Lakeside, making the trip down the M5 to Bristol, were looking to test themselves against another U16’s team. Stoke Lane started off the livelier of the two teams with the quick strikers causing the Lakeside back four a few early problems. In the 10th minute, Stoke Lane were awarded a penalty, which fortunately for Lakeside was sent over the crossbar. Lakeside then started to settle down and create a few good chances of their own with good efforts coming from Simon Brady, Kurt Burrows and Luke Hitchman. In the 24th minute, Stoke Lane took the lead when a free kick saw the Stoke Lane striker on hand to head home from 6 yards out. Lakeside’s spirit was not dampened and they continued to play the ball around with confidence and composure. Lakeside themselves were awarded a penalty for what seemed to be a soft foul on Kurt. Cameron Smith stepped up to plant his penalty into the keeper top lefthand corner. With the score level, both teams continued to play good attacking football. In the 36th minute, it was the turn of Rob Jones to make a good save to deny Stoke Lane a half time lead. With half time approaching, Lakeside were unlucky not to take the lead when a great run by Kurt saw Craig Graham charging up the middle of the park, only to see his effort go narrowly past the post on the stroke of half time.
With confidence on a high, Lakeside started to take a grip of the game and were soon to take a lead in the 42nd minute, when Craig’s effort was saved by the keeper, only for Bradley Barnard to volley home from close range. Stoke Lane were not the same force in the second half with great tackles from Liam Powell and Harry Mansell not allowing them the same freedom that they had in the 1st half. With Mike Lloyd and Sam James combining well down the left hand side, Lakeside almost increased their lead when Sam’s pass was met by Kurt on the outside of the box, only to see a great effort saved by their keeper. Soon after, Josh Pugh kept Lakeside’s lead intact when clearing off the line after an initial save by Rob Jones. Lakeside were not content to hold onto their slender lead and therefore continued to push forward. After some good work from Luke Hitchman, Craig on hand in the 71st minute to extend Lakeside’s lead further and register his first goal for the club. Two minutes later, Lakeside made sure of the cup tie when Craig was on hand to assist Kurt, who’s effort found the bottom corner of the net. Kurt was replaced in the final six minutes by the ever-patient Luke Hazzard in what was an outstanding and exciting performance not for the first time this season.
Man of the Match Luke Hitchman
Managers Man of the Match Luke Hitchman
