Trowbridge Town's victory-over Weymouth Reserves in the Western League, Division 1, last Saturday was an invigorating tonic for a team battling against a discouraging loss of form, which has produced gloomy forebodings from the pessimists. Last Saturday's victory, which may well prove to be the commencement of a big revival, was only a goal to nil, but it was a hard and well-merited victory against a powerful side, who, incidentally, were deprived of their league leadership by this distinction which once again goes to last season's champions, Glastonbury. Watching Trowbridge's lively display last Saturday led on to the conclusion that they had probably had a "pep" talk, for they were certainly more like the virile championship aspirants of old. If they can maintain this form, and there is no reason why they should not, then their prestige, as well as their league record, will quickly improve.
From the kick-off Trowbridge combined with such excellent effect that only superb defence work kept the home forwards at bay. The Seasiders likewise, promptly displayed the speed and penetrative power of the attack, notably through the their extreme wingers, Moscrop and Chapman, while Millar and Court (who was with Swindon Town last season) were dangerous marksman. Here tribute may be paid to the fine goalkeeping of Vince's, who was at his very best, and was, perhaps, more responsible than any other Trowbridge defender, good as they played, for preventing Weymouth from scoring. Both goals had lucky escapes. First Trowbridge's, when with Vince out among a crowd of players a centre from Moscrop hit a Weymouth player on the back and was rolling goal-wards when another player kicked it away. Greenland looked to be in a scoring position, but Stone managed to smother the shot, lost possession of the ball, and then had the good fortune to see it kicked back to him while he was on the ground. Vince made a spectacular leap to a sharp cross-shot from Millar. Shortly afterwards he dashed out and finding himself out of his goal area, calmly headed the ball to a colleague, who cleared. Vince saved well from Court and Moscrop, and Greenland, for the Town, had very bad luck when a hard rising shot struck the angle of the goalposts.
Half-time: 0-0.
WHITE BALL The light, which had been gloomy in the extreme, got so bad after 17 minutes of the second half that the referee called for a white ball. Chapman netted for Weymouth, which was ruled offside. Greenland, Trowbridge's best marksman, had another shot well saved by Stone, whose sound 'keeping was again a feature. Millar, too, found Vince a stumbling block, especially when the latter threw himself at the forwards feet and parried a shot, which injured Vince's wrist. Following a misunderstanding in the home defence, Vince again saved at very close range from Millar. Trowbridge's goal came in the 79th minute, and Greenland, the scorer, certainly deserved his success as recompense for his previous fine efforts. The goal came when McGhee and Dunn, the Weymouth centre half, chased the ball it came through the centre. Somehow the ball eluded them, and Greenland, with rare opportunism, gave chase, steadied himself and hit the ball hard and low past the advancing goalkeeper. It was a great shot under the circumstances. Just before the end, when the light had become unfair to the goalkeepers. Court went within a few inches of equalising with a first-time shot. Chief honours in the Trowbridge team go to the defence.
Trowbridge team; Vince; Hulbert, Welch; Lovesey, Sutherland. Grimason; Haddon, Greenland, McGhee, Hancock. Webb. Tuck was absent owing to a pulled leg muscle.
Attendance was just over 1,600.
Report from The Wiltshire Times
|