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Imperial Arms 0 (0) v 2 (1)
Wheatsheaf Youth FC
Sills,
Jackson
The Youth team faced a difficult away tie at the home of the Imperial Arms
whose recent results showed better form than their league table position
showed. Manager Tim Hughes was vacant due to work commitments so James
Reeves was asked to step in as manager with his sideline assistant Paul
Summerland. The unavailability of regular left-back Rob Harkness meant
some changes at the back, Nick Paris was switched to the left-back position
and Mark Sutton returned for his second game at center-half. Elsewhere Ryan
Ralphs replaced Mike Stone on the right wing, Gavin Brainch Julian Sills and
Steve Laidler all retained their places as well as Babashola Johnson and
Richard Brock up front. On the bench were Gordon, Smith and Stone The
opening twenty minuets were mainly dominated by the Wheatsheaf's back four
and central midfielders, with the two wingers on each flank creating good
chances for the two up top. The finishing touch was somehow lacking up
front and the sheaf were unlucky not to score on numerous occasions The
remainder of the half was again dominated by some excellent passing and
movement throughout the team, both center-halfs were having solid
performances giving the Imperial strikers no joy, Paris and Gavin were
linking up well down the left as well as good surging runs from Rick and
Ryan down the right, it was clear that both wingers had there opposite
markers for pace and the right pass would surely find the opening goal. It
was against the run of play then when from a free-kick on the edge of his
own box some complacency (or perhaps he was just bored) crept in from keeper
Mark Tottle, he gave the ball directly to the opposing striker and had it
not been for a superb tackle from James Reeves he may have found himself in
trouble. The goal that was on cards for sheaf all half came just before the
break, some good work down the right from Ryan Ralphs and the ball found its
way to Julian Sills on the edge of the 18-yard box for him to rifle low and
left past the reach of the keeper. The second half began very much as the
last one had finished, both midfield and defence had the ball on the ground
and at their feet and good build up play was only lacking a finish from one
of the strikers. The sheaf defence was being ruled at the back by Reevo and
never looked liked being breached, good solid handling and kicking from Mark
Tottle ensured this. The remainder of the half was a frustrating time for
the Sheafs sideline coach Paul Summerland and the fans that had come along
for the game as good build-ups always lacked the killer touch and it seemed
the two goal cushion the sheaf wanted and deserved would never come. With
twenty minuets remaining saw Mike Stone replace Babashola and Liam Gordon
replace Richard Brock up-front, Mikey went to his usual role on the right
wing and Liam went straight up-top to try and impress to retain his starting
position. Almost instantly he did with a turn from ronaldinho's repertoire,
leaving the Imperials right full-back flat footed and stunned. The
controlled situation at the heart of defence gave full backs Paris and Rick
opportunities to get forward and exploit Gavin and Mikeys pace down the
wings and it was here that the second goal came from, Rick made a strong and
has to be said lucky run down the right and he found his way into the box
and having hit the post from a similar situation five minuets before hand
decided to cross firm and low, this met the boot of an outstretched Imperial
defender and the keeper watched motionless as the ball trickled pass him
into the net. The remainder of the game was played out in much the same way
and apart from a small incident involving Ryan and the own goal scorer the
game as a whole was played in decent spirits. Jordan Smith replaced Rick
Jackson at right-back for the remaining five minuites and wasn't troubled.
A 2-0 victory for the Youth Team and although it could have been more it was
always comfortable. Sheaf Youth remain in 2nd spot in the league and with
West-End losing at Goldsworth means a four point gap has opened up. MOTM :
There were good all-round performances from the back four, and both wingers.
Liam Gordan deserves a special accolade for his performance when he came on
but wasn't on long enough to deserve the honor. It was a good team
performance so would be hard to single out an individual on the outfield so
the award will go to Mark Tottle who's safe hands and clean sheet helped the
sheaf to their 2-0 Victory.
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Established 2000
