Odd Down up to second in league after win over Keynsham

Odd Down returned to winning ways in Jewson Western League Division One when they took the honours from their derby with Keynsham Town on Tuesday 1st September.

Skipper Ryan Gay on the attack for Odd Down during their derby win over Keynsham Town on Tuesday 1st September | Photo © Odd Down FC

The Down had topped the table until last week, even though they lost to Almondsbury on Saturday 22nd August.

Tom Smith’s team were deposed a few days later – and with their scheduled game at Mendip Broadwalk on Saturday 29th August postponed, they found themselves in fifth spot going into the clash with Keynsham.

But Odd Down overcame their Bath & North East Somerset rivals 2-1 at the AJN Stadium, Crown Fields, and climbed into second place, a point behind table-toppers Longwell Green Sports who have played one more match.

All of the goals came in the first period, the Down going 1-0 up through Ryan Gay in the 11th minute and doubling their advantage on the half-hour courtesy of Alfie Andrews.

The hosts’ Kevin Zyberi pulled one back in the 37th minute.

Coming off the bench for the visitors in a game watched by a crowd of 85 was new signing Dylan Evans, a winger whose previous clubs include Cadbury Heath, Shirehampton, Thornbury Town and Cheddar.

Odd Down: Alfie Kelsey, James Book, Jaiden Savery, Joe Paradise, Josh Howlett, Jack Kelsey, Toby Cole (Dylan Evans, 60), Lewis Hunt, Ryan Gay (Lenny Gale, 82), Tobey Snelling (Charlie Saunders, 55), Alfie Andrews (David Hare, 87). Unused sub: Joe Ellis.

The Down’s match against Mendip at BBS Park, Filwood Playing Fields, was postponed because of an unsafe pitch.

A statement from the South Bristol outfit said: “The referee has deemed the pitch unsafe.

“A few areas of concern highlighted on the pitch by the referee. Worked on immediately. Still off.”

The fixture has been rearranged for Saturday 28th November (3pm).

Odd Down’s next game will be a league clash with Wincanton Town at the Lew Hill Memorial Ground on Saturday 5th September (3pm).

Winky are back in the Western League after two seasons in the Velocity Wessex League Premier Division.

And Odd Down will be at home again on Tuesday 8th September, this time against Western League Premier Division outfit Clevedon Town in the first round of the Francis Hillier Premier Cup (7.45pm).

Odd Down Development romped to a 4-0 win over Filton Athletic Reserves in a pre-season friendly at the Lew Hill Memorial Ground on 29th August.

There were two goals apiece for Alfie Prescott and Cam New in the home side’s final warm-up fixture.

The Devs will begin their campaign in The Waterhouse Financial Advisers Mid Somerset League on 5th September, when they take on Westfield Reserves at The Jerry Colbourne Ground, Midsomer Norton (2pm).

Midfielder Matthew Pritchard scored for Odd Down U18 in their final pre-season friendly – a 2-1 home defeat by Radstock Town U18 on Thursday 27th August.