U16 DIV 2

 
SUN 2 SEPT 07
 
FRY CLUB 2
KEYNSHAM TOWN 2
 
The start of our final league season at Youth level playing in Division 2 which would no doubt be our toughest, yet most rewarding season. We currently have a squad of 16 but with an injury to one of our new players Lewis Watt, we had 15 to select from for today's game.
 
We started very positively. determined not to give any ground or goals away in the opening minutes of the game. However, it took us a good 20 minutes to really get into the game. Prior to that Keynsham tested our reformed defence trio of new signing Scott Gregory, James Boulton and Kyle Curtis, but with good handling from keeper Craig Francis, the score remained goalless. James Hurrell Smith had been moved forward with Charlie Frampton owing to his back injury and at times they gave the defence of Keynsham a good run. However, it was the second part of the first half where we had some good chances with some good corners from Mo Bouaziz and a great shot from Jordan Knight which the keeper just tipped around the post. James Boulton had now been moved forward to replace the injured James H-S and he almost made it 1-0 but his volley effort just missed the far post. At the break therefore we remained 0-0.
 
With a few chosen words to try and exploit the Keynsham goal, the second half started as we had finished the first half. However, it was Keynsham who struck first as we allowed the ball to bounce in our penalty area and it was put home from close range to put Keynsham 1-0 up. Still we pushed forward with Kyle Curtis in particular playing very well and frustrating most attacks Keynsham made. Oli Randall and Mo in midfield were doing their best to create opportunities for our attack but Keynsham scored a second to really put us under pressure. It was now time to show our strength as we searched for a reply. Charlie Frampton picked up a through ball close to the corner flag and cut inside in an attempt to beat the defender who tripped him and the ref rightly awarded us a penalty. James Boulton stood up and coolly stroked it in the bottom right corner to bring us back into the game. With the belief we could grab an equaliser a great ball into the box somehow found its way to Oli Murray who side footed home to bring us back to 2-2. With 10 minutes to go, both teams looked for the winner but in the end had to settle for a point each in an exciting finish. 
 
Whilst we felt we could have won the game we may have also lost it so happy to earn a point thanks to a great team effort which was typified by the performance of Kyle Curtis who made some great tackles to thwart most Keynsham attacks and distributed very well to win today's Man of the Match.
 
SQUAD: Craig Francis, Scott Gregory, Michael Payne, James Boulton, Kyle Curtis, Oli Randall (CAPT.), Mo Bouaziz, Jordan Knight, Nathan Dawson, Scott Palma, Charlie Frampton, James Hurrell Smith, Danny McCarthy, Oli Murray, Ryan Gibbs