0-3

Bowenhurst put in a great team performance against Dynamo Cove but were eventually beaten by three late goals on a pitch that was difficult to play on due to the excessively wet weather.

The first half was very evenly matched with both sides creating chances. Bow looked to utilise the pace of Paul Robertson in behind the Cove defence and his link up with Ian Vout did cause problems for Cove although we were always shooting from distance.

Meanwhile, at the other end, Louis, Chris and Martin in the Bowenhurst defence took it upon themselves to make sure Cove did not score with numerous great saves and last-ditch tackles.

We went into the break at 0-0 and managed to keep to that score line until about twenty minutes from the end when a Cove midfielder evaded three attempts to tackle him and simply laid the ball off to the striker who calmly slotted the ball past the Bow keeper into the top corner.

Bowenhurst kept playing as decent a style of football that could be played in a bog and almost got back into the game. Paul Robertson did get the ball in the Cove goal but the referee disallowed his effort for a previous infringement.

Dynamo Cove went further ahead with a neat header back across goal from a corner and then, in the dying minutes, returned a poor goal kick straight back into an empty goal.

Cove could have scored more goals towards the end but some great defending from Bow meant Cove only finished the game with three goals.

Adam Deeley, who had been made captain for the day, won Man of the Match for his efforts in midfield based on the fact that he was the muddiest at the end of the game so must have done the most work.

Team: Martin Cheverton, Louis Fidler, Chris Bavin, Ollie Pearmain, David Watson, Mark Owen, Ian Vout, Adam Deeley (c), Steve Ball, James Buchanan, Paul Robertson

Yet again Bowenhurst have turned up to play a game and only had nine players to make the team - which doesn't help when you are struggling near the bottom of the league.

Bowenhurst, however, did show some effort and battled hard as it took Rangers nearly half an hour before they put the ball in our net.

Bowenhurst may have even been able to get something out of the game as we went in at half-time only 2-1 down and only conceded the third goal with minutes remaining.

Rangers scored their first after a high ball into the box was fumbled by the Bowenhurst keeper and the Rangers striker headed the ball into the empty net.

Rangers had a lot of the possession throughout the whole game and passed the ball around in front of our defence but the Bow defence held firm and snuffed out many final balls into the box. Rangers did manage to break through again though, and a quick, low shot across goal beat the keeper and nestled in the far corner.

Bowenhurst still looked to create chances but many high balls forward were affected by the very strong wind. James Buchanan would have got on to the end of one cross had the Rangers defender not climbed all over him in an attempt to get the ball. The referee awarded a penalty and Tom Hooker calmly slotted the ball home.

The second half was much like the first with Rangers having nearly all the possession and Bowenhurst looking to make the most of any breaks by utilising Paul's quick pace up front. We had a few chances to bring the scores level but the Rangers keeper made some great stops to keep his team in the lead.

After a few scares Rangers finally managed to score their third goal - and kill off the game - in the final few minutes. A scuffed shot from the edge of the box may have taken a deflection but still went through the keeper's legs.

It was a great, battling performance from Bowenhurst but once again we were let down by not being able to field a full strength team.

Team: Martin Cheverton, Louis Fidler, David Watson, Matthew Sharp (c), Steve Ball, Tom Hooker, Adam Deeley, Paul Robertson, James Buchanan

Bowenhurst left it till the last five minutes before securing all three points against Alton Sunday. The win means we should secure our place in the Division for another season.

Although we enjoy playing on the large pitch that Alton use, it took us a while before we could get our passing game together. It didn't help that Paul could not hit a cow's arse with a banjo.

Bowenhurst took the lead midway through the first half when James Buchanan was in the right place at the right time to slot home a cross from the right by Paul Robertson. Up until this point Bowenhurst had created numerous chances but either the finishing let us down or the Alton keeper made some good saves.

Alton continued to create chances themselves, especially down the left wing - a last minute tackle and a clearance off the line were the closest that Alton came to scoring in the first half.

Bowenhurst had the advantage of kicking downhill in the second half but still could not kill off Alton who were defending well at the back.

It was Alton who scored next - a cheap free-kick on the edge of the box was struck thunderously and it slipped through the keeper's hands and into the net.

Knowing we needed a win to avoid relegation being an issue Bowenhurst began to push forward.

Ian Vout had replaced Tom Hooker on the right wing at the start of the second half and his pace allowed us to attack the Alton defence more but still we could not score.

The game looked like it was heading for a draw until David Watson dashed forward from left-back and drilled a shot-come-cross across goal that James Buchanan got a toe to and diverted the ball into the goal with minutes remaining.

It was a relief to be in the lead again but also hard luck on Alton.

Mark Owen scored Bow's third deep into injury time to make it 3-1, securing us the three points and another season in Division 5. Woo hoo.

Team: Stuart Lavin, David Watson, Chris Bavin, Martin Cheverton, Matthew Sharp (c), Tom Hooker (Ian Vout), Mark Owen, Adam Deeley, Steve Ball, James Buchanan, Paul Robertson