AVON YOUTH LEAGUE U’13 DIV 3

 

SUN 16 JAN 05

 

FRY CLUB COLTS        1

ST ALDHELMS              5

 

Following last weeks late postponement at Highridge, our first game of 2005 at home pitted us against St Aldhelms, a team that we beat 1-0 away earlier this season. That was probably our best performance of 2004 and considering St Aldhelms are in the top 3, we would certainly need a repeat performance again.

 

Once again we found ourselves on pitch 8 which gives very little width, something that doesn’t help our team formation. However, we started the game positively and the first 20 minutes saw an even contest with both sides trying to force mistakes from the defences. With Reece Tucker and Kyle Curtis providing good wing play, both Ben Bowden and Jordan Knights covered very well at full backs. Unfortunately though, following a St Aldhelms corner the ball was cleared and fell straight to one of their player who lashed the it over Craig Francis into the top corner for a 1-0 lead. A second goal soon followed for St Aldhelms, not before though a great diving header from James Boulton almost brought us level and another good run from Brad Monelle saw the ball crossed for James who just deflected the ball wide.

 

Despite some spirited talking at half time, St Aldhelms took charge of the second half and scored 3 further goals to put the game beyond us. However, this was not before we put some good passing together to create 3 good half chances. However, the ball would just not cross the goal line. The final 10 minutes probably gave us the best spell of the game which led to a great run from Nathan Dawson down the left wing to beat 3 players, square the ball to Oli Boon who promptly stroked the ball home for a wonderful consolation goal.

 

On the day we were second best but showed in spells how good we can be. Verdict: A frustrating performance.

 

Our Man of the Match this week could have been awarded to a number of players but for another solid defensive display for the second match running it was awarded to Ben Bowden.

 

 

 

SQUAD: Craig Francis, Kyle Curtis, James Hurrell-Smith, Michael Payne, Oli Randall, James Boulton, Oli Boon, Mo Bouaziz, Brad Monelle, Jordan Knight, Louis Nicholl, Ben Bowden, Jason Oliver, Reece Tucker, Nathan Dawson