After having a week with no game the CTYFC U15 Rebels were back in action on Sunday - hosting Binfield in the Surrey Youth League - League Cup last 16 fixture.
With a lot of the squad having been away for half term, and a few players out through injury and other commitments, we carefully selected the squad and asked a few of the lads to play in slightly different positions. It was soon apparent though this was no issue as we started well and were immediately on the front foot.
Having won a corner, James delivered and Luke nearly got his head to it, and following a slight flick from Isaac the ball found its way to Josh E who took a touch and found the bottom corner from 8 yards to make it 1-0 in the 7th minute.
The goal settled us down and Oli was causing problems with his pace and tested the keeper on a couple of occasions. We won a free kick wide on the left in the 26th minute and again James delivered. This time Josh E met the ball at the near post and guided the ball into the near corner for 2-0.
Binfield were pushing forward and testing JJ, Freddie and Lewis at the back but they were defending well and Dom was relatively quiet. Kris and Isaac were supporting them well and were strong in midfield.
Another set piece in the 32nd minute and another delivery from James - this time another corner. His floated ball saw the keeper come off his line but was unable to claim - the loose ball fell kindly to Ben who calmly passed the ball into the empty net for 3-0. We took the chance to bring on fresh legs and Zahir and Josh DK came on. On the stroke of half time Oli released Josh E down the right who did well to beat his man and deliver a good cross, Lewis had drifted in from the left and met the cross first time on the volley to find the bottom corner for his first goal in 2 years!
HT 4-0
We started the 2nd half in the same vein and were able to make some changes early - Ben and James coming on for Oli and Kris. The game was effectively made safe on 56 minutes, a throw in down our left found Zahir and his big switch found Josh E on the right. Josh drove into the box and beat his man and his shot across goal found the far corner to complete his hat-trick and make it 5-0. Josh DK was having a good battle with the tricky and pacy Binfield forward while JJ and Freddie maintained good discipline at the back. However, 2 lapses in concentration in quick succession saw Dom called into action to make 2 excellent saves to preserve his clean sheet.
More changes followed as we rotated and Hayden came on for the last 15 minutes. Following patient build up play where we switched play and kept possession well - the ball was worked to Hayden wide right who delivered an excellent cross. Ben leapt highest and glanced a header into the net to grab his 2nd of the game in the 73rd minute.
We saw the game out but annoyingly switched off right in the final play of injury time to gift Binfield a consolation goal.
FT 6-1
Safely into the hat for the next round following a solid display - blowing away some cobwebs following the half term and no game the week before.
MoM This week goes to Josh E for his excellent hat-trick and assist for Lewis's goal - and to Lewis himself for scoring an excellent goal - his first for 2 years and for being so versatile in the game - playing in several different positions.
Well done lads.
