Almondsbury F.C. U18’s 3 v Yate Town F.C. U18’s 3
Yate travelled to G.F.A. Headquarters 3G facility for Wednesday Evening’s fixture.
Setting up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, Yate made one change bringing Luke Money into the ‘10’ role.
The game started at a high pace on the all weather surface, with both Teams looking to get the ball forward. After the early flurry, the visitors began to establish a possession based game, resulting in incursions into the oppositions defensive third. However, as has been their nemesis on occasion this season, Yate were caught on the break from their own corner. Almondsbury attacked centrally at pace and played in an overlapping striker to go one up.
To their credit Yate raised their game, recycling and switching play well, leading to a number of half chances. At the half’s midpoint the visitors deservedly draw level when Tyler Wood’s well flighted free kick, saw captain Nico Baird steal in to head home on the back post. At this stage the back three of Ben Cook, Joe Steward and Dalton Ross looked assured and were playing out well from keeper Billy Pullin’s distribution. The midfield pivots of Yigithan Kepil and Nico Baird were starting to dictate play, bringing wide threats James Fortune and Jacob Batt into the game.
Therefore, it was no surprise when replacement Max Davies(on for the injured Kevin Contreras), coolly rounded the keeper to give Yate the lead on thirty minutes. With the first half drawing to a close Yate were playing some of their most controlled and productive football of the season as the hosts struggled to contain the movement and lost their discipline. To this end, Yate increased their lead to 3-1 when inventive approach play, culminating in Ben Cook’s superb through ball, saw the ever improving Luke Money slot home from an acute angle.
The interval saw the coaching staff praise the Team’s play but highlight the need to ensure correct staring positions and balance to deal with the oppositions counter attacking and direct play. The same XI took to the field for the second period, with the opposition making changes and bringing on their big number ‘9’(this set the tone for the remainder of the game).
Yate almost immediately struggled with the opposition’s direct and combative style. There was a need for calm to see out the early pressure, but possession was turned over as Yate forced the play, with the visitors breaking through centrally to reduce the arrears. To their credit the Boys worked hard to regain a foothold in the game, and in the space of five minutes created two good opportunities to increase the lead which came back to bite them. Initially good approach play saw Tyler Wood thwarted well by the home keeper , followed by Max Davies’s effort being cleared from the line.
Final replacements progressively took to the field of play in the form of Antony Batt, Will Down and Rowan Smith, with the midfield being tweaked to make the team more compact. However, the opposition had the ascendancy and drew level when for the third time on the night they went straight through the middle of the Team. Shortly after the hosts sealed a penalty as the visitors failed to clear their lines. Enter hero Billy Pullin, who saved the first spot kick only for the officials to order a retake. The second save was even better, to block and clear the ball away.
The heroics gave Yate a lift and successive corners following good approach play saw a chance to register a late winner as Nico’s Baird superb delivery just needed a touch in the six yard box. An enthralling game was brought to an end with both teams settling for what was probably a fair result. The boys spoke constructively after the game, they showed awareness of the learning points from the match and what is needed in their collective game awareness to improve.
Dalton Ross was named man of the match, to recognise his tenacious defensive play and his energy to join in attacks, being an effective player across the pitch.
Starting XI: Billy Pullin, Ben Cook, Joe Steward, Dalton Ross, James Fortune, Yigithan Kepil, Nico Baird(Capt) , Jacob Batt, Luke Money, Kevin Contreras, Tyler Wood
Replacements: Rowan Smith, Max Davies, Antony Batt, Will Down, Zach Gillies