Match Report - WENDOVER FIRST - 22 Sep 2018

After a couple of disappointing results, next up for Rivets was a trip to Wendover FC, who were coming off the back of a great results against Olney in the B&B. One of the toughest away fixtures in the ADL (partly due to the pitch), Rivets needed to improve on previous performances, if there were to take anything from the game.

Rivets started on the front foot, without really creating any clear cut chances. It became quite clear early on that it would be a fairly scrappy game in wet conditions, but rivets were working the ball into good areas and saw a couple of shots from Beale and Troy flash wide. The link-up play was discussed before the game and it wasn't long before the words were put into practise and Leon fed the ball to the left footed version of the Sunderland brothers, who turned well and hit a quick volley into the net. Wendover continued to try and work the ball forward, but aside from a volley that was dragged wide, they were not troubling Harry in the Rivets goal at all. This changed on 30 mins when a defensive error put them through in a 2 on 1 situation, which brought the game back level. Rivets were not rocked by this though, and continued to edge the first half. Some good work down the left hand side found a ball to Marc, who flicked a header through for brother Ryan to slot home underneath a charging goal keeper. The first half ended with Rivets deservedly leading by a goal

The second half had a different feel to it, as Wendover managed to put more pressure on Rivets and pin them back deeper. The yellow and blacks had to dig in for large part of the half, without their goal being threatened. Wendovers best chance to get back in the game was when their left winger ran into the box and dived under absolute minimal contact from right back Mabaudi, It was a laughable decision to award the penalty, but I think both teams would agree that based on the display from the man in the middle, no one was really surprised. Wendover manager and CM Jack Thompson stepped up and smashed his penalty against the bar, which was then cleared away by a defensively solid Lindsey. Justice was served on this occasion, but Rivets could count themselves lucky that they remained in front. The game continued with pressure from Wendover, resulting in a good save from Harry and a clearance from Joe, but the defence was solid. The final few minute anxiety was spared when a good break down the right hand side from Mabaudi cut open the few defenders that were back for Wendover, before he unselfishly squared the ball for Matty, who calmly hit home to seal the 3 points.

Rivets played a lot more like a team than the previous 2 weeks, and showed good character to dig in and pick up 3 valuable points in a tough away fixture. On to next weeks home league match against Tetsworth.