The start of the 2022-23 season for the CTYFC Rebels U15s finally arrived on Sunday as we welcomed Badshot Lea Colts U15s to Tomlinscote to start the defence of our Surrey Youth League - Premier Elite Title.
Being a local derby, it was a tough opening day fixture and promised to be a feisty affair seeing the friendships of the two teams put aside for 80 minutes.
Our preparation was disrupted somewhat with the news that our keeper Dom unfortunately broke a finger in our final training session before the game and JJ falling ill on the morning of the game.
New signing Ben selflessly took the gloves for the 1st half and we started the game fast and on the front foot and soon took the lead after 6 minutes. A throw down our right found Oli who cut inside and fed Mikey - he went on a mazey run and his cross from the by-line was blocked at the near post. Zahir reacted well and kept the attack going and laid back to Hayden. His first time cross found Oli at the back post and his towering header flew past the keeper to make it 1-0. We quickly doubled our lead just 2 minutes later when Freddie delivered a long looping free-kick from the left which was met at the back post by Isaac whose great header came down off the bar. With the unfortunate absence of goal line technology, the referee deemed the ball to have crossed the line and the goal was awarded.
It was 3-0 in the 22nd minute following a lighting counter-attack. Isaac defended a free-kick on the edge of our box well and his clearing header found Mikey in the centre circle. His excellent turn gave him a yard and with his electric pace he was away. No one was catching him and he got a shot off which the keeper saved low down - but the rebound fell kindly for Hayden who had followed up and he finished with a powerful low shot which he controlled excellently. Lewis was having a strong game on the left and his jinky run and shot went close, and then a great chest and volley flew just wide. Kris was disrupting everything in the middle of the pitch and went close with a long-range effort after that clipped the top of the bar. Mikey also went close following a perfect flick on from Oli - lifting his shot over the keeper but just wide of the post. Josh E was creating havoc in the final third with Zahir making some great forward runs. Another new signing - Chi, was looking comfortable at the heart of the defence, tidying up anything that came his way alongside Freddie who was just as composed.
Half time 3-0.
Lewis took the gloves for the 2nd half as we looked to maintain the same intensity for the 2nd half and we worked hard throughout the first 15 minutes to diffuse the re-energised Badshot. Erim came on and was his usual busy self - putting in the tackles and frustrating the opposition. Our desire was epitomised by a lung-busting recovery sprint from Zahir to foil a Badshot counter attack. We effectively killed the game on 56 minutes - a corner was swung in by half time substitute James - which was initially cleared. Kris though made a great decision to just clip it back into the box first time - Isaac then battled for the ball which fell kindly for him to smash into the roof of the net from the angle of the 6-yard box for 4-0. We made some more changes and Ben came on for his outfield debut and showed his great work rate - closing down defenders well and forcing errors. We conceded a soft goal on 71 minutes when we didn't deal with a free kick. Luke and Josh DK had both come on for the last 15 minutes and linked up well with Josh E down the right which led to a low cross and near post flick by Ben being saved well - but the rebound fell straight back to Ben and he nodded home from close range to round off the victory.
Full Time 5-1.
A great result to get the league defence underway - with the whole squad contributing positively.
MoM - this week goes to 2 players - Isaac for his robust defending and 2 goal contribution (top goal scorer now!) and Josh Ewing for his creativity and composure in the middle of the park causing the opposition problems all game.
Well done everyone.
