Swindon vs Bath 22/4/04    from the Swindon Schools' Web Site www.communigate.co.uk/wilts/swindonprimaryschoolsfootballassociation/page19.phtml  Swindon travelled to Bath for their final Cotswold League fixture of the season aiming to end their campaign with a win. The two sides had met the previous month at Ballard’s Ash in a match that was severely affected by the terrible weather conditions. The evening kick-off was also a first for Swindon and with a near full-strength side the team was in a bouyant mood. The visitors however were slow to settle and the hosts had slighlty more of the game in the opening period. The back four worked hard, especially Redford who had to contend with Bath’s pacy right wing. Munton and Finnegan had to be at their very best in the centre of defence, and succeeded in thwarting several fine moves from the home side whilst Hawkins was ever vigilant down the left flank. Thompson and Roberts showed their usual determination in the centre of midfield and linked well with Skeates and Sealey but found it hard to break down Bath’s defence. Swindon went close when Skeates was put through by Thompson, but the Moredon pupil was unable to get a good strike on the ball, thanks to a last ditch tackle by a Bath defender. Bath were able to clear the resulting corner and then minutes later took the lead. Having won a corner, Watkins’ initial cross was only half cleared and the Chandag pupil was able to fire in a well placed strike from a narrow angle, over Sansum and into the opposite corner of the net. Swindon seemed rather shell-shocked and Bath capitalised on this. The home side continued to press, sensing that a first Cotswold League victory might be on the cards. A rare mistake in Swindon’s defence forced Sansum to race from his line and clear. When half time arrived Swindon were fortunate not to be two goals down. After the break Swindon made two changes, Redford was replaced by Savage whilst Clifford came on for Hawkins. Swindon also now had the advantage of the slight slope of the pitch and a gusting breeze at their backs. The visitors knew they had to score at least twice in this half it they were to win and seemed to play with more passion and energy as the second half progressed. The breakthrough came after seven minutes when Skeates hard work was rewarded when he netted from close range to score his second goal of the season. This semed to lift Swindon and they began to enjoy more possession. Bath struggled to cope with Bray’s strength and speed, whilst Clifford showed some delightful ball skills. Thompson and Sealey were winning important challenges in midfield to deny Bath any attcking opportunity. Roberts battled hard to win back or maintain possession.with. For much of the opening fifteen minutes Bath struggled to get the ball out of their own half and whenever they did manage to get the ball beyond the midfield, Swindon’s defence held firm. Swindon had a great opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box. Sealey stepped up to take the kick and his well placed effort deserved to find the net but was mere millimetres over the crossbar. The game finally turned in Swindon’s favour when Clifford played a neat one-two with Roberts over Bath’s defence to find himself through on goal with only their ‘keeper to beat. The Ferndale pupil then coolly lifted the ball over the advancing ‘keeper with the most sublime of touches to make it 2-1 to Swindon. With ten minutes remaining Bath tried desperately to get the ball into Swindon’s half. But the visitors weren’t about to relinquish a lead they hard worked so hard to get. Pocock and Savage closed down well and both were involved in building some fine passages of play as Swindon turned defence into attack. With five minutes remaining Swindon made sure of all three points when Bray was finally rewarded for his perseverance when he unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the area which went across the face of the goal and into the net. Swindon thoroughly merited their win. A great team performance and a fitting way to end their Cotswold League campaign.