With the season now well underway the CTYFC U15 Rebels were looking to build on their solid start with a visit to Leatherhead Youth in another SYL Premier Elite, league fixture. Conditions were perfect and both teams were clearly highly motivated and looking for the 3 points.
In the 5th minute, we won possession following a Leatherhead throw-in and released Mikey down the left whose cross evaded everyone, Hayden did well to keep possession and crossed from the right and found Ben who controlled well and finished across the keeper to make it 1-0. Three minutes later following good build up play involving Hayden, Josh E and Erim we worked the ball wide left to James – his searching delivery found Oli lurking at the back post who finished tidily for 2-0. Josh DK then replaced Freddie who had up to now defended and linked play well – but suffered an injury that ended his game prematurely.
Ben doubled his tally on 23 minutes to make it 3-0 and give us a good cushion. With Leatherhead bravely trying to play out from the back, Ben read the keepers pass into midfield and pounced to intercept – placing a shot back past the keeper into the un-guarded net. Just before the break in the 39th minute Mikey’s clinical finish made it 4-0. More good build up play in midfield saw Hayden, JJ and Erim combining well - ending with Mikey beating his man and finishing strongly into the far corner.
HT 0-4
Into the 2nd half and we were able to introduce fresh legs and made several changes through the first 20 minutes of the half that saw the introduction of Zahir, Kris, Luke and Lewis. Leatherhead showed some good spirit but Isaac, Josh DK and JJ were defending resolutely. Joe in goal was showing excellent concentration and when called upon produced some tidy saves – one in particular was for the cameras – a diving finger tip save pushing a speculative long range shot round the post. We deservedly scored again on 62 minutes when Zahir found Hayden with a clever lofted pass. Hayden drove into the box and his powerful shot found the net following a slight deflection. We put the icing on the cake on 76 minutes when Kris found Hayden in space on the right – his excellent run and near post cross found Zahir who finished emphatically at the near post.
FT 0-6
There was simply too many examples of quality build-up play and chances created to describe them all – and but for the Leatherhead keeper making some inspired saves and along with some wayward shooting - it is no exaggeration that the score line could have been many more had we taken our chances across the course of the game. Some of the counter attacks were breath-taking and deserved a goal and the squad were simply a joy to watch. So we take all the positives and move on again to what will be another tough game next week.
MoM: It feels like most weeks that anyone in the squad could be given this – but this week Hayden and Joe get the vote. Hayden was a constant threat and with 1 goal and 2 assists contributed with some excellent end product. And despite being quiet for the majority of the game – when called upon Joe was alert and made some excellent saves to preserve his and the teams‘ clean sheet.
Well done boys.
