U18 Match Report: Blackstones v Royston Town

Date Wednesday 10 March 2011
Match Blackstones v Royston Town
Competition Ridgeons Youth League: West Division
Result Won 3-0
Royston Scorers Hennessey, Duffin(2)

The Under 18's made the long trip to Stamford in Lincolnshire for this Wednesday night game but made light work of what looked a difficult game on paper. The Young Crows put on a good attacking performance and but for some excellent goalkeeping and some clearances off the line the eventual winning margin could have been far greater.

Another encouraging sign was the inclusion of six Under 16's in the squad ; goalkeeper Owen Bentley keeping a second consecutive clean sheet , Ryan Omahoney and Jake Booth making debuts with Matt Brennan, Dan Sizer and Ollie Wheeler all featuring. Their performances on the night were a clear insight into future talent in the youth ranks progressing through.

The biggest surprise of the night was that it took 37 minutes for Royston to open the scoring. The majority of the play was confined deep in the Blackstones half and the near miss count was at a high number before that first goal.

At the other end Blackstones went close on two occasions from corners but Owen Bentley was not actually called on to make a defining save until late in the second half.

The opening goal was scored and well taken by Luke Hennessey. Ryan Webb beat a couple of tackles and sent a swift diagonal ball into the winger's path and he broke clear of the home defence to slip under the advancing keeper.

The tone continued in the second half as pressure was instilled on the home goal although the hosts made a better fist of the game abd were better in attack keeping the Royston backline on their toes.

Goal number two came in the 66th minute when Daniel Bond ran onto a ball in the left channel, raced into the area and pulled the ball back for George Duffin to score from ten yards.

The win was cemented in the 80th minute when Ryan Webb raced onto Ollie Wheeler's through ball. Whilst the keeper made one of a number of tremendous saves on the evening he couldn't keep the ball from reaching Duffin from his initial block and the striker scored with ease from close range.

Overall and exceptionally good attacking performance from the whole Royston side and their next game at Stotfold next Thursday is well set up with this win.

Team: Bentley Brennan Hodgson (O'Mahony) Mullings Sizer (Wheeler) Reed Carthy Hennessey Duffin Bond (Booth) Webb