After the total humiliation last week at the hands of Bremhill View in a 11-0 cup loss, Division 3 high flyers Cavalier FC were looking to get back to winning ways with a big win over whipping boys London Road FC.
From the get go it was clear that this was not going to be the high scoring defeat that London Road were accustomed to, having signed on several new faces from Buttercross FC in time for this game.
Nevertheless Cavalier started brightly with a purpose and intent to score as many goal as possible to boost their goal difference come next April.
Cavalier had all the possession, but couldn’t break down a stubborn London Road defence, who were keen to keep the score below double figures for only the 2nd time this season. This defensive philosophy was working for the home side up until the 14th minute, when a surging run into the box by Leigh Blanchard resulting in the experienced midfielder winning a stonewall penalty. Blanchard stepped up to the spot, calmly slotting the ball into the bottom right, doing the ‘keeper with the eyes.
1-0 soon became 2, when Dan Rance floated a corner from the right onto the head of Andy Holman, who despite being one of the shortest payers on the field, towered above everyone else to power home into the top corner.
Cavalier had more chances before the break to extend their lead, including a rasping 30 yard drive from Dec McEniry, back in the team after a few weeks out. Mike Booth was put through on goal by Roger Wiltshire, but in what is appearing to be a recurring theme this season, denied Wiltshire an assist with a wasteful finish.
HALF TIME: 0-2.
Wiltshire brought on Carl Ledbury at half time, just to rub salt in the wounds of London Road, and make their chances of scoring a 1st league goal of the season even tougher.
Cavalier became sloppy in the 2nd period, resting on their laurels a bit. Business soon picked up though when Jez Wiltshire grabbed his 1st goal of the season, with a typically stylish drive into the top corner from range.
More Cavalier dominance ensued. This can unfortunately make the game more frustrating, as everybody wants to do too much and get in on the goal scoring act. One man that had every right to get in with the goals was Cavalier’s top scorer Dan Rance. After a poor clearance, the right winger picked up the ball from 25 yards, and with a slight deflection found the far corner of the net.
London Road rarely threatened, and with the experienced heads of Hannah, Stone and Holman at the back, nothing was getting through.
It was Hannah who set up the 5th and final goal of the game for Cavalier. After good tea play, the right back confidently nodded the bll across the 6 yard box, where Leigh Blanchard grabbed his 2nd goal of the game – his first for the club from open play, to see out the game with a Francis Jeffers like poacher’s goal.
Roger Wiltshire brought on Martin Wilkins in the last 10 minutes to give him his first taste of league football, and put in a solid display from left midfield.
FULL TIME: 0-5.
