Intensive Cary.

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Intro

Castle Cary picked up their first win of the season last weekend when a lot of other games were called off on account of the weather. A somewhat surprising 2-1 win over Peasedown Miners Welfare meant Cary climbed up to 13th position, but still in the relegation spots. Their only draw this season so far could also be seen as a poor result – a 3-3 draw at home to winless Stockwood Green.

Ashcott sit in 8th place having won 3, drawn 3 and lost 2 games so far this campaign. Last weekend they travelled to the North Somerset coast, and came away with a point after a 1-1 draw with Minehead. The stand out result of the season so far could be a penalty shootout win in the League Cup over Premier Division Fry Club. Ashcott currently find themselves in a rich vein of form having recently won 3 games on the trot. However this was ended by the aforementioned Peasedown Miners Welfare in the Cup.

A fact that might well give Castle Cary hope that, if they can beat Peasedown, then they can beat Ashcott.

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The Ground

The Donald Pither Memorial Ground is situated just off Castle Cary’s picturesque high street. Doubling-up as the town’s cricket club, the football pitch is off to one side, a short walk from the Pavilion which provides refreshments and houses the changing facilities. Excellent views can be had from here, including of the instantly-recognisable Glastonbury Tor.

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The Match

The visitors started the game on the front foot, almost opening the scoring after 8 minutes. Their number 7 cut the ball back but the incoming shot was deflected just over. The linesman had his flag raised anyway so a freekick was awarded to the hosts. Ashcott’s number 9 took aim from distance a couple of minutes later but his effort was too close to Owen Doggrell in the Castle Cary goal. 3 minutes later there was mayhem in the Cary box as a low cross led to pinball stuff in the danger zone. The home side survived. A period of relative calm followed with most of the play taking place in the middle third. Just after the half hour mark, Ashcott captain Dale Hunt fired a shot straight at Doggrell from about 20 yards. 5 minutes later, Hunt met a deep cross with his head, sending the ball back across Doggrell and into the back of the net. It was the Dale Hunt Show – just a minute later he received the ball and let another shot fly. This time it was deflected just wide. The hosts finally had a meaningful chance just before halftime, and it would’ve been an equaliser to remember had it gone in. Alfie Collings’ cross was headed away but only as far as Charlie Agbo. Agbo’s volley was sweetly-struck, but flashed just wide of the Ashcott keeper’s goal. At the other end, and deep into first half injury time, a deep freekick was sent to the back post. No prizes for guessing who was there to nod the ball home – Dale Hunt with his second of the game.

The first real action of the second half was Ashcott more or less putting the game out of sight. A freekick was awarded a little way outside of the penalty area. Tall centre-back Rufeo Taylor stood up and smashed it low and hard into the bottom corner – a real defender’s freekick. That was on the 57th minute. 5 minutes later Owen Doggrell pulled off a decent one-on-one save, denying the Ashcott number 10. Doggrell was back in action soon after as the same Ashcott striker as before cut inside and let fly. The keeper parrying the ball away well. There were times when it looked like one of the teams might end the game with fewer than 11 men on the field. This period of play took away from much goal mouth action, and it wasn’t until 8 minutes remained that Castle Cary finally had another chance. Confusion between the Ashcott keeper and one of his defenders allowed the home striker a sight at goal. The angle was too acute, however, and he could only find the side netting. Ashcott got their fourth goal in the third minute of injury time – substitute Louis Heal breaking away with the ball and emphatically finishing past Doggrell. Due to the many fouls there was time for a consolation goal for Cary – another header, this time for another substitute, Josh Ansell applying the finishing touch.

It was a decent game, despite being largely one-sided. Castle Cary showing glimpses of how they secured their first win of the season last weekend. Ashcott showed why they are apparently a team on the up.

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The Photos

The full gallery of match photos is also available HERE