Match Report: Under 13 Wanderers v Oxshott Royals: 4 - 2 Home Win (League)
Match Date: | Sun 28/02/2016 |
---|---|
Played: | Oxshott Royals (Home) |
Result: | 4 - 2 |
Match Type: | League |
Man of the match: | Tom Whittaker |
Match Report
A cold, blustery and pretty grim February morning at Therfield played host to ACWu13’s home fixture against Oxshott. The turnout was lower than normal, perhaps put off by the weather or the SYL Chairman’s warning that “soccer rage” was on the increase. But no such worries on Sunday. Oxshott are a well behaved bunch despite their strange complaint that it was unfair of the Wanderers to have a player as good as Tom Whittaker.
Still, you could see the source of their frustration. Tom’s energy and determination was the inspiration as four sparkling goals saw the Wanderers come from behind twice and, eventually, cruise to a comfortable 4-2 victory.
The first half was an even encounter. The wind didn’t help but ACWu13 were guilty of playing the ball too narrow in the early exchanges. Oxshott looked relatively comfortable in defence and fast on the break. They took the lead twice - well taken shots that the Wanderers were slow to close down. But the Colts hit back. Joe’s master class in volleying a cross pitch ball levelled the scores at 1-1 and, later, Tom went on a charging run and placed the ball beyond the diving keeper to make it 2-2. The third, a penalty for handball, was beautifully struck into the corner by Will. For the first time ACWu13 held the lead and never looked back.
In the second half, the wind dropped, Oxshott began to tire, played deeper and were slower to the ball. The Colts off – ball movement was excellent, there was plenty of chatter and their passing grew in confidence. With extra space, Archie, Finn and Alex were able to exploit the gaps and feed the flanks. The Wanderers controlled the game to the extent that Charlie was a virtual spectator until he had to rush out to smother a rare attack towards the end of the game. In the meantime, the Colts wrapped up the win when Sam cracked home a volley from Jack’s finely placed corner.