Report

Ferndale Rodbourne earned a well-deserved away point in a thrilling game against title chasers Croft Juniors Red, the game eventually finishing 3-3. 

Before the final game of the season Ferndale already knew they could not get off the bottom of the table after a difficult season.  The early morning results meant Croft knew they had to win to finish top of the division and they made a quick start, looking dangerously quick up front and creating a number of clear openings.  Ferndale’s defence of Samuel Hewitt, Alessio Wrona, William Close and Jack Curtis were trying to hold a high line but were caught out by a number of clever diagonal through balls which the pacey Croft forwards latched on to.  Fortunately for Ferndale, Croft only managed one early goal in this spell as a couple of clear cut chances were blazed wide and over from close range where goalkeeper Ryan Gregory was left one-on-one with the Croft attackers.

As the crowd feared that a second goal would come for Croft, Ferndale themselves started to play some fine pass and move football, and began to have a fair share of possession and territory.  Samuel Roberts was particularly influential in linking play together, releasing Alex Hill and Bailey Fisher down the wings with clever one-touch passing and managing to bring lone striker Callum Ratcliffe into the game.  Joshua Blackmore and Rhys Chippendale in the middle of midfield were getting more into the game and holding the ball up well as Ferndale started to get numbers forward.

A good run from Callum Ratcliffe twenty minutes in led to a free kick for Ferndale near the left corner flag. Callum’s own free kick resulted in a Ferndale corner, and following two fine floated corners from Rhys Chippendale a well hit effort from Bailey Fisher was only just blocked by the Croft defence on the line.  Coach Paul Gregory then bought on Aaron Betterton and Oliver Bunce.

Another quick break from Croft soon after was thwarted by a fine fingertip save from Ryan Gregory, followed by an incredible block from Alessio Wrona on the line from the follow up.  As the resulting corner was cleared, Oliver Bunce, Samuel Roberts and Alex Hill combined well down the right to force a Ferndale corner. Aaron Betterton put in a fine corner, this time Bailey Fisher managed to rattle in the equaliser after his own shot was initially blocked and then rebounded to him for a second effort.

The goal really spurred the boys on and only two minutes later Callum Ratcliffe broke and outran the Croft back four firing home coolly from fifteen yards to give Ferndale an unexpected lead.  Half time score Croft 1 Ferndale 2.

As expected there was a real urgency about title chasing Croft in the second half as they looked to get back in the game.  The Ferndale midfield and back line were defending superbly as Croft pressurised, but at the same time whenever Ferndale got the ball in midfield they were holding onto possession well, passing their way out of trouble and into attack at the other end.  It was thrilling end-to-end stuff as Croft were denied twice by goalie Ryan Gregory, then they hit the post, Callum Ratcliffe fired just wide for Ferndale, Croft broke back and fired just over, Ferndale responded as Aaron Betterton shot just wide.

This attacking pattern continued as half way through the second half Croft had numbers spare as their left winger broke and as the ball bounced around in the box a clinical finish from ten yards gave Croft an equaliser.  Almost immediately Ferndale built down the left with Bailey Fisher running strongly causing problems, a nice interchange of passes with Callum Ratcliffe and the ball was fed to Rhys Chippendale who struck a looping right foot shot into the far corner to give the lead straight back to Ferndale with only ten minutes to go.

The game became even more frantic as Ferndale began to drop deeper and deeper into their own half, allowing Croft more of the ball in midfield and Croft pushed more and more players forward trying to save the game.  In a nervy five minutes for Ferndale, Croft missed a couple of good chances before they claimed an equaliser.  Croft had men spare on the right and the resulting cross was met with a well struck volley from the Croft centre-forward, the ball flying into the net giving Ryan Gregory no chance.  Two minutes later Croft looked like they were going to snatch the winner, but a fine fifteen yard effort just ricocheted off of a lunging Samuel Hewitt’s leg deflecting it slightly upwards, where it struck the Ferndale bar and bounced down right on the line allowing Ryan Gregory in goal to gratefully grab the ball.

However, Ferndale were still not finished as they continued to try to pass their way back up the pitch, and it was they who finished stronger with long range efforts from Callum Ratcliffe and Bailey Fisher going just wide, and with two minutes to go Callum broke clear and the Croft goalkeeper pulled off an outstanding fingertip save to save the game.  Final score Croft 3 Ferndale 3.

Coach Paul Gregory was delighted with the performance of all thirteen players today and was particularly pleased with the much improved style of passing football the boys showed they could play today. Man of the match went to Alessio Wrona for an outstanding effort in defence with at least two crucial blocks when the goal was at the mercy of Croft.