[visiongallery set=72157631928526932]
Photos: Emilien Tortel
In a forgettable match down at 22 acres, ten man James managed to snatch a late equaliser against a gritty Wentworth side.
With only ten players turning up for James they were always facing an uphill battle to get anything from the game. Despite this disadvantage James arguably started the better in a very tight scrappy opening with few clear chances.
However, the hectic opening seemed to tire James and allowed Wentworth to come into the game. Indeed they had the first clear sight at goal with Cukurova volleying wide after good work from Taira on the wings. The next chance again fell to the postgrads with strong work from Dom Green on the edge of the area, holding off defenders and sharply flicking the ball up but his hooked shot went over the bar.
Wentworth continued to push forward for an opener but Fellgett spurned the best chance of the game when the unforgiving playing surface ensured he fluffed his shot straight at Gooch when clean through on goal. James simply couldn’t fabric any meaningful attacking progress with Briars totally isolated up front and so Wentworth continued to press. The lively Tim Martin pushed his effort wide of the post after out pacing the James defence.
Just before the break Wentworth finally made their advantage pay and in some style. Parker picked the ball up around 25 yards out and thumped it into the top left hand corner. The keeper’s positioning may have been at fault but it was a fine effort all the same. It was just rewards for Wentworth’s industry and it remained this way until half time.
The start of the second half mirrored that of the first: scrappy and dull. Wentworth were probably still the better side but James were beginning to launch a resistance with captain Spurling moving further forward to influence the game more. Wentworth were still creating the better openings with Green scooping over an open goal after Taira’s effort had been saved.
James grabbed a harsh equaliser on 75 mins with Woodman scoring after Sormaz had parried a shot. The game would finish this way; James can be proud of their point and their fight despite having ten men whereas Wentworth will be a little bit disappointed they didn’t kill the game early on.
After the game Wentworth captain Andrew Sutton said, ‘We played really well and controlled the game. They didn’t look like scoring at all and we are a bit disappointed but we will move on to next week.’
James Spurling was pleased with his side’s efforts as well, ‘Everyone battled hard and I am really impressed with everyone in the circumstances.
Not really sure what game you saw here, not even a mention of two of the three one on ones James had and the description for the James goal is quite frankly pathetic. It was a great volley to finish after a good team move and a class save from the Wentworth keeper. Get your facts straight and report on what actually happened!