A.E.K. Boko F.C. U18’s 0 v 2 Yate Town F.C. U18’s
Yate travelled to Greenbank Road for this WCFL league fixture.
Setting up in a now familiar 3-4-1-2 formation, with changes due to injuries, the Team looked to build upon their recent league victory. The hosts were off of the back of a rich vein in form, with only one defeat since October.
On a rock hard big pitch, A.E.K. started off playing down the slope. The first quarter saw Yate needing to play a compact percentage game as the opposition played forward with purpose, looking to link off of their ‘9’. The back three of Kris Olah, Captain Joe Steward and Will Down, were superb as a unit throughout the evening, ably backed by keeper Billy Pullin’s secure display. After weathering Boko’s concentrated early pressure and resulting set plays, the Team began to make inroads into the game.
Midfield pivots Kevin Contreras and Yigithan Kepil began to gain a hold on the game finding Jacob Batt and James Fortune in wide positions. Scoring opportunities subsequently arised with strikers Rowan Smith and Max Davies being thwarted by defensive blocks. As the game reached the thirty minute mark, Jacob Batt became increasingly involved, just clearing the bar after an excellent run. However, the Home side countered well on occasion and Billy Pullin had to be on hand twice to keep out attacks. The game then really came to life as the interval approached, first Max Davies’s superb strike from twenty yards hit the inside of the post and ran agonisingly across the face of goal. Luke Money started to affect the match consistently from the ‘10’ role, with his accustomed passing and game intelligence. The hosts conceded free kicks in their own third, with a match changing moment occurring as a player received a double yellow for a foul and resultant offensive language. It must be observed that the referee on the night could be described as fussy but the most pleasing aspect for Yate’s coaching staff was the controlled discipline shown throughout by their players.
The interval brought a deserved rest for both Teams who had put on an exciting and committed first half encounter inclusive of some exciting football. The same XI took to the field for second period, with the guidance to maintain discipline, patience and to stretch the opposition. To the Host’s credit they performed with vigour and a game plan to off set their one man disadvantage. Looking to hit Yate on the break, they dropped off out of possession to create a mid block. Initially the visitor’s failed to move the ball quickly and on occasion took too many touches, allowing Boko to break up attacks. But as the game passed the hour mark it began to open up, a number of set plays were won by Yate, with Joe Steward and James Fortune going close. With legs tiring and to inject fresh pace into the game, replacements, Antony Batt and Tyler Wood were brought into the fray.
Jacob Batt and James Fortune created successive chances after fine runs and inviting crosses, with both just evading a final touch in the six yard box. The all important first goal came on seventy five minutes, when Antony Batt picked up possession thirty yards out, strode forward and unleashed a dipping shot that gave the keeper no chance. The over exuberant Team celebration, was quickly brought down to earth when A.E.K. found themselves in on goal as Yate over played in their own defensive third. Kris Olah dealt with a first incursion whilst Billy Pullin then collected a dipping shot well to prevent an opposition score.
The points were secured on the night when good approach work by Kevin Contreras and Tyler Wood played in Max Davies, who adeptly held off a defender before rounding the keeper and scoring from an acute angle. As the Team reflected post match with the Coaching Staff after the game, it was pleasing to see the increasing growth of the Team’s ability to adjust their game, maintain discipline and let the performance bring the result.
Will Down was deservedly given the M.O.T.M. award on the night, he slotted into a back three effortlessly providing good left side balance, distribution and unit understanding. Also a mention for the ever positive Zach Gillies who failed to get into the action on the night, but whose attitude as ever was excellent.
Starting XI: Billy Pullin, Kris Olah, Joe Steward(Capt), Will Down , James Fortune, Kevin Contreras, Yigithan Kepil, Jacob Batt, Luke Money, Rowan Smith, Max Davies.
Replacements: Tyler Wood , Antony Batt, Zach Gillies