AVON YOUTH LEAGUE U’16 DIV 2

SUN 25 NOV 07

FRY CLUB COLTS        2

STOKE LANE ‘A’           3

We had yet to win a home league game this season but we were confident of a gaining a result from this match.

The opening minutes of the match saw Stoke Lane force 4 early corners. They took the lead from the 4^th corner with a great strike. An instant reply was needed once we eventually got into their half and when the ball fell to Brad Monelle in the penalty area it was mis hit into the keepers hands which prevented a certain goal. Despite the continued possession Stoke Lane imposed on our defence, a great ball down the right wing from Scott Palma to Danny McCarthy gave us a further chance to penetrate but Brad Monelle could only tackle the defender to force a corner. However, a great corner in from Mo Bouaziz onto Oli Randalls head only found the keepers safe hands instead of the back of the net. We were to pay for giving the ball away as a good build up forced a defensive error to give the simplest of goals to the Stoke Lane striker to put us 2-0 down. Both Scott Palma and Kyle Curtis were doing their best to provide outlets on the wings which allowed Oli Randall and Mo Bouaziz to create some goods moves. Just before half time, a great run from Lewis Watt drew a foul which led to the award of a free kick. Brad stood up to just strike the ball over the bar.

We needed to get ourselves back into the game, and with changes made as the game went on, it was difficult to see just how we could pull one goal back. However, chances were to come. Charlie Framptons header was again saved by the keeper, as was Brad Monelle great run and shot at the near post. Another great corner from Mo onto Scott Gregorys head again just didn’t have the power to beat the keeper but we got closer as another good run from Brad ended with him being fouled and from the resulting free kick, he thundered the ball past the keeper but against the bar. Stoke Lane then got another slice of luck as with a rare second half attack, the ball was cleared by Scott Gregory straight onto James Hurrell Smiths legs which rebounded into the path of their striker who made no mistake with his gift to put them 3-0 in the lead. The frustration was there for all to see. The boys didn’t give up though. With15 mins left a corner from Kyle Curtis fell direct to Scott Gregory who bundled the ball over the line to make the score 3-1. Our tails were up but our luck wasn’t. Brad Monelle again found himself down the right channel and he put a great ball into the box for Kyle Curtis to pass a right foot shot past the keeper but his weaker foot didn’t connect well enough with the ball. Another shot from Kyle, this time with his left foot, forced a great save from the Stoke Lane keeper, and Oli Randall also tried his luck from 30 yards with a great volley on the turn which found its way onto the keepers hands. Nathan Dawson had come on and continued to press the defence and he had a quick ball played to him in the box which he just failed to side foot home. Right at the end of the match, Oli Randall finally got his goal with a close range header, but it was just too late as there was little time to re start before the final whistle blew.

Although we were outplayed at times, we also gave as good as we got and we need to learn from our mistakes if we are to pull ourselves off the bottom of the division. Very frustrating afternoon, but we remain confident we can do better.

Man of the Match today was awarded to Kyle Curtis who gave a very consistent performance throughout the whole game left side of midfield.

SQUAD: Craig Francis, Michael Payne, James Boulton, Danny McCarthy, Mo Bouaziz, Oli Randall(Capt), Kyle Curtis,  Scott Gregory, Lewis Watt, Scott Palma, Nathan Dawson, Michael Payne, Ben Keen, James Hurrell Smith