Hellenic League Division Two South
LETCOMBE v CARTERTON
Saturday 22nd January
With Jack North still injured, Danny Joyce deputised for him in goal, and Kian Durkin replaced the unavailable Greg Nutley in attack. In the absence of Nathan Haresnape, Sam Mulvey moved from midfield to centre back to partner Mikey Annetts.
This was a game which Letcombe dominated apart from the last quarter. Letcombe failed to capitalise on two low crosses from the left in the first five minutes as nobody was on hand to apply the finishing touch. The hosts did take the lead in the tenth minute when Josh Fowler took advantage of a defensive mistake to race clear before rounding keeper Ashley Horne and placing the ball in the empty net.
Letcombe increased their lead nine minutes later when Mikey Annetts stooped to head home a corner from Josh Fowler at the back post. Keeper Horne twice came off his line quickly to block efforts from Fowler before Letcombe added a third in the last minute of the half. Ben Marshall provided the pass for Fowler to cut in from the right and chip the ball over the diving Horne.
It looked as though Letcombe had added a fourth in the first minute of the second half. Fowler cut in from the right and pulled the ball back to Joe Blackwell who netted, but the ball took the faintest of touches off a Letcombe player in an offside position as it entered the net. The hosts did increase their lead on the hour, Mikey Annetts heading home a Dan Pear corner at the back post. Letcombe made four substitutions which seemed to affect their rhythm, and Carterton became more of a threat in the final quarter.
The visitors got their consolation goal with eight minutes remaining, Liam Redhead striking the ball into the top corner from 25 yards to deny Letcombe their first clean sheet of the season. This was a pleasing team performance for Letcombe. Aaran Mudie and Jordan Pierce completed a solid defence with Annetts and Mulvey, and keeper Danny Joyce was seldom threatened. Dan Pear and Jamie Wallin worked tirelessly in centre midfield with Joe Blackwell and Ben Marshall providing width in wide positions. Kian Durkin had his best game of the season supporting the ever dangerous Fowler in attack.
Letcombe will hope to continue their good form when they entertain Marlborough development next Saturday.
