Tuesday 15 October 2024

Japan 1-1 Australia ( att : 58,730 ) – 2026 World Cup Qualifier

October 15, 2024

It would have been possible to spend the whole day today watching World Cup Qualifiers in Asia, Africa and South America, or Nations League matches in Europe or Concacaf. Fatbear decided to settle down and watch the early kick-off European time and see how Brighton and Hove Albion’s Karou Mitoma got on for Japan.

These diaries had also been keen on football in Australia, having covered their 4-0 victory in the Asian Cup against Indonesia in January this year, as well as ten domestic matches in Australia over the past few years.

Japan

Being ranked 16th in FIFA’s rankings, Japan were the top ranked side in Asia. They had breezed through the Second Qualifying Round with six wins out of six, beating North Korea ( H 1-0 and awarded a 3-0 away win after being denied entry into North Korea for the return match ), Myanmar ( 5-0 both home and away ), and Syria ( also 5-0 home and away )

Their progress through the Third Qualifying Round had so far been serene, with a 7-0 home win over China, a 5-0 victory in Bahrain and a 2-0 success in Saudi Arabia so now in the eight qualifiers played they were still to concede a goal. It remained to be seen if Australia and Indonesia would provide tougher opposition.

Japan were eliminated in the quarter finals in the recent 2023 Asian Cup, going down 1-2 to Iran. In the 2022 Qatar World Cup they beat Germany and Spain in their group games, both 2-1, but lost 0-1 to Costa Rica. However, this was enough to finish top of their group before being eliminated in the round of 16 in a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw with Croatia.

All of the Japan starting XI in their game last Thursday in Saudi Arabia play their league football for major sides in the top leagues in Europe, assuming you include Crystal Palace in that category ! Indeed, all their squad play for European sides, apart from the two reserve goalkeepers, who were with J-League sides.

Aside from Mitoma, Japan’s squad included midfielder Waturu Endo ( Liverpool ),  winger Takumi Minamino ( Monaco and ex-Liverpool and Southampton ),  attacking midfielder Daichi Kamada ( Crystal Palace and ex-Lazio and Eintracht Frankfurt ) as well as players with Feyenoord, Sporting Lisbon, Freiburg, Parma, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Union St Gilloise, St Truiden, Celtic, Real Sociedad, Reims, Nijmegen, Southampton, Leeds United, Blackburn Rovers and Grasshoppers.

These diaries only report on football from Japan so far was in October 2023, when Kawasaki Frontale beat Ulsan Hyundai 1-0 in the 2023/24 AFC Champions League. None of the Kawasaki players from that day were in the current national squad.

Australia

Australia were ranked 25th in the World by FIFA, the fourth highest in Asia.

Like Japan, the Socceroos had begun their qualifying campaign in the Second Round with six wins out six and without conceding a goal, as they swept past Afghanistan ( H 7-0,  A 5-0 ), Palestine ( H 5-0, A 1-0 ) and Lebanon ( H 2-0 and A 5-0 ).

However, results in the Third round were less forthcoming, starting with a surprise 0-1 home loss to Bahrain thanks to an 89th minute own goal and then a 0-0 draw in Indonesia, a side they had brushed aside in the last 16 of the Asian Cup as reported on by Fatbear.

 https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2024/01/australia-4-0-indonesia-att-7863-2023.html

It didn’t look good when they fell behind at home to China, but they recovered to eventually win 3-1, so they began the day in second place in their group, in which the top two qualify directly to the 2026 finals, whilst 3rd and 4th enter the competition’s complicated play-offs. Seven of the side that started against China had played in the match against Indonesia in January, with another four on the bench.

Australia had been eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup, losing 1-2 in extra time to South Korea. In the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Socceroos started with a 1-4 loss to France, but rebounded to beat Tunisia and Denmark, both 1-0, to take the runners-up spot in the group. In the Round of 16, they fell 1-2 to eventual winners Argentina.

Matchday Information

Today’s match was played at the 63,700 capacity Saitama Stadium which is home to Urawa Red Diamonds and located 30km north-west from the centre of Tokyo.

The match was streamed live with a commentary in English on the AFC Asian Cup YouTube channel, as well as on onefootball.com. Bet365.com also live streamed the match, and made Japan 4/11 favourites, with Australia at 7/1 and the draw at 4/1.

The weather at the 19.35 local kick-off time ( 11.35 UK ) was dry after a sunny day, with the temperature around 22 degrees.

Japan made two changes from the side that started in Saudi Arabia, with Endo and Kamada being replaced by Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo and Ao Tanaka, who plays for Leeds United.

Australia made six changes to their side that started against China, with only keeper Joe Gauci ( Aston Villa ), defenders Lewis Miller ( Hibernian ) and Harry Souttar ( Sheffield United ), midfielder Jackson Irvine ( St Pauli ) and forward Mitch Duke ( Machida Zelvia in Japan ) keeping their places. Midfielder 34-year-old Luke Brattan of MacArthur FC was making his debut, with Melbourne Victory defender Jason Geria being the only other the A-League representative in their XI. The officials were from Kuwait.

Japan were playing in an Scotland like all dark blue kit, whilst Australia were in their familiar gold shirts, green shorts and white socks.

Match Report

Japan enjoyed the early possession and in third minute Middlesborough’s Riley McGree pulled down Ritsu Doan as he ran away from him on the halfway line, but no card shown.

Shortly after, Tanaka dribbled inside the Australian area after receiving a pull back from the byline from Kubo and then flicked a pass back to Kubo, but being closed down by Souttar the Real Sociedad player shot left footed into the side netting when it looked like it should have been taken with his right foot.

The first attack from Australia came in the 7th minute when a free kick from the right was headed over and wide by Duke from the edge of the area.

The first burst of pace from Mitoma was seen in the 13th minute as he ran clear on the left, but his low cross cleared by Geria.

Japan continued to press and from a corner by Kubo, Doan was unmarked to the left of the penalty spot, but could only direct his left footed volley into the ground, which bounced up for an easy catch for Gauci.

A good ball down right-hand channel in the 21st minute from Ko Itakura released Kubo, but Cameron Burgess of Ipswich Town made an important block to concede corner, which was headed away by Souttar inside the six-yard box.

Already Mitoma looked to have the beating of Miller every time and Kubo was also looking dangerous on the right wing.

Two minutes later a scramble ensued after Kubo’s cross, and Minamino’s attempted scissor kick was blocked by Irvine, who also took a kick to his chest for his troubles.

Another corner to Japan was again met by Souttar with the clearing header, but from Kubo’s next corner, Taniguichi managed to get his head to the ball, but it sailed high and wide.

After half an hour of play Australia would have been very content with how the game had panned out so far. They had defended well, and although the Japanese wide men had looked lively, Japan had not yet created any clear-cut chances.

Westerlo’s Jordan Bos then went on a lung busting run from halfway to inside the Japanese area but was halted by a superb tackle by Itakura, who plays for Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Minamino showed good chest control to bring down a long ball forward and then played back to Mitoma, who made a trademark cut back inside the area from the left and his curling shot was heading to the far corner until it hit the shoulder of Geria, and deflected off for a corner. It was the best chance of the match so far.

The corner was headed away to Minamino, whose left footed shot from just outside the area skidded narrowly wide as Shogo Taniguchi slid in but couldn’t make contact.

In the 36th minute Doan was found in space inside the Aussie area but was stopped by a good tackle from Burgess.

Five minutes from half-time, Mitoma twisted and turned away from Miller and Feyenoord’s Ayase Ueda got his head to the cross but fouled Burgess in the process and his header was easily saved anyway.

A flowing move for Japan saw Mitoma, Tanaka and Minamino exchange first time passes on the edger of the Australian penalty area but a good tackle by Souttar ended the move.

It was still scoreless at halftime as the statistics showed 76% possession to Japan. However, it had been a typically resolute effort from the Aussies as Japan had just the one shot on target. At the other end Japan keeper Zion Suzuki had barely touched the ball.

Australia made a substitution at half time with Partick Yazbek of Nashville and formerly of Viking Stavanger replacing Brattan to win his second cap.

The Socceroos started the second period with a spell of possession without looking dangerous, but they had temporarily taken some of the sting out of the game.

Japan’s first attack of the half saw Mitoma’s cross headed away by the impressive Geria, then Kubo got to byline on the right, but Irvine stuck out a foot to deflect the cross back to his keeper. Mitoma then beat Miller again, but a heavy touch put the ball out of play. There was still no end product from the Brighton man !

The influential Kubo’s cross to just beyond back post reached Minamino who could only head into side netting

The opening goal of the game came out of the blue. Australia worked the ball to Miller on the right wing and under little pressure, Taniguichi tried to clear the cross with his right foot instead of his left and only succeeded in slicing past his own keeper. It was the first goal Japan had conceded in qualification and they scored it themselves, and Australia had taken the lead without having had a single shot ! 0-1 after 58 minutes

The home side were spurred into action and Miller was on hand to put a cross off for a corner with Minamino waiting behind him. Bos then brought down Kubo on the left and was shown the first yellow card of the game, but the free kick from Kubo was headed well over by Machida.

A swift break from Japan saw Ueda gave Minamino the opportunity to run clear but the covering Geria produced another outstanding interception.

Peroxide blond substitute Junya Ito got to the byline but Ueda was unable to apply much power to his header from 12 yards and it was an easy gather for Gauci.

A Japan free kick in the 67th minute saw Irvine make a good defensive header under pressure from Ueda inside the 6-yard box and free kick was awarded to Australia.

With twenty minutes remaining Japan made two more changes, taking off Kubo, who had looked their most dangerous player, with Kamada replacing him. Minamino was also hooked for Keito Nakamura. Both substitutes play for French side Reims and as a result of these changes, Mitoma moved to a more central role in midfield and Nakamura took over on the left wing.

A minute later Tanaka tried a long range shot but Gauci made a comfortable catch.

Australian then made two changes, taking off Bos, who was walking a tightrope for a red card, and Duke, who had been virtually anonymous since his early header. Experienced defender Aziz Behich and young forward Nishan Velupillay, for his second cap having scored as a substitute against China, were the replacements

The one-way traffic continued with an Ito corner being punched away by Gauci, then Ito’s reverse pass just to strong for Mitoma to reach.

Nakamura made an almost instant impact, nipping past Behich to get to the left byline past, and his low cross was turned in from 3 yards by Burgess into his own net, although Ueda was lurking behind him for a tap in. Two own goals and it was now 1-1 with 76 minutes played.

Within a minute, Mitoma cut in from left but his goal bound shot blocked by Yazbek for a corner, from which Souttar again made the clearing header. Ito was also making an impact since his introduction, next curling a cross just ahead of the attackers and Gauci made the catch.

With ten minutes to play, the Aussies carelessly give the ball away just inside the Japanese half, after which Behich had to bring down Ueda to stop the breakaway. A yellow card inevitably was brandished, in a clear case of taking one for his team.

Australia then replaced Miller with Keanu Bacchus, who plays his club football for League One Mansfield Town, and was given the task of marking Nakamura. However, he was immediately exposed as Nakamura flew down left and delivered a testing low cross, which was met by an even better diving claim from Gauci.

Ito then made a strong run across the pitch and received a return pass from Nakamura, but Bacchus redeemed himself with a good block.

With three minutes of normal time left, after a scramble inside the Australian area, Mitoma had a shot blocked, then Aussie substitute Craig Goodwin was shown a yellow card less than a minute after entering the fray for a wild challenge on Machida.

Five added minutes were displayed, and Japan continued to search for a winner. Mitoma ran clear down the right only to be cynically brought down by Burgess for the fourth yellow card to the Socceroos.

Shortly after, the ball bounced around on the edge of penalty area but wouldn’t fall kindly for the Japanese attackers and the massed Aussie defence were able to block and then clear.

In the last minute of added time, a dangerous cross from Ito needed another good header from Souttar to put the ball out of play for corner. Ito’s delivery was an in-swinger, but Gauci made a vital catch under his crossbar to give his side the draw.

Highlights :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyNWDguVPaA

Japan : Suzuki – Itakura, Taniguchi, Machida – Doan (  Ito ), Tanaka, Morita, Mitoma – Kubo ( Kamada ), Minamino ( Nakamura ), Ueda ( Ogawa )

Australia : Gauci – Miller ( Bacchus ), Geria, Souttar, Burgess –Brattan ( Yazbek ), Irvine, McGree,Bos ( Behich ) – Duke ( Velupillay ), Hristic ( Goodwin )


 












 

Saturday 12 October 2024

Didcot Town 0-1 Yate Town ( att : 280 ) – 2024/25 Southern League Division One South

October 12, 2024

Today’s Saturday afternoon entertainment was a Southern League Division One South game between Didcot Town and Yate Town, in which 7th hosted the league leaders.

Despite both sides being in the higher echelons of the division, neither had been prolific goal scorers, and just 34 goals had been scored in their combined 16 league games, so a goal-fest hardly looked in prospect !

Both sides had 1-0 home wins over Larkhall Athletic, so the form guide suggested a close encounter today.

Didcot Town Latest

These diaries covered Didcot’s opening game of the season, in which they edged to a 1-0 victory over Larkhall. A disastrous 1-5 thumping at Malvern Town followed, but since then Diddy had been difficult to score against.

Didcot started the day with a 4-2-2 record but with a goal difference of minus one due to the result at Malvern. Their home record was an impressive 4-1-0 with just two goals conceded, but with only six goals scored. Three of the home wins had been by a margin of 1-0 although Bemerton Heath Harlequins had been beaten 2-1 in their last fixture.

Didcot’s participation in Cups this season had been brief. Although a 2-0 win was achieved at Royal Wootton Basset in the FA Cup, they were eliminated in the next round after a 0-3 loss at Taunton Town. In the FA Trophy, Cornish side Helston Athletic left the Loop Meadow with a 3-1 victory.

Didcot’s average home attendance so far this season was 225, although that had been boosted by a remarkable 492 for the match against Cribbs FC.  Josh Davis was their leading scorer in the league with three goals. The 1980’s DJ sounding Jenson Wright had returned to club in August after a spell with Hanwell Town.

Yate Town

Yate is a town in South Gloucestershire, located 12 miles from both Bristol and Bath, and is estimated to have a population of around 35,000.

Its football team are known as The Bluebells and play at the 2,000 capacity Lodge Road. Founded in 1906, Yate Town initially played in the Gloucestershire League, and then the Hellenic League, before winning promotion to the Southern League for the 1989/90 season. Since then, they have fluctuated between the various guises of Division One and the Premier Division.

In 2018/19 Yate beat Cinderford 3-1 in a promotion play-off to move up to the Premier Division South but were relegated again at the end of the 2022/23 season. Last season they finished in 8th place in Division One South.

I had seen Yate Town on one previous occasion, when they were well beaten at Oxford City in February 2009 in the Southern League Premier Division, when goals from Alex Fisher, James Faulkner, Andy Gunn and a penalty from Darren Pond gave The Hoops a 4-0 victory.  The only notable name in the Yate line-up that day was ex-Northampton, Stockport County, Bristol Rovers and Hartlepool midfielder Ali Gibb, who was on loan from Bath City after recovering from a major injury. Yate were relegated at the end of that season.



 

I have never seen a match at Yate’s Lodge Road Stadium, but I have parked in their car park. A company I was working for had moved their head office and factory to a new facility in Yate, but as so many dignitaries, media and customers were attending the grand opening, the rank-and-file were instructed to park at Yate Town and walk to the office, which was 10-15 minutes’ walk away. It was raining when I arrived !

Yate Town This Season

Yate had made a strong start in their bid to achieve promotion this season, possessing a 6-1-1 record but with only 10 goals scored and 5 conceded. The only reverse had come at Exmouth Town ( A 0-2 ) and they were held to a 1-1 draw at Willand Rovers.

Yate have had some success in Cup competitions so far this season, beating Holyport ( H 2-0 ) and Kidlington ( A 4-0 ) in the FA Cup before narrowly falling to Step 3 side Hungerford Town ( A 0-1 ).

In the FA Trophy, Yate had to play Bemerton Heath Harlequins twice after an initial 5-0 away triumph was over-ruled due to an “administrative error” forcing the game to be replayed, with Yate winning 3-1 second time around. In the subsequent rounds they beat Bideford ( H 2-0 ) and Melksham Town ( H 3-0 ) and now have another trip to Hungerford to look forward to.

The average attendance from their three home league games so far was 433, a significant increase on the 306 from last season.

The most notable name in the Yate Town squad was 33-year-old striker Marlon Jackson, who had played for Bristol City, Newport County, Tranmere Rovers, Hereford and Oxford City amongst others but was an injury doubt for today and only made the substitute’s bench.

Midfielder and Welsh Under 21 international Lloyd James had made over 350 EFL appearances in a career with Southampton, Colchester United, Leyton Orient, Exeter City and Forest Green Rovers.

Yate’s leading goal scorer was Lucas Tomlinson, who signed in the summer from Barry Town and had scored three times in the league and six times in all competitions. Jackson had scored five times but only one of these had been in the league, and Stan Wyatt had scored five times, all of which had been in Cup matches.

Matchday Information

The journey from Yate to Didcot is just under 70 miles, down the M4 and up the A34, and should normally take an hour and twenty minutes.

Ticket prices for the game were £12 for adults, £8 for OAPs ( over 65 ), £3 for Under 16s, with Under 5s being allowed in free. The matchday programme was £2 but had sold out by the time I arrived.

A cup of tea was £2, whilst Hot Dogs were £3.50, Burgers £4 and Chips £1,

After showers in the morning, the weather at the 15.00 kick-off was blue skies but the temperature was a chilly 12 degrees.

Didcot played in their usual all red kit and Yate were in all light blue. At first, I thought Yate had the player’s names on the back of their shirts, but as they were all named Picksons I concluded this was a sponsor. With my eyesight though, from a distance is looked like Porsche !

Both sides made one change to their starting line-ups, with Dylan Conlan replacing Conor McGrath for Didcot and Wyatt replaced Ollie Dewsbury for Yate. Dewsbury had been called up to play for Wales Under 17s.

Match Report

Didcot had the first attack of the match. Cameron McNeill won the ball near the halfway line and headed down the left-hand touch line. Dan Dempsey headed the cross away but appeared to push Josh McConnell out of the way in the process.

Yate were forced to make an early change when left-back Lewis Hall had to leave the field in the fourth minute, with James Byrne taking his place.

A minute later Yate right-back James Taylor went on a good run and although his left-footed shot from just outside of the area was mis-hit, it found striker Ross Stearn who in the act of shooting was thwarted by a good tackle from McNeill, and the ball was picked up by the Didcot keeper.

For Didcot, Wright’s ball into the area from the right wing was overhit and presented an easy catch for keeper Aaron Sainsbury. Yate’s Tomlinson was then too strong for Sam Barder but his ball inviting Taylor to cross from the byline was too heavy and the linesman deemed the ball had gone out of play for a goal kick.

The midfield battle was already very competitive, and Didcot forced Yate into a number of unforced errors. Conlan tried his luck from 35 yards, but the ball sailed gently for Sainsbury to easily catch above his head. The Yate keeper then nearly blotted his copybook with a pass straight to Wright, but rather than first time sending the ball back over the keeper’s head and into the empty net, the Didcot midfielder looked to find a team-mate and was tackled as he dithered.

The first yellow card of the match arrived in the 19th minute. McNeil played a quick ball down the left-hand channel for Josh Davis to run onto, but William Lavin hauled him to the floor. The free kick was sent to the back post, but Sainsbury was able to punch away under pressure from Davis.

Back down the other end Joe Guest released Taylor on the right, but his cross was headed off for a corner by Luke Carnell. The corner was played to Jerry Lawrence lurking outside the area, and his fierce 25-yard shot heading for the top corner was matched by a flying save from Leigh Bedwell who got his right hand to the ball, which then hit the bar and went over for another corner. Yate again looked for Lawrence from the next corner, but this time his 20-yard effort went a few feet over.

Shortly after, McConnell picked up the ball just outside his own area and ran deep into the Yate half only to overhit his pass to Davis on the left, forcing the striker to turn and play the ball back to support, enabling Yate to get numbers back to defend.

Yate’s Larvin then attempted to do something similar for his side, but his run ended with a fine tackle from McNeill. There didn’t appear any obvious danger in the 28th minute when Stearn lined up a long-range free kick, but the Yate forward produced a tremendous strike forcing Bedwell to another top diving save, pushing the ball off for a corner low at his right hand post.

Didcot’s response was for McConnell to embark on another surging run to release Wright, who was crowded out before he could cross to Davis.

Yate though were starting to get on top and after a flowing move down the left, the ball across the pitch was dummied by Guest to give Stearn sight of goa,l but he fired just over the bar from the edge of the area. In the 35th minute Wyatt played a delightful ball from the left over Carnell for Stearn to run onto with just the keeper to beat, but his left-footed shot across the goal went just wide. It was a big let off for the home side and a bad miss.

Wyatt then slipped a pass through the Didcot backline for Lawrence to run onto, but Bedwell was alert and dived at the feet of Lawrence to claim the ball. In between, Dempsey had been dis-possessed by Wright, but Sainsbury came to the rescue of his centre-back.

Didcot created their best chance of the game to date when Davis did well to get to the left-hand byline despite appearing to be held back by Lawrence, but with Wright unmarked in the centre of the goal, the pass went behind him and the chance had gone.

Didcot’s Owen Smith then played a loose pass and Stearn went on a mazy run, only to tamely spoil his good work with a pass to no-one and the ball rolled off for a goal kick.

With three minutes of the first half remaining Conlan’s through ball from the touchline near the halfway line saw Dempsey bring down Davis, but no yellow card was produced. Barder directed the free kick towards the far post where Carnell got his head to be ball, but it flew just over the bar.

As the game entered first half added time, McConnell won the ball off Lawrence and set-off on another strong run. He found Wright in space on the left, but after being forced wide the cross was headed away and the referee blew for half-time to bring an end to an evenly match half. Yate though had created the best chances, and Didcot had been lacking a decisive final pass.

The second period started with a flowing Didcot passing movement involving McConnell and Smith putting Davis in space but rather than taking a shot a goal, the striker opted to play the ball wide to Conlan, whose cross sailed harmlessly over the bar.

Taylor then did very well close to the Didcot corner flag to escape two markers, but his ball into the six yard area was too close to Bedwell. McConnell then skipped past his marker to lay off to Wright who in turn fed Davis, but the shot went just over the bar.

Wyatt did well on the left wing and his cross was looked to be creeping in at the far post until Bedwell was able to claw the ball away. It fell to Stearn who looked like he must score from close range but he total mis-kicked. A scramble ensued and the ball was bundled over the line despite the efforts of a defender on the line. The goal was credited to Lawrence, who is on loan from Bristol Rovers, and it was 0-1 after 57 minutes.

Despite making two immediate substitutions Didcot were unable to get back into the game, and Yate were in control. Indeed, in the 70th minute a good move involving Lawrence, Stearn and Wyatt saw Taylor get to the Didcot right byline and after McNeill slid in Taylor could easily have gone down for a penalty appeal, but he stayed on his feet only to see his low ball put out for a corner by Adam Learoyd.

A Didcot free kick close to half-way was headed on by Carnell but substitute Luke Preen was slow to react and was crowded out. Wright then wasted a free kick from a promising position with the ball flying off for a goal kick.

With 13 minutes left to play a defensive header from Carnell was bounced upon by Wyatt who played an incisive ball to put Ross Staley clear in the left hand channel, but his left footed shot across goal went inches wide.

Didcot fans were getting impatient with their side’s lack of shots on goal, “Come on, have a shot !” and when Wright put the ball into the Yate area, Osborne couldn’t control and Preen failed to react to the loose ball.

Osborne then did well on the right wing, but Yate substitute Christopher did well to clear the cross before it could reach McConnell. Didcot continued to have set-pieces only to waste them, with the deliveries from Wright and Connor Barratt sadly lacking.

As the game entered the final minute of normal scheduled time, Osborne went on a dangerous run only to be cynically brought down 25 yards out by Guest, who was shown a yellow card as a result.  Barratt stepped up and this time the delivery was good, curling the ball over the ball towards the keeper’s left hand bottom corner, but Sainsbury produced a fine diving save at the expense of a corner. The in-swinging corner was met by Sainsbury with a weak punch but the ball hit a Didcot player and went off for a goal kick.

The final piece of action saw Didcot launch a free kick forward from the half-way and although it was met with a diving header by Learoyd, the ball drifted well wide.

At the final whistle, Yate took the three points to maintain their position at the top of the table and register their 10th clean sheet in all competitions this season. The result was deserved as they had created the best chances, and in a game which was always likely to be a low scoring affair, they were relatively untroubled after taking the lead. Didcot lost their unbeaten home record but despite some nice moves they lacked a cutting edge up front, they were unable to find a final pass, and their delivery from set-pieces was often poor.

Didcot Town : L. Bedwell – TJ Bedwell, Carnell, Learoyd, McNeill – Conlan ( Osborne ), Smith ( Barratt ), McConnell, Barder ( Glover ), Wright – Davis ( Preen )

Yate Town : Sainsbury – Taylor ( Christopher ), Larvin, Dempsey, Hall ( Byrne ) – Tomlinson ( Staley ), Guest, James, Lawrence ( Lewis-Hillier ), Wyatt – Stearn ( Jackson )