Bayliss bags late winner for Ardley

A late goal from Reece Bayliss sealed the points for Ardley in Saturday’s 2-1 success at Brimscombe & Thrupp.

Few of those who witnessed Ardley’s poor performance at Oxford City Nomads less than 72 hours previously would have expected them to dominate in the manner they did. Enjoying most of the possession, the visitors pressed Brimscombe back into their own half and began to create all the chances.

Luke Cray brought a good save from Steve Sparrow, Ade Talabi saw his shot blocked before the keeper saved his follow-up shot, Troy Bryan headed over the bar and Chris Jackson fired over after he got on the end of a free-kick.

Having spurned so many opportunities, the home side made them pay when Dave Woodfield slipped his marker on the right flank and crossed for the unmarked Billy Jones to head home. Just before the break a Ryan Markham free-kick was only parried by the keeper and Lewis Strafford reacted fastest to rifle home the rebound.

Ardley’s stranglehold on the game continued into the second half, as did their inability to convert their chances. Substitute Joe Tustain almost took advantage of a Bayliss slip but his effort was cleared and at the other end Carl Tappin’s shot was saved by Sparrow and Bryan was unable to convert the rebound.

Markham tested Sparrow and James Coates almost scored an own goal as his attempted back-header sailed past his keeper and the far post. But two minutes from time a corner kick from Bayliss eluded everyone to sail into the net.

Brimscombe almost repeated that feat at the other end but the ball went wide of the post and deep into added-time Sparrow kept out Talabi’s shot before Tappin was denied by a last ditch tackle.