Bisons Win the Mid Table Clash against William Twigg FC Reserves

After the euphoria of last weeks 4-3 victory the Bisons had a tricky mid table clash away against William Twigg Reserves. With Tom sidelined until after Christmas following a nasty ankle injury sustained in training and a number of niggles with other players the starting line up was not initially as planned. With conditions ideal for football both teams were quick to get on the front foot and seek that opening goal. Some neat one touch football down the right provided an early chance for the Bisons but the pull back just eluded Duncan. Tackles were flying in albeit ‘just’ legitimate but although the Bisons were getting free kicks in some interesting positions they couldn’t capitalise. As ever if you don’t take your chances you risk going behind and so it nearly was as the route one approach from William Twigg had Harry having to save down at the near post to keep the score level. From the corner the defence showed great resilience in keeping the ball out and clearing the lines. The Bisons were getting some joy by switching the play and on one such occasion Duncan found himself in space and his ball to the far post was nearly turned in by Dylan - unfortunately in the attempt to reach the ball Dylan pulled his hamstring and had to leave the pitch. At the other end it was nearly 1-0 to the home side but the shot hit the post. This was shortly followed by another long ball over the top which caught the Bisons defence flat footed but fortunately the shot went wide.

The Bisons then went close themselves after a flick on by Duncan found Kiran who instinctively moved the ball towards the goal only for it to cannon off the ‘keeper and over the bar for a corner. Quick thinking by Kiran and Max saw the corner taken short and Max in space saw his effort sail wide. With the Bisons now very much on top the pressure began to show and it was no surprise when the Referee pointed to the penalty spot following a reckless challenge in the box. Jamie stepped up to take the spot kick but with the ball half buried in a sunken penalty spot he was unable to get a clean strike and the ‘keeper gratefully kept the ball out. Heads didn’t drop and some excellent play between Harvey, Kyifer and Owen saw Owen shoot high into the net only to see the flag raised for offside. The chances continued and a superb cross field pass from Kyifer found Joe on the right and his cut back found Harvey but he couldn’t get a clean strike on goal. With the clock nearly showing 45 minutes it was typical for the Bisons to concede a penalty out of nothing but unlike last week there was no questioning of the decision by the Referee and so the Bisons went in trailing 0-1 with Harry given no chance from the spot.

The second half was more even but only in terms of neither side really troubling the opposition ‘keepers. Duncan came close after some neat play on the left that saw Kyifer lay the ball off but Duncan’s left foot shot went wide. When the equaliser came it was pure football down the right with Ben stealing the ball in his own half and accelerating down the right wing before finding Kiran in space who cut in and played a perfect ball along the ground to Owen who slotted the ball neatly into the far corner for three in three despite his ‘cement knees’! With the home side losing their cool free kicks were a plenty and Harvey had two opportunities but his efforts didn’t trouble the somewhat ‘shaky’ keeper. Third time lucky they say but it took a great ball from Kyifer out to Harvey on the left who cut in and shot hard and low to make it 2-1 with the keeper just watching. A rare chance saw Harry saving with his foot to keep the scores level and Owen really should have made it 3-1 when clear 1 on 1 but great defending prevented him from rounding the keeper when perhaps an earlier shot was the better option but hindsight is always easy. Two further half chances fell to the Bisons, first to Owen who shot just over and then again Harvey but his shot was straight at the ‘keeper. With the opposition getting increasingly restless and the clock ticking down the Bisons learned from previous games and managed the game out to win 2-1 which was well deserved.