Bee Happy

The Season So Far:

Trowbridge Town come into this game with a so far unremarkable record – 2 wins and 4 losses from the first 6 games, followed by a 2-0 victory against Corsham Town Reserves in the midweek. Home wins against Stratton Juniors and an impressive 5-0 versus Ludgershall Sports mean that they currently sit in 9th, however the table is slightly hard to read as teams have played anywhere between 5 and 10 matches. The pick of the games so far must surely be away at Purton where the former Southern League side found themselves on the wrong end of a 5-4 scoreline. In midweek The Bees won away at Corsham Town Reserves so will be confident of securing a result today.

Devizes Reserves are one of those to have only managed 4 games so far, and indeed have failed to secure a single point thus far. Not managing to score in all but one of these games will no doubt be troubling for manager Chris O’Donovan and they’ll be seeking to turn things around against The Bees. The one goal they have scored came away at a decent Shrewton United so there should be some comfort in that. A midweek game at home to bottom club Ludgershall Sports saw them easily gain their first 3 points of the season against the early strugglers. Can they make it two in a row this afternoon?

The Visit:

It made a nice change to be able to walk to a football match and avoid the stress of public transport. I’ve lived in Trowbridge for 2 years now and this is just the 2nd time I’ve been to see the Town’s main football team play. The other time was an unremarkable 0-1 loss to Cricklade Town in the Wiltshire Cup. For some reason I didn’t take my camera and notebook to that. Woodmarsh is situated on the edge of Trowbridge by the main Bradley Road and has been home to the Bees since the late 90s. There are two very basic covered standing areas – one behind the far goal and the other opposite the dugouts. On the near side lie a couple of buildings which house the changing rooms and other facilities. Gone, sadly, are the glory days of the Southern League for Trowbridge. Back then they played on the Frome Road, the ground at which has since made way for housing. I paid my entry and gave my number for Track and Trace, and made my way pitch-side.

It was a cold, autumn day but not much in the way of wind so pretty decent weather for a game of football. A couple of chances fell to Trowbridge within the first 10 minutes; first, the Devizes keeper called to claim the ball but fumbled and was bailed out by his defence. A few minutes later striker Josh Hard burst through and tested the goalie who parried his low shot behind for a corner. A third of the way through the half and Hard couldn’t quite make telling contact after a quick free kick was sent in his direction. Goal kick. The visiting keeper was by far the busier of the two – doing well this time to turn a dipping shot from distance behind for another corner. Tricky winger Jayden Whyte was played through on the half hour but couldn’t keep his shot down from a tight angle. The Bees’ right back Elliott Caldicott brought the best save of the game out of the Devizes goalkeeper – his 20 yard shot seemed destined for the top corner until the visitors’ number 1 saved the day again. He would be tested again in first half injury time as Trowbridge’s number 10 shot low towards the corner of the net. At half time the visitors were lucky to be on level terms – home keeper Jordan Gullis barely having a touch of the ball.

Devizes were determined to put in a better showing in the second 45, and finally had a meaningful, albeit wayward, shot on goal after a good run. A couple of minutes later and at the other end of the pitch, Whyte was proving a nuisance for the away team. He went on a great run into the box, played in his team mate who found himself one on one with the keeper. Another good save found a Trowbridge player who squared to a team mate, who in turn had the goal at his mercy 6 yards out. The Devizes captain flung himself in front of the ball, somehow blocking a certain goal and sending the ball out for a corner. It was ridiculously brave and ultimately successful defending – the best I have seen in a long time. The resulting corner was sent to Whyte on the edge of the area. His volley lacked power but its direction was good. Fortunately for the visitors, their man on the post was still in position from the corner and able to hoof it clear. Just after the hour mark a brilliant cross was agonisingly close to finding the head of the Devizes number 10. They were still to test Gullis. Two minutes later Jayden Whyte broke into the box and had a shot well saved. As he made to regain possession he was sent sprawling and the referee pointed to the spot. The Devizes number 2 was sent for 10 minutes in the sin bin for his protestations. It was he who was judged to have committed the foul although he clearly thought this was not the case. Josh Hard stood up and buried the penalty high into the middle of the net. Trowbridge looked to take advantage of the temporary numerical advantage – good build up between Hard and substitute Nick Taylor saw yet another good save from the Devizes stopper. The game entered the final 10 minutes. Hard crossed to another substitute at the far post whose first-time shot went back across goal and wide. With 5 minutes remaining the visitors almost salvaged an unlikely point. Angus Webster – now playing up front – took the ball forward and unleashed a ferocious shot which Gullis did well to redirect for a corner. His first save of the game – he did well to keep his concentration. 2 minutes later and Trowbridge really should’ve put the game out of sight. Number 14 received the ball in the penalty area, and with just the keeper to beat, decided to square it to Hard who was muscled off the ball. The substitute was chastised by his team mates for not taking the shot on. Fortunately for him there was little time for much more action and the game finished 1-0. Slightly flattering for the away team who had their keeper and captain to thank for keeping the score down.

It was a really good advert for County level football – an entertaining game with a decent crowd. The club officials and fans are a friendly lot and no doubt I’ll be back for another game soon.