Roger Stone Memorial Cup
Yate Town F.C. U18’S 10 v AEK Boko 1
The hosts welcomed A.E.K. to The South West Interiors Stadium for this first round Cup fixture.
Setting up in a 3-4-1-2 formation Yate were looking to build on their recent performance against Keynsham Town. In to their stride quickly, Yate played through the thirds impressively with the back three of Ben Cook, Joe Steward and Jack Taylor breaking lines well into pivots, Kevin Contreras and Yigithan Kepil. Jacob Batt began to find space in between the opposition’s back four and midfield, which saw strikers Max Davies and Captain Tyler Wood making good runs off the ball to find his through balls.
With A.E.K. on the back foot in the first quarter it seemed a matter of time before Yate’s incisive football created the first goal. It duly arrived when Max Davies fed in Tyler Wood who finished well from close range. Whilst in control of the game, Yate failed to organise having lost possession high up the pitch, a long through ball caught the back three square, with the opposition’s number nine left keeper Billy Pullin with no chance, to bring the scores level.
Recent weeks have witnessed such setbacks affect the Team’s composure but on this occasion, it spurred the boys onto a superb display of football in the twenty five minutes prior to half time. Moving the ball off of limited touches, and with excellent movement off of the ball an avalanche of goals followed. Will Down made it two following good approach play by Jacob Batt, Will then turning provider as Yigithan Kepil finished superbly first time. Defender Jack Taylor made it four following Tyler Wood’s assist; Tyler Wood’s fine corner delivery then leading to the next, followed by an own goal, making it six one on the night, with the spectators trying to catch their breath.
To their credit the opposition tried to reorganise and kept competing, but their high back line was leaving space for Yate to exploit in behind. So it was no surprise when the skilful Luke Money finished well from a wide angle, having been played in by Tyler Wood. The referee then brought a close to an exhilarating half of football.
The Management Team just sought continued tempo and limited touches in the second half, which to the boys credit was put into action with immediate effect. Billy Pullin in the Yate goal was under utilised at this point but he was the starting point for several good attacks with defender Jack Taylor looking particularly composed in and out of possession throughout the game. Understandably changes were made early into the second half, with replacements, James Fortune, Callum Rogers, Todd Simms, Seb Judge, and Antony Batt coming onto the field of play.
In quick time Antony Batt was on the score sheet after a fine run, and a good assist by brother Jacob. Max Davies then made it nine when Tyler Wood, who gave a captain’s performance throughout, played Max in to finish well across the keeper. There were further opportunities for Kevin Contreras, and the energetic Callum Rogers before Antony Batt completed the night’s scoring after James Fortune’s scintillating run from the right flank. A well done should go to A.E.K.’s keeper who pulled off a string of blocks throughout the match to prevent further goals being conceded.
Once the Officials brought an end to the match, the opposition paid tribute to the boys performance on the night. It was just reward for their efforts over a number of weeks and the mindset to look mid to long term in terms of their individual and collective Team development.
The M.O.T.M. Award went to Jack Taylor.
Starting XI: Billy Pullin, Ben Cook, Joe Steward, Jack Taylor, Luke Money, Kevin Contreras, Yigithan Kepil, Will Down, Jacob Batt, Max Davies, Tyler Wood (Captain)
Replacements: Todd Simms, Antony Batt, Callum Rogers, Seb Judge, James Fortune