Yate Town F.C. U18’s 6 v Oldland Abbotonians F.C. U18’S 0
Yate welcomed Oldland to the South West Interiors Stadium for this WCFL league fixture.
Setting up in a now familiar 3-4-1-2 formation, the team looked to build upon recent good form.
The hosts were soon into their stride with the back three of Ben Cook, Joe Steward and Jack Taylor looking assured in front of keeper Billy Pullen. Developing patterns of play saw midfield pivots Nico Baird and the nimble Dalton Ross linking play into Jacob Batt in the ‘10’ role and the consistently reliable Will Down and the improving James Fortune in wide positions. The visitors had clearly come to play, looking to dominate in midfield with a 4-3-3 formation. However, Yate’s passing game saw them boss possession in the first quarter. So it was no surprise when striker Max Davies found himself well placed to slot home after good approach play.
Oldland continued to attempt to play into their strikers, but were infrequent visitors into Yate’s final third. At this stage Yate had domination of the game but were lacking true fluidity in their play. But concerted pressure saw a forward upended and the referee award the home team a penalty, which the irrepressible Tyler Wood drilled home from the twelve yard mark.
Oldland followed the goal with their best period in the game, playing more in the Yate half and winning consecutive corners, which keeper Billy Pullin and James Fortune, filling a pre-planned defensive zone, dealt with well under pressure.
Normal service was resumed in the final ten minutes of the half, with the ever lively Max Davies scoring his second on the night, firing home a rebound from close range for a 3-0 interval lead. The break allowed the Management Team to challenge the team to look to break more lines in possession, particularly looking to play into the pocket for Jacob Batt.
Yate continued their territorial advantage from the off, with the industrious Nico Baird putting his stamp all over the game with energy and good passing detail. With the game well in control the replacements entered the field of play successively, and as in previous games, the growing strength of the squad showed its depth, as Yate continued their assault on Oldland's goal.
It was a matter of time before a further goal was forthcoming, and Yigithan Kepil duly obliged when shooting home from the edge of the box. Rowan Smith then went close when his back post header went just the wrong side of the post. Shortly after Yate got their fifth when Antony Batt, made a late run into the box, to meet a pull back after good play by Luke Money, and drive into the net from fifteen yards with controlled power.
The scoring finally came to and end when Yigithan Kepil got his second, picking out the corner of the net from eighteen yards, after Todd Simms superb through ball. This sealed the tenth point from the last twelve in the league, which reflects well on the squad. Despite this, the measure has to be performance as much as result as the management and coaching team really look to drill down into the detail of how we want the boys to play in and out of possession long term.
M.O.T.M. Award – Nico Baird
Starting XI: Billy Pullin, Ben Cook, Joe Steward, Jack Taylor, James Fortune, Nico Baird(C), Dalton Ross, Will Down, Jacob Batt, Tyler Wood(C), Max Davies
Replacements: Yigithan Kepil, Rowan Smith, Antony Batt, Todd Simms, Luke Money