BISHOP'S ITCHINGTON 5-2 TRIUMPH ATHLETIC: THE MATCH REPORT & IMAGES...

 Athletic Scatter Sheep, As The Itchmen Triumph…

Bishop's Itchington 5-2 Triumph Athletic

This was a lively game, played in really pleasant countryside surroundings and fair play to the Bishops, they recovered from a 1-2 interval deficit to beat an off-colour Triumph Athletic with three second-period goals, a comeback in no small way inspired by Tom O’Callaghan, striker Joel Bennett and speedy wide-man Jordan Gill. O’Callaghan netted a brace but his all-round influence was important for his team, as the visitors struggled to become fluent throughout the match, as well as failing miserably with much of their shooting, which actually affected a flock of sheep in a field behind one goal, moving them as far away as possibly from the off-target efforts of the chaps wearing black and white.

THE TOSS...

KICK-OFF TIME...

Both teams were missing starters but despite the danger on the Triumph right caused by Harry Jackman, the Athletic offense stuttered in general. Indeed, Jackman was close to scoring with a spectacular effort early in the game when his shot from inside-right cannoned from the inside of the right pole, flew across the abandoned goalmouth and went out for a goal-kick near the left corner-flag. He was also denied by home ‘keeper Craig Lawrence and later smacked another shot off target. Facing the sun, Triumph attempted other shots too but twice Callum Davies drove too high and later in the half, midfielder Tim Cooper drove a low effort 3 metres wide. The two goals scored by the guests directly concerned left-sided defender Nick Walker, whose free-kick from downtown beat the clutching Lawrence as the gloveman dived to his right and the ball bounced low inside the left upright. This had followed a foul by home skipper Charlie Neale upon Athletic wide-man Dominique Lambert.

0-1: WALKER CELEBRATES & SELF-ISOLATES...

After Bennett had stabbed a 10 metre equaliser with the outside of his right shoe, following an interception and pass by Joe Williams, the visitors went ahead again through an own-goal. A deep, left-flank delivery from Walker was sliced low past Lawrence by the right boot of Itchman Rob Herdman, whose overall play was admirable for his team. 

1-1 & A GOAL FOR BENNETT (RIGHT)...

HERDMAN'S RED RIGHT BOOT HAS SCORED AN OWN-GOAL, FOR 1-2 TO TRIUMPH...

The hosts had been keen to harass the sheep at the other end of the ground, whereby O’Callaghan curled a free-kick too high, Johnny Adair sliced a shot into the grazing field, as did Jordan Gill but the major threats to Triumph stemmed from the industry and set-pieces by O’Callaghan and some long throws by Herdman. Matt Trinder nodded too high with the better placed Herdman behind him and Williams headed off target too, although from a Herdman throw, Callaghan's tough header was caressed onto the crossbar by visiting goalie Khane Barlow, before bobbing on the crossbeam again and being hacked clear by Triumph. 

THE REF PAUSES TO HITCH UP HIS PANTALOONS...

CAHILL HAS NOT BEEN SENT TO THE NAUGHTY CHAIR...

BYRNE TAKES A THROW...

Barlow did well to block an 11 metre effort by Bennett with his shins on the goal-line and from a Matt Trinder free-kick, Adam Trinder could get no purchase on his shot near the right stick. Despite the variety of goal chances, it was clear that Triumph were not functioning as their manager would have liked, for too many passes were wayward, too many fouls were being committed and too little incision was forthcoming from their offense.

THAT PESKY SUN...

BARLOW WANTED THE FIRST PERIOD TO END CUZ HE RECKONED HE WAS GETTING A SUNTAN...

NEALE & WALLACE...

The hosts had grown into the half, capitalising upon a poor period by their guests and after the short recess, O’Callaghan turned the table on Triumph with a brace of goals.

ADAIR, OR TIMO WERNER?

THE TRIUMPH CREW...

ITCHINGTON THINKING & POINTING...

Set up by Adair’s assist, O’Callaghan reached the right byeline to score past Barlow from an acute angle, before shooting wide, again from an assist by Adair, then he shot well but just too high, following good work by both Bennett and Adair. Finally, from parity, the Itchmen took the lead when Bennett nudged the ball on from the edge of a crowded penalty-box and O’Callaghan turned to fire a smart left-booter into the left corner of the net for a fine strike. 

2-2, COURTESY OF O'CALLAGHAN (10)...

3-2: O'CALLAGHAN AGAIN...

Rattled, Triumph had no real choice but to pile forward but the shooting was awry, with Davies firing just too high, sending Shaun the Sheep scurrying, Lambert shooting wide and then into the side-netting, before seeing an effort blocked by the admirable Herdman. Odd that he should be Herdman, not Flockman, with all those sheep hovering, worrying and scattering… Did it need the finishing of a Shearer?

MORGAN (9) APPEARS TO BE TOSSING THE CABER...

Ant Hatton drove too high, going for a ram spotted deep in the field and after a rest, Jackman reappeared to drive low and wide and then way off target, sending the flock into a rampaging retreat. Davies was annoyed that one right-side corner from his left shoe seemed to pass three colleagues’ heads in front of goal but twice the hosts produced fine headed clearances, one by Herdman and another by Adam Trinder. Connor Cahill glanced a header wide of the far post from a right-side flag-kick by Davies too but that lack of accuracy was to prove Triumph’s downfall.

Goal four was the final sickener for the visitors though, arriving when Gill, whose speed was causing havoc on the counter-attack as Athletic attempted to regain level terms, slipped the ball to Matt Trinder and his 25 metre shot flew high into the right side of the net for a fine finish.

4-2: MATT TRINDER...

Adair had already fired wide, Gill had drifted past Barlow, only to be denied by Barry Middleton’s covering challenge and somehow Barlow had blocked another Bennett drive on the goal-line. The distinctive Bennett smashed a fine shot against the face of the crossbar too but to complete the scoring, Adair assisted again, freeing Gill at inside-left. Despite the presence of Corey Mee, the winger managed to nudge the ball past the advancing Barlow with the outside of his right foot, as Mee slid in. As Gill then flew into the air like a ram over a five-barred gate, the ball rolled untouched just inside the right post.  

GILL (11) HAS COMPLETED THE SCORING...

The final period of the match saw Athletic fail to threaten and Itchington looked surprisingly comfortable, subsequently deserving their victory, something even Triumph’s coaches readily admitted. Herdman, Neale and Adam Trinder kept things tighter than their counterparts in the Athletic defence  and despite the industry of Williams and Matt Trinder in the home midfield, Adair had two assists and was always a pain to mark for the guests. Jonny Byrne was often sprightly on the right for the hosts but concerning Triumph, despite Rich Atkins’ effort, Walker’s free-kick goal and Jackman’s pace, one felt sorry for central striker Michael Wallace, who ran and harried without any complaint about the really poor service he received or the close marking he was subjected to.

BARLOW LOOKS SEVERELY MIFFED...

This was an enjoyable game to watch in sunny weather, despite the forecast of rain and thunder, but both teams might just have decent seasons when their squads are replenished…

Thanks to both clubs for providing their team-lists for me to use… 

SQUADS:

BISHOP’S ITCHINGTON:

Craig Lawrence, Rob Herdman, Matt Trinder, Charlie Neale, Adam Trinder, Johnny Adair, Joe Williams, Jay Morgan, Tom O’Callaghan, Jordan Gill, Stuart Cooper, Jonny Byrne, Jon Beacham, Joel Bennett.

TRIUMPH ATHLETIC:

Khane Barlow, Rich Atkins (Capt), Nick Walker, Ant Hatton, Barry Middleton, Connor Cahill, Harry Jackman, Tim Cooper, Michael Wallace, Callum Davies, Dominique Lambert, Frazer McGuiness, Matt Budd, Corey Mee, Lewis Normoyle.