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Collier Row A 3 v 2 Newbury Forest A

It was a very good and close game between the U18’s and Collier Row. This is the same Collier Row that are the only team to beat the senior squad in the league all year. The result could have been even better if more than half of the squad didn’t turn up an hour and a half late.

You could see the difference a good warm up and briefing makes. The first 20 minutes the team was all over the place and rightly went two goals down. It was only mid way through the half that they started to exert some of their own pressure. For all the pressure they had they were still struggling to play the final ball that would create a goal scoring opportunity. However by the end of the half they had become much more stronger at the back with good displays by Alex Corck-Adelman and Henry Asiedu at the centre of defence.

With some motivation words from Sam at half time the boys came out guns blazing. The pressure they had in first half was now being turned into chances. The passing was becoming better, and the ball was being moved around a lot better and faster. Football however is funny old game and Collier Row got a third to put the game out of sight. However credit to the U18’s they kept on going. The midfield started to dominant and dictate the game. Toch, Mo and Jamie started to create even more for their forwards. Tanveer Gill must have eaten his weatbix at half time; because he was running his full back ragged in the second half, so Siva watch out.

All their endeavour finally paid off, when a mix up at a corner gave Prakash Bala the chance to slot home and make it 3 -1. Now it was on like donkey kong. More good play from the midfield and forwards created another chance for Tom Kimche, who slotted away to make 3 -2. Now they were showing the promise we’ve all seen.  Every second ball was chased every challenge was a 100%. We even had a porn in a jar moment when Toch absolutely mugged off one of their players when he caught the ball on his foot, then flicked it over his and the defenders head the got it and crossed it in. Absolute class, loving your work. As they pushed for the equaliser, only a blatant hand ball decision not given by the ref stopped them from getting the result they deserved.