U13 OMBL vs Saxton
May 2, 2010 18:01:39 GMT
Post by robin on May 2, 2010 18:01:39 GMT
Oxford City Colts U13 Match Report
2nd May 2010
Saxton Rovers 4 – Oxford City Colts 1
So the season finale saw City visit League Champions Saxton at their Abingdon ground on a wet Sunday morning. With key players unavailable and some not a hundred percent fit this was always going to be a difficult way in which to end the 2009-10 season. Steven Lawson had not recovered from his hamstring injury, Tom Homer was still feeling his bruised back and with Jack Kent feeling unwell, City struggled to get eleven fit players on the pitch.
Despite these fitness worries, City started the game brightly and attempted to continue their run of good form. Saxton were, however, a strong and talented side and immediately put the City defence under pressure with a combination of speed and ability. Indeed it was easy to see why the home side had won the league as they created a number of early chances. And after 15 minutes they took the lead; Saxton’s fastest striker sprinting away from the defence and into the box before rounding the keeper and tucking the ball into the corner of the net.
Saxton increased their lead a few minutes later when the same player chipped the ball into the roof of net after City failed to clear a cross from the right wing. But it was not all one-way traffic and for the last ten minutes of the half City came back into the game hitting both the bar and the post in their efforts to score. However, it was obviously not going to be their day as the ball failed to run kindly for the City attack.
With two more boys reporting knocks at half time it was difficult to know who to send out for the second half and it was this that proved City’s downfall against strong opposition. Because of injuries, City lacked the strength to force their way back into the game, an attribute they have displayed in a number of recent matches; and this allowed Saxton to dominate proceedings and create a number of chances. City can thank goalkeeper Joe Russell for keeping the score down as he denied the home side on a number of occasions. But with City under relentless pressure, Saxton always looked likely to increase their lead and their third goal came from a corner; an excellent delivery to the far post was met with a firm header. Moments later Saxton added a fourth when there strikers were first to react to Joe Russell’s parry from yet another shot.
City salvaged some pride in the last few minutes when Jack Kent thumped Ben Tombs’ cross into the roof of the net, but overall Saxton deserved their victory. So a difficult final game away to the champions saw City’s recent revival come to an end; but the boys should be proud of some excellent performances in the second half of the season; their attitude and commitment have been excellent and a credit to the club. I would like to thank all the parents for their continued support in what has been a challenging season. With greater stability in the second half of the season, the team has produced some excellent and attractive football resulting in a number of exciting and competitive games. Hopefully, next season we can build on what we have achieved and continue to improve which should lead to a much more successful campaign. Finally thanks to Helen Ball for an excellent job running the line and to Maria for the cakes.
Team: J Russell, B Proper, L Williams, A Martin, B Muinami, D Dennis, J Roberson, T Walker, B Tombs A Ball, J Kent Subs S Lawson, T Homer
2nd May 2010
Saxton Rovers 4 – Oxford City Colts 1
So the season finale saw City visit League Champions Saxton at their Abingdon ground on a wet Sunday morning. With key players unavailable and some not a hundred percent fit this was always going to be a difficult way in which to end the 2009-10 season. Steven Lawson had not recovered from his hamstring injury, Tom Homer was still feeling his bruised back and with Jack Kent feeling unwell, City struggled to get eleven fit players on the pitch.
Despite these fitness worries, City started the game brightly and attempted to continue their run of good form. Saxton were, however, a strong and talented side and immediately put the City defence under pressure with a combination of speed and ability. Indeed it was easy to see why the home side had won the league as they created a number of early chances. And after 15 minutes they took the lead; Saxton’s fastest striker sprinting away from the defence and into the box before rounding the keeper and tucking the ball into the corner of the net.
Saxton increased their lead a few minutes later when the same player chipped the ball into the roof of net after City failed to clear a cross from the right wing. But it was not all one-way traffic and for the last ten minutes of the half City came back into the game hitting both the bar and the post in their efforts to score. However, it was obviously not going to be their day as the ball failed to run kindly for the City attack.
With two more boys reporting knocks at half time it was difficult to know who to send out for the second half and it was this that proved City’s downfall against strong opposition. Because of injuries, City lacked the strength to force their way back into the game, an attribute they have displayed in a number of recent matches; and this allowed Saxton to dominate proceedings and create a number of chances. City can thank goalkeeper Joe Russell for keeping the score down as he denied the home side on a number of occasions. But with City under relentless pressure, Saxton always looked likely to increase their lead and their third goal came from a corner; an excellent delivery to the far post was met with a firm header. Moments later Saxton added a fourth when there strikers were first to react to Joe Russell’s parry from yet another shot.
City salvaged some pride in the last few minutes when Jack Kent thumped Ben Tombs’ cross into the roof of the net, but overall Saxton deserved their victory. So a difficult final game away to the champions saw City’s recent revival come to an end; but the boys should be proud of some excellent performances in the second half of the season; their attitude and commitment have been excellent and a credit to the club. I would like to thank all the parents for their continued support in what has been a challenging season. With greater stability in the second half of the season, the team has produced some excellent and attractive football resulting in a number of exciting and competitive games. Hopefully, next season we can build on what we have achieved and continue to improve which should lead to a much more successful campaign. Finally thanks to Helen Ball for an excellent job running the line and to Maria for the cakes.
Team: J Russell, B Proper, L Williams, A Martin, B Muinami, D Dennis, J Roberson, T Walker, B Tombs A Ball, J Kent Subs S Lawson, T Homer