Yate Town F.C. U18’s 1 v Longwell Green F.C. U18’S 5
Yate welcomed Longwell Green to Cosham Street, Mangotsfield for this WCFL league fixture, given the non availability of the normal home venue.
Setting up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, the team knew a stern challenge lay ahead against the possible Champions elect.
The match started at a frenetic pace as the visitors looked to exert their notable age advantage from the early stages. Billy Pullin being called upon twice in quick succession to keep out efforts on goal. However, with the back three of Ben Cook, Captain Joe Steward and Will Down looking assured, Yate began to establish their passing game in forward positions. Jacob Batt troubled his full back regularly, linking well with Yigithan Kepil and Antony Batt. Rowan Smith and Tyler Wood were finding pockets of space in the visitors defence, but a final ball of quality was lacking to create a definitive chance. The visitors pace and power saw them test Yate on the counter, as their ‘7’ looked to invert from the right touchline, whilst the impressive left back was combining well with the ‘10’ on the flank. As the half reached its mid point Longwell began to gain set plays in Yate’s defending third, Billy Pullin being on hand to push free kicks to safety, whilst Dalton Ross cleared a corner from the back post. These threats averted, the hosts then had their best period of the half as several chances developed following good approach play and powerful running by Kevin Contreras in midfield. Rowan Smith found himself in on goal on two occasions only for the visiting keeper to pull off excellent blocks. An off target shot from Dalton Ross and long range efforts from Antony and Jacob Batt cleared the bar in quick time. With the interval only minutes away, Longwell forced four corners, after a lack of communication saw Yate unable to clear. The fourth corner saw Longwell power the ball into the roof of the net from six yards after an excellent delivery. The referee blowing for half time seconds later as Longwell took a 1-0 lead following an eventful and entertaining half.
The coaching Staff sought to calm and reassure the Team at half time that they were in the game, were competing well against a much older opposition, but needed to negate the number of free kicks that they were conceding in the final third, “set plays win tight matches”.
So with less than ten minutes on the clock in the second period it was both unfortunate and frustrating when from a further free kick, the opposition’s shot took a wicked deflection and crept into the net past a wrong footed Billy Pullin. The coaches tried to advise the players to retain their composure as there were still thirty minutes to play. All replacements were sent onto the field of play at this stage to give fresh energy, but also to reward those lads that have committed regularly across the season for the Team. But in trying to win back an element of control in the game, a further free kick was awarded, the ball being glanced in at the far post as Zack Gillies tried to find his bearings, having only just joined the field of play. To the boys credit and against the opposition’s extravagant celebrations, Yate continued to look to play a forward based passing game, with Nico Baird and Luke Money getting on the ball in midfield areas, whilst Tyler Wood and Froilan Lopez both saw shots saved. Sadly, the oppositions ability to counter, saw the goal of the evening when their ‘10, evaded several challenges to chip the ball into the net from the acutest of angles for a four nil lead. Despite tiring and beginning to lose their Team shape a little, this young Yate side refused to throw in the towel, and saw runs by Jacob Batt and James Fortune, cause panic in the visitors defence. Following this rejuvenated period of play, Jacob Batt and Froilan Lopez combined with skill and intelligence of the left side of the box, with the latter finding the net with a cross shot from twelve yards. As the game reached its final minutes Longwell hit their fifth of the night from another set play to secure the League Title amid vociferous celebrations.
Whilst mentions should be made of a very good back three performance especially from the ever improving Ben Cook, Billy Pullin secured the M.O.T.M award following a dazzling display in goal.
So this inaugural season for Yate drew to what on the face of it appears a disappointing end, but as the Coaching Staff summarised post match, this could not be further from the truth. The season started back in August with a list of friendlies, set against objectives of challenging the boys in a fear free environment, where the opposition would regularly be ahead of them. They have faced this challenge with honest endeavour and learning as they progressed. Some scintillating football has witnessed a number of excellent team and individual goals. Now bedded in, the boys next step if they choose to take it, is to widen their collective and individual understanding through game play and training that should see them build on the fundamentals learnt this season. Well done boys!
Starting XI:, Billy Pullin, Ben Cook, Joe Steward(Capt), Will Down,, Kevin Contreras, Yigithan Kepil, Dalton Ross, Jacob Batt, Antony Batt ,Tyler Wood, Rowan Smith
Replacements: Froilan Lopez, Luke Money, Nico Baird, James Fortune, Zach Gillies