A cool October’s evening greeted The Bees’ as we made one of our longest trips of the season to Malmesbury, to take on Malmesbury Victoria Development.With several players away due to work/injury (or watching Newcastle United in Jack Sterling’s case!), The Bees took a depleted side to Malmesbury. We were able to give a re-debut to Callum Hotine in goal, and also able to welcome back Adam Mitchell, who signs permanently from Park United. Adam brings an impressive record of 123 goals in 120 games at Wilts League level.
The game started brightly for The Bees, with Shipman, Bendle and Mitchell linking up on 2 minutes to find Rogers, who unleashed a vicious shot from the edge of the D that went just over the bar.Jake Samuel then produced a brilliant run on 5 minutes to win The Bees a corner, which was taken by Milburn but cleared by Malmesbury – a counter attack then ensued, showing their attacking prowess, but Hotine was able to gather the ball easily. On 11 minutes, Bendle raced through on goal but was taken down by the Malmesbury defender, winning Town a free kick – the absence of a yellow card for the tackle was frustrating, and would be a theme later in the match. Unfortunately Rogers resulting free-kick was cleared.
The momentum then shifted and The Bees had to withstand a barrage of pressure from the hosts, with several shots off target. We temporarily came back into the game with some great possession before Malmesbury’s free kick was saved by Hotine. Leigh Rogers received a yellow card for a high foot on 35 minutes, and just seconds later Adam Shipman had the ball in the back of the net following a great run – but his toe had strayed offside and the goal was chalked off.
Undetered, Shipman chased down a loose ball 2 minutes later, sending the shot underneath the keeper from the edge of the box, before the Malmesbury defender cleared it brilliantly off the line, unfortunately wiping himself out on the post in the process. Following some treatment, he was able to continue.
There was a sense of De Ja Vu at the start of the second half, Malmesbury building some pressure up, their deflected shot saved brilliantly by Hotine on 51 minutes.
On 59 minutes, Gunning picked the ball up on the halfway line and ran at the Malmesbury defence; he was taken out from behind, the referee playing the advantage, as George Bendle stepped up and curled in a wonder goal from 25 yards out to leave the keeper rooted and put The Bees in front – possibly against the run of play.
It was end to end stuff for the next ten minutes, Malmesbury pushing for an equaliser – Hotine made a fantastic save to tip the shot onto the post, before Kilbane scooped it clear.
The Bees then had the ball in the back of the net again, the ball played into Shipman with Howlett finishing it from a couple of yards out – harshly, Shipman was adjudged to be offside in the build up, and the goal was chalked off AGAIN.
Mitchell, who contributed brilliantly with some great hold up play and stength, made way for Charlie Barber on 66 minutes, as The Bees looked to inject some pace into the game.Malmesbury won a free kick right on the edge of the D shortly after, a collision between Howlett and Hotine taking out the Malmesbury player in the process. The free kick was dispatched well wide of the post and The Bees could breathe again.
Malmesbury rallied and had another shot from distance, this time saved brilliantly with his feet by Hotine. A succession of fouls on Shipman and Samuel, to name a few, fell on deaf ears – the former challenge much to the amazement of the travelling support, as the referee was so close he nearly fell over Shippo in the process – and The Bees had to dig deep towards the end as Malmesbury went in search for a goal.
Malmesbury received a yellow card for a foul on Shipman on 88 minutes, before The Bees rallied to kill the game off – first George Bendle had a shot just over, then Leigh Rogers hit the inside of the post with a great strike from the edge of the D, before Bendle fired another shot just wide.There was a sense of relief and accomplishment as the full time whistle blew to confirm the 3 points for The Bees, the result taking us up to 10th, with 2 games and 5 points separating us from 4th place at the final whistle.
It was agreed at full time that Malmesbury were one of the toughest opponents we have faced in a long time, and the lads thoroughly enjoyed the on pitch battle – we wish them well for the remainder of the season and thank them for their excellent hospitality.
Goal Scorer: Bendle (assist – Gunning)
Man of the Match: Callum Hotine
Attendance (H/C) 45 (18 away)
Lineup: Hotine, Gunning, Howlett, Kilbane, Milburn, Rogers, Fox, Samuel, Bendle, Shipman, Mitchell
Subs: Barber, Baggs, Wayman, Francis
Our next match is at home THIS SATURDAY for a first ever meeting between Kingsdown Lions and The Bees – this fixture is a Fountain Trophies KO Cup 2nd Round tie and kick off is at 3pm.
