MATCH REPORT
Yate Town F.C. U18’s 5 v Chard Town F.C. U18’S 1
Yate welcomed Chard Town to the South West Interiors Stadium for this Roger Stone Memorial Cup fixture.
Setting up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, the team looked to take on an unknown quantity who currently sit near the summit of the Southern Division.
The game started at pace with the hosts breaking the visitors defensive line on several occasions but being unable to find an accurate final ball. Whilst a drying pitch provided a bobbly surface on the night, both Team’s looked to play a passing game. Yate maintained their early pressure so it was no surprise when they opened the scoring on 12 minutes through Dalton Ross. His fine advancing run from defence, culminating in a top corner finish. Chard were struggling to deal with the home team’s passing and movement at this stage, with the back three of Ben Cook, Joe Steward and Dalton Ross feeding into midfield pivots Captain Nico Baird and Yigithan Kepil. Luke Money was increasingly getting on the ball in the ‘10’ role, allowing space on the flanks to be utilised by the skilful Jacob Batt and James Fortune.
Goals two and three came in quick succession midway through the half, when first, the intelligent Max Davies finished with aplomb from fifteen yards, quickly followed by Tyler Wood’s powerful shot into the roof of the net. The later following an excellent move, where Ben Cook’s fine ball saw Max Davies roll his defender and cross for his fellow striker. A period of the game then followed where the opposition finally got their passing game together, allowing them to exert more pressure in the final third. Home keeper Billy Pullin was required two make two good saves in quick succession, before seeing another effort dragged wide, whilst a further shot unluckily for Chard rebounded to safety after hitting the crossbar. As the half drew to a close, Yate regained ascendency in the match and forced a number of corners. This culminated in Joe Steward Heading home to give the Hosts a 4-0 interval lead.
The Management Team asked for a concerted effort to play off of limited touches and move the ball quickly in the second period, as it was envisaged that the visitors would come out strongly.
This proved to be the case, as Chard played forward with more purpose, rotated players and stretched Yate’s defence as the Team lacked compactness out of possession. The visitors thought that they had pulled one back on the hour but the assistant referee ruled the goal out for offside. Whilst Yate’s players foolishly celebrated the fact, they conceded in quick time from open play. Now with their tails up, Chard exerted more pressure on the Home goal with Billy Pullin blocking a further effort. The first replacements took to the field just past the hour mark, with Will Down slotting into midfield, and Antony Batt taking up the ‘10’ role, as Luke Money moved to a wider position.
Finally, Yate began to regain control of the match with the continual prompting of the impressive Nico Baird in the pivot role. A number of attacks and corners followed, with Nico Baird himself securing Yate’s fifth goal of the evening, a twenty five yard strike going in off of the keeper after hitting the bar. Final replacements took to the field, with Rowan Smith leading the line well in a solitary ‘9’ role, and Kris Olah looking accomplished in the right side of midfield. Yate having weathered the early storm, ended the half with improved balance in and out of possession. A final change saw Zach Gillies take up his position between the sticks, where he looked comfortable to the end of the game. Jacob Batt continuously probed along the left flank, whilst brother Antony was a constant threat, being unlucky not to grab number 6, as he volleyed over the bar after Tyler Wood’s clever set up. So a next round home game now awaits in the form of opponents Bristol Manor Farm, where another competitive fixture is certain to be expected.
This young side continues to develop with some fine flowing football and eye catching goals, whilst there remains an underlying learning theme of improving game management when the team is not in the ascendancy. Dalton Ross was deservedly named M.O.T.M on the night.
Starting XI: Billy Pullin, Ben Cook, Joe Steward, Dalton Ross, James Fortune, Nico Baird(Capt), Yigithan Kepil, Jacob Batt, Luke Money, Tyler Wood, Max Davies
Replacements: Rowan Smith, Antony Batt, Kris Olah, Will Down, Zach Gillies