Odd Down have finally returned to the pitch after more than six weeks’ absence, playing two games in Jewson Western League Division One over the past few days and picking up one point, the latter coming despite two of their side being dismissed.
Odd Down on the attack during their remarkable 3-3 draw at Hengrove Athletic on Tuesday 24th February | Photo © Odd Down FC
The Down’s long lay-off was largely down to weather-related call-offs, although they were without a scheduled match on Saturday 17th January.
However, the Bath club probably wish they had suffered another postponement because their home clash with Longwell Green Sports on Saturday 21st February ended in a resounding 3-0 defeat.
In what was Odd Down’s first fixture since they overcame guests Welton Rovers 4-1 on Saturday 10th January, Liam Oswin gave Sports a 12th-minute lead at the Lew Hill Memorial Ground when he fired home after good work by Billy Hensler.
Longwell Green netted again seven minutes into the second half, when Matt Brown volleyed in from the edge of the box following another assist by Hensler.
An Odd Down player is shadowed very closely by a Hengrove Athletic man during the Jewson Western League match on Tuesday 24th February | Photo © Odd Down FC
And the South Gloucestershire club sealed their victory 14 minutes from the end, with another goal from Brown.
Again Hensler was involved, this time releasing Isaac Flynn whose fine play presented Brown with the chance to drill home from six yards.
Odd Down starting XI: Matthew Green, Lewis Bahadur, Jack Paul, Josh Howlett, James Book, Joe Paradise, Robert Hobbs, Charlie Saunders, Treyvond Anderson, Toby Davis, Alfie Andrews.
The Down had two players sent off but bagged an injury-time equaliser to snatch a point from their next match, at Hengrove Athletic on Tuesday 24th February.
The game against the league’s basement boys at the Datel Services Stadium ended 3-3, Hengrove having been 2-0 and 3-1 up.
Athletic broke the deadlock through Elliot Saunders in the 23rd minute and the fixture swung heavily in their favour when Joe Paradise got his marching orders – for a second booking – four minutes before the interval.
Odd Down make another raid against bottom club Hengrove Athletic at the Datel Services Stadium | Photo © Odd Down FC
Hengrove took advantage of their numerical superiority to double the lead through Giorgio Mancini in the 45th minute.
However, Odd Down pulled one back in first-half injury-time when Alfie Kelsey buried a penalty.
The home side’s two-goal cushion was restored when Henry Winstone scored in the 50th minute, only for the Down to respond with a goal from Stan Dickenson shortly afterwards.
But the visitors’ cause took another big blow when Kelsey was red-carded, also for a second yellow, in the 68th minute to leave them with nine men.
The Greens looked set for only their third win of the league season – but James Book found the target in injury-time to earn Odd Down a remarkable point.
Odd Down starting XI: Matthew Green, Josh Howlett, Lewis Bahadur, James Book, Joe Paradise, Treyvond Anderson, Robert Hobbs, Jack Paul, Stan Dickenson, Alfie Kelsey, Alfie Andrews.
The games continue to come thick and fast for the Down, as they face league action at home to Bitton on Saturday 28th February (3pm) and at Cheddar on Tuesday 3rd March (7.45pm).
Odd Down Development’s Somerset Intermediate Cup fourth-round encounter with Minehead-based visitors Alcombe Rovers on Saturday 21st February was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.
The tie will now be played on Saturday 28th February (2pm), at Odd Down Sports Ground.
