Date	Sunday 24th November 2013
Match	Royston Town Youth v Godmanchester Rovers
Competition	Cambridge & District Colts League Div 16A
Result	Drew 1-1
Royston Scorers	Sam

We welcomed Goddy to Fowlmere on a perfect afternoon for football the pitch was in excellent condition and we looked forward to the return fixture against the league leaders. Goddy beat us 5-0 earlier on in the season so we knew it would be a tough afternoon. We lost Eamon just before kick off with a recurrence of his back injury which was a blow but we have a good squad so knew we could cope. We had shown signs last week that we were finding some rhythm to our play so we hoped that they would gain confidence from that performance. We changed from our normal formation which meant some players also had to be more versitile. We reminded them that we did not do ourselves justice in that first game and although Goddy are an excellent side we had to show them that we could also play. It was important the front two worked the channels and the full back’s joined in at the right times but we also closed them down and tried to stop the service to there dangerous front two.

 

This was a game we needed to start well and that’s exactly what happened we had a real good tempo to our play and was passing the ball with real confidence but also when we did not have the ball we worked so hard to get it back and not allow them time to settle. Rhys and Sam were giving there defenders a real hard time and I felt we needed to score in this passage of play and that’s exactly what we did.

 

Bradley collected a throw from James R and laid it back to

him James R then knocked the ball down the line for Rhys who pulled his cross back for Sam to hit his shot first time past the keeper a great move and a goal we deserved on the balance of play. The next ten minutes would be vital and to our credit we kept our focus and although the game was now more even we were defending well. More good football down our right ended when James R put over a great cross which was meet on his head by Richard only for there keeper to pull off a fantastic save and as the ball rolled free we did not react quickly enough and the danger was cleared.Goddy then had a good spell themselves and we did not help matters by giving away too many soft free kicks. Freddie found himself in the refs note book after a reckless challenge when his enthusiasm got the better of him. With five minutes left of the first half Goddy found an equaliser when the ref pointed to the spot after a challenge in our area it was soft but I had a good view of it and the ref got it right. Robbie whose handling had been excellent had no chance with the penalty which went in via the post. Goddy then attacked us again and under another challenge in our box their player went to ground only this time the ref waved play on, and that was the end of the first half which had been fantastic entertainment for a big crowed.

 

We were pleased with the first half effort but we needed an eighty minute performance this week and made sure the boys remained focused and kept up the determination and commitment that had shown in that first half. Goddy would come out fired up as we had been the better team that half so we had to be on it right from the start. AJ who had not been well this week had to come off at half time as he was feeling dizzy so Sam would drop back into midfield and James B would come on up front.

 

To there credit Goddy did come out really strong but we also started well and it was a real tight affair. Chances were at a minimum but again a good move down our right ended with a great effort from James R which hit the inside of the post and ended up in the keepers arms. Goddy were seeing more of the ball and putting us under pressure but as a defensive unit we were excellent and although Goddy were creating chances none were really clear cut. We were now playing more on the break and on one occasion James B shot come cross hit the top of the cross bar and went over then another quick break this time down our left ended when Richard seemed to be fouled in there box but the ref waved away our appeals. We kept our shape really well and although those last ten minutes were played mostly in our half we saw the match out for a deserved share of the points.

 

This really was an excellent game with both teams fully committed and some of the football played really was top draw. It would be unfair to signal players out today but there were some outstanding performances from a number of them. Both teams will feel they could have won it but overall I think neither team deserved to lose. We today gave a performance we all know they are capable of but like I said to them afterwards we need to produce this on a regular basis if we want to compete for trophies, they have now set the standard and it’s up to them to maintain it.

 

I was really pleased with all aspects of today’s performance of cause it was not perfect but we showed when we are on it we are a match for anyone, well done today boys.