Herald Cup

Riviera United 2

A resolute performance from Kingsbridge and Kellaton wasn’t enough to prevent defeat at the hands of Division Three table-toppers Riviera United in the Herald Cup second round.

The visitors arrived at Malborough in fine form, having won seven of their eight games so far in the league. The match started as expected, with United controlling the ball but struggling to create clear chances.

In their way stood a Kingsbridge side determined not to concede early and Alex Thomas and Chris Lynn did the lion’s share of closing down to keep United’s attack at bay.

With Kingsbridge defending well as a team, they did have rare forays in to the Riviera half.

Robin Lee charged down the left wing and crossed in to the box before the goalkeeper punched the ball clear. Stephen Dixon collected the ball and tried to lob it back past the ‘keeper, but he reacted quickly to palm the danger away.

Riviera continued to control the ball but only threatened from distance and goalkeeper Colin Hosking was equal to the test, collecting any efforts that came towards his goal with relative ease.

Riviera had a great chance to take the lead late in the first half as a free kick was delivered to the back post, but the United striker only succeeded in shovelling the ball over the bar when it really would have been easier to score.

The half-time whistle sounded with the scores on level pegging and the away side growing frustrated at their lack of a breakthrough.

The second half continued in much the same vein as Kings­bridge continued to toil in defence and wait for their chances on the counter. Jon Blewitt and Chris Thomas were enjoying a fine game at the heart of Kellaton’s defence, both excelling in the tackle and in the air.

When the breakthrough did come for Riviera it was a lovely goal. The United winger broke down Kellaton’s right and whipped a dangerous ball in to the back post for his striker to jab home. The quality of the delivery beat the home side’s backline and meant that Kingsbridge would now have to go in search for an equaliser.

Kingsbridge were starting to gain a foothold in the game when United shot themselves in the foot.

A Riviera midfielder kicked out at Alex Thomas in an off-the-ball incident which was spotted by the referee. The man in black issued the player with a yellow card and the midfielder’s protest earned himself an immediate second yellow card and an early bath.

As is so often the case in football, going down to 10 men galvanised the Riviera side and they started to pick more holes in the Kellaton backline.

Indecision from Colin Hosking almost let in the United striker for another goal but he side-footed his shot over the crossbar.

The away side got their second from a set-piece on Kingsbridge’s right.

The ball was whipped across the six-yard box and the unfortunate Jon Blewitt – who had been enjoying an excellent game – deflected the ball in to the net.

That goal was the sucker punch for the home side and they struggled to create clear chances to get a foothold back in to the game.

While on paper this was a 2-0 defeat for Kingsbridge and Kellaton, the side will take heart from the performance against the side top of the division above.