Match Report 24.09.17
Aylsham FC U12 v Holt United FC U12, Holt Sports Centre
Another bright and sunny Sunday as Holt United FC U12 hosted Aylsham FC U12 at Holt Sports Centre this morning (24th September) in the second game of the Norfolk Combined Youth Football league season.
Straight from the opening whistle Aylsham were on the offensive creating the first chance in the first minute. A throw in from Jack on the left was only half cleared to Josh who struck a shot from the edge of the box that the keeper gathered safely.
This set the tone as Aylsham dominated the early exchanges. Good play out from the back saw Aylsham head forward with Charlie releasing Josh down the right channel. As Josh threatened to break free his legs were clipped as he reached the edge of the box winning a free kick. Alfie bent the ball in left footed which just evaded the back post. From the resultant goal kick Jack made a good interception and found Alfie in space who put a shot on target that the keeper stopped low down as Aylsham continued to threaten. Mitchy, Josh, Adam and Alfie all had shots charged down as Holt defended doggedly.
Aylsham were very much on top and it was only a matter of time before the deadlock was broken. On 7 minutes Jack won a tackle on the left flank finding Mitchy in space with a nice pass who in turn found Alfie on the edge of the area. Alfie’s quick feet brought the ball under control as he made his way into the area before drawing the keeper and firing the ball into the corner of the net to give the visitors the lead.
Moments later good interplay between Jude, Alfie and Mitchy created a chance for the latter to put in a cross-shot that the keeper held well high above his head at the near post. Ollie and Adam at the centre of defence were called into action as Holt went in search of an equaliser but they stood strong, protected Loz and distributed well. Loz came off his line swiftly to prevent the Holt striker from reaching a through ball before immediately starting another Aylsham foray forward.
A throw in just inside the Holt half by Jack on 13 minutes sent Mitchy away and his deep cross was headed back across goal by Charlie. As Alfie contested the header a Holt defender deflected the ball away with his hand and a penalty was awarded. Mitchy stepped up, blasting the ball straight down the middle where the keeper could only parry it into the net. Unfortunately the referee had not blown his whistle so ordered a retake. Mitchy kept his focus and sent a rocket of a penalty firmly to the keepers left and while he got a hand to it could only deflect it into the corner of the net for 2-0 Aylsham.
The visitors third goal wasn’t far away as Aylsham won a corner on 15 minutes. Jack delivered from the left and while a Holt defender climbed highest to head the centre away Jude reacted well to the bouncing ball to nod the ball back to Jack in space. Jack put in a delicious cross that Mitchy ran onto and outmuscled his defender before directing a firm header into the bottom corner.
Tyler, Archie and Denver came into the fray with Jack, Charlie and Jude making way. Very much against the run of play Holt pulled a goal back with a smart right footed finish into the corner of the net after a midfielder header forward.
Two minutes later the three goal cushion was restored as Josh and Alfie combined well down the right. Josh’s deep cross was brilliantly brought down by Mitchy who arrowed a half volley past the keeper.
On the very next attack an almost carbon copy finish from Mitchy, this time from Alfie’s cross-field ball, furthered Aylsham’s advantage. Denver battled well to win the ball deep in the Holt half finding Alfie just outside the box but his snap shot flew just wide.
Ollie tried to get in on the goalscoring action running on to a Holt clearance drilling a low shot that the keeper brilliantly tipped round the post. From the resulting corner Denver headed just wide.
Denver made amends on the very next attack finishing off a fine flowing move involving seven players with the ball being moved from Loz at the back through the midfield to Archie at the back post who centred for Denver to slide home. A very one-sided half came to an end with Aylsham very much on top leading 6-1 having played some mouth watering football throughout.
The visitors continued to show their dominance as the second half began as another fine move in the midfield found Mitchy showing his defender a clean pair of heels before lifting a cross onto the head of the on-rushing Jack but his effort missed by a whisker.
Loz was called into action moments later showing safe hands from a firmly struck shot from just inside the area. A great piece of skill from Charlie on the right created a chance to cross picking out Jude who planted his header just over as Aylsham continued to press. Jack showed quick feet in the box, twisting and turning past three players before a last ditch tackle prevented the shot but the loose ball was well struck by Jude forcing a smart safe from the Holt keeper gathering at the second attempt.
A quick short corner from Mitchy gave Ollie a chance to drive a cross in low that Jack back-heeled into the net but the linesman adjudged Tyler to be in an offside position as he jumped over the ball and the goal was unfortunately disallowed.
Holt kept men behind the ball and frustrated Aylsham restricting the visitors to shots from distance as the game became a little scrappy at times. Jude managed to break free of his marker and released Alfie making a great run into the right channel. Alfie cut inside his defender and drilled a shot that was too hot for the keeper to handle deflecting the ball into the net.
Moments later Archie and Denver created an opportunity for a shot at goal by Jude but the keeper kept it out. A great move was started by Loz as Aylsham moved the ball quickly from back to front with another shot from Jude being brilliantly saved again by the busy Holt keeper.
As the game entered the last 5 minutes Aylsham scored again as a deep corner from Mitchy was volleyed home by Denver to make it 8-1 to the visitors.
On the very next attack Adam picked out Alfie in space who took a touch before burying a long range effort into the top corner giving the keeper no chance – cue the “Aylsham handshake” celebration!
Aylsham had a couple more attacks but couldn’t add to their goal tally finishing the game in control happy with their efforts to go top of the U12 Premiership table after a dominant 9-1 victory.
