After a wet and windy Saturday, Lakeside were hoping for a better Sunday in the second round of the county cup. Although cold and windy, Lakeside did not take long to create their first chance, with Cameron Smith unfortunately having his shot saved by the Abbeymead keeper. In the 8th minute, good work from Bradley saw Kurt’s effort go narrowly wide. Lakeside finally broke the deadlock in the 14th minute when Cameron’s ball found Kurt, who beat the Abbeymead defender before smashing the ball into the top left-hand corner. Lakeside continued to take the game to Abbeymead and were soon rewarded with three goals in the space of 5 minutes; with Kurt completing a team move in the 21st minute, Bradley following up on Budd’s initial shot in the 23rd minute and Cameron volleying home in the 26th minute. Despite the scoreline, the Abbeymead players did not drop their heads and they were finally rewarded in the 32nd minute, with a good finish into the top corner.
After the break, Lakeside took three minutes to extend their four goal lead, when Kurt’s cross was met by Bradley, whose header flew passed the Abbeymead keeper. Lakeside soon introduced Alex Pike and Luke Robson into the game, replacing full back Mike Lloyd and winger Budd Nicholson. Soon after, midfield dynamo Luke Hitchman produced a perfectly waited pass for Kurt, who was on hand to strike, with his effort going in off the underside of the cross bar. Abbeymead responded by scoring a second goal, with a great strike flying in from the inside of the post. In the 63rd minute, Lakeside replaced the hardworking front pair of Kurt and Bradley with Elliot Harris and Luke Hazard.
In the 70th minute, Alex went on one of his long runs down the left hand side and was fouled by the Abbeymead defender. Cameron’s fine delivery from the resulting free kick was met by man of the match Luke Hitchman, who made no mistake in heading past the advancing keeper. Soon after Lakeside seventh, Luke Hazard was unfortunate to see his strike blocked, after some brave defending. With the game coming to close, Harry Mansell pushed up into midfield and was soon to produce the goal of the game; as Harry dinked the ball over the Abbeymead defender and volleyed in an unstoppable shot from outside the 18th yard box to complete the scoring. After an emphatic victory, Lakeside has now booked their place in the last 32 of the U16 County cup.
Man of the Match: Luke Hitchman
Managers Man of the Match: Luke Hitchman
