Forgeside travelled to face Crickhowell in the last midweeker and with 4 or 5 players missing but still fielded a strong team. The Bees were quick out of the blocks and had a well organised Crick team struggling with their quick passing and the home keeper was in action from the start. The experienced defence of player manager Richard Gulliford, Lee Freeman and David Gulliford looked very calm and were starting off most of the attacking moves one of which involved almost every player and were unlucky not to score what would have been an excellent goal. After wasting a few good chances Forgeside were awarded a penalty when livewire Ryan Tidball was brought down in the box and up stepped David 'Turkish' Gulliford to beat the keeper for his first of the season. Liam Gulliford and Matthew Berba Cox were now controlling the midfield and Joe Princes recovery from injury is going well as he stretched Cricks defence on several occasions and Crickhowells only attacks were coming down the flanks, from one of these Forgesides keeper misjudged a speculative cross to unluckily let in a goal in what was otherwise a good performance in goal. With the scores level the home team had a good bit of pressure and had Forgeside scrabbling a bit to keep them at bay. Just as the home team were looking stronger Forgeside broke to go ahead again after Ryan Tidballs pass set up Jamie 'Bonfire' Parfitt to coolly slide the ball home, the away team finished the half strongly with Jack Parry and 17 year old Calum Burns doing very well in attack and defence. HT : 1 - 2.
With a strong 1st half behind them more of the same was called for although playing up the slight hill the team knew it was going to be more difficult and although Forgesides football was slightly better Crick had a lot of pressure in this period. The away defence though dealt with the attacks with ease and Maauley Trinder, George Harding and Pierce Archer came on as the game went a bit flat and all 3 impressed as Forgeside tried to stretch their lead. After a few good chances and near misses the Bees were unable to add to their score but as Rhys Black and Marcus Williams came on and impressed it was 2 seventeen year olds who unlocked the home defence when Pierce Archers sublime through ball put young George Harding through and he sprinted in on goal to slide past the keeper to make it 3 - 1 and this was soon 4 -1 when Georgie didnt give up and stabbed home to make sure of the points.
In the end a real gritty performance from Forgeside involving some good football but also good defending to make it 3 wins from 4 games. Next up is Govilon away on saturday at 3 pm.
Forgeside would like to mention Gavin Townsends refereeing performance which was excellent and was quick to explain his decisions and even have a laugh and joke with the players of both teams !