Yate Town F.C. U18’s 4 v Mendip Broadwalk F.C. U18’S 0
Yate welcomed Mendip Broadwalk to the South West Interiors Stadium for this WCFL league fixture.
Setting up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, the Team saw changes to the last game out. Selection saw a full debut for Kris Ohla, with Zack Gillies, Luke Money and Tyler Wood returning to the starting XI.
On a still evening and on a freshly rolled pitch, the hosts started at tempo, moving the ball quickly and off limited touches as requested by the coaching staff. It was pleasing to see basic passing patterns through the thirds that saw the visitors struggle to deal with the movement and intensity of Yate’s play.
With the back three of Ben Cook, Joe Steward and Kris Ohla compact out of possession, and expansive in, the midfield pivots of skipper, Nico Baird and Yigithan Kepil, began to dictate play. This saw the dangerous Antony Batt increasingly come into the game in the ‘10’ role. Whilst Luke Money and Will Down looked to exploit space in the wide channels. Twin strikers Max Davies and Tyler Wood began to get behind the defensive line. Chances began to come, Tyler Wood, Nico Baird and Will Down all getting into the scoring zone. But it was Antony Batt who opened the scoring on fifteen minutes with a slick finish to put Yate one up on the night.
The hosts were required to make an early replacement at this stage as Ben Cook was forced to leave the field of play after sustaining a knee injury, with Dalton Ross deputising. Mendip did their best to gain a foothold in the game, switching to a three man midfield and making an early change from the bench. However, the Home side’s ascendancy in the game continued, so it was no surprise when a second goal came. Following excellent play out from the back through Kris Ohla into Nico Baird, where Antony Batt was found in space, who picked out Tyler Wood’s well time run, with the later drawing the Keeper and slotting home on thirty minutes. At this stage the visitors began to lose their discipline with Antony Batt in particular coming in for some robust challenges that drew the officials yellow card on two occasions.
Unfortunately at the interval, a decision was made to withdraw him from play with a deeply bruised shin, with James Fortune taking to the field after the break. The coaches instructions were succinct, maintain a high tempo, and try do not to give the opposition an opportunity to play.
The first fifteen minutes of the second period saw the game take a similar shape, but the hosts were unable to extend their lead, as chances for Joe Steward, Nico Baird and Max Davies were off target or kept out. Several corners followed in a period of sustained pressure but Tyler Wood’s or Nico Baird’s excellent delivery failed to add to the scoreline. The opposition began to get a passing game together as the match lost it’s tempo and Zach Gillies had to be on his toes in the home goal from an isolated attack. Thankfully, the match was given further surety when the ever dependable Will Down stole in on the back post to make it three following Tyler Wood’s pull back.
The final replacements on the night took to the pitch in the form of Froilan Lopez and Rowan Smith, who slotted in up front, with Luke Money and Max Davies leaving the field of play, both having acquitted themselves well on the night. To their credit Mendip never stopped trying and saw two opportunities in quick succession, with Zach Gillies pulling off an excellent save to push a free kick on to a post before it was cleared to safety. Yigithan Kepil then made the game safe for Yate, when following good approach play, he thumped the ball into the bottom corner of the net with his now customary left foot finish. Tyler Wood saw another effort unluckily rebound off of a post, before the game was called to a close by the referee.
The Coaching staff praised the Team’s performance on the night, albeit a consistent intensity was lacking in periods of the game. However, there is no doubt that forthcoming opposition in the form of Bristol Telephones will see a game that will drive the boys to perform at a consistent level. Captain Nico Baird was deservedly named M.O.T.M. for his industrious performance and effort to get on the ball throughout the game.
Starting XI: Zach Gillies, Ben Cook, Joe Steward, Kris Ohla, Luke Money, Nico Baird(Capt), Yigithan Kepil, Will Down, Antony Batt, Tyler Wood, Max Davies
Replacements: Dalton Ross, Rowan Smith, James Fortune, Froilan Lopez, Billy Pullin