By Dick Sturch

Bampton 3, Millwey Rise 2ndX1 2

Millwey's second string travelled to sunny Bampton hunting for a win in their final match of the season. A point from this game would see Rise leapfrog South Zeal and guarantee a top four finish.

The match didn't begin well as it was Bampton who took an early lead with Millwey's defence all over the place. Shortly after, the game was stopped for ten minutes, as a Bampton player, in making a strong challenge on Theo Souttar-Stone, found himself reeling with a dislocated knee.

When the game resumed Rise still had difficulty finding their rhythm on Bampton's very wide pitch and were punished again when a Bampton midfielder was allowed time and space on the ball to fire home a brilliant second goal. This prompted a big response from the boys in blue and, as they started to find their feet, soon reduced the arrears. A quick throw-in taken by Soutar-Stone found Ben Rosling who fired the ball home to make it 1-2.

Millwey pushed for an equaliser and came close when Cameron Board smashed a shot against the home side's crossbar. In the dying minutes of the half Rosling was brought down in the penalty box. The same player took the spot kick but unfortunately the keeper guessed the right way to go and Rise finished the half still a goal down. 

Manager Terry Male made a change at half time bringing on Bogdan Tudor to strengthen the midfield. This seemed to work as Millwey pushed for a second goal which came courtesy of the ball bouncing around in Bampton's box and eventually coming off a home defender to make it 2-2.

Millwey were then architects of their own downfall when a silly free kick was given away in a dangerous area. Bampton took full advantage to fire the ball into the top corner of the Rise net for their third goal. As the half progressed the spaces got bigger for both sides and if keeper Kierran Bearpark had not produced a fantastic save Rise could have found themselves further behind. Millwey continually pushed for an equaliser but found themselves thwarted by the Bampton keeper who was having an outstanding match. 'Rise' had shouts for free kicks and a penalty turned away by a referee who seemingly 'had other things on his mind'.

The match ended with Millwey still unable to find an equaliser and finishing fifthin the division which was a remarkable achievement from this group of lads. Cameron Board was awarded man-of-the-match as he battled hard on what proved a difficult day.

Manager Terry Male had this to say about his team: "I'm very proud of all the lads that played for me this season. From the young players who joined our club in the summer to the senior players who stepped up big-time this year. Myself and James are over the moon with the final league position, if not a tiny bit disappointed we didn't quite finish fourth. We are sure next season will be better as we will look to strengthen and push for the title".

Millwey's presentation night is on the 19thof May at Cloakham Lawns.