Ashtead Colts vs AFC Ewell U9 Match, 2-1 written by Tim Lawrence
Ashtead took all three points with a winning goal late in the final quarter, but not all the plaudits in a well contested match. AFC looked the stronger of the two teams in the first half and took an early lead with a fantastic individual goal from Albert. Ashtead started to compose themselves in the 2nd half and looked more threatening in the final third of the pitch. AFC failed to clear a corner only for Ashtead to equalise with a shot low into the corner. AFC had to defend more in the final quarter and late on Ashtead capitalized after a great through ball was dispatched past the advancing George.
Starting Line-up:
Albert, Leo, Frankie
Flynn, Lukas
Noah
George in the sticks
Subs: Harrison, Finn & Teddy
As it happened:
It was a cold but dry day that saw a welcome return to Saturday football after the latest lockdown break! Excited chatter ensued as we all managed to catch up on how many walks and parks everyone had visited during lockdown and seeing the kids out there enjoying themselves, ensured it was once again a perfect day for a game of soccer!
Top marks to the referee who had donned the finest referee’s authentic kit! He needs to fine tune his whistle though as he starts the game with a half-hearted “toooooot!”
1st Quarter:
Flynn gets an early shot away but easy for their keeper to collect.
Ashtead work the ball forward and get a shot away but high and over!
It quickly became evident the opposition had a “Flynn” and “Harrison” on their team which took a bit of getting used to!
Flynn working hard in midfield passes the ball to Leo but intercepted.
Flynn picks up the ball and manages to get a shot away but wide.
GOAL 0-1: AFC take the lead with a superb goal from Albert who beats one, then manages to ride the next tackle to poke the ball past the keeper! Great goal!
Albert continues to work wonders down the left side and passes to Leo who’s one-two with Flynn earns a corner.
Albert and Frankie link up well, but Albert’s shot is wide.
An excellent sliding tackle from Flynn breaks up the Ashtead attack and out for a throw.
Lukas breaks up the next Ashtead attack with a cracking tackle and advances the entire length of the pitch with a fantastic run, but his shot is saved!
2nd Quarter:
The ref gets the 2nd quarter underway with another feeble rasp from his whistle. Noah gets straight to work with a crunching tackle to win the ball. Then it’s Lukas’ turn who’s in with another reducer and manages to pass up to Leo.
AFC win a corner after an excellent tackle from Albert.
Matt makes a change and off come Frankie, Lukas & Noah and on come Harrison, Finn & Teddy.
AFC cross the ball and Albert gets his head to it but just wide, unlucky!
AFC’s next move sees Albert beating his man (again) and gets his cross in but Ashtead manage to clear.
The ball works to Teddy who gets a shot away which hits the defender and he has another shot which is saved.
Ashtead advance forward and a rare attack sees George called in to action with a solid save as the ball is blasted at him.
Harrison breaks down the Ashtead attack with a superb tackle.
Flynn slides in with another tremendous tackle and out for a throw… awesome work!
Harrison picks the ball up deep in the AFC half, drops his shoulder and he’s away towards the Ashtead goal on a great run but can’t quite get his shot away… unlucky!
3rd Quarter:
Harrison picks up where he left off with the first thought in his mind of beating his man, again!....H manages to get his cross in but Ashtead defend well.
AFC’s “move of the match” sees the ball worked from the back to a goal scoring opportunity; George rolls to Finn, to Flynn to Teddy to Leo who manages a shot but their keeper saves… Great move!
Ashtead apply some pressure with a good move and AFC defend well as George blocks the ball and out for a corner.
GOAL 1-1: AFC are unable to clear the corner and Ashtead strike low and into the corner which George can’t quite get his hand to!
Teddy puts in a great tackle and out for an AFC throw. Albert launches the ball forward to Leo manages to poke it through, but the keeper is there and that is the end of the action for the 3rd quarter!
4th Quarter:
Flynn, Albert & Leo are taken off and on come Frankie, Lukas and Noah.
Noah sweeps up well at the back with an excellent read and clears well!
Ashtead work the ball forward but Harrison tracks back well and George sees the ball out for a Goal Kick.
What a class tackle from Lukas who takes the ball first, then the player….timed to perfection.
AFC are having to defend more in the final quarter and Noah puts in a great tackle!
Lukas turns well but is pressured for and out for an AFC throw.
Ashtead work another move forwards, but a cool touch from Noah gives him all the time he needs to look up and pick his pass…great play!
Harrison is having a great battle with his marker as he puts in a great tackle and out for a corner!
GOAL 2-1: Ashtead work the ball forward and AFC are caught on the back foot as a great ball is slotted through the defence. George came off his line to close the gap, but the striker was able to poke it home which secured the 3 points for the home side.
A crunching blow right at the end for AFC as it felt like a draw would’ve been a fair result!