Frampton Ath Vets 2 v 2 Easton Monday

16th April, 2023 Frampton

TEAM: Josh, Terry, Si F, Andy M, Craig, Jamie, Jason, Jon C, Si R, Arron, Dan SUBS: Lee, Kenneth, James P

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The Blues knew going into this fixture that the league could potentially be in their hands with a decent result. Coming off the back of a great result against Yate in the league, Frampton were a different proposition. Much lower down the table, an unknown team having been promoted to league 1, and not a home fixture.

Monday turned up to the address in Frampton and when the first thought processes are about dog s**t on the pitch - you know that it wasn't going to be the slick passing performance that they enjoy!

It was clear from the first whistle that it was going to be a tough morning. Not only were the opposition better than perhaps expected, but the pitch was doing exactly as expected. Numerous passes in the first few minutes went one way and then the next! Everyone was being caught out by the long grass and the wayward bounce of the ball.

There were not too many chances of note in the game, but Monday went 1-0 through Dan who neatly shot low past the keeper from a tight angle.

Jamie had a great chance to make it 2-0 with a ball across the box from Arron but it was the classic Gazza Euro '96 'if he'd had bigger boots' situation.

Overall, it was a very tight first half and despite their strong striker being very decent, it was Monday who had the better of the chances and deserved to go in at half time 1-0 to the good.

Half time (0-1)

Frampton came out firing in the second half. Mondaywere struggling to find their rhythm and Frampton were capitalising by throwing more men forward and launching it forward. They scored from a cross into the box (one of many) after Monday had struggled to clear their lines.

By then throwing men forward - it did open up a bit of space at the back and the front 3 were finding a bit of time and space. Dribbling wasn't possible so 'hit and hopes' were the order.

Jamie's fitness seemed to be off the scale (despite the video evidence) and it was he that put The Blues ahead again after yet another burst forward. Arron faked to shoot drawing in two of their players and played it into Jamie who just had the keeper to beat.

After this Frampton threw even more men forward. It seemed like Monday were going to make it across the line, especially when Josh manged to block a certain goal, but it wasn't to be. On 89 minutes Frampton scored from yet another long ball into the box. Andy and James P had been heading away nearly everything all second half, but just at the last moment they lost the flight of the ball in a crowded box and it went in. Ronaldino vs David Seaman-esque.

2-2 final score

Despite the 2-2 draw - Monday are still in the hunt for the league. They are not built for the horrible pitch and that is not a bad thing. On thei home pitch, they probably would have won the game 6-2. Taking nothing away from Frampton though as they got the draw in the end and due to their play - was probably deserved.

The game was mostly played in a really good spirit and the ref had very little to do.

On to the next