Match Report 14.01.18

Aylsham FC U12 v Costessey Sports FC U12 United, Youngs Park

An overcast morning at Youngs Park as Aylsham FC U12 hosted Costessey Sports FC U12 United in the Norfolk Combined Youth Football League Premiership this morning (Sunday 14th January), reacquainting themselves after meeting in the Kappa Cup last week.

Costessey kicked off and immediately looked to play directly with a long ball down the middle, Tyler, at right back, confidently clearing under pressure. The opening few minutes were frantic with neither side being able to keep possession. Mitchy raced down the right wing after Denver’s ball forward in the 3rd minute and cut inside to create a shooting chance but put it just wide. Mitchy was involved again soon after with a long throw into the box that Denver flicked on to Jack who took a great first touch but saw his shot blocked by two Costessey defenders.

Freddy, playing as a lone striker, was getting good service from the wide players Mitchy and Jack but found himself surrounded by defenders having to show great strength to keep the moves alive. In the 10th minute Mitchy and Jack swapped flanks and Aylsham continued to look threatening from wide areas with Freddy winning a corner after a promising break that was well defended. The corner was cleared but Ollie did well to meet the second ball to prevent a one on one with the pacy visiting striker.

Aylsham almost took the lead in the 16th minute after Adam found Mitchy in space on the left. Mitchy put over a glorious ball spotting Jack’s run into the box. Jack’s technique was perfect, hitting the ball first-time on the volley, but was unlucky to see it cannon off the cross bar, bounce on the line and out. Aylsham took charge of the game and broke forward with pace and purpose, Mitchy firing just wide after good play by Jude. Mitchy and Freddy linked up well to bring a good save from the Costessey keeper on the very next attack.

Ollie took a knock in the 20th minute and was replaced by Josh with Denver moving to centre back. Calm play between Tyler and Adam led to another chance for Mitchy after a great run but again the busy Costessey keeper pulled off a great save. Good passing and movement and a neat one-two between Freddy and Jack created an opportunity for Adam in the box and, while he connected well with a volley, saw his effort bravely blocked. Josh showed great feet in a tight area but was closed down quickly just before he could get his shot away on the edge of the area as Aylsham continued to threaten. Freddy and Jack linked up well again and Jack’s left footed cross just evaded Mitchy ghosting in at the back post. The favour was repaid with Mitchy finding Jack whose shot wrong footed the keeper but flashed inches wide from the edge of the area as half time approached. There was still time for a couple more half chances with Denver and Josh going close but the whistle blew to signal the end of a half with Aylsham creating much the better opportunities but the score remaining goalless.

Aylsham kicked off the second half with Alfie and Archie replacing Jack and Tyler. Aylsham were straight on the offensive from the restart with Jude picking out Freddy’s great run but, after a great first touch, he lifted his shot just over the bar. Costessey were defending deep and closing down the ball quickly as the hosts looked to break the deadlock. Great interplay involving Archie, Jude, Freddy and Josh opened things up and Alfie just had the ball nipped off his toes as he looked to finish off a flowing move. A long ball from Costessey threatened to breach the Aylsham backline but Denver tracked his man well to nod it back to Loz who started a move from the back. Costessey had a good chance moments later but the shot flew over the bar from just inside the area.

Charlie came on for Mitchy in the 37th minute and linked up well with Josh after a good clearance from Loz. The ball was lifted over to Freddy on the right and while he found his way blocked by defenders was able to keep the move alive finding Charlie in the box. The ball was neatly moved around on the edge of the area with Josh and Jude involved before finding Alfie with his back to goal. Alfie twisted and turned drawing defenders to him before releasing it to Charlie who placed a right foot shot into the far corner of the net to give the hosts a well deserved lead with 38 minutes gone.

Aylsham continued to press and found themselves up against a determined opponent who were defending doggedly. Loz was called into action after a break from the visitors, confidently holding a shot from distance. The game was being played at a breathtaking pace with both sides looking for the crucial next goal. Denver put in a fantastic sliding challenge in the box to prevent a shooting chance and Archie sent Freddy away but he was crowded out under pressure looking to get a cross over. The pace of the Costessey forward line almost caused problems for the home side but Denver and Adam combined well to clear the danger. Jude lined up a shot from distance but unfortunately struck the ball over the bar and moments later Alfie crashed a shot just wide as Aylsham looked to further their advantage.

As Costessey looked to push men forward they were undone in the 46th minute after their move broke down and Denver cleared his lines putting a long ball over for Alfie to chase. Alfie stayed strong and calm under pressure as he advanced into the box before expertly slotting home after drawing the keeper off his line giving Aylsham a two goal cushion. The home side had another opportunity to further their advantage after a great cross by Charlie found Alfie but a brave block deflected the ball away as Alfie rifled his shot towards goal.

Costessey got themselves back into the game in the 50th minute following a great through ball for the striker to chase and he calmly slotted the ball into the net to reduce the deficit. Undeterred Aylsham continued on the offensive and from a corner Alfie headed wide under pressure. Moments later Loz had to rush quickly off his line to clear from another ball through the middle as the visitors went in search of an equaliser.

Adam made way for Mitchy to come on at left back in the 52nd minute. Two minutes later Aylsham restored their two goal advantage with their third of the game after another clearance by Denver found its way through to Alfie on the run down the right channel. Alfie shifted the ball back onto his left before skilfully beating three players on his way into the box and planting an unstoppable shot across the keeper into the corner of the net for 3-1 Aylsham.

Jack replaced Freddy and Ollie returned for Denver as the game entered the last 5 minutes. Loz found Archie in space and he sent Jack scampering down the right wing. An accurate pass into Alfie was switched out to Charlie on the left and he let fly, bringing a fantastic diving save from the Costessey keeper. Aylsham still had to be on their guard for the quick Costessey break and Ollie did well matching the striker stride for stride before perfectly timing his challenge to bring the ball away.

Aylsham almost scored again after a crisp move started by Loz rolling the ball to Mitchy. Mitchy looked up and struck a great ball through to Alfie who beat his defender but saw his shot brilliantly blocked by the keeper with the loose ball being hacked clear just before Charlie could reach it and apply the finish. It was like a game of pinball after Jack’s throw in was dribbled into the box by Josh with Jude and Charlie both having efforts blocked.

In the last minute a great first touch by Jack gave Jude the chance to cross and again the Costessey keeper pulled off a great save from Alfie’s first time shot. Alfie was close to completing his hat trick seconds later after a great through ball by Josh but a great block kept it out and the keeper did well to save Jack’s follow-up shot from outside the box. The final whistle blew with Aylsham finishing the game in the ascendency but Costessey making them work hard for their 10th straight league victory to remain clear at the top of the Norfolk Combined Youth Football League Premiership with a game in hand.