Oldland Res 3 AFC Mangotsfield 1

Oldland beat District League AFC Mangotsfield in a 1.30 kick off at Castle Road in an exciting game. It was an exciting game watched by a fairly decent home and away crowd which also meant we took a few quid on what would otherwise have been a quiet afternoon at the bar. Hopefully the support can continue in future home matches for all teams as the locals start coming back up the lane

Oldland started without Danny Carter, TK and Brad Lewis all having gone up to first team duties but with Western League experienced Olly Player in goal and both Rhys Hodge and Gary Twose making the step up from a recent spell in local football. All three played very well as did new forward Louis Rostron. AFC Mango contained a few familiar faces with arguably once one of our best ever youth prospects Zak Zabek (like George Best, where did it all go wrong? Cherry Tree, Mailhouse, Horseshoe....), ex-Roman Glass forward Nathan McGrane and on the sidelines once again locking horns with Deano like a good old fashioned number 9, Paul Dingley.

Oldland suffered an early blow, as hearing the bar was open Charlie Brain pulled a fetlock on two minutes and was immediately replaced by Ryan Williams (I think that was the right way round, they both look the same? Can usually tell as one of them wears a cap, but not on the pitch). It was however a good open game to watch as both teams attacked, Andy Weeks pulling that parachute uphill and only one ball going over the fence for retrieval by Twose's old man - welcome back! There were not many chances to score to be fair, and at half time the game was still goalless but the second half roared into action.

Oldland took the lead as new signing Rostron chased a through ball, challenged the keeper as he went down to collect and won the collision to roll into an empty net - a great, cool finish. The crowd became louder as more BS30 'Youths' appeared on the touchline (they've heard the gateman goes at half-time) but were disappointed when Mangos equalised shortly afterwards. A poor back ball left keeper Player stranded and the forward rounded him before squaring across for a tap in the home defender just couldn't reach. Oldland continued to progress and sub Frith had two good headed chances, Ricky Godwin cut inside and beat everyone but put his shot over the bar before the first of many good chances set up by the dangerous Godwin down the left was headed goalwards but deflected past his own keeper by the unlucky defender. The crowd went wild and wanted more beer - so I missed the third goal as I was inside serving, I expect it was quite good though.

Well done the Reserves, a good victory against not a bad AFC Mangotsfield team in a tough competitive friendly. They are home to Iron Action this Wednesday, 7pm let's hope those fans return.

Team: Player, Bristow, Wilbrahim, R Hodge, Brain, Twose, Winstone, A Triallist, Godwin, Weeks, Rostron Subs: Williams (Brain), Frith (Weeks), A Triallist

Man of the Match: Rhys Hodge - solid and secure at the back