Another week and another league fixture on Sunday for the CTYFC U14 Rebels as we entertained Worcester Park Colts in the SYL Premier Elite. We managed to miss the rain that had been forecast which held off until after the game and conditions were good albeit slightly blustery. We made a blistering start and were 2-0 up after 2 minutes. Within a minute Oli pounced on a short back pass and cooly slotted past the keeper. Just a minute later James did well down the left and found Zahir who in turn slipped Oli in, his good first touch allowed him to finish really well into the far corner. We were moving the ball well and probing to find more openings. It was soon 3-0 when Dom cleared to find James who’s good work again down the left saw him release a searching forward pass. Luke looked to get on the end but his excellent dummy fooled the defence and the ball ran on to Oli who’s touch again was perfect allowing him to finish clinically into the top corner for his hat trick inside 13 minutes. Just a minute later it was 4-0, this time Isaac linking with Hayden who found himself with lots of space. He delivered a pin perfect cross to find Zahir who’d made a good run, and he produced a great touch and finish. It was 5-0 on 19 minutes when James played short to Hayden from a corner, Hayden’s cross was met by Lewis who’s glancing header was unfortunately deflected by a defender past the keeper for an own goal. Luke got on the scoresheet in injury time at the end of the first half when his energetic high pressing saw him nick the ball off the last defender and get a shot away from 18 yards that squirmed under the keeper. We had created numerous other chances with Luca coming close on a couple of occasions but he couldn’t find the target. James also guilty of firing high and wide when well placed. HT 6-0. We were looking to keep up the pressure in the 2nd half and in the 53rd minute Oli and Lewis played a short corner well and Oli delivered a great cross which Isaac met at the back post for 7-0. A couple of minutes later Luca was fouled 25 yards out and dusted himself down to step up and strike a great free kick into the top corner to make it 8-0. Like the first half we had missed further opportunities, Kris and George going close but their efforts were well saved. Hayden twice went close but his good run and shot struck the bar and his long range shot also well saved. Luca also hit the bar with another effort and missed the target having got on the end of a great cross from Hayden. Oli got on the end of a good cross but his firm header also struck the bar and his fierce drive from 25 yards was just over. At the other end Dom maintained concentration well and when called upon made a really good save to keep our clean sheet in tact. FT 8-0. An excellent result that saw the boys play some good football. We welcomed back Josh E to the squad which saw him get a valuable 20 minutes on his return from injury too which was an added bonus. MoM - some really strong performances with some super goals and attacking play but MoM this week goes to JJ. His positioning defensively was excellent throughout and his ball distribution from the back was composed and accurate. He was also there to clear up the loose ball following Dom’s good save to maintain our clean sheet. Well done JJ and all the squad.
