With the disappointment of last week’s dropped points at home, the reserve’s had their first away game against with a tricky tie against Virginia Water. Last season the sides met four times each winning two a piece, so a difficult game was expected. Injury and player return to fitness meant a number of changes to the side, out injured went Jamie Reid (back), Eddie Mensah (hamstring) and Miles Morgan (hip) also Sam Okine was not available. In came Julian Wolpe (CM) and Martin Taylor (RB) who had been with the 1st team the previous week and in came Mark Hibbard(CM) for his debut for the Ironsides and returning legend Richard Allen (CB) also made his 1 start for the reserves. The game started well for the Ironsides who controlled the game from the off set but failed to really make the possession into chances. It took a glaring opportunity missed by Virginia that got Ironsides going. A nice bit of one touch football between Lee Peddle and Steve Scott Lee on the left provide a goal scoring opportunity for Neil Scott who was able to round the keep and keep his composure to slot away for a deserved lead. The Ironsides kept the pressure up and just before half time the 2nd goal was taken. A corner was not cleared properly and Daniel Clarke controlled the ball and turned on a six pence and slotted the ball top corner, it was no more than the Ironsides deserved.
The 2nd half Virginia came out with nothing to lose and had a solid 15 minutes without really testing Luke in goal. The decisive 3rd came shortly after this, some good work again down the left by Neil Scott allowed the forward to push into the box and was ready to ’pass’ into the middle of the box when he was brought down for a penalty. This allowed Daniel Clarke to add to his goal tally for the season by coolly putting the penalty away. The final part of the game saw the Ironsides dominate and miss a number of chances to extend the lead. It took until right before the end, a long throw from Martin saw Julian Wolpe soar above the Virginia defence and power in a deserved fourth.
