| B Team | vs | NCSF Utd Res |
| Saturday February 12 2022 | ||
| For a 3rd week on the bounce the Downs provided stormy conditions and players braced themselves for howling winds. The B’s had been forced into a significant reshuffle of positions due to players being off through work/sickness, most notably Stanleigh making his debut between the sticks! The B’s started with the wind behind them (just like the previous two games) and were hoping for the same outcome. Indeed, early pressure from Vincent’s saw Chailett bundled over a few yards outside the box, and he himself stepped up to take the free kick resulting in a powerful strike into the bottom corner leaving the GK rooted. Clifton St. Vincent’s 1-0 NCSF Utd Res. The perfect start after just a few minutes. Vincent’s pressed for more and the middle three of Chailett, Kay, and McCollough were dominating the play, looking to release Danhawoor and Mansfield down the wings to create chances for Carvell up top. Only 15 mins into the game Mansfield closed down a defender whose clearance was blocked allowing him to break through into the area and rifle his shot past the GK. Clifton St. Vincent’s 2-0 NCSF Utd Res. NCSF did launch the occasionally counter and seemed to enjoy success from long throw-ins. It was one of these that led to a close-range header which Stanleigh instinctively palmed away and was hoofed to safety by Stewart. Ellet joined the field on 30mins with Mansfield moving into the middle. With only 5mins to halftime another clumsy NCSF tackle just outside the box allowed another opportunity for Vincent’s. Chailett once again stepped up with almost a carbon copy of his first strike, sending the ball powerfully into the back of the net. Clifton St. Vincent’s 3-0 NCSF Utd Res. Halftime discussions were positive, but Vincent’s knew this next half would be much harder for them. The opening exchanges saw some tasty tackles and the game was getting more physical as NCSF searched for a comeback goal. An NCSF midfielder’s tackle on Ellet resulting in the first booking of the game. Vincent’s were playing good football with some really slick passing despite the conditions but couldn’t seem to create any clear-cut chances. NCSF were more direct, trying to hit it long down the middle but more often than not it would run through to safety. In the second half the Vincent’s defenders of McCollough, Pearce, Lopez-Bland and Finney all looked composed and comfortable and were making Stanleigh’s afternoon nice and quiet. Indeed he could mostly be seen shivering in the goalmouth and trying to keep an eye on the Saints/Torps game going on behind him. Pearce to his credit had played all game with an injured wrist but rested himself for the last 15 with Stewart re-joining the defence. With 10mins left, the previously booked NCSF player went up for what the referee deemed to be an illegal challenge with Lopez-Bland and promptly issued a red card to the NCSF player. To his credit the referee was swift and robust in his response in getting the red card out. The player displayed his disquiet at the decision and was ushered off the pitch by his own teammates. The game sort of fizzled out after that and the final whistle confirmed another 3 points for the B’s and sets them up for their absolute crunch game V’s top of the league Saints OB next weekend. MoM – A strong showing for three players this week, (Mansfield, Kay & Finney) with Finney taking it with a solid game at right back showing a dominant defensive performance. Line up – M Stanleigh, J Stewart, M Lopez-Bland, J Pearce, L Finney, S Kay, J McCollough, M Chailett, K Danhawoor, P Mansfield, M Carvell, S Ellet MS | ||
| B Team | vs | Racing Mouse |
| All Saints Cup | Saturday February 5 2022 | |
| Another windy day on the downs loomed for all teams in action this week. As the players marched out to the pitches it was clearly going “to be a game of two halves” yet again. The B’s started with the wind behind them, and just like the week before, dominated early with the strong wind carrying the ball further than normal. Some half chances fell to Vincent’s and Mouse rarely threatened. Fifteen minutes in the deadlock was broken when Stock sent a lovely dink over the top for Mansfield to chase down. The GK hesitated before making his dash for the ball allowing Mansfield to get there first and lob the ball over him into an empty net. Clifton St. Vincent’s 1-0 Racing Mouse. The B’s continued to press and McCollough and Kay in the middle of the park were getting the better of the Mouse midfield. Mansfield saw a lovely strike from distance tipped around the post from the Mouse keeper, an excellent save. Another ball into the box for Mansfield to chase resulted in him being bundled over and the referee pointing to the spot. Despite Stanleigh’s recent claim that he had given up penalty duties he had a change of heart and stepped up to place the ball to the keeper’s right and into the net. Clifton St. Vincent’s 2-0 Racing Mouse. The B’s sensed this was the half they needed to capitalise on, and so pressed for more. A nice exchange of passes from Kay, Stanleigh and Wilson saw Kay fire his shot from just inside the box. The Mouse Gk did very well to get a hand on it low to his left, but the shot was too powerful, and the ball rolled agonisingly over the line. Clifton St Vincent’s 3-0 Racing Mouse. The half-time discussion was all about how the B’s now needed to “park the bus” as they knew what was about to happen. Indeed from the off, Mouse hit the ball down the middle and let the wind do the rest. Lopez-Bland, Stock, Downes, Stevens and Pearce were being pelted from all angles and the B’s had no choice but to drop deeper & deeper. Any clearance from Vincent’s GK Demirer was being caught in the gusts of wind pushing the ball back into dangerous territory. Although the B’s held out for a good 25 mins or so, Mouse to their credit wouldn’t give up and a corner for them resulted in a pin ball goal mouth scramble where the ball broke kindly to their forward who smashed it home from a few yards. Clifton St. Vincent’s 3-1 Racing Mouse. The B’s to their credit tried to counter when they could, and Stewart found himself unusually high up the pitch where his shot went wide. Soon after another nice move found Wilson in the box who smashed a shot against the underside of the bar, down on the line and out. The referee looked to his watch to see if the goal line technology has awarded a goal, and then realising it was Downs league Division 4, just used his own judgment and said no goal. Racing Mouse carried on trying to find that all important 2nd goal, but as the time faded, so did their belief. With 10 mins left they did get the ball in the Vincent’s goal again following another scrappy scramble in the area, however, the referee deemed there to be a shove in the back from Mouse on a Vincent’s player. The final whistle came and gave the B’s a deserved victory and has kept their unbeaten run in the All Saints Cup going. MoM – Only 2 players got voted for this week. Pete Mansfield and Sam Kay who both had superb games, however Kay pipped it (just) for this week with a highly energetic and tenacious performance. Line up – Y Demirer, M Lopez-Bland, T Stock, T Downes, J Stevens, S Ellett, M Stanleigh, S Kay, J McCollough, P Mansfield, J Pearce, J Stewart, M Wilson MS | ||
| B Team | vs | Phoenix Downs |
| Saturday January 29 2022 | ||
| A foul afternoon set the scene for the B’s crunch game against second placed Phoenix Downs. The wind was howling across the pitch in a diagonal direction and anything over head height was being affected. The B’s knew today was a now or never game for their title hopes. The B’s started with great energy and intensity and had Phoenix on the back foot. The wind behind them helped the B’s push Phoenix back into their half. A few half chances came and went before some sloppy defending allowed Chailett to fire a shot from the edge of the area which looped over the GK Clifton St. Vincent’s 1 – 0 Phoenix Down This goal fuelled the B’s energy even further and they pressed for more. The backline of Lopez-Bland, Stock, Downes and J Stevens weren’t being tested particularly hard other than an occasional counter which they dealt with well. S Stephens in the holding DM role allowed Chailett and Stanleigh to push forward with support from wingers Finney and McIntosh. Soon another poor touch from the Phoenix defence allowed Carvell to fire a short from the edge of the box catching the GK off guard who couldn’t get down to it in time. Clifton St. Vincent’s 2 - 0 Phoenix Down It went from bad to worse for Phoenix as only 10 mins later McIntosh slipped a pass into the box for Carvell to chase down, beating his man to the ball and coolly slotted past the GK Clifton St. Vincent’s 3 – 0 Phoenix Down. With only 1 minute to half time Phoenix managed to launch an attack which saw their forward inside the box who with the slightest touch on his back from Downes went to ground and a pen was given. The spot kick was scored much to the frustration of Vincent’s who had really dominated the half Half-time Clifton St. Vincent’s 3 – 1 Phoenix Down Halftime came and went, and the B’s now knew the strong wind would turn from friend to foe. Phoenix did exactly as suspected and started sending the ball high and long. The game was becoming a real battle with S Kay and R Todd now in the thick of things too. Ten minutes into the second-half a late challenge on McIntosh saw him lose his head and he and the Phoenix players squared up to one another locking horns (heads), and McIntosh then butted the players shoulder with his head, resulting in a rather dramatic crumble to the floor but the referee deemed this a straight red offence and the B’s were now down to ten, with 35 mins still to go. The cards didn’t stop there with Chailett picking up a yellow for a mistimed tackle. Soon after though Vincent’s had a rare attack which saw Carvell move into the box. He was bundled over and with no reaction from the ref, managed to get up and get to the ball again, but was yet again forced to the floor and this time the ref said penalty. Chailett stepped up and slotted the ball into the corner to restore the B’s 3 goal advantage and give them a massive boost mentally. A short time later a long thrown into the Vincent’s box saw the ball fall to a Phoenix player who blasted the ball goal bound. The ball was on a collision course for Stanleigh’s face who instinctively raised his hands to prevent a humdinger to the nose! The ball span away out of play and the ref rightly awarded a pen. The protests from Phoenix to reprimand Stanleigh led to the ref deciding another booking was suitable. The resulting spot kick was heroically saved by Cooper and the ball bounced back into the danger zone for an almighty scramble which saw Vincent’s somehow clear their lines. The ref wasn’t done with his cards just yet, and a late tackle on Carvell saw a Phoenix defender lose his temper and grab Carvell with both hands around the throat. Carvell pushed him away sparking shouts and screams from all players (and even some spectators), however the ref decided that both players were in the wrong and two more cards were produced. The B’s dug deep and held out to the final whistle, marking a very important and hard-earned victory. This win has put the B’s right back in the race for the top. A very expensive afternoon for the B team financially, but a vital three points going into the latter stages of the season. Final Score Clifton St. Vincent’s 4 – 1 Phoenix Down MoM – Tough choices today as everyone gave their all, however a clear winner this week was Carvell for his superb display up top. Even with ten men he caused their backline headaches all afternoon and took his two goals very well, and won a penalty when the B’s needed it most! Line up – A Cooper, M Lopez-Bland, T Stock, T Downes, J Stevens, L Finney, M Chaillett, M Stanleigh, S Stephens, C McIntosh, M Carvell, S Kay, R Todd | ||
| B Team | vs | Retainers Res |
| Saturday January 22 2022 | ||
| Result; Clifton St. Vincent’s 1 -2 Retainers The B’s returned to action having dropped points the previous week and were determined to get back on track. Retainers had beaten the B’s earlier in the season to record the only defeat to date for the B’s in the league. The game began with a nervousness about both sides, testing each other’s back line with the long high ball. Some half chances fell to Carvell and Chailett respectively who both saw shots from the edge of the area safely into the arms of the Retainers GK. A blow to the B team early on saw Finney roll his ankle and was forced to depart the game after only 15 mins. On the half hour the B’s pressed forward and Stanleigh picked up the ball wide on the left wing. He played the ball in field to Ellett who saw Stanleigh continue his run into the box played it back to him. Stanleigh carried it a few more yards before squaring the ball back to Carvell who swept it home with his left foot for a very well worked goal. Clifton St. Vincent’s 1 – 0 Retainers Retainers to their credit increased their effort and work rate and weren’t about to roll over. Mansfield was putting himself about , and there were certainly some questionable tackles which the B’s felt frustrated by with no resulting free kicks. The new pairing of Stock and Pearce at CB were dealing well with the long ball and full backs Lopez-Bland and Stewart were getting plenty of the ball. With only 2 mins to see the half out, Retainers sent a ball into the channel where (arguably their stand out player) received the ball and turned his afterburners on, cutting inside and squaring to his team mate who finished from close range. Clifton St. Vincent’s 1-1 Retainers Halftime came and went, and new signing Sam Kay joined the fold. Kay looked more than comfortable alongside his new team mates and the B’s went searching for a much-needed goal. Todd and Ellett both saw some pin ball goal mouth scrambles from B’s corners , where their shots inside the box just couldn’t get passed the wall of white/green shirts. Just as it felt like the B’s were starting to dominate, a long ball from Retainers saw their pacey forward yet again cause the Vincent’s backline problems. He outpaced Vincent’s and got into a one on one with Cooper who to his credit made a great save from the first shot, but saw the ball cruelly bounce favourably to the retainers forward who side footed into the net. Clifton St Vincent’s 1 -2 Retainers. This seemed to kill the belief somewhat and the urgency and intensity required to get back into this game just didn’t seem to be there. The B’s managed to carve out a couple of half chances but just couldn’t find that ‘clear cut’ chance. Retainers to be fair sat deep after their goal and had all but one of their lads behind the ball, sensing that one goal was going to be enough ….and sadly for the B team it was. The final whistle came and it saw Retainers do the double over the B team , and really put a huge dent into the B’s title aspirations. Still tons of points to play for, but the B’s will need an almighty result against favourites Phoenix Downs next week if they are to keep their title hopes alive. MoM – Popular choices this week were Stock/Mansfield & Stanleigh, with Stanleigh getting most votes. Line up –A Cooper, M Lopez-Bland, T Stock , J Pearce , J Stewart, M Stanleigh, M Chailett , L Finney, S Ellett , P Mansfield , M Carvell, R Todd, S Kay | ||
| B Team | vs | Sneyd B's |
| Saturday January 15 2022 | ||
| Result; 2-2 The B team faced none other than the old enemy in the first game of 2022 after a long Xmas break from football. Sneyd were clearly up for it, warming up in a disciplined manner and shouting at each other lots. The game started in a frantic manner with high tempo end to end action. It was clear and obvious that this Sneyd line up was superior to the one that the B’s beat on the opening game of the season. Half chances fell to both teams and there was certain nervousness about Vincent’s. The Xmas break seemed to have knocked the momentum out of the B’s and there was lethargy about their approach. A fierce shot from McIntosh mid-way through the half saw an excellent save from the Sneyd GK, tipping it over the bar. The B’s keeper Cooper was not in for a quiet afternoon either and was busy rushing out to collect the long ball which was clearly Sneyd’s modus operandi. Just as the half was coming to a close, another long ball into the box saw the Sneyd forward jump quickest and highest to nod the ball past the oncoming Cooper. Clifton St. Vincent’s 0 - 1 Sneyd. The half-time pep talk was blunt and to the point. The B’s title challenge was under threat and a defeat would give the other teams at the top a big advantage. The B’s came back out determined to turn the game around but were faced with a stubborn Sneyd who had no intention of giving an inch. It was turning into a very competitive contest. Just as Vincent’s felt they were gaining some dominance Sneyd repeated their forte, another long high cross into the box saw their big forward nod the ball past Cooper. Clifton St. Vincent’s 0 – 2 Sneyd. Heads dropped and belief disappeared. Moments later Vincent’s presented Sneyd two glorious opportunities to make it 3 with some woeful back passes in their own final third, but neither gift was accepted. Just as it seemed there wasn’t a way back, a through ball from Pearce ran through the Sneyd defence and Carvell (in an offside position) lifted his arms to the heavens to indicate he wasn’t making any attempt for the ball, and Mcintosh was quickest to read this, sprinting through passed the Sneyd defence. He still had much to do and with a sweeping strike with the outside of the right boot he lofted the ball over the keeper into the top corner. A lovely finish and game on!! Clifton St. Vincent’s 1 – 2 Sneyd game on! This seemed to be finally the wake-up call that the B team had needed all afternoon. Suddenly there was an urgency and a desire that had been needed all along. Players looked hungrier for the ball and sensed there was time to come back into the game. Only 5-10 minutes later, another attack sent Carvell into the box. His powerful shot was blocked by the GK but rolled out at pace where Stanleigh was first to react and coolly side footed his shot into the corner. Clifton St. Vincent’s 2 – 2 Sneyd The B’s were jubilant and with 10 mins still to play the scene was set for a nail-biting finale. It was end to end stuff in the last part of the game which saw a cross/shot from Carvell beat the keeper, hit the underside of the bar and down and away. Moments later Sneyd sent a cross into the box to an unmarked forward who glanced his head wide when for all the world it looked easier to score. The final whistle meant the spoils were shared. Was it a point gained or two dropped for Vincent’s when it comes to their title aspirations? Time will tell. A big thanks should be noted for Referee Richard Sawyer who turned up at the pitch offering his services when he saw no ref had been allocated to the fixture. Some cracking decisions throughout the match. MoM– Popular choices this week were Finney / Carvell / McIntosh, however the award goes to McIntosh with 6 votes. Line up – A Cooper, M Lopez-Bland, T Stock, T Downes, J Pearce, M Stanleigh, J McCollough, L Finney, C McIntosh, M Carvell, K Mooney, J Stewart, R Todd | ||
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