Reds Shine in Second Half

A 3 hour trip to Dorset, battling the worst of the Summer holiday traffic was not the best preparation for the first ever meeting between Uxbridge & Wimborne Town on Saturday. The Reds though, fought back from a two-goal deficit to secure a deserved 2-2 draw at Wimborne’s excellent Wyatt Homes Stadium.

The visitors started the brighter of the two teams and created the first clear chance of the game in the 4th minute. A strong run from Dan Rowe created space in the box, the ball coming fortuitously of the forwards arms, but the home side's defender cleared the ball before he could get a shot away, Wimborne started to control the play though, and the possession paid off in the 14th minute, as a ball whipped ball into the box fell kindly for Joe Smith, Although his shot was mishit, it wrong-footed Uxbridge keeper Mark Scott, who could only watch as the ball trickled into the net, making it 1-0. The visitors responded with a period of possession, but it was Wimborne who continued to look dangerous on the break. In the 28th minute, a quick counter-attack saw Scott called into action, and the keeper produced a fine low save to deny the home side a second. Just a minute later, Bernie Tanner showed great defensive awareness, getting back well to deny Charles a clear run on goal. However, Wimborne did extend their lead in the 31st minute. A free-kick into the box was met by a powerful header from Josh Carmichael who gave Scott no chance, making it 2-0 with The Reds defence at sixes and sevens, the away fans were starting to feel that it was going to be a long afternoon. Wimborne could have made it three before the break as a free-kick into the box was headed towards goal, but Scott produced a full-stretch save to tip the ball over the bar. Fair to say the half time whistle could not come soon enough for Uxbridge.

HT 0-2

With three changes made at half time - new signing Nnams Nwachuku came on for Fabio Sole, Toby Nnadozie replaced Ollie Hamstead and Fope Deru for Dan Rowe - the Reds emerged for the second half with renewed purpose, and their efforts were rewarded early on. After a long delay for a blood injury to a Wimborne defender after Nwachuku's flailing arm caught him accidentally the resulting corner led to Uxbridge's breakthrough. Nwachuku rose highest to plant a fine header past the Wimborne keeper, reducing the deficit to 1-2 in the 50th minute. The goal spurred on Uxbridge ,and they began to dominate the game. In the 60th minute, George Moore challenged the Wimborne keeper, and while the ball broke loose, Uxbridge were unable to turn it into the net. The visitors continued to push for an equaliser, and a promising interplay between Nwachuku and Moore in the 63rd minute resulted in a shot that was straight at the keeper. Moore had another chance from a free-kick in the 67th minute, but his shot was blocked by the Wimborne wall. The pressure mounted on the Wimborne goal, and in the 71st minute, good work on the edge of the box saw the ball fall to Nnadozie - who had made a real difference in the middle of the park, but his shot, like others before it, was straight at the keeper. The hard work finally paid off in the 73rd minute when a cross from Kai Hobbs was handled in the box, and a penalty was awarded. Liam Tack stepped up and calmly slotted home the spot-kick, bringing the scores level at 2-2. The final stages of the match were a frantic affair. In the 78th minute, a ball into the box caused confusion between CJ Fearn and Scott and the keeper picked up a knock as the ball was scrambled clear. Uxbridge thought they had won it in the 85th minute when a cross from Deru was headed in by Nwachuku but the goal was ruled out for offside.

The match ended 2-2, a fair reflection of a game that saw both teams have periods of dominance, and The Reds remain unbeaten with three draws from their 3 matches so far. Next up Gosport Borough visit Honeycroft on Saturday 23rd August.

FT 2-2

Att 562

Uxbridge: Scott, Hobbs, Bocarro, Fearn, Tanner, Hamstead (Nnadozie), Sole (Nwachuku), Rush, Rowe (Deru), Moore, Tack. Subs not used Bailey, Osu