Blagdon Boys Gain Hard-Earned Point Away From Home

Aiming to bounce back from last weeks defeat, the Blagdon Boys started the game against top 4 team Dongcaster FC with their usual high intensity. Missing the likes of Louis Alderton and Luke Coling meant returning appearances for Ben Fawley and Kelechi Okorie, with both starting on the bench. A debut appearance for Sam Warner gave the Boys a focal point up top with which to play off. M Fawley had a great early start and got several shots off on goal, but the keeper made himself big and the game remained 0-0. After a slight misjudgement from Royle in the midfield, Dongcaster got a shot off from distance. B Fawley fresh off the bench attempted to block the shot, which took a major deflection and completely wrong-footed Lillistone in goal, giving the opposition a 1-0 lead.

Half-time soon approached and while the Boys remained 1-0 down, they had dominated in expected goals, passes into the final third, and possession won. The 2nd half was another strong performance from the Blaggers who kept up their barrage of shots on target through a determined M Fawley. Eventually, a piece of individual brilliance from the debut man Sam Warner is what gave the Boys their equalising goal. M Fawley whipped in a corner from the right which Warner allowed to pass him in order to flick the ball into the net from behind with his right foot. Certainly a goal of the season contender so far. Aiming for the full 3 points, the pressure mounted for both teams, with important clearances from Royle and a big header from Binfield preventing Dongcaster from having many good chances. Lillistone had another good half and comfortably kept out any shots that did manage to come his way. Richards managed to do a bit of time-wasting (whether that be for his team or the opposition) to eventually hold out for the 1-1 draw. While it may not have been the result they were hoping for, every point is crucial in this fight for survival.

Next week Blaggers face Antonio's Carbonara, level on points but a long way behind on goal difference. A 6-pointer that will almost certainly secure safety for the winning team.