Odd Down have to settle for Western League point in home opener

Odd Down’s first home match of the Jewson Western League Division One season ended in derby stalemate.

Jake Curtis gets the better of a defender to score Odd Down’s goal against Radstock Town | Photo © Odd Down FC

The Down took on Radstock Town at the Lew Hill Memorial Ground on Tuesday 12th August, held an interval lead but had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Town went into the game stuck at the bottom of the table. But their point lifted them above Cheddar and Welton Rovers.

The hosts were dealt an early blow when skipper Dominic Walter had to leave the pitch with what appeared to be a serious knee injury following a challenge from behind that earned the tackler a yellow card.

Odd Down were the more dominant side in the opening half, with the Miners posing little threat in the final third of the pitch.

The deadlock was eventually broken after 28 minutes when a flicked header by Alfie Andrews set up Jake Curtis to beat the advancing keeper for a well-taken finish.

Several more good opportunities fell the Down’s way before the break but were not converted.

Jake Curtis, number nine, wheels away after putting Odd Down 1-0 ahead | Photo © Odd Down FC

The home team started the second half well but Radstock grew stronger and levelled with a 58th-minute close-range diving header from Luke Ingram.

Both sides made changes and the closing half-hour became a largely scrappy affair.

Odd Down thought they had the ball over the line following an 85th-minute goalmouth scramble – but the referee ruled otherwise.

An end-to-end finale failed to produce a winner.

The Down will be back in league action on Saturday 16th August, when they visit Bristol Telephones (3pm).

Meanwhile, Odd Down Women were hammered when they faced South Gloucestershire outfit Mangotsfield United Women in a friendly on Sunday 10th August.

The Mangos romped to an 8-0 home victory, six of the goals coming in the second half.