YATE TOWN F.C. U18’s 3 v KEYNSHAM TOWN F.C. U18’S 1
Tuesday 1st October 2024
Western Counties Floodlit League
Yate Town Under 18s welcomed Keynsham Town Under 18s to the South West Interiors Stadium for this WCFL league fixture. Setting up in a 4-4-1-1 formation, the Team saw changes to last week’s game, as opportunity is given to all squad players in the Team’s infancy.
The hosts started on the front foot, playing a possession-based game out from the back through the thirds of the pitch. The Back Four of Dalton Ross, Ben Cook, Jack Taylor and Louie Clarke looked composed receiving the ball from keeper Billy Pullin, playing into wide areas and the midfield pivot. Through the first and into the second quarter Yate worked the ball quickly and off of limited touches through Keynsham’s lines.
However, the finishing edge lacked penetration as the final ball into Kevin Contreras and Luke Money, playing at nine and ten respectively, was forced. At this stage the visitors were only infrequently troubling the home defence, but on twenty-five minutes, Keynsham seized on a loose ball in the box and finished well to take a surprise 1-0 lead.
Yate were not thwarted by the set back and continued to link well through Captain Nico Baird and Yigithan Kepil in midfield. For the first time in the half opportunities began to arise. James Fortune went close after a pacey run and Dalton Ross brought a fine save from the visitor’s keeper after advancing into the box. There were no additions to the score as the officials called an end to the half.
Replacements Rowan Smith and Tyler Wood took to the field after the break, slotting into the same formation. The home side were quickly into their stride with instructions to move the ball quickly, looking for overloads in wide areas to stretch a tiring opposition. As the game passed the hour mark, Yate were controlling possession in the opposition half and getting in behind the defensive line regularly. Rowan Smith, Tyler Wood, and Kevin Contreras all went close to opening the scoring. With the opposition faltering, Yate switched to a 3-4-1-2 in an effort to break the deadlock, with replacements Antony Batt, Max Shepard and Joe Steward entering the field of play.
The changes saw Yate equalise within minutes, when Tyler Wood picked up a loose ball and finished well into the corner from twelve yards. As pressure mounted, Rowan Smith headed home well from Nico Baird’s well flighted corner, to put Yate into the lead for the first time on the night. The visitors could not deal with Yate’s movement as the game entered its final stages, with the energetic Will Down pushing forward well down the left flank, and Antony Batt’s runs cutting through Keynsham’s rearguard. The visitors were restricted to lone counter attacks at this point, with Yate keeper, Billy Pullin looking assured and distributing well to initiate further attacks.
It was a matter of time before Yate sealed their victory and it came from Tyler Wood’s second on the night, where the impressive striker slotted home from ten yards. Further opportunities came to the hard-working Max Shepard before the final whistle, with the scoreline recognising a justified victory for the home team.
Whilst there is much work to do, the Management Team were pleased with the Team’s application and mindset to play a possession-based game through the thirds; the challenge for the boys is to recognise when to change that up and penetrate in behind.
The M.O.T.M Award deservedly went to Tyler Wood on the night.
Starting XI: Billy Pullin, Dalton Ross, Ben Cook, Jack Taylor, Louie Clarke, Nico Baird (Capt), Yigithan Kepil, James Fortune, Will Down, Luke Money, Kevin Contreras
Replacements: Joe Steward, Rowan Smith, Tyler Wood, Max Shepard, Antony Batt