MATCH REPORT

DEVON & EXETER LEAGUE - SENIOR ONE

SATURDAY 8 MARCH 2008

UNIVERSITY (1)  1

v

BUDLEIGH SALTERTON   (0) 1

A mixture of holidays, injury, work commitments and a suspension meant Budleigh's squad was pushed to the limit. But the 13 players who played at Uni were fantastic. The game was not a classic by any means but the work rate and character was top class. Uni took the lead early on after a mix up and their striker finished well

At half time, with Steve Tweedie struggling to run he switched to right back after being clatterd early, on and Carl Everest pushed into midfield. This move turned the match and Everest started bossing the game. Budleigh had a good chance but manager Alex Freer headed weakly over when well placed. Then Simon Rose tried an overhead kick which just went wide. At the other end Rich Higham and Tim Bradshaw were both having great games and keeper Brad Evans kicking and handling was faultless all game. After seventy minutes Freer was replaced by Noel Pond who, despite being a keeper, caused all sorts of problems with his height and general trickery. With seven minutes left David Evans scored another important goal when his well struck strike flew in. Steve Tweedie then had to come off after playing for eighty minutes injured, but only to be replaced by the injured Peter White. Deep into injury time with Bradshaw driving the team on for the win it was Rich Higham who nearly won it when his looping header was just cleared from under the bar. This was Budleigh’s 17th league game unbeaten and was a case of a well earned point.

Man of the match Carl Everest.

Squad - B Evans, Bradshaw, Mortimore, Everest, R Higham, Thornhill, Poulton, Tweedie (White), D Evans, Freer(Pond), Rose Sub not used Sidney

Report by Alex Freer