Free Press Sport
Ten man PILCS end up second best in clash with league leaders Chepstow
3:26pm Wednesday 18th January 2012
Chepstow Town 3 Vs P.I.L.C.S 0 P.I.L.C.S. travelled to league leaders Chepstow on Saturday, as they looked to build on last week's spirited performance against Albion Rovers.
However they were unable to take their cup form into this league meeting and were second best throughout the majority of the game.
The hosts began the brighter of the two and had a couple of half chances before missing an excellent chance to break the deadlock, firing wide at the far post.
P.I.L.C.S. keeper Ryan Mackerness then denied them saving well with his feet at the near post.
It therefore came as no surprise, when they did take the lead on 20 minutes, with a well taken goal into the bottom corner, after the defence stopped, waiting for an offside decision which wasn't given.
Chepstow continued to press forward with ease and Mackerness was again to the rescue, saving well at close range, with the rebound cleared off the line. The visitors on the other hand struggled to create a great deal going forward, with the front two very isolated from midfield.
A James Ronan dangerous cutback across goal was as close as they came, with no one able to meet it at the far post.
The hosts doubled their advantage two minutes before the interval, when they walked through the P.I.L.C.S. defence and again finished from close range Barely a minute had passed in the second half when the visitors were reduced to ten men. Centre half Daniel Berryman shown his marching orders for foul and abusive language. The home side certainly took their foot off the gas and a stern half time team talk had seemed to do the trick, with P.I.L.C.S. enjoying far more possession, as they continued to try and find a way back into the game. Winger Darren Phillips came closest to reducing the deficit, following a good run to the edge of the area, but his powerful strike went just wide of the top corner.
However this was to be his last contribution of the afternoon, as on 70 minutes he too was shown a straight red card for a challenge on a Chepstow player out on the touchline. Despite arguing he got the ball, the referee deemed it far too reckless and showed no hesitation before producing the red card.
This virtually ended any hope of a fight back from the visitors, but a combination of poor finishing and poor choice of final ball from the home side, saw them unable to add to their tally until the 88th minute.
They finally managed to break down a stubborn P.I.L.C.S. defence, exploiting the available space down the right and finishing into an empty net past Mackerness.