Cheriton created a fantastic second half turnaround in freezing Bampton today following an out-of-sorts first 45. Bampton started the brighter, mainly by winning every ball in the air and outmuscling their opponents. Cheriton were clearly missing the powerful goal kicks of Brett Carrick, and Bampton nearly made them pay with a couple of half chances. The Cherries did have a good spell where Lee Elson struck the post with a strike across goal, and Cory Knowles had 2 good shots saved, but it was Bampton who took the lead after stand in goalie Lewis Cobb made a good save, before his parry was sent back across goal and headed in by the hulking Bampton player. Serious words were had at half time, as it was clear something needed to change.
The turning point came 10 minutes into the second half, when Jordan Woolacott cleverly cut inside and hit a powerful effort towards goal. The strike clipped off the head of a Bampton defender, which spun it out of reach of the keeper and just inside the far post for 1-1. Cheriton restricted Bampton to rushed shots from range, and managed to take the lead for the first time shortly after. Cory Knowles drilled in a low free kick from out wide, which Jordan Wollacott intelligently stepped over for Mark Colville to dart in and clinically bury. Cheriton weren't finished there. Mark Colville fed the ball in to Lee Elson 25 yards from goal, who turned smartly and unleashed a high drive which crashed in off the crossbar. A fantastic goal, and about 18 minutes to hold on to the 3 points now!
There was one moment of real panic when a slip allowed Bampton's striker to chase down a long ball and round Lewis Cobb on the far edge of the box. The striker's pass to his waiting teammates was scrambled away, and the one moment of real danger in the 2nd half had passed. A highlight in the closing moments of the game was MOTM Alexander Partridge's Maradona roulette and pass at centre back - audacious! Cheriton also missed some gilt-edged chances on the break as the game neared its conclusion (... Andy Hearn!) but managed to see it out for 3-1.
Overall this was not our best performance, but it was a sign of our strength and character that we managed to turn around a game which was slipping towards a poor defeat in difficult conditions. We are now up to 3rd, and will move to 2nd if we can do the double over Alphington next week!
