After a comprehensive 5-0 demolition of London Road the week before, Cavalier FC were hoping to add to their tally of league points with a home victory over Stonewood Sundays – an unpredictable side who have beaten some strong sides already this season, but at the same time been beaten by weaker sides.
Much to the annoyance of Cavalier manager Roger Wiltshire, it was clear from the offset that Stonewood turned up with the full strength outfit, including several players from the Western League.
Despite this confidence knock to the home side, Cavalier started with purpose and intent, welcoming back hardworking striker Antony Butler, who was pressing well from the front. Liam McEniry also returned to the side, despite battling personal demons and alcohol addiction.
The first half was a cagey affair, with neither side creating many decent chances from open play. Antony Butler forced a great save from the Stonewood ‘keeper with a long range strike, and Marcus Rossi was forced into action, palming several speculative striker away from danger.
The breakthrough came, not surprisingly from a set piece, midway through the half. Cavalier won a free kick within shooting range, and Jez Wiltshire stepped up, duly dispatching the ball into the bottom corner out of the goalkeeper’s reach.
Rossi had to be again on his toes, thwarting an equaliser by coming off his line well to deal with a 1-on-1.
Against the run of play, Cavalier doubled their lead – again from a set piece. Chris Underwood whipped in a delightful corner to the back post, where man in form Leigh Blanchard grabbed his 3rd goal in 2 games with an unmarked header.
All of the Cavalier players dug deep and defended resolutely until the break, keeping the score line at a somewhat surprising 2-0.
HALF TIME: 2-0.
Roger Wiltshire introduced Mike Booth in the second half, hoping to inject some pace into the game. However, after a nasty challenge by Chris Underwood, and the chance of a sending off looming, Booth was forced to continue the game at left-back, drastically changing Wiltshire’s tactics.
Stonewood found that inevitable equaliser 10 minutes into the half, when Leigh Blanchard pulled down a striker 17 yards from goal. The referee had no choice but to point to the spot. The Stonewood player sent Rossi the wrong way, and the away side had a deserved goal.
Much like Cavalier did, the travelling team found their 2nd goal by the way of another set piece. After being hacked down by several Cavalier players 25 yards from goal, a free kick was awarded. The resulting effort crept in under the body of Marcus Rossi. Whether the blame lies with Rossi or the wall is a debate which is still ongoing.
Cavalier heads soon dropped by this point, and despite the introduction of Lee Whyte for the home side, a defeat was looking inevitable.
After Rob Hannah and Liam McEniry both picked up knocks and with no available substitutions remaining, Cavalier battled on with the hopes of snatching a point from their better opponents.
With legs tiring, Stonewood’s pacey striker found a gap in the heart of the Cavy defence, exploiting it well before finishing off a scrappy goal to give the away team the lead for the first time in the match.
With Cavalier pressing hard for a way back into the game, huge gaps were being left in the defence. After a Cavalier attack was broken down, Stonewood broke with pace on the counter. With only Blanchard back as cover, the Cavalier captain had no choice other than to bring down the striker to concede a 2nd penalty of the day. The striker sent Rossi the wrong way to end the match 4-2 to the visitors.
FULL TIME: 2-4.
