Overton (h) Match Report

Great defensive display from Overton Rec FC gives us our first defeat of the season

Saturday we turned our attentions to Overton Rec FC who joined us in Division 1 following their relegation last season. This was our first home game of the season and the pitch at The Circle was looking the best it has in recent years.

With Llion Drake, Nathan Brookfield and Ieuan Jones returning to the Colts team, in come captain Callum Dutton, Kieron Taylor and Nuno Tavares. We also lost Steffan Evans-Hughes late on and last seasons in-form striker Jason Williams was added to the bench.

The message was simple from the gaffer before kick off, a loss today would mean Wednesday’ season opening win against Penley FC would count for nothing….especially with Maesgwyn up next!

It was clear that we weren’t at the races as the whistle sounded to get the game going. We were second best all over the pitch and losing all personal battles. Striker Mally Mbako and Ryan Masterson has very little to go off as our link up play fizzled out before it could get there.

It was Overton’ team spirit and desire to win the game that seemed to be out main struggling point as we just couldn’t match them. The first half, a poor one at best created very little chances first half. But poor defending saw Overton take a well-deserved first half lead when Aly Hughes rose unmarked from 6 yards out and powered a header through Andy Zulu. Half time 1-0 Overton.

It’s safe to say that the lads were on the end of a Melacrinis hairdryer and for a moment it looked like we may have got a response as the players began to link up play but unfortunately on possibly the widest pitch in the league everything was played down the middle and easily stopped by the towering Overton defence.

Changes were then made which saw Kieron Taylor enter our defence and Harry Jones move into midfield, with a hope more creativity would be added. Unfortunately a dubious decision was made by referee Matthew Oddie when Kieron Taylor dived in on Josh Bettley and a penalty was awarded. Josh Bettley made no mistake from the spot and credit to Andy Zulu for getting a hand to it. 2-0 Overton.

Into the mix came striker Jason Williams and midfielder Hugo Tavares, in replace of Ben Price and Richard Jones. Johnstown found a way back into the game when Mally Mbako beat two defenders with his trickery on the by-line and squared for Harry Jones to neatly finish and also score his first ever goal for Johnstown. 2-1!

With the countless attacks hammering the Overton defensive bus we were awarded a stone wall penalty but unfortunately we couldn’t take advantage of this due to an amazing stop from the Overton goalkeeper – this would be the first of many saves to heap misery on the Johnstown players and staff.

The game finished 2-1 to a hard-working Overton team and all credit to them.
Our next game will see us face league leaders Maesgwyn with a strong and spirited performance needed to keep pace with the top of the table.