The Devizes A team travelled down the M4 for their away match against Bristol UWE on their impressive water based pitch. Devizes A continued with their momentum that they have built up over their past few matches and started the match in a very impressive manner. With accurate short passes linked together with good transfers around the back four Devizes were soon stretching the athletic UWE team and the foundations were set for a fast paced, high intensity match. Large portions of the match were fought in midfield with frequent breakaways from each side stretching both sets of defenders and goalkeepers. Midway through the first half a well drilled transfer around the Devizes defence allowed the midfield to move the ball forward very effectively. Jack Gompels made a determined drive forward before unselfishly passing to Kofi Pegden who clipped the ball over the goal keeper with great precision to put Devizes in front. UWE redoubled their efforts after this goal, desperately trying to level the score but the organised Devizes defence, coupled with some excellent goal keeping from Aaron Holloway, kept the score at 0-1 to Devizes A at half time.

The second half continued at the same pace as the first with both teams displaying high levels of skill and composure both on and off the ball. Devizes worked the ball around very well with good running and positioning across the pitch creating openings and options for passing. The dynamic style of play stretched all positions, particularly the midfield who were constantly on the run from one end of the pitch to the other and then back again but great supportive play from the defence and the forwards kept the team structure. As with other recent games the efficient use of substitutes allowed Devizes to sustain this level of intensity to keep the pressure on. UWE matched the speed and fitness of the Devizes team throughout the game making for a very evenly matched contest. UWE made some very well organised attacks of their own and scored their equalizer after the Devizes defence were unable to clear the ball out of the D. UWE continued to attack hard after this goal and were unlucky not to score again a few minutes later as their shot went just over the cross bar. During another UWE attack Nick Gompels attempted a tackle on the edge of the D when the ball took an unfortunate ricochet and hit him just below the nose. After a few minutes off the pitch being patched up he was soon back into the fray, blood soaked bandage adorning his upper lip, rallying the troops as Devizes fought hard trying desperately to score again. In the dying moments of the match Devizes believed they had won a penalty corner but unfortunately the umpire was unsighted and so the final score remained at 1-1.

Not normally known for his sentimentality, in a rather uncharacteristic moment of fluffiness (perhaps due to the knock to the head?!) Nick Gompels declared the entire team as Man of the Match to reflect the efforts made by each squad member. Special mentions should be made for Simon Church who was solid in defence and positive in moving forward and also to Aaron Holloway who made some incredible saves to ensure Devizes’ unbeaten run continued.