Our u18s welcomed Nailsea and Tickenham FC to Lodge Rd on Tuesday evening for a Western Counties Floodlight Youth league match.
The game was anticipated to be a great test of the progress this young team has made through the season against a team who has had some impressive results over the last few weeks. Setting up in their now customary 3-4-1-2 formation the lads provided an all around excellent display to come out very impressive 5-0 winners.
Yate started on the front foot dominating the first 20 minutes. The midfield duo of Nico Baird and Yigithan Kepil taking a firm grip of the game from the outset. There was energy all over the pitch from the hosts with Jacob Batt and James Fortune causing trouble down the flanks. Tyler Wood, Anthony Batt and Rowan Smith were giving the visitors defence no time to settle on the ball.
However we were unable to find the killer ball or finish to take a deserved lead and as the half progress Nailsea grew into the game. It was clear that Nailsea were happy to sit in and absorb pressure, and try to hit us on the break with their noticeable pace upfront. The back 3 of Kris Olah, Joe Steward and Dalton Ross were exceptional in closing out any of these breaks showing constant defensive maturity dealing with any long balls and delaying the Nailsea attacking line from utilising their pace advantage. On the rare occasion Nailsea got a shot on goal Billy Pullin was faultless between the posts.
As the first half developed the game became more even. It seemed that Nailsea’s best chance of scoring was from corners whipped under our cross bar that caused some problems at time for the home team. However our attacking threat continued with Jacob Batt regularly terrorising the visitor’s defence. The half ended 0-0 with Yate players and coaches appreciating a need to be patient and remain busy in attack, while maintaining concentration to the threat of a quick break at the back in the second half.
Soon after half time Yate took the lead they deserved. Rowan Smith controlling well and unleashing a powerful shot that beat the keepers outstretched left hand into the bottom corner. This lifted Yate’s belief that they would get the result the performance was warranting. Soon after Anthony Batt doubled the lead with an unstoppable half volley following good work from James Fortune. The goal of the game soon followed with smart work down the right flank from Tyler Wood, some deft touches and dummies from the Batt brothers on the edge of the box, releasing the advancing Yigithan Kepil to finish calmly from 10 yards at the back post.
Replacements of Max Davies, Luke Money, and Will Down came on to lift the energy levels even further with 30 minutes remaining, and Nailsea could not cope with the all around movement and ball retention of the home team. Will Down smartly finished with his first touch past the advancing keeper following excellent work from the impressive Luke Money. Zac Gillies came on looking assured in goal and dealing well with the occasional corner that Nailsea continued to deliver well under our cross bar.
Yate were showing impressive cohesiveness, fitness and energy levels till the final whistle to the delight of the coaching staff. Tyler Wood spraying passes stretching their defence from side to side. A busy Max Davies scored Yate’s fifth goal after a fine run from half way and a fierce shot from 20 yards.
A final score of 5-0 did not flatter Yate, the lads and coaching staff delighted with how the team is developing both on and off the pitch. They are all looking forward to the final few games of the season and chance to push for a top 3 finish in the league. MOTM deservedly given to Yigithan Kepil for his dominance in midfield. Honourable mentions to Jacob Batt in attacking areas and Kris Olah taking great defensive positions, but overall an excellent performance from every member of the team.
Starting XI: Billy Pullin, Kris Olah, Joe Steward, Dalton Ross, James Fortune, Nico Baird (Capt), Yigithan Kepil, Anthony Batt, Jacob Batt, Tyler Wood, Rowan Smith
Replacements: Max Davies, Luke Money, Will Down, Zach Gillies