COMPTON 0-1 BURRIDGE AFC

Saturday 9th September
Venue: Shepherds Lane, Compton


Burridge got their league campaign off to a winning start at Compton. In reference to the agreeable playing surface at Shepherds Lane, Burridge manager Pete Lyons had made it clear to his players that if they couldn't play passing football here, they may as well give up. Sentiments upheld by the late great Brian Clough, who often declared that if the ball was meant to be hoisted into orbit, God would have put grass in the sky - or words to that affect. Burridge heeded his advice, as ball and turf remained amiable companions for much of the game.
The ability to read and anticipate each other's play could well be underpinned by the strong family connections in a Burridge squad of nine brothers that includes: three Schwodlers, two Hewitts, a couple of Huttons and a pair of Sandersons.

But despite their attractive attacking intentions it was their goalkeeper Sam Schwodler who produced the defining moment of the first half. With Burridge caught out defensively, a Compton forward made his way through on goal unchallenged. With the net at his mercy he struck low seemingly unable to do anything but give Compton the lead, only for Schwodler to dart off his goal-line to narrow the angle before throwing himself at the ball, smothering it to safety.

Scoring opportunities continued to be presented at both ends of the field, with Bryn Schwodler at the end of many good attacking moves, but he was unable to convert any of these chances. With three minutes to go it appeared that the points would be shared between the sides; but Greg Baker's right-wing cross eluded the Compton goalkeeper, and as the ball sailed over his grasp Bryn Schwodler arrived to head into the inviting goal to claim victory.

4-4-2: S.Schwodler, J.Schwodler, P.Dyke, M.Sanderson (M.Reeves), L.Sanderson, G.Baker, M.Birks (J.Hutton) (P.Andrews), K.Hewitt, S.Froud, B.Schwodler, J.Hewitt

NB BURRIDGE DO AT SOCIAL CLUB THIS STAURDAY 16TH - £6 A TICKET.