FREELAND CHASE THE BIG BRIZE

Freeland A 4 - 2 Brize Norton A

Freeland A grabbed their second win in a row as they continued to put their promotion chase back on the rails. Missing top scorer Jason Footitt, wing magician Joel Holden and defensive rocks Mark Bower and Darren Paton, Freeland shuffled their pack. The bruising Mark Venn came in at right back and Callum Parker slotted onto the left wing, Dave Rio Simpkins lined up in defence alongside captain fantastic Robert Panting, The Pirate returned to central midfield and Freeland legend Richard Stanley partnered the returning Richard Howe upfront.

Freeland had to win this game, and with that started nervously, falling behind early in the game when a long ball caught the Freeland defence out, Dan Tasker ran into the gaping hole behind the defence and cooly slotted the ball past Mobey in the Freeland goal. This seemed to spur Freeland on, and instead of panicing they played some very good football for the next twenty minutes.

In this time Freeland banged in three superb goals, John Pyrah scored with a clever header from a Venn free kick, and then Richard Howe volleyed home after a superb Shepherd cross to give Freeland the lead and the two were involved in the next goal as Freeland passed their way to a beautifully crafted second goal. Mobey was quick to react with a throw out to Hardy, who galloped up the pitch before passing to Shepherd, Shepherd then played the ball into Howe, who played a delightful one two with Stanley before passing the ball across goal for Parker to slam the ball home into the bottom corner.

Freeland started to dominate, and Stanley went close on a number of occasions, heading a chance wide, and then chipping over the keeper only to see the ball roll wide again. Shepherd, Pyrah and Howe were instrumental in all of Freelands good play, linking up well with some clever passes. Shepherds constant barrage of well executed crosses was causing the Brize defence endless problems.

At the other end Simpkins and Panting dealt with anyting that came their way, Panting making a brave header to stop one Brize attack before it had started. The centre back then found himself up the other end with a glorious chance, but the usually calm defender blazed over from eight yards.

At half time Titcombe replaced the injured Simpkins and he was immediatley called into action making a great last ditch tackle as Tasker looked set to score. Brize threw on their subs and they changed the game, with Brize beginning to look more dangerous, Mobey had to be alert to make a brave save at an onrushing strikers feet. Freeland wrapped up the points when Parker bravely headed home his second from another superb Shepherd cross.

The dazzling left winger, who is rumoured to be catching the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson, should have had his hat trick soon after, but he spooned the ball over six yards from goal when he looked set to score. Freeland brought on Paul Mills and Chris Collier after long absences and the two scrapped away as the game became messy, Tomas earned a booking after a scuffle in the centre circle to sum up the last twenty minutes.

Brize grabbed a late consolation goal after Freelands offside trap failed but Freeland took the three points which took them back above Stanton Harcourt in the race for promotion. Carteton stay top of the pile on goal difference and Freeland will know that every game is now a must win if they are too keep up with the two big spenders of Division Four.