The early part of the week leading up to this fixture was eventful. We unexpectedly lost striker Josh Gilborson to Bitton. But on the same day we secured the signing of Jack Jones with Cribbs allowing us to dual reg him.

We started this fixture very well. We looked strong and were causing Devizes problems. We nearly took the lead when a great ball into the box was almost forced in on the line by Mason Dagger , but some how it ended up going over the bar.
Micky Gough managed to produce some great work 20 yards from goal shifting the ball past a defender and getting his shot off which the Devizes keeper was equal to.

A key moment in the half was the first yellow for Conor Biggins. After winning few free kicks in our favour , Biggins challenged a Devizes defender for the ball , with initially the reff not blowing up for even a foul. But the Devizes player made a meal of the situation and a number of Devizes players surrounded the reff despite the ball still being in play. The reff then not only decided to award a free kick but bizarrely book Biggins.

After around 20 minutes Devizes were threatening to get a foot hold in the game after a good short period. But again we won a free kick in the half in a good position.

Jayden Leonard whipped in a superb ball and Taylor Dole rose well to smash home another headed goal. His 4th of the season.
0-1.

We got back on top and a lovely through ball found Micky Gough who broke through onside , but couldn’t sort his feet out which would have presented him with a one on one.

The highlight of the half was our second goal. A sequence of passes saw the ball end up with Leonard. Jayden moved the ball to his right foot a full 25 yards plus from goal. Leonard let rip and his effort beat the keeper and flew into the top corner out.
0-2. Superb goal.

HT 0-2.

It was important we didn’t concede early in the second half - but unfortunately we did. 4 minutes in , we had the ball in midfield. A stray pass was picked up by a Devizes player who popped the ball out wide and cross into the box was forced home 1-2.

The lads didn’t go into there shell. And we went in hunt of the 3rd. The game picked up a notch. And both teams were fully at it.
Hickery had a good effort which was saved , Leonard’s cross into the box ended up more of a shot , and was gathered.
Biggins showed some lovely skill to take a player on - shifting it to his left , but his goal bound effort was blocked by a defender.

Jack Jones come on to make his debut , and we looked to try and secure the free points.

One of the most bizarre decisions of the season was to follow. A set piece into the Devizes box was met by Conor Biggins attempting an over head / hook shot which saw his effort crash of the bar. In the process a Devizes defender put his head in to try and stop the effort with minimal contact if any.
The reff then blew the whistle. And spent some time consulting the near side linesman.
Unbelievably he showed Biggins a second yellow card and then a red card !!!!
And to make it more strange the game restarted with a drop ball and not a free kick. ??
We now has a good 20 minutes to see the job through with 10 men.

The back 4 were superb with Hughes and Doyle solid. Supported well by Fab Mokhatari and Jackson Brown.
The midfield worked tirelessly as did the forwards.

Brad Caton replaced Connor Kingdon and Jack Cousins replaced Micky Gough.

The game wore on and Devizes were turning the screw. But the clock was ticking. With 90 minutes on the clock Devizes grabbed the equaliser !! A long throw into our box was headed on and the flick on dropped to the feet of an on coming attacker who finished superbly. 2-2.

With 5 minutes of injury time now on the clock we had to make sure we didn’t come away from this fixture empty handed. Devizes appealed for a penalty when the ball was challenged for our own box , the reff waved play on. But a good few seconds later the far linesman waved his flag. Put it down. The back up again ?!? By now the ball was up in the Devizes half. The reff consulted the linesman. But the penalty was not given ! And rightly so.

The lads held firm. And it finished a point a piece.

MOM - Taylor Doyle. Good goal , and solid as always.