Once again the build up to a game was dominated by the lack of player availibility as the Weysiders struggled to field a team for the second week running, but field a team they eventually did. There was a very rare appearance from Malcolm Denham, filling in at left back and Simon Gatfield also made a welcome return to at the heart of defence.
Despite all the difficulties in getting eleven men out, once again Weysiders played with heart, commitment and effort, starting off the game in fine fashion, winning their challenges, passing the ball around and not allowing their hosts to settle. This start was rewarded when a neat Weysiders move saw Kevin Barrow’s shot rebound off the post into the path of Chris Weiland, who fired the ball low past the home keeper to give the A team a deserved lead Whilst Dunsfold had a lot of possesion they never really created any clear cut chances, their best effort coming from a free kick which Kelvin Charles made a great save onto the post, and the Weysiders defence dealt well with the hosts only real tactic of throwing balls into the box and went into the half time break 1-0 up.
The second half became a real challenge on the fitness of both sides, the baking sun and hard pitch taking it’s toll on both teams but Weysiders carried on where they left of in the first half, repelling the home attacks and looking threatening going forward themselves. Weysiders looked dangerous from set pieces and should have scored from corners on three separate occasions with the hosts’ poor marking allowing free headers to Luke Holt who couldn’t quite take those chances. Weysiders did have a let off late in the game when a scramble saw the ball bouncing around, Dunsfold head towards goal only for Mike Wilkinson to clear the header off the line and onto the bar – the team breathed a huge sigh of relief as the ball landed safely back into the grateful arms of the keeper.
With time running out and tempers starting to fray on both sides, a “foul” by the Weysiders led to a disputed free kick for Dunsfold. For once the A team couldn’t deal with the ball into the box, missing several chances to clear, the ball fell to one of Dunsfold’s strikers who saw his shot extremely well saved by Jamie but the rebound fell straight into the path of one of the home team who gleefully slotted the ball home from six yards to equalise.
Despite losing the equaliser right at the death Weysiders still pushed forwward, James Martin seeing his looping header just drop over the bar instead of under. The final whistle resulted in a draw, one that Dunsfold scarely deserved but happily took. Whilst rueing the chance to take all three points Weysiders can feel proud with a point considering the difficulties faced fielding a team once more. Enormous credit goes to everyone of the players who did make themselves available and put absolutely everything they had into the game, producing a terrific performance that deserved more.
Two games, two points isn’t a bad start to the season and there is certainly lots of positives to take forward into the next match.
Manager's man of the match: Ben Spencer.
Team: Kelvin Charles, Luke Holt, Simon Gatfield, Paul Martin, Malcom Denham, Chris Weiland, Kevin Barrow, Ben Spencer, Mike Wilkinson, Alex Foley, James Martin. Subs used: None. Scorers: Weiland. Form: WLDDD