Serie A: We Hate Ben 1-0 Balls Deep

We Hate Ben finished their league campaign with a rugged performance to beat Balls Deep and secure a spot in the play-offs - as well as a second-highest league finish. WHB made a number of changes from the side that had previously beaten Balls Deep 3-1 in the Aberystwyth Town Cup earlier in the season, with Matt Davies and Pete Thomas both featuring in defence, as well as an appearance for Danny Shaw in replace of the departed Jack Kelly.

Balls Deep initially fielded a depleted side due to players turning up late; although WHB started positively, creating chances and playing some attractive football in close proximity. There was a lot of space to exploit in the first 10 minutes, and captain Rhys Jones came close with a back post cross come shot, which narrowly evaded the top corner with the keeper rooted. The pressure continued whilst Balls Deep slowly returned to their full quota on the pitch, and a sustained period of pressure from WHB resulted in a string of corners which WHB were largely wasteful with. This resulted in a change of corner takers on a number of occasions. Despite the apparent frailty in set pieces, WHB still looked dangerous in attack, and made the breakthrough midway through the first half with a goal of the season contender. Some attractive interchange between Jones and Jay Walker down the right set the latter away into the box, who fired a sublime shot top corner from a tight angle. WHB continued to press until half time, and nearly doubled their lead when James Phillips played in Jones on the counter, and the midfielder tremendously took it round three players, before racing 60 metres through on goal only to be denied by an excellent last ditch challenge from a Balls Deep defender. WHB comfortably saw the lead through to half-time and made a number of changes in the second half with James Naik, Danny Shaw and Thomas all being introduced.

The offensive threat from WHB was still present, with Jordan Watkins looking dangerous down the left, although he struggled to get a clear chance on goal. With Balls Deep pressing for an equaliser, gaps appeared in the defence, and a number of excellent breaks on the counter from skipper Jones created excellent chances for both Harry Oliver and Walker, but neither could convert their chances after dwelling too long on the ball. Soon after both these chances, Jones masterminded another counter attack, and Matt Davies looked certain to score if the Jones managed to find him in the box, although another excellent covering tackle from the Balls Deep full-back. Despite these glimpses on goal, Balls Deep were pressing heavily in the last 15 minutes of the game and only some tremendous defending from the WHB five-man defence kept them at bay - in particular Shaw and Thomas looking composed in their challenges and clearances. Goalkeeper Tim Dulson remained largely untroubled in the closing stages, despite a brief lapse of concentration nearly allowing for an equaliser from a Balls Deep player who was lucky to be on the pitch after a string of horrific, prior challenges. WHB held on and now await the draw for the Plate play-offs.

Team (5-4-1)

Dulson - Phillips, M. Davies, Webster, Oliver, Svendsen - R. Jones (C), Muscroft, Amos, Watkins - Walker.

Substitutes:
(used) Fleming, Bridgman, Naik, Rhodes, Shaw, Thomas, Fellows, Muir. (unused) Eidi.

Goal: R. Jones
Man of the match: Oliver.