Budleigh action versus Alphington

Topsham Town 1, Budleigh Reserves 1

After all the flooding and the festive period, it was welcome back to local football for the Robins Reserves in a Fresha League Premier Division match at Topsham Town, writes SpursTom.

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After all the flooding and the festive period, it was welcome back to local football for the Robins Reserves in a Fresha League Premier Division match at Topsham Town, writes SpursTom.

The Robins starting line-up showed five changes to the one that had played the previous game – 28 days before!

With regular captain Mike Pidgeon away, David Radford took over. The Robins started slowly and the hosts, quickly into their stride, took the lead on 16 minutes following one of the many decisions falling their way; a free-kick was awarded that led to a corner which was not cleared properly and the ball was played to Nathan Cooper whose low shot found the bottom right corner of the net. On the few occasions Budleigh threatened, they were either off target or shot straight at the keeper.

John Kirby missed a golden opportunity on 44 minutes when, after evading three tackles, he fired over from close range.

Topsham dominated the first half with their captain orchestrating proceedings from midfield, but failed to press home possession advantage.

Thankfully for Budleigh, Zack Pearce was having a brilliant game in defence, with his performance being one of the main reasons it remained just 1-0 to the hosts at half-time.

Manager Duane Greenslade kept his team in the dressing room for as long as possible before the re-start. Whatever was said had the required effect for Budleigh came out in a more positive mood.

Their passing and movement was much better, with both Aiden Martin on the left and Callum Shipton on the right, these two wingmen were now creating or finding more space and Josh Hill in the middle running at and taking on the opposition ensuring gaps were appearing where there were none before. Aiden Martin narrowly headed wide and good work by the same player ended with a cross which was converted by Callum Shipton, but any congratulations were short lived as the assistant referee had his flag raised and the after consultation with the referee, the goal was ruled out. This did not deter the Robins they continued to search for an equaliser, but there was always the chance of Topsham breaking away on the counter attack. On one of these occasions Zack Pearce was booked for over-zealous protesting, believing a penalty was awarded against him, he was relieved it was a free-kick outside, which was safely cleared.

Budleigh themselves wasted a free-kick in the 88th minute, but somehow found a way to launch another attack down the left with Radford, Liam West and Hill heavily involved, providing Carl Wilson with the pass to smash home the leveller which he did not miss for a well-earned point and draw. Hill was just behind Pearce as the Man of the Match.

Budleigh have no fixture this Saturday, but their next two games are tough away trips to Feniton and St. Martins (second and fifth placed sides respectively).