Match Report WCFL Roger Stone Cup
Yate Town F.C. U18s 2 Bristol Manor Farm U18s 4
Yate welcomed BMF to the South West Interiors Stadium on a sunny evening where the playing surface was very firm after the recent dry spell. Setting up in 3-4-1-2, Kris Olah, Nico Bird and Kevin Contreras were unavailable for selection.
The match started at pace; the teams having been involved in previous competitive matches this season. The hosts were attacking with purpose, with strikers Max Davies and Froilan Lopez getting in behind the back line. Pressure mounted and Antony Batt was fouled outside the ‘D’ after a mazy run. The later struck a dipping free kick that rebounded from the bar, with Yigithan Kepel on hand to prod home the rebound on the ten-minute mark. BMF regained their composure and began to mount attacks particularly down the left flank. The movement of their ‘11’ playing across the front line, saw him steal in to head home a superb cross on fifteen minutes to set the scores level.
The match entered a period where no side could gain a hold on the game, with opportunities being created at both ends of the pitch, Billy Pullin saving well on two occasions in the home goal. Then into the second quarter of the game Yate broke down their right channel through Ben Cook and James Fortune, who played Froilan Lopez into the box. He evaded a defender and rounded the keeper before being brought down for an obvious penalty. Tyler Wood’s composed spot kick restored Yate Town’s lead. However, BMF posed a threat in the final third throughout the evening, stretching the back three of Ben Cook, Joe Steward and Will Down consistently. An equalizer came ten minutes prior to the break when no pressure was applied to a pullback that saw BMF’s ‘11’ stroke the ball into the bottom corner from 15 yards. The period preceding the interval saw Jacob Batt create problems for the visitors and Tyler Wood begin to get on the ball more in midfield, but the half ended with the honors even.
Coaching staff raised awareness of the visitor’s threat in the final third and an expected surge in energy levels in the first stages after the restart, but a positive mentality being to test BMF’s defense at every opportunity.
Unfortunately, shortly after resumption the hosts lost possession off the ball as a free kick broke down, and were then unable to regroup as a cross evaded a stretched defense leaving the ‘11’ to seal his hat trick and give the visitors the lead for the first time on the night. With an hour on the clock, replacements in the form of Rowan Smith, Luke Money and Dalton Ross were sent onto the field of play to regain an ascendency in the match. Sadly, shortly afterwards, Yate were forced to rejig as Captain Joe Steward was forced to leave the field of play with a head injury. Rowan Smith deputized remarkedly well in central defense, but the front line was left disjointed, with replacement keeper Zac Gillies forced to take on a striker’s role, with to his credit much endeavor. The game now well into its final quarter and with the hosts finding it difficult to create opportunities in the final third, BMF put the tie beyond doubt with an excellent drive from thirty yards that left keeper Billy Pullin stranded. Yate’s young team never gave up on the game throughout the second period despite the visitor’s supremacy but lacked a conviction or belief to play their normal passing game. BMF ran out victors as the referee brought the game to a close.
Reflecting on the match the coaching staff instilled the need to stay positive and for the lads to keep their heads up, having come a long way across the season. The opposition’s ‘11’ was a thorn in the side all evening and represents a learning curve in collective team defending to deny him possession of the ball, which will come with time.
No M.O.T.M. award was given on the night, reflecting that no player truly left their mark on the game. We now look forward to a tough away fixture at Nailsea where it is anticipated that the team will bounce back accordingly.
Starting XI: Billy Pullin, Ben Cook, Joe Steward (Captain), Will Down, James Fortune, Tyler Wood, Yigithan Kepil, Jacob Batt, Antony Batt, Max Davies, Froilan Lopez
Replacements: Rowan Smith, Luke Money, Dalton Ross, Zac Gillies