USW men’s football 2nd 0-3 Bristol University 3rd

By Jake Hastings

A superb free kick from Jayden Tejuoso, plus strikes from Eli Miller and Ben Johnson gave the league champions Bristol all three points against a wasteful USW side.

With USW sitting bottom of the table and playing the already crowned league champions, it was expected to be a tough test for the hosts and so it proved, with Bristol dominating the game early on.

Bristol took the lead in the seventh minute through Eli Miller, after winger Jayden Tejuoso cut the ball back to the penalty spot and Miller slotted the ball into the the left-hand corner of the net.

The pressure from Bristol continued and they almost doubled their lead after USW ‘keeper James Dobson dropped the ball in the six-yard box. Dobson then somewhat miraculously made amends with a double save from both Bristol attackers from close range.

USW’s first chance came in the 27th minute after a cross found striker Sam Hill whose shot was smothered by the Bristol goalkeeper.

Just before half-time Bristol were award a free kick on the edge of the USW box and Tejuoso found the top right corner to hand Bristol a 2-0 lead going into half time.

USW started the second half well and almost got a goal back from their number 7 Davide who was played through on goal only to shoot just past the post.

Rob Bailey the USW manager then made a triple change and brought on Ehab Hassen, Cameron Dean and Elliot Balchin-Love.

Two of the subs almost linked up to give USW a way back into the game as Balchin-Love grafted to win the ball back and a clearance deflected off him into the path of Hassen who failed to convert his shot.

Bristol sat back and absorbed the pressure in the closing stages – and made certain of victory with a third goal on the counter-attack courtesy of Ben Johnson.

Tempers flared at the end as USW defender Henry Shepherd put in consecutive rash challenges which sparked angry verbal exchanges.

The loss leaves USW going into their final game of the season needing a win to avoid being relegated from the Aldi Men’s Western Tier 3.