Dursley Town 1 vs 2 Sharpness AFC
This was a typical local derby hard fought, bitterly contested and tight. Both teams had early glimpses at goal but neither caused the respective goalkeepers much trouble. Durlsey had the first clear chance from a corner but Chris Lindsay was unable to convert a free header at the back post.
Sharpness then started to come more into the game and took the lead midway through the half. The ball broke on the edge of the penalty area and Jack Higgs brilliantly curled the ball into the top corner of the net.
Sharpness continued to press with Hawes causing Dursley problems down the left. Collard then came close to extending the lead when his cross was deflected just over the bar but to the amazement of the away team no corner was given. Another opportunity fell Collard’s way near half time when he was left unmarked at a corner but he failed to keep his header down. Sharpness went into the break in front but still playing far from their best.
Dursley responded in the 2nd half and were soon on level terms. After a good spell of pressure which culminated in several corners Dursley were awarded a penalty. As a corner was delivered into the area Sharpness Keeper/Manager Marklove was adjudged to have fouled Dursley player Gillingham. The decision left most people bemused but Gillingham picked himself up to confidently stroke the ball home.
This sparked Sharpness into life and they started to have the lion share of the ball with good breaks made from midfield by Paterson and Hawes. Indiscipline was shown by both sides and cards started to rack up and the game was in danger of boiling over.
Then came two big decisions in the space of the two minutes. First Scott Bennett on in place of Higgs was brought down from behind for what seemed a stone wall penalty. Followed by Dursley breaking down the other end but were also denied a spot kick when it seemed as though young Alex Higgs was taken out.
The decisive moment came right at the death when a long thrown-in from Hawes bounced in the box and Watkins reacted first to over head kick the ball into the bottom corner to earn Sharpness three valuable points.
There was some bad news to come from the game with Mitch Malshanskji being diagnosed with a broken ankle after having earlier been forced to leave the pitch through injury. The club wish him a full and speedy recovery.
Team: - Marklove, Stutter, Webber, Swift, Malshanskji (T Thomas 65), Collard, Paterson (C), Sherman, Hawes, Watkins, Jack Higgs (Scott Bennett 70)
Goals: - Higgs 22, Watkins 90
Man of the Match: - Webber – Resolute in defence all game