by Michael Wicherek
CHAMPIONS UWE confirmed USW 2s relegation from the BUCS Western 2B as they racked up five goals in a convincing win to end their season.
USW began the encounter knowing they must win to save themselves from relegation and they started on the front foot, forcing several corners early on.
Captain Cameron Keetch looked to dictate from midfield and found Jordon Pike who drew a foul in a dangerous area, however it was UWE who cleared and then looked threatening on the counter attack.
This was a common theme throughout as UWE attacked with pace, strikers Tom Cypriot and Sol both running in behind with their wing-backs pushing forward at every opportunity.
It was Cypriot who broke the deadlock with an innovative finish as he poked home whilst lying on the floor to catch USW out and put the league leaders 1-0 up.
UWE appeared to settle down having taken the lead, their midfielders looking more comfortable on the ball as they frustrated their Welsh hosts and they doubled their lead shortly after.
Pacey forward Sol was played through after USW gave the ball away on the halfway line and he made no mistake, finishing low past Travis Wood.
The home side responded well with Mikey George turning home Harry Pilkington’s cut-back following good work from Ben Rose-Miles to half the deficit just before half-time.
Harry Collins nearly levelled the match on the stroke of half-time but could not convert the chance after Keetch beat two men and played him through on goal.
Disaster struck for USW straight after break as they failed three times to clear a corner and the ball was finally slammed home by Cypriot to restore UWE’s two goal advantage.
USW started to become stretched defensively however Sol failed to convert two good opportunities to put UWE out of sight.
Half-time substitute Abdi Noor looked lively when he came on and repeatedly took on his opponents, teeing up George whose effort whistled over the bar.
The game was all but over when UWE wing-back Thiagro burst into life, beating Connor Hanford and finishing at the near post.
A glimmer of hope was restored for USW when Callum Saunders dispatched a penalty after the exciting Noor was brought down however it was too little too late.
Thiagro sealed a terrific performance with a fine left-footed strike from outside the box and condemn USW to life in the third division next season.
USW never gave up with Mo Abdullah, Noor and George all going close in the final minutes, however USW were eventually well beaten by the league winners.
Man of the Match – Tom Cypriot
UWE’s energetic forward caused problems for the home side throughout the match with his movement and rounded off his performance with two well taken goals.
USW Lineup
USW: Travis Wood, Mo Abdullah, Charlie Fripp, Patrick Rysgaard, Harry Pilkington, Mikey George, Callum Saunders, Cameron Keetch, Jordon Pike (Connor Hanford), Harry Collins (Abdi Noor), Ben Rose-Miles (Corey McKeary)
Unused Subs: Morgan Davies, Luke Sylvester, Keane Thomas, Andreos Lekechas