[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Travel back to 2017 with Kevin O’Donohoe’s classic match report from the Farm’s scintillating 2-3 victory away to Street FC, as the Farm were on the cusp of clinching the Toolstation Western Premier Division title.
As top two clashes go, last Saturday’s five-goal thriller at The Tanneries more than lived up to it’s billing with Troy Simpson’s last-minute winner snatching three invaluable points for the visitors to send them eleven points clear at the summit.
Manor Farm, as in recent weeks, started the game on the front foot, exerting good pressure on their hosts during a lively opening ten minutes. Ben Bament quickly found space in the inside-left channel, cutting back from the byline before drilling a shot which Street goalkeeper Tom Punchard did well to parry to safety. Troy Simpson’s left foot shot from the edge of the area was screwed just wide and full-back Aron Robbins also had a shot blocked from close range.
On 21 minutes skipper Jordan Metters made a good run, feeding Dean Stamp whose snap shot went just wide of the far post. Three minutes later Farm finally got the break their early pressure deserved when Street midfielder Ben Robertson was adjudged to have handled in the box and Harley Purnell stepped up to slam the resultant spot kick into the corner of the net just beyond Punchard’s dive.
First blood to the visitors then, but a few minutes later it was Farm ‘keeper Ashley Clarke who produced a super save to deny Street parity – diving smartly to the foot of his right hand post to scoop out a close-range header from a corner.
Just past the half hour mark Farm extended their lead to 2-0 with the goal of the game when Simpson nodded the ball on to fellow striker Dean Stamp who took a neat first touch before sweetly lobbing the rooted Punchard from 20 yards out before the Street rearguard even had a chance to react.
(Stamp scored an astonishing 59 goals last season and even he acknowledges that repeating the feat this time around is unlikely. It has been autumn signing Simpson who has been making the Farm headlines this season with 29 goals in all competitions and a string of notable performances but somewhat under the radar Deano has been quietly getting on with doing what he does best, and this special goal marked his 24th of the season already so far.)
Pete Sheppard, on as a first half replacement for the injured Bament (hamstring) was involved in two chances late in the half which could have sent the Bristol side into the interval out of plain sight of their hosts. Purnell drove forward on 40 minutes, finding Sheppard who did well to set up Stamp but his shot was just wide and a minute later the Farm sub took a Metters ball on the run before hitting a left foot shot with the same close outcome. Nevertheless the visitors were well worthy of their 2-0 half time lead.
Whatever Manager Richard Fey said to his charges at the break his men in green heeded well and as good as Manor Farm had been immediately following the kick off, Street came back out and matched them at the start of the second half. With Matt Hurley exerting his influence in midfield and striker Steve Murray always looking a dangerous and most likely threat up front The Cobblers soon let the league leaders know that they still meant business. Their renewed efforts bore remarkable fruit around the hour mark with a stunning two goal strike in as many minutes. A Ben Robertson through ball sent Murray towards goal and although his first shot was blocked by the advancing Clarke he was able to dink the rebound beyond the Farm goalkeeper for an easy tap in. Sixty seconds later the home crowd were sent into a frenzy of delight when Murray broke down the left before delivering a cross which Dave O’Hare greedily gobbled up at the far post. 2-2.
With the game suddenly all square it was the home side who went searching desperately for a winning goal that would see them grab the comeback points and try to keep in touch with the table-toppers. Clarke again in the Farm goal had to make a smart stop to deny O’Hare on seventy minutes and when influential central defender Martin Stowell was sent off with less than fifteen minutes to play for a ‘last man’ foul on the edge of his own area, Manor Farm looked like they were on the ropes and Street were sensing blood. Ross McErlain’s free kick, however, came to nought and Manor Farm could breath a sigh of relief and re-group for the finale.
Lee Lashenko sent on Lloyd Mills to shore up the visitors defence – moving Jamie Turner to right back and Purnell into midfield. Both teams battled hard to carve out a winning goal but with 90 minutes on the clock at the end of this breathless encounter and a share of the spoils the most likely looking outcome – up popped Simpson, his glancing header from a Metters free-kick on the left nestling in the top corner of the net to finally break Street hearts and send the noisy and sizeable contingent of visiting Farm fans into rapturous celebrations, echoed by their heroes on the pitch.
Whilst the pre-match hype about this ‘title decider’ may have been a little premature for both these clubs tastes and sensibilities – all the post-match buzz was simply about a thrilling game of football between two quality sides. With a potentially tricky March fixture list to come in which they face promotion rivals Buckland Athletic and Melksham Town, Bristol Manor Farm know that the destination of the title is certainly not a foregone conclusion just yet. Street’s valiant second half efforts are proof of that. But on days like these and through memorable victories like the one achieved here at The Tanneries, they know they are also one step closer to that elusive prize that they crave.
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