Nailsea & Tickenham U18’s 2-4 Yate Town F.C. U18’s
Yate travelled to Fryth Way for this WCFL league fixture.
Setting up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, the Team looked to move on from their recent cup disappointment.
On a good playing surface, and still evening, both Teams took to the field intent on playing high tempo football. The hosts started on the offensive looking to play diagonally in behind Yate’s back three of Ben Cook, Captain Joe Steward and Will Down, who defended superbly on the night against a very quick opponent. In the early stages Yate sought to gain composure to get on the ball and play despite the opposition’s pressure. Zach Gillies making a rare start in the Yate goal was called into action on several occasions to thwart dangerous attacks. As the game began to settle after a hectic fifteen minutes, the visitors began to make inroads into the hosts defending third, as Luke Money and Kris Olah found forward passing opportunities. Jacob Batt troubled Nailsea on consecutive occasions, whilst Dalton Ross was finding advanced positions on the opposite flank. A number of corners resulted in the period, with Antony Batt’s excellent delivery finding Froilan Lopez to head home from six yards for a 1-0 lead. However, Nailsea’s energy levels and clever passing patterns into their ‘10’ kept Yate on their toes throughout the encounter.
With the game reaching the thirty minute mark, the striking partnership of the industrious Rowan Smith and Froilan Lopez were finding space in behind Nailsea’s back line, with the former going close twice to extending the lead. Yate’s supremacy at this point merited a second goal and the opportunity came when Dalton Ross’s fine run was brought to an end in the box following Ben Cook’s excellent ball. Antony Batt who had effected the game regularly from his ‘10’ role for Yate, stepped up for the resultant penalty kick, only to see the keeper save excellently low to his right. To their credit Yate kept a positive perspective on the game and put further pressure on the home goal with further attempts from Rowan Smith, Jacob and Antony Batt. As the half entered its final five minutes, Yate had a corner, following good approach play by Luke Money. Unfortunately, just seconds later the ball was in the Yate net, as Nailsea countered with pace, finding a runner in the box who stroked the ball home. The official brought the half to a close just minutes after Nailsea’s equaliser.
There was a distinct air of frustration in the changing room at the interval. The coaching staff sought to put the game into context, making a couple of tactical adjustments and assuring the boys of their undoubted ability to go out and secure victory in the second period.
The half quickly took the shape of the first, tempo, passing and pressure by both sides, but it was the young emerging Yate Team who set their mark on the game, constantly stretching the hosts rearguard with fine attacking play, through wide and the ‘10’ channels. Froilan Lopez and Jacob Batt brought good saves from the home keeper before Antony Batt found a way into the box, beating the keeper with aplomb into the far corner of the net. Yate’s 2-1 lead was reward for their start to the second period but Nailsea would not lie down, as they played with accuracy into the final third. Again, Zach Gillies was in excellent shot stopping form to deny the hosts on several occasions. Yate showed their growing Team resilience as they weathered the storm and played the game in the opposition half. As the game reached the hour mark, the coaching staff made the first changes from a very strong bench with Tyler Wood, James Fortune and Yigithan Kepil entering the field of play. Yate immediately extended their lead after James Fortune’s fine wide run and cross, where the home keeper could only push the ball on to a post for the alert Tyler Wood to make it 3-1 from close range.
There followed a period where Yate gained control of the game, the opposition changing their formation in an effort to reduce the arrears. Frustratingly with Fifteen minutes remaining Yate’s inexperience showed as they were caught on the break for the second time in the match. Nailsea pulled the ball back for a runner to score past an unprotected Zach Gillies. The test now for the team was their endeavour and mindset to see out the game, a response coming with admirable energy levels. The elegant Yigithan Kepil finally dispelled all nerves on the night, when he delicately scored from twenty yards with his wand of a left foot across the keeper. Max Davies who had entered the pitch as the final replacement some time earlier then put on an example beyond his years of how to run the channels and hold up play as Yate saw out the game for an impressive 4-2 victory.
Post match the coaching staff praised the boys for believing in the game plan, matching the opponents work rate and overcoming half time frustrations. There had been a number of fine displays on the night, but Antony Batt was given the M.O.T.M. award, for his inventive play and growing understanding of his role, his attitude and appetite being a fine example to others.
Starting XI:, Zach Gillies, Ben Cook, Joe Steward, Will Down, Dalton Ross, Luke Money, Kris Olah, Jacob Batt, Antony Batt, Rowan Smith, Froilan Lopez.
Replacements: Tyler Wood ,Yigithan Kepil, Max Davies, James Fortune, Billy Pullin