Abbotonians

Man of the Match was awarded to Scott Gregory for an outstanding defensive display and vital blocks during key moments of the game.

The win see Oldland Abbotonians move back up to 8th with games in hand over most sides above or around them. Unfortunately for our Host Ashton and Backwell United the result sees them slide deeper into a relegation fight with Portishead, Sherborne and Warminster all picking up points.

Manager Scott Armstrong added "It was a tough game today, its never a nice place to come and play despite their good facilities. When coming here you always know they will put up a fight and even more so when they are at the wrong end of the table. The playing surface was very good today for this time of the season which was pleasing as well. With regards to our performance we wasn't at our best by a long way today however we showed some spirit and fight as a collective group. We have also started to get our good atmosphere back into the dressing room which is pleasing. I am pleased with the lads as they showed a great battling side to their game today securing the points. We are under no illusions the next few weeks are vital but also tough due to playing catch up with a lot of football to play."