Wessex Wonder - Downton vs. Fleet Spurs

Match action at The Brian Whitehead Sports Centre

This weekend I made yet another trip to Salisbury for a game. I'd been through there to watch Salisbury themselves, Amesbury, Bermerton Heath Harlequins and now Downton was my next destination. There opponents today in The Wessex League Division One were Fleet Spurs. Fleet Spurs were involved in a lawsuit with Tottenham Hotspur regarding their badge which apparently damaged their brand. The home side were in seventh place before kick off while the visitors were seven places back in fourteenth. Downton were coming into the game after five consecutive games on the road and they were looking to bounce back after a four one defeat at Shaftesbury in midweek.

Kick off at The Brian Whitehead Sports Centre

Fleet Spurs cause some panic in the home defence with an early corner kick but Downton manage to clear their lines. The Downton attacker drills a cross across the edge of the six yard box but this manages to eludes everyone. Fleet then have a brilliant chance to take the lead as cross to the back post is deflected into the attackers path and he fails to make proper contact and the keeper is able to claim the ball. Downton take the lead when a fantastic diagonal ball finds the man in space and after his half volley hits the bar, his team mate is on hand to put the rebound in and make it one nil. The lead doesn't last long however. Following a looping pass forward, the first Fleet effort is saved but the second goes through the keeper to give Fleet the equaliser. Downton then have a brilliant chance to restore the lead when a cross to the back post finds the man in a lot of space but his free header is put over the bar. The game is now really opening up and when Fleet are able to break out, the Downton keeper saves the first shot from the edge of the area, he then makes an amazing save from the rebound before the second rebound goes over. There's still time for one more clear cut chance before half time as the Downton forward is played in on goal and it is the Fleet keeper's turn to make a great save to keep the scores level.

The Fleet keeper prepares to deal with a first half cross

Downton have the first chance of the second period as a shot from the edge of the box just dips too late to threaten the Fleet goal. Fleet then get into a couple of decent crossing positions but on both occasions, the balls in manage to elude everyone. The end to end nature continues as the Downton forward then controls the ball on his chest before sending a shot just over the bar. Downton then have the perfect chance to retake the lead when following a corner kick the Fleet player handles a header from close range and the referee points to the spot. Unfortunately for the hosts, the penalty is put well over the bar. They again come close to the second goal but on this occasion the shot from the edge of the area is deflected wide. The last clear cut chance of the game falls to Fleet when the attacker creates some space and his shot is tipped over the bar by the Downton keeper. The game ends in a draw which is a fair results after a breathtaking match.

First half action in front of the stand

As I mentioned earlier, the closest station to Downton is Salisbury and trains here depart from Waterloo, taking about an hour. From the town centre you can get the X3 to Downton which takes twenty minutes. Despite being a village there are a couple of interesting things to see. There is the St Laurence Church as well as The Moot Gardens. Pubwise the first pub is The Wooden Spoon where I had a pint of The Falling Star from The Wickwar Brewery and there was a fantastic selection of food on offer too. Then just down the road is The White Horse where I tried The Pumpkin Ale from The Downton Brewery and there were a couple of other ales on. Then five minutes from the ground is The Bull Head which has the sports channels for the early kick off. The ground is less than five minutes from the bus stop and the clubhouse also had another Downton Brewery on hand pull as well as BT Sports.

Wing battle on the dugout side of the ground