4th September 2004
- Trowbridge Town Reserves 3 Easington
Sports Reserves 0
By Russ Gibbs
Paul King’s reserve grade side eased themselves into action in the GLS Hellenic League Division 2 West with a convincing 3-0 victory over Easington Sports at Woodmarsh on Saturday. It was a fine performance by the Bees’ Reserve side that included a number of up and coming players who performed admirably, notably goalkeeper Sean Bryant who kept a clean sheet on his reserve league debut.
Town got off to a flyer, taking the lead inside the first five minutes. The returning Daniel Barnes flicked on a corner and fellow centre half Mike Grievse rammed the ball home from fifteen yards past the stricken Sports’ ‘keeper to open the scoring. This inspired Trowbridge and with Gordon Saunderson, Paul Ford and Shaun Daniels looking secure in midfield another goal looked likely. It should have arrived after twenty minutes when Booker Woodford found himself with a clear run on goal. Unfortunately, he was unable to round the ‘keeper and the chance was lost.
This reprieve enabled Easington to get back into the match and for a spell the visitors dominated possession without threatening a goal, and shortly before half time Trowbridge extended their lead with a bolt from the blue. A half cleared corner was returned into the fray by Barnes and fell for Tim Gabb twenty-five yards from goal. The midfielder spun on the spot and unleashed a tremendous volley that flew over the visiting ‘keeper and nestled into the back of the net to the stunned disbelief of all watching! It was a magnificent strike that seemed to deflate the visitors and it meant that Trowbridge were able to go in 2-0 up at half time.
After the break and with Matt Penman, Grieves and Barnes in complete control at the back, Town began to assert their dominance. Lee Anthony, who had a superb game at wing back, had a chance to make it 3-0, but saw his one-on-one well saved by the Easington goalkeeper, and Daniels was also denied by a last ditch tackle when a goal seemed certain after excellent approach work from Jack Heard.
A third goal looked on the cards and it duly arrived five minutes from time. Daniel Barnes set off on a rampaging run down the left flank before unleashing a swerving pass directly into the path off the onrushing Heard who was left bearing down on goal. There was only one outcome as the resolute striker lifted the ball over the advancing ‘keeper to crown an excellent personal display and put the icing on the cake on what was a satisfactory start to the season for the Reserve side. Indeed, there was almost time for a fourth, as Heard crashed a last minute shot off the post from an acute angle and substitute Russ Gibbs saw his follow up shot blocked close to the line.
In the end 3-0 may have flattered the home side on the balance of play, but Trowbridge always looked the more likely, and created the better chances, and therefore fully deserved to take maximum points.
Team: Sean Bryant, Matt Grievse (Matt Bonser), Matt Penman, Daniel Barnes, Gordon Saunderson, Tim Gabb (Daniel Crease), Shaun Daniels, Lee Anthony, Paul Ford, Booker Woodford (Russ Gibbs), Jack Heard