AVON YOUTH LEAGUE U’13 DIV 3

 

SUN 7 NOV 04

 

SALTFORD STARS                3

FRY CLUB COLTS                  0

 

A local derby which we hadn’t won away from home for the past 2 seasons. We were therefore looking to reverse that trend with a full squad to choose from. This gave us a difficult choice as to who played where but by switching Matt Baber to left side midfield, moving Kyle Curtis into the centre with Oli Randall and pushing Mo Bouaziz into a font role, we started the game strongly by dominating possession in the first 15 minutes. Few chances were created however and it was Saltford who had the first real opportunity only to shoot wide of Craig Francis’ goal. Some good wing play by both Matt Baber and Reece Tucker continued to open up the defence but we couldn’t find the final pass to unlock their goal. Unfortunately the inevitable happened as we were unable to clear the ball away, a lucky deflection saw the ball just go in the net under Craig Francis dive to give Saltford an undeserved 1-0 lead into half time.

 

Positional and tactical changes were made to try and create better options for the second half which led to Mo Bouaziz shooting our best chance just wide of the Saltford goal. Further pressure from James Boultons’ corners almost brought us level but unfortunately we conceded a second goal from a great free kick. As we pushed forward to try and bring the game back within our reach, a third goal for Saltford was scored and we finished the game frustratingly losing a game we all felt we should have won.

 

Another difficult choice for Man of the Match which was chosen this week by John and Nick. It was agreed though that James Boulton be given the award for his well disciplined man marking performance.

 

At this stage of the season, it is just so disappointing that we have lost all but one of our league games so far. Our defence of Michael Payne, Jordan Knight, James Boulton and James Hurrell-Smith are all really playing well with Craig Francis in goal giving great support. There is great team morale so we just need to continue believing in our own abilities.

 

 

TEAM:

Craig Francis, Michael Payne, James Boulton, James Hurrell Smith, Jordan Knight,  Ben Bowden, Louis Nicholl, Kyle Curtis, Reece Tucker, Oli Randall, Matt Baber, Oli Boon, Brad Monelle, Mo Bouaziz