THE VICKERS GO DOWN BY THE ODD GOAL

This was a game of the proverbial two halves with the hosts shading the first period in possession and efforts on goal, but the Vickers having the better of it after the break only for some sloppy play letting the Blues take the lead which proved to be the match winner. VCD created the first chance of the half with James Duckworth breaking down the flank before crossing to Michael Power who touched the ball on to Leigh Bremner, but his header drifted just wide. The Police then began a good spell of possession with some neat attacking play, but were restricted to attempts from outside the area which were comfortably dealt with by keeper Nick Blue. The impressive Billy Crook made a good break down the left before drilling the ball into the six yard box where Jake Reid fired home, but the effort was ruled out for handball. In a Vickers break, James Duckworth played the ball wide to Bremner who released the overlapping Elliott Cox, and Duckworth met his cross at the far post only for home keeper Joe Tupper to bundle the ball behind. The hosts got into some good wide positions as the half wore on but wasted opportunities with a number of poor crosses before, as the half ended, Jay Lovett sent a free kick narrowly over the angle.
The Vickers went on the attack straight from the restart and Grant Basey’s throw picked out Nick Reeves who sent a telling ball into the six yard box which bounced around causing panic before being hacked to safety, then Duckworth and Dent combined to put Sean Roberts clear on goal but he was judged marginally offside with just the keeper to beat. Still the pressure was kept up with skipper Lea Dawson setting up Karl Dent who skipped past his marker before sending a left foot effort just beyond the angle. Up to this point in the half VCD looked to be getting on top but some indecision in defence enabled the Police to take the lead. Nick Blue threw the ball out wide from where it was played square, and a mis-kick saw the ball reach the unmarked Jake Reid who had time to fire home past the stranded keeper. The hosts were buoyed by their good fortune and Joe Turner went close, firing just over, then Crook getting clear only to be denied by the legs of keeper Blue, while at the other end Duckworth’s corner was only half cleared as far as Sean Roberts who burst through with his ball across the face of the goal just eluding the onrushing Bremner. Blue then made another fine save to thwart Turner before releasing James Duckworth, who ran from his own half before cutting inside and sending a curling effort inches over the bar with Tupper beaten. The visitors kept up the pressure to the end, but were unable to get a share of the points.

VCD Athletic: Blue, Cox, Basey, Reeves, Tozer, Dawson, Roberts, Dent, Power (Jeffery 69), Bremner, Duckworth

Substitutes not used: Powell, Penfold, McDonagh, Young

Attendance: 72