Date	Sunday 20th February 2011
Match	Royston Town Youth Colts v Symonds Green Youth
Competition	Royston Crow Youth Football League U11 Division 2
Result	Won 9-2
Royston Scorers	Mick 6, Lewis A, Matt, Bruce
Man of Match	Mick (great movement and finishing)

Team               Rory, Joe, JP, Brad, Callum, Matt, Mick, Lewis, Keiran, Tom F, Jack, Bruce, Charlie.

It was grey and overcast on a nippy morning up the Heath for another home league game, this week against Symonds Green. There was no real wind this week compared to the two previous weeks and we were looking forward to a good football match unaffected by the elements. The pitch, despite its various slopes, was in excellent condition after the copious rain that had decimated other weekend football fixtures.

 

We were without the versatile Tommy T and the rock solid Jamie C today, but we had a welcome debutant in Charlie, who would have the second half in goal and it was really great to see big Bruce back. We started 4-4-2 with Callum dropping back into central defence alongside JP and with Matt and Foxy providing the power in the midfield engine room.

 

The boys started the game confidently and were keeping their shape well, listening to Andy and me and were looking to impose themselves on the game early. There was a period of close contact midfield work from Foxy, Matt, Keiran and Jack with the Symonds Green boys getting equally stuck in as all the boys searched for a forward break-through. That break-through came with a strong win by Callum at the back and Matt picked up the ball and played a brilliant pass left for Mick to pick up, run on and left foot slot home for 1-0. Mick made the second on his own with some good closing down and finishing with a rare right foot goal for 2-0. The third goal came from another piercing pass from Keiran whose pass split the SG defence for Lewis to pick up in his stride and finish expertly for 3-0.  

 

Then as can happen, a rush of blood, as all the boys pushed up too much and switched off and Symonds Green got a good goal back with a long and well struck shot that hit the back of the net for 3-1. Not deterred the Royston boys surged forward again and a run and cross by Mick was only half cleared to Matt on the edge of the box – Matt took his time and sent a firm shot through the cluster of players to make the score 4-1. Symonds Green never gave up and their lively left winger was giving Brad a few problems and he got behind him with a good diagonal run and the ball was put into the danger area only for it to be deflected into the net for an unfortunate OG – 4-2.

 

Mick got his third from a throw in that he headed up and hit a shot on the volley that found the net for 5-2. Another quality forward pass by the scintillating Matt laid Mick’s fourth on a plate and he didn’t disappoint for 6-2 and Mick got his fifth from a poor goal kick that he punished without prejudice for 7-2. The half finished at 7-2 to the boys in white and black.

 

We made a few changes for the second half – we went three at the back with Brad having a brief rest and JP going to right back, leaving Callum as lone centre back, Rory coming out of goal to go 5 in midfield, Charlie going between the sticks to make his Colts debut following his transfer from Bassingbourn and big Bruce back upfront where he belongs and the hard-working Lewis having a short breather. 

 

The second half started with Royston still making most of the moves. A strong run up the right from Jack was thwarted and some good break up play from Foxy kept the pressure on. The Colts eighth goal came from some top quality ball skills from Keiran who found Bruce and his effortless through pass created the chance for Mick to take and score his sixth of the game – top stuff 8-2. Matt found Jack whose run and cross was snaffled by the SG keeper. A strong and determined run from Rory brought a shot on goal that was well saved. Bruce got a good goal by following up his own strong shot that was stopped but not held and he made the score 9-2. Keiran pushed on looking to notch but again the shot was saved. The slightly scrappier and disjointed second half came to an end with the final score at 9-2.

 

This was another good result with the Royston boys getting the win but they never really hitting top gear today. Symonds Green kept battling all game and their resilience was a credit to them. It may sound strange after winning 9-2 but the boys need to play better football and make better choices during the upcoming matches or else we may get found out in the important games ahead.

 

All we can ask if for them to keep the excellent work rate up.

 

Check out the photos at            http://www.rtfc.fotopic.net/c1944262.html