Oldland Abbotonians F.C. U18’s 0 v Yate Town F.C. U18’s 1
Yate travelled to Aitchison Playing Fields for this WCFL league fixture.
Setting up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, the Team looked to build upon their recent league victory.
On a cold night, the Team warm up highlighted a pitch that would level abilities and not be conducive with passing football. So the prematch challenge to the Team, were to move the ball quickly off limited touches, play to the conditions and manage the game.
Therefore, it was pleasing that the performance that followed matched that criteria. Playing down a slight slope in the first half, Yate soon set an air of dominance on the play, without proving clinical in the final third. Playing out from the back when time and space afforded, and playing a longer game in behind the opposition when needed set the tone of the half. The hosts worked hard, with a compact defence to deny the visitors opportunities, aided by a keeper who made numerous blocks on the night.
Yate needed to be alive to transition attacks, with Billy Pullin having to save low to his right on twenty minutes. That scare apart, Yate began to make further inroads in the attacking zone, with chances by Rowan Smith, Max Davies, Antony Batt and Yigithan Patel lacking power or failing to hit the target. Yate’s back three of Ben Cook, Joe Steward and the impressive debutant Kris Olah, began to play through pivots Yigithan Patel and skipper Nico Baird who in turn were finding wide men James Fortune and Antony Batt. It was the latter who got on the end of a superb move, just failing to secure a lead as the interval approached.
The Teams left the field at 0-0,for a deserved rest following a well contested first period. The coaching staff set the Team a target of hitting the target more in the second period, being more balanced in transition and to manage the game when the opposition had their periods of possession.
The half started with the hosts playing two players forward in an effort to pressurise the attacking virtues of the Team’s back three. This allowed slightly more space in the midfield zone, where passes found the increasingly effective Antony Batt in space. Shots rained in on goal, but when on target found a Keeper whose handling was first class. Fine forward runs from Nico Baird opened up space for the hard working forwards Max Davies and Rowan Smith, but to no avail.
However, with 55 minutes on the clock, good approach play saw James Fortune play in Jacob Batt on the edge of the box, who manipulated the ball to set up a cross shot that nestled in the far side of the net, for a 1-0 lead. To their credit the hosts always looked to play forward and unsettle the Team but apart from periodic corners lacked finishing power. Tyler Wood took to the field as Yate’s first replacement on the hour and almost immediately increased the lead only for the game to be pulled back for a hairline offside decision. Given the sapping nature of the pitch, Yate maintained their energy levels and went close with further impressive saves by the home keeper. As the game reached its final quarter, replacement Luke Money took to the field and straight away got on the ball to play through intelligent passes.
Yate’s continued dominance was set against the fear that the opposition would conjure an opportunity at some stage perhaps aided by the conditions, so hearts were in mouths as Oldland were awarded late free kicks and corner kicks. But Yate’s players collectively held out and cleared their lines, before one final effort from Antony Batt was again blocked by the keeper after the former’s mazy run. The Official brought the match to an end shortly after for what was a hard fought but deserved victory for Yate’s young side.
The Coaching Team commended their efforts and game management on the night. Antony Batt was deservedly rewarded with the M.O.T.M. award, with the Team now looking forward to the home fixture v Mendip Broadwalk F.C.
Starting XI: Billy Pullin, Ben Cook, Joe Steward, Kris Olah , James Fortune, Nico Baird(Capt), Yigithan Kepil, Antony Batt, Jacob Batt, Rowan Smith, Max Davies.
Replacements: Tyler Wood , Luke Money, Zach Gillies