LATE GOALS FOR TROWBRIDGE
A three-nil victory over the newly-promoted Barnstaple eleven looked most unlikely lour minutes from the end, when only Hancock's splendid first-half goal separated the teams. In those four minutes, however, Webb and Haddon each scored, and the Devonian, made the long homeward journey pointless and goalless. Trowbridge were sound value for the points, but were rather fortunate to finish without at least one goal against them. Vince's fine work in goal was mainly responsible, though he was completely beaten by a shot from outside right Carter which rebounded from the bottom of an upright and was cleared.
It was Trowbridge's superior forward play which turned the tide of victory in their favour. In defence Barnstaple's backs were often steadier in tackling and more sure in their kicking. Sheppard was often caught on the wrong foot by the cuteness of Jones and McGill. The Town halves, however, were good, and it was there that the majority of Barnstaple's attacks were broken. Peter Maher, unable play because of inoculation, was replaced by Dennis Hancock - and here it seems, team manager Jim Paviour will find it difficult not to retain this clever and robust inside-right in the senior eleven. The quickness with which he accepted chances, and his excellent wing passes, were most effective.
VINCE'S GREAT SAVE
Soon after the start Tuck, beaten by a sudden twist of the ball, saw Carter snap up the chance and cut in, but Vince hurled himself courageously on the forward's feet and gathered the ball. Then Symons, in Barnstaple's goal had d busy spell, and was seldom idle for the rest of the game. Ivor Compton beat him a race for the ball, but in his excitement Compton hit the ball too hard and high and it sailed harmlessly over. Symons saved well from Webb but in the 20th minute Hancock cleverly rounded an opponent, and from close in hit the ball hard and true into the lop of the net. A terrific rainstorm soaked the players and officials to the skin, and the ball became slippery and tricky. Trowbridge's goal had lucky escape when from Jones's centre Carter sent the ball against the near upright, then right across the goalmouth. Abrahams shot into Symons's hands from a perfect Compton pass. Haddon was a star home forward, being here, there and almost everywhere; he led the defence a merry dance.
Trowbridge enjoyed by far the better of the second hall, when the Barnstaple defence, notably Symons won some rare tussles with Compton & Co. though the visitors' goal was extremely lucky several occasions. Vince made one fine save when punched out a shot from Jones under the crossbar. Hancock, from a clever flick-pass Compton, went through and looked an odds-on scorer, but Symons saved and as Haddon came in to the rebound the goalkeeper again proved the victor. Symons made another brilliant save from Hancock. Barnstaple were dangerous raiders, and Vince made great save when he touched splendid shot McGill over the bar. In the closing stages Abrahams, although limping badly, made some openings with clever ball play which reaped a rich reward. Four minutes from time the inside-left centred from near the goal-line, and as the ball was cleared Webb, unmarked got in a glorious oblique drive which went into the left-hand side of Symons's goal at great speed. In the last minute again from an Abrahams centre, Haddon netted from near the upright. The attendance was 2,517. The club flag was flown at half-mast in memory of Roger Pike, the 23-years-old Trowbridge and Winsley player, who died in hospital on the previous day.
Trowbridge: Vince; Sheppard, Sutherland; Lovesey, Tuck, Haycock; Haddon, Hancock, Compton, Abrahams, Webb.
Report from the Wiltshire Times
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