Aylsham U12s Go Marching On

Match Report 08.10.17

Aylsham FC U12 v Wymondham Town FC U12 Hawks, Ketts Park

The weather was overcast with rain in the air as Wymondham Town FC U12 Hawks welcomed Aylsham FC U12 to Ketts Park this morning (Sunday 8th October) in the Norfolk Combined Youth Football League Premiership.

Aylsham kicked off and put together a flowing seven man move that ended in a hurried clearance to give the visitors a corner. Jack floated over a centre that just evaded the late run of Charlie as Aylsham looked to take an early lead.

The Ketts Park pitch was heavy and both teams found it difficult to get their passing game going. Players struggled with their first touch and misplaced passes meant few chances were created in the opening exchanges. Denver and Jaiden worked well to find an opening but with Wymondham defending deeply the promising move was broken down.

A corner routine straight from the training ground with the Aylsham players making well orchestrated late runs almost broke the deadlock. Jack put in another accurate centre that Jaiden met with his head but a great block on the line kept the ball out. In the next attack Jude, Archie and Denver opened up space in the midfield allowing Ollie a shot at goal that was deflected narrowly wide. From the resultant corner Jaiden won the header again but directed the ball just over the bar.

Not to be outdone Jaiden opened the scoring on 12 minutes with a fine finish. Jude won the ball in midfield playing the ball out wide right where Jack crossed in to Denver who directed it with his head back to the advancing Jude. Jude took a great touch before sliding it left into Jaiden’s path who without breaking his stride arrowed a sweet left footed drive that the keeper could only help into the top corner of the net.

Aylsham were confident in playing out from the back and a quick goal kick from Loz started a blistering move from defence to attack as Tyler went on a mazy run from deep inside his own half. Tyler committed the Wymondham defenders forward before releasing Jaiden down the left and only a desperate last ditch challenge prevented the cross reaching Charlie in the middle.

Jude broke up a promising Wymondham move with a solid challenge then found Denver in space. The midfielder broke forward at pace before sending Jack scampering down the right. Jack outpaced his defender and looked to chip the goalkeeper but at full stretch he managed to claw it away. Moments later Jaiden lifted a ball forward that Charlie was onto in a flash. Despite three players converging on him Charlie stayed strong and managed to get a shot away that was well stopped by the busy home keeper.

Wymondham had a couple of breaks forward but the defensive unit worked well with Archie, Ollie and Tyler keeping well organised and strong in front of Loz. An accurate clearance from Loz was nicely controlled by Jack as the ball dropped to him on the volley. Jack spotted Charlie’s run into space and found him with a ball over the top. While the striker connected well from just outside the box the keeper made another smart save.

This served as a sighter as Charlie got his reward moments later. Jaiden skipped past his defender and pulled a low cross back to Charlie. Despite his first shot being blocked Charlie showed great feet to keep the move alive, twisting and turning to create enough space to bury the ball into the bottom corner for 2-0 Aylsham on 24 minutes.

The rain began to fall as the half neared it’s end but with the only further action being a dog running onto the pitch stopping play the teams took a break with the visitors firmly in control of the game.

Alfie and Josh came on at half-time and Aylsham were immediately on the offensive with Josh winning a free kick on the Aylsham left three minutes into the second half. Denver played a short one-two with Tyler before beating three players on his way towards the box. Denver’s low cross was only half cleared and Josh expertly shifted the ball from his left foot across his body before curling a superb right footed effort into the top corner giving the keeper no chance.

Two minutes later Loz found Jack out wide right with a great pass and his through-ball sent Alfie bursting forward. His defender matched him stride for stride but could only put it behind under pressure. Denver and Jack combined well from the short corner creating an opportunity for the latter to shoot after cutting inside his marker. While his shot was blocked in the six yard box Jack blocked the clearance with the ball rebounding to Denver. Denver’s left footed cross wasn’t collected cleanly by the keeper and Alfie was onto it in a flash, protecting the ball with his back to goal before turning expertly and guiding the ball into the net.

Aylsham really has their tails up at this stage and a further two minutes later had their fifth goal. From a goal kick, Loz’s clearance was helped on by Alfie who then picked up the loose ball. Alfie sent Jack away down the right with a pass into space and after running half the length of the pitch he put in a cross-shot that the keeper could only parry. Jude was on hand in support to poke the ball left-footed past the keeper to further the visitors advantage.

Aylsham were finding plenty of space as the game became more open with Archie trying to get in on the act with a shot from distance that stung the hands of the goalkeeper. From a corner Ollie came forward to intercept the clearance and lifted the ball onto Jack who saw his overhead volley drop just wide of the far post. On the very next attack Jack just couldn’t quite wrap his foot around a deep cross from Denver putting the ball over from a tight angle.

Charlie and Jaiden came back into the fray and Ollie and Charlie combined well to create a chance for Alfie that the keeper kept out with a diving save. A long throw from Archie was flicked on by Josh and Alfie struck a ferocious volley that tested the keeper again. Jack and Charlie combined well down the right and the latter’s cross was cleared out to Jude who lashed a left foot volley just over from outside the box as Aylsham threatened time and again.

Three minutes from the end a Jack corner was only half cleared and Jaiden did well to keep the attack alive. Jaiden’s cross broke to Josh who worked hard to win the ball back under pressure threading the ball accurately between three players to find Alfie in the box. A great first touch was followed by a powerful left footed shot that flew across the keeper into the far corner to make it 6-0 to Aylsham.

Josh put pressure on a Wymondham defender from a goal kick and he and Alfie combined nicely in the box to create another chance but Josh put his shot just wide as the game approached its conclusion.

Aylsham still had to keep their concentration to maintain their clean sheet as Wymondham broke forward in the final passage of play. A long ball forward set the home striker away. Loz narrowed the angle and sent his opponent wide but he still managed to roll the ball towards goal where Tyler had tracked back brilliantly to clear the ball off the line.

The final whistle blew to bring to an end a game that Aylsham had controlled for long periods deservedly winning 6-0 and cementing their place at the top of the U12 Premiership.