SPITFIRES WIN CRUNCH MATCH

Spitfires 3 Rodborough Crusaders 1

Despite this being only the third match of the season, the Spitfires 3-1 win over title rivals Rodborough could prove vital come the end of the season.

Rodborough started brightly and soon put pressure on the Slimbridge goal. Harry Prescott was inspired form though and he made four good saves within first ten minutes.

The Spitfires slowly got themselves back into the game and went ahead in the eleventh minute. Joe Oliver made a great solo run before laying the ball off to Jordan Hodges who made no mistake from five yards out.

Ethan Wait and Ryan Ponting were in good form in defence and were helping Harry Prescott keep Rodborough at bay. Slimbridge continued to create chances and Ollie Furneaux went close, as did George Mack.

Rodborough did manage an equaliser after twenty minutes. A cross to the back post saw a shot come in from Rodborough, it was deflected by a Slimbridge player and looped over a helpless Prescott in the Slimbridge goal.

The Spitfires hit back almost immediately. Good work from Joe Wilcox saw the ball lifted towards the far post where Kelvin Hiles produced a sublime finish to make the score 2-1 at half time.

The second half saw the Spitfires push forward with Jordan Hodges and George Mack prominent. Numerous chances came and went at both ends.

With ten minutes to go, Harry Prescott produced the save of the match, when he tipped a long range shot over the bar.

This spurred on the Spitfires and Jordan Hodges put the game beyond doubt with his second. Rodborough kept plugging away and hit the bar in the closing seconds, but it was not enough.

Jordan Hodges and Harry Prescott were named Men of the Match