Match day report - 12.11.2022
Matchday report 📣: This weekends game saw United take on a Brislington 2nd side a point above us in the table knowing a victory at home and other results going our way would put us 2nd in the league.
Going into the game we knew that we’d be facing a tough challenge against a big and imposing Bris side who were looking to bounce back from a big defeat the previous week.
However unlike our blistering start the previous week where we effectively won the game in the first 25 minutes, this week we looked slow and sluggish out of the blocks. Time and time again we were second best to almost every challenge and we were being outworked by a Bris side who looked like they wanted it more than us. In truth we should of been 2 or 3 down in the first 20 but for some good saves from keeper Rees and some poor finishing by the away side.
After our opening poor spell and an enforced change through injury United started to settle. The desire and intensity increased and we went in search of the breakthrough. That persistence was rewarded on 35 minutes when a ball into the box was handled by the Bris defender but fell to striker Billy Gilborson who slotted home the chance smartly with the referee playing a clever advantage. However 5 minutes later a ball over the top from the away side caused some confusion in United’s defence with away side’s player stealing in to equalise. That was a real kick in the teeth for United who had started to stamp their authority on the game, but only 3 minutes after conceding United were back in front! A smart attacking move saw a shot saved well by the Bris goalkeeper but the ball fell back to striker Tom Blake who finished smartly under the away goalkeeper to restore the lead.
Going into the second half United knew they had the quality to go on and win the game but they also knew they would have to stay switched on and defend well against Bris who would throw everything at us to get back into the game. Whilst the quality of football on display wasn’t always as good as United know they can produce the effort,desire and commitment was there for all to see.
The home side matching Brislington’s aggression whilst still creating a few chances to extend our lead, which unfortunately we just couldn’t put together that final pass to make the most of. With 8 minutes remaining the missed chances looked like they had cost us when a long ball into United’s box wasn’t dealt with and a Bris player managed to bundle the ball home to equalise.
Conceding again was a bitter pill to swallow as United had defended brilliantly up until the point. However the home sides response to conceding again was brilliant. Every player seemed to gain an extra 10% and started to pile forward knowing they had quality to still win this game.
With the game ticking into the 90th minute United won attacking free kick 25 yards from goal in the centre of the pitch.
The stage was set for a dramatic finish when midfielder Jon Carpenter set the ball for one final attempt at goal. With the pressure of all people watching, Carps stepped up to produce flashbacks of Old Trafford in 2001 when Beckham fired home to send England to the World Cup. And just like one of England’s greats Carps curled home a wonder goal that flew past a helpless keeper and straight into the top corner to send the watching crowd into pandemonium.
Whilst this goal was not on as big as a stage as Beckhams, it certainly was celebrated as such by the home side as it sent us 2nd in the league and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a last minute winner!!!
Overall a performance of determination and fight from United who can now look forward to our next league game with some nice momentum building.
Goalscorers:
Billy Gilborson ⚽️
Tom Blake⚽️
John Carpenter⚽️
Man of the match: Tom Blake- a battling performance from the striker who netted another goal to become the clubs top scorer and a player who is going from strength to strength with each game 👏👏
