KJM SPORT REPORT Saltash Utd 3 Nailsea & Tickenham 2

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Created on Sunday, 17 September 2023 12:10

Last Updated on Sunday, 17 September 2023 12:10

Published on Sunday, 17 September 2023 12:10

Written by KEVIN MARRIOTT at KJM Sports

Saltash scored twice in the last seven minutes to turn the prospect of defeat into victory in front of an ecstatic crowd at the Waterways Stadium.

The Ashes were trailing 2-1 when striker Jordan Ewing brought them level in the 83rd minute and three minutes later substitute Joe Preece fired the winner.

Ewing had given Saltash a 35th minute lead only for Lucas Vowles to score twice in three minutes to send the visitors in 2-1 ahead at half-time.

The result - Saltash’s second league win - lifted the the home camp after their 6-1 defeat at Welton Rovers seven days earlier.

Manager Macca Brown said: “I said to the boys before there is no better feeling than bouncing back, which we had the opportunity to do after last week and we did it in more ways than one, bouncing back from last week’s result, and bouncing back from behind behind yet again to win the game late on.

“We started the game really well, it was attack after attack and to be fair that’s what our previous two home games started like as well.

“It was really important that we scored when we were on top and it didn’t look like we were going to have the killer instinct where it mattered.

“When we eventually found the breakthrough it was probably the best goal we’ve scored this season, a brilliant team goal finished off by Jordan, and Kia (Kieran O’Melia) then had the opportunity to make it two immediately after.

“I said at that moment with 10 minutes to go, I felt we could go and kill the game off before half time such was the momentum, but then in true Saltash style we were somehow 2-1 down within five minutes.

“Two set pieces, another direct free kick and to be fair, what a strike, and then a corner straight after and I don’t think anyone could believe it, but we continue to give away silly free kicks, so we couldn’t say we didn’t deserve it because set pieces are such a huge weapon in the game.

“But I was proud of the lads’ reaction second half, and it’s where we could learn from our experience last week as it was a similar feeling.

“We were once again ‘stunned’ to be in the position we were in, but this time we responded brilliantly and it wasn’t easy.

“Whereas in the first half we were dominant, the second half was very scrappy and at that point it’s easy to lose composure.

“We very nearly conceded a third through another set piece, but thankfully it was ruled out for offside.

“I must say the subs made a big impact, bringing real quality to the game. The lads adjusted brilliantly to a change of shape and we really took control, and it’s a great feeling when you’re watching your team chasing a game properly, with control and belief, creating chance after chance where it feels inevitable. “Muzza (Laurence Murray) was starting to pull the strings and when Jordan got the equaliser it was only going one way.

“Muz found Preecey with a delicious cross and what a finish to win it.

“But as it always is, life is about a reaction and that’s what we were able to do. We are just two months into building a new team at this club, and with that comes ups and downs and the lads are challenged, and how they react to bad moments is part and parcel of that, whether it’s during a game, or week to week.

“Their character has been challenged in the past seven days and they have grown one inch taller because of their footballing experiences this week but they have to make sure the approach yesterday is here to stay.

“One thing they are guaranteed to get is support, and the supporters showed that again yesterday, they helped drive us on.”

Brown added: “Finally, and I’ve never done this before, but I would like to dedicate the victory to my old youth manager at Torpoint Youth, Steve Reeve.

“He has no affiliation to Saltash United but he does to me, and probably without even knowing it he created an environment back then which enabled a group of 17 year olds with a chip on their shoulder to thrive, and most importantly enjoy football at an age where so many drop out of the game.

“The fact that 90% of us stayed in the game until our 30s shows the impact that had on us.

“Steve and his family have had a terrible week, and I want him to know that the thoughts of all my old teammates and myself are with them all and we wish them a speedy recovery, and that win, as irrelevant as it is in the grand scheme of things, was for him.”

Saltash: J Mead-Crebbin, E Wright, E Goodman, H Greening, K O’Melia (B Goulty 87), J Ewing, R Thomson, T Love-Holmes, O Badcutt (J Preece 73), T Huyton (L Murray 66), J Toulson.

Subs not used: R Howe, H Bunning.

Attendance: 105.

SWSN Star Man: Jordan Ewing

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