Old Richians continue perfect home record with win over Dursley Town Reserves

Old Richians kept up their perfect home record so far this season, with a 5-0 win over Dursley Town Reserves on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts moved up to third place in the Stroud League Division One table, thanks to Jake Lowe’s hattrick and efforts from Patryk Imfeld and Ryan Symonds in a clinical display from Old Richians.

Whilst Old Richians were the better side on the day, Dursley Reserves were unlucky to lose by five clear goals – particularly after their start to the fixture, although Old Richians punished nearly every error to lead 4-0 at half time.

The game started with Dursley on the front foot for the first 10 minutes, with Patrick Hart whipping an effort over from the left corner of the box.

But on 11 minutes, the ball was laid into the path of Jake Lowe, who side-footed into the bottom corner from about 12 yards.

Rich Dunn headed a long throw towards goal, but it narrowly missed as the hosts went in search of a second.

They should have had it on 22 minutes when Imfeld volleyed over from the middle of the goal – however the striker slipped a ball through to Lowe four minutes later and the winger calmly slotted home for 2-0.

Ben Smith fired wide for the hosts just after the half hour mark, before Imfeld got his goal after spinning a defender, opening his body and sliding an effort past Matt Adkins.

And three turned to four just before half time, with a corner being recycled and eventually Ryan Symonds blasted home from within the six yard box.

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Old Richians utilised the long throw from Curtis Oldroyd to their full advantage throughout the game and they nearly made it five just after the break, but Ben Smith volleyed over after a throw in was headed down.

The second half saw Old Richians managing the game well, pressing Dursley high and limiting them to crosses into the box and long range efforts for the most part.

Dursley defender Billy Mann had a goalbound effort blocked and cleared after a visiting corner pinballed around the Richians box.

But the hosts began to knock on the door in the final twenty minutes. Symounds turned well on the right side of the box and curled towards the top corner – only for Adkins to palm round the post for a corner.

Adkins denied Symonds from a tight angle moments later, with the follow up from Ross Peters also saved by the Dursley keeper.

The fifth goal arrived just before the clock ticked into the final 10 minutes and it just about summed up Dursley’s luck and just how clinical Old Richians were.

After Symonds hooked a cross from the right onto the bar, Adkins did well to keep out the follow up – but a poor clearance fell to Lowe, who rifled home from the edge of the box to complete his hattrick.

Old Richians move up to 3rd with the win, ahead of a trip to Chesterton next weekend, whilst Dursley Reserves drop to 7th ahead of a home game against Tuffley Rovers 3rds next Saturday.

Old Richians: Sheppard, Gibson, Gorick, Dunn, Oldroyd, Matthews, Smith, Peters, Symonds, J Lowe, Imfeld

Subs: Finch, Hardiman, A Lowe, Mansell, Mills

Dursley Town Reserves: Adkins, Corbett, Holder, Mann, McMillan, Clark, Woodward, Poskett, Griffith, Gosling, Hart

Subs: Bevan, Lindsey, Gillingham, Thomas