POWICK FC 2, BENTLEY YOUTH FC 2

POWICK entertained Bentley Youth FC in this West Midland Division Two match with both teams so far having made an unbeaten start to the season.

Powick had the perfect start after only three minutes when Powick's captain Simon Rea passed the ball down the right-wing for Jamie Abba to cross for Dean Drinkwater to score at the near post.

After the shock of the goal Bentley started to play good passing football and their long balls were creating problems for the Powick defence of Hodges, Winterbottom, Downes and White.

On 24 minutes Bentley had a chance to equalise when their man-of-the-match Matthew Martin rounded a Powick player and fired low only for Mark Davis in the Powick goal to tip the ball round the post.

From the corner Bentley again nearly scored only to see the ball go over the bar.

On 32 minutes Bentley's number two Lee Butler should have seen red for a professional foul but only got a yellow. From the free-kick Mark Brookes fired just over the bar.

Powick again were put under pressure from Bentley who were playing good football. The players had to really dig in to keep the score as it was. On 43 minutes Simon Rea fouled a Bentley player in the middle of the park. The free-kick went straight into Mark Davis's arms, he kicked the ball down the left to Michael Pearson whose pin-point cross found Stuart Harvey to head home for a 2-0 lead at half-time.

The second-half started with Bentley playing downhill and on numerous occasions they nearly got through the Powick defence but were held back by some strong tackling.

On 60 minutes Powick made their first substitute when Michael Pearson was replaced by Gary Henderson. On 65 minutes Bentley finally got their rewards when Luke Parker threw the ball to Nathan Laing whose flick-on was headed home by Richard Finch.

After the goal Powick had their best period of the half when they settled down and played some good passing football. To try and strengthen the midfield Jamie Abba was replaced by Peter Brannelly.

On 80 minutes Powick nearly increased their lead when Mark Brookes played a through ball to Stuart Harvey whose shot was saved by Jamie Lee in the Bentley goal.

With only one minute to go Powick were dealt a sucker blow when a Bentley player fired a shot into the box only for the referee to have adjudged Mark White handled the ball in the box. The penalty was well taken making the final score 2-2.

Thanks go to Total Marketing Solutions and Ann and Reg at the Cross Keys for their sponsorship.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Powick are again at home to Mahal, kick off 3pm.