Longwell Green F.C. U18’s 5 v Yate Town F.C. U18’s 0
Monday 23rd September 2024
Yate travelled to Shellards Road for this fixture away fixture.
Starting in a 4-4-1-1 formation, on a slick 4G surface, the boys were made aware of the task ahead when the opposition exerted early pressure. With minutes on the clock a defensive lapse saw the opposition open the scoring from close range. Whilst trying to gain a foothold in the game, Longwell doubled their score within the first quarter from a set play.
Yate finally made inroads into the game as their passing game improved, resulting in increased possession in the opposition’s third. Kevin Contreras went close with a cross shot after a powerful run. Several shooting opportunities were created, and chances from successive corners, where Joe Steward and Nico Baird just missed out. At this point Yate began to find Tyler Wood more frequently as he looked to bring wide players into play. Unfortunately, with the interval due, Yate’s nemesis this season returned, when poor collective defending saw the opposition score from a free kick that travelled across the six-yard box unchallenged. This being quickly followed by the opposition’s fourth on the night.
The boys are aware of the challenges and learning curve that they will face this season; improving out of possession, restricting the number of free kicks conceded, and eradicating mistakes will be paramount in this process. Replacements were introduced progressively from half time, with a mindset of being the better team in the second period.
An improved period of possession materialised, with an increased work rate, and better passing detail. Seb Judge and Ben Cook began to find good forward balls from the defensive lines, whilst Will Down and Antony Batt combined on the left flank. However, Longwell’s number nine, who proved problematic on the night, scored his fourth on seventy minutes, from an acute angle. To their credit Yate’s heads never dropped, and shots from Nico Baird and Yigithan Kepil, hit the post and skimmed the bar respectively. Further shooting opportunities from Luke Money brought a save from the Keeper, but Yate were unable to score as the game reached its conclusion.
Yate Town Starting XI: Billy Pullin, Seb Judge, Jonty Hirons, Joe Steward, Todd Sims, Nico Baird (Capt), Yigithan Kepil, Will Down, James Fortune, Kevin Contreras, Tyler Wood
Replacements: Antony Batt, Max Davies, Rowen Smith, Ben Cook, Luke Money