Date	Sunday 12th January 2014
Match	Cambridge Celts v Royston Town Youth
Competition	Cambridge & District Colts League U16 Div A
Result	Won 1-2
Royston Scorers	Rhys, Bradley

So first game back for a month and does it get much harder an away trip to Cambridge Celts who are top of the league winning all there games, we had prepared well with training sessions over Christmas as well as our usual days so we had no excuses there.

We had a full strength squad to choose from with Richard back from his ankle injury although he would start on the bench. Nothing new in that we wanted them to keep it simple be competitive and make sure we looked after the ball, we had worked on different situations at training and reminded them all of there responsibilities. The pitch was in excellent condition and was perfect for football.

With the start of the match always key it was a sluggish first ten minutes from us with Celts starting well and we were on the back foot and doing most of the defending. As the game wore on it became much more even with both sides creating half chances although neither keeper was really tested. We started to look dangerous especially out wide and when one attack broke down the ball fell to Bradley and his shot from out side the box hit the top of the bar.Celts responded with an attack of there own which produced an excellent save from Robbie down at his near post. The game was very competitive as you would imagine. Rhys and Sam were keeping the Celts defence on there toes and with Eamon and James R giving us options going forward we did have purpose when attacking.AJ was using the ball intelligently which allowed Freddie and Bradley to see plenty of it. We had to be switched on at all times at the back and on two occasion first Alasdair then Callum made good interceptions when Celts looked dangerous. Jack M was a steady influence with his decision making and made sure we were always organised, when the whistle went for half time it was all square with both teams evenly matched in a very entertaining game.

We felt at half time one goal would win the game so we had to stay focused at the back and make sure when we got a decent chance we took it, we wanted more options from our throws as far to often we had players standing still which was not creating the space needed, but apart from that first ten minutes we were pleased with what we had seen and sent them out for a big half.

 We might have started the first half slowly but were quick out of the blocks in the second half when first Sam saw his shot from an angle beat the keeper but roll just wide then the same player brought a great double save from the keeper when we put a great move together. It was not all one way traffic with Celts always looking dangerous when they went forward. Richard came on for Freddie to freshen things up and soon after Matt replaced Callum in a like for like swap. We continued to ask questions when with twenty minutes left we got an indirect free kick for a high foot just out side the box, Richard was on the ball with Sam ready to strike when Richard fooled everyone by playing a diagonal pass to Rhys who with one touch stroked the ball in the corner giving the keeper no chance. It was important that we now stayed focused because Celts would have to throw everything at us. The game was really open now with Celts throwing more players forward, we brought on James B and Jack O to give us more fresh legs and both steeped up to the mark. Robbie kept our lead in tact with a wonderful save but there was nothing he could do a minute latter when a cross from our left was met on his head by Celts forward leaving Robbie no chance. Back to all square but both teams still believed they could win, we were still playing some neat football and with five minutes left a Celts player conceded a corner under pressure, as he as done so often this season James R produced a perfect delivery which was meet on the volley six yards out by Bradley which left the keeper no chance and put us back in front, we had a real determination about us Ross came on to hold the ball up and we continued to have lots of the ball but with the game going in to injury time Robbie pulled off another save when he got down well to a shot  then with the last kick of the game the ball feel to a Celts player eight yards out but just as he was about to shoot Jack M made a fantastic tackle to make sure we held on and win a pulsating game between two well matched sides.

A part from that first ten minutes this really was an outstanding performance from all sixteen players used today who all played there part a big mention to all the subs as its not easy to come on in a game like that but all played there part in this victory. At times today we passed it as well as I can remember and looked to use the ball well and were not afraid to go backwards to keep it as usual we also did the dirty things well all putting there bodies on the line when needed and showing real determination. Richards pass for that first goal was so simple but so effective and Bradley showing that bit more determination to score the winning goal was fantastic, as I said this was a real team performance and all spectators will have there own man of the match today but for me Eamon,AJ and Jack M were three players who were up there today, we now have to repeat these performances week in and week out on a consistent basis, well done today your work ethic at training was a big factor on that performance today.