Cavalier continued their pre-season fixtures with a tough away game to Trowbridge League outfit Broughton Gifford. Playing against a quality side, it was always going to be a hard game to win, but the workrate and commitment was unquestionable.
Cavalier started the game with a 4-2-3-1 formation;
Bevan
Shearing Folkard Cook Ledbury
Dick Alford
Rance Wiltshire Gale
Stockman
This new look team started the game brightly, and were unlucky not to take the lead through long range strikes from Sotkcman and the debuting Gale. Cavalier were unfortunate to concede the first goal of the game when a long ball found it's way through to a striker who lobbed keeper Bevan, despite getting a hand to the ball. Cavalier dug deep and deservedly found the net after good link up play down the left saw Wiltshire cross the ball to the back post, were the impressive Dan Rance headed in from 2 yards to score his first ever headed goal.
Cavalier were not boystrous and found the back of the net again, when returning striker John Stockman blasted home a Wiltshire headed lay-off from 6 yards. With just seconds to go until the half time whistle, Broughton Gifford were awarded a penalty when their striker made the most of Folkard's tackle. Bevan was beaten despite going the right way.
Half time saw several changes, with White, Holman, Hunter and Scott all coming on, keen to impress manager Wiltshire enough to gain a starting place. The game lost it's flow in the 2nd half, and when Cavalier switched off at a set-piece, a free man at the back post headed home for Broughton Gifford, putting them 3-2 up. Jamie White's constant running nearly paid off when he was put through 1-on-1, but the keeper got down well to his effort. Gifford then scored a 4th with a fantastic volley on the break. Wiltshire came within inches of scoring a freekick, but after that the game stayed fairly even.
All in all a very good game, played with a great workrate and teamwork. Hopefully the sign of a great season to come! Well done everyone.
