The Sheffield Academicals recorded a first win of the season and the third straight 3-2 victory against Tibshelf, but it wasn't all plain sailing at Warminster Road.
The contest started a touch casually for the home team against a Tibshelf side who were at full strength, and useful with it. The Accies were getting the ball down and playing with possession around the oppostion box but without really creating any clear chances. The final ball was lacking after decent build up play on a couple of occasions with Fozzy and Bri coming forward well from midfield and Jamie winning a few flick-ons; all to no avail. Tibshelf had the better chances as their long ball tactics to their two useful forwards brought Godders into action a couple of times diving at their feet to colllect the ball.
It was a ball over the top after some sloppy play in possession from the Accies that led to the opening goal. Godders came out once more and got a hand to the ball but the attacker went to ground and the referee pointed to the spot. The kick being duly dispatched by the number 11. Within 10 minutes Tibshelf were two goals to the good after another ball over the top bounced awkwardly for Tony and fell kindly to their pacy front man who turned inside and stroked it past Godders to put the away team 2-0 up.
This did seem to galvanise the Accies as they began to get forward better. Stan put a good ball in for Swifty that was nudged out to Dan whose left foot drive went just over. Jamie won another flick for Swifty but he blasted over when he could possibly have had another touch. Brian was getting more into the game and put a good flat cross in but nobody was gambling on it. With ten minutes to go before half time Jamie won a flick header that was right into Swiftys path and as the keeper came to claim it he got his foot to it with the ball ricocheting back to him to blast into an empty net.
The Accies finished the half strongly. Dan had a good run down the right and teed up Fozzy whose shot was blocked, Jamie found space on the edge of the box but his shot was narrowly wide. Brian linked up with Stan superbly down the left and sent in a terrific cross which Dan should have scored from but put his free header over the bar.
Half time 1-2
The Accies looked far more urgent in the second half and began to carve out some good chances. Simon had a good shot from distance saved after a fine move started by Batts at the back and involving Fozzy, Dan, Jamie and Swifty, the latter laying it back for the strike. A few corners were won in quick succession which were met by Accies players but falling into the hands of the Tibshelf keeper; whose long throws were resutling in half chances for the away side every time. A bit bizarre as Accies had far more possession!
Brian sent over another great cross which Dan met with a diving header which looked in all the way but the keeper scrambled back and made a great save to keep it out. Meanhwile Godders was called into action again and tipped a top corner bound strike over the bar, then made another important block seconds later at the feet of the Tibshelf forward.
On about 70 minutes another corner was put over by Dan which one of the defenders headed out. Dan collected and put in a cross with his left peg which Big Si met with a diving header at the back post to get the equalising goal. Alex came on the for the hard working Jacko who had enjoyed a no-nonsense game at centre half. Shortly after Tony was replaced by Hodgy with Fozzy dropping to right back and Hodgy going up front, Jamie making the switch to centre midfield.
This heralded the beginning of concerted pressure from the Accies to get the win who were now dominating midfield with Hoodgy making some excellent runs up front. Swifty and Dan worked the right channel and created a shooting opportunity for Si, the ball coming back to Dan who slipped in Swifty and his eventual ball in was met at the far post but went over.
The breakthrough came with 5 minutes to go as a good cross from Brian found Jamie who would surely score but he got too much on it and the ball came back across the box; the keeper looked to have collected it but weirdly fumbled it twice under pressure from Hodgy who followed up really well and got his first of the season, and the winning goal for the Academicals.
Full time 3-2
