Stoke Gifford Res’s 2-0 Mendip Broadwalk Res’s.

With Filwood being off. The home fixture was switched to Stoke Giffords home ground ( 4G pitch at SGS college ).

The reserves had a strong team available on paper. But getting it to click on the pitch was the challenge.

The Reserves were coming into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw with a rejuvenated St Aldhems.

Stoke Gifford Reserves have lost their previous few games. So it was a chance to get some much needed points on the board.

The Reserves started brightly. Sharp into the challenge. And dictated the opening 10 minutes. Harry Jones was adjudged to of been offside when he burst through for a 1 on 1. It must of been minimal.

Stoke Gifford soon settled. And started playing some very good football. They played the astro surface very well. And built up their attacks.
The reserves seemed to be in a rush to score. And a lot of easy passes were missed in favour of getting the ball forward as quick as possible. With the wind causing havoc the ball was either over hit. Or later in the game held up in the wind.
A positive bit of play saw Jack Cousins played in behind the full back , only for the keeper to take him out on the edge of box. With a free kick awarded and just the yellow for the keeper. Nothing come from the free kick.

Stoke Gifford shaded the first half and it finished 0-0.

The second half Stoke Gifford had the strong wind in their favour. But rather than hit early balls forward which undoubtedly would have seen the ball probably over run they again looked to keep the ball for a series of passes before releasing their attackers.

A moment of controversy occurred early in the second half when Stoke Gifford looked to of scored a legit goal. But the ball passed through the bottom corner of the net where there was a gap due to it not being clipped to the post !!!! The reff wasn’t 100% sure. And judged the ball to of been saved and out for a corner.

Not long later. The same Stoke Gifford player scored with a good finish. 1-0.

Although our reserves were winning a lot of the first balls , keeping possession was an issue.
And Gifford were picking up loose balls and setting off on measured attacks.

Some good corners were delivered and posed our best threat. But again we couldn’t capitalise.

Charlie Marsh managed to get a good long range half volley off , but with the keeper beaten it went inches wide.

Late in the game with nothing to lose. A free kick was awarded deep in the Gifford half. The Reserves loaded the box.

The free kick was taken but got caught in the wind with it falling short.
Gifford broke very quickly. And before we knew it , we were 2 goals down with not long on the clock.
It finished 2-0 to Stoke Gifford Reserves.

Mendip Broadwalk Res’s MOM -
Harry Jones.