Trowbridge Town Supporters Club suffered a surprise home defeat against Crossblades but Kevin Williams side played their part in an epic contest that Crossblades eventually won 5-4 in the autumn mist at Bratton.
Trowbridge, fourth in the league, started as favourites. However, Crossblades have shown that if they click, they are capable of getting results. Trowbridge had much of the early possession, but their final ball lacked a killer touch and John Hampshire's goal remained untroubled. Accepting that counter-attacking was their best option, Crossblades made good use of the ball, with Tim Chilton linking well with Chris Neate and Mike Booth on the flanks.
With Crossblades getting on top, it was the supporters’ club who took the lead, capitalising on a defensive mix up in the box which saw Rob Elliot turn the ball home. This spurred Crossblades on, Jack Lowe playing Booth in down the left wing, his pace was too much for the defender and he hit his left foot shot across the keeper and in to the back of the net for 1-1. Sensing they could actually win this game, Crossblades continued to attack, with the inspirational James Squire pulling all the strings. Goal scorer Booth turned provider, to set up leading scorer Carl Jacobi for a tidy finish under pressure.
The first half ended with the scores being 2-1 to the Blades, the second half promising to be and exciting prospect. Shortly after the restart, the energetic Neate, utilised the space on the right wing to beat his man and cross expertly to the far post where Mike Booth timed his run to meet the cross with a subtle header and put the Blades 3-1 up.
This rallied the home side, who shifted positions around and began to control the game. Crossblades started to panic and it wasn't long before the home side made all their hard work count with a good team move resulting in a tidy finish for Bradley King-Taylor. Still in shock from conceding, Crossblades went to sleep and allowed the supporters to equalise with Jake Self scoring his first for the club.
It seemed as though having played their best 45 minutes of football all season in the first half, complacency had set in and the away team were panicking. Things went from bad to worse for the Blades when their failure to clear resulted in Trowbridge taking a 4-3 lead thanks t o second from King-Taylor.
Player/manager Jimmy Squire took action and introduced Will Wright. It didn't take long for Wright to make an impact, his marauding run down the left wing took him in to the box, squaring to ball to Jacobi who got his secondof the game and gave the Blades an equaliser.
On another day both teams would have settled for a draw, but it seemed as though both wanted to go for the win. Chris Neate went close, testing the keeper two times within a matter of minutes. Trowbridge were throwing everything at the Blades, but solid performances from Liam Matthews and Chris Walker kept them at bay.
With Chilton dropping deep to help out and just four minutes on the clock, he played a nice one-two with Squire who in turn passed to Wright. Wright was brought down 25 yards from goal giving Crossblades one final chance to gain a much deserved victory. Up stepped the enigmatic Squire, who's left foot pile driver sailed passed the wall and keeper in to the roof off the net. 5-4 to Crossblades!
A great game of football played in great spirit by both teams. Some of this was due to the referee John Duncan who, through good communication had the respect of the players and made the game a joy to play.
Well done to Jack Lowe for playing well in his first full game in midfield, and also to both Neate and Booth who provided Crossblades with a lot of width that they have been lacking all season.
Man of The Match is tough this week, the stand-out 3 being Neate, Booth and Squire. Only 1 can take the accolade however, and Captains choice will be going to Jimmy Squire who, after being away for a short time, came back in to the team and helped inspire them to victory.
