Toolstation Western Div One
Cheddar 1
Malmesbury Victoria 2
MALMESBURY VICS produced one of their best performances of the season to take all three points at high-flying Cheddar.
The Vics have been boosted this week by the arrival of Nick Chandler – man of the match against Cheddar – and Jon Bazley from Corsham Town, as well as the experienced Graham 'Leo' Learmonth joining the management team.
Ditching the 3-5-2 formation of recent weeks and reverting to the tried and trusted 4-5-1, the Vics took the game to their hosts from the outset.
But for three great saves to deny Ant Brown, Danny Cook and Sam Parker, the visitors may have been out of sight by half-time.
Yet Malmesbury found themselves 1-0 down when Cheddar's first attempt on goal via a free kick put them in front.
The Vics continued to press and got their just reward about 10 minutes into the second period when Brown tucked home his first goal of the season from the penalty spot.
They went ahead when a decent cross from Andy Baker, following a fine run, was only half-cleared, and the excellent ball back in from Jamie Packer was brilliantly headed home by Parker.
The Vics then showed terrific character to see the game through and thoroughly deserved the three points.
Although rock solid centre half Chandler was man of the match, Cook, Parker and Baker also had excellent games.
Explaining why Jon Bazley did not make his debut for Vics, boss Bridgeman said: "A new league rule states you can't play two new players signed from the same club within a 14-day period.
"We had to choose between Nick and Jon and felt we needed to shore up the defence so chose Nick.
"The league have Baz's registration but can't process it for two weeks."
Malmesbury Vics: Langley, Baker, Cook, Hext, Chandler, Brown, Packer, Hughes, Parker, Jenner, Russell. Subs: Jones, Collins, Bond.
MoM: Nick Chandler.
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