Aylsham U13s Made To Work Hard For Away Victory
Match Report 25.11.18
Aylsham FC U13 v Sprowston Hawks U13, Open Academy
Aylsham FC U13 travelled to face Sprowston Hawks U13 at Open Academy this afternoon (Sunday 25th November) in their latest Norfolk Combined Youth Football League U13 Premiership fixture.
Sprowston kicked off and looked to get the ball forward quickly. Jack chased a long throw by Adam down the right and forced a hurried clearance that Brad won in the air, the ball falling to Jude who linked well with Freddy before a through-ball sent Brad into the box but his first-time strike was well saved by the home keeper diving down to his left. Aylsham were playing some good football, moving the ball around quickly. From a Sprowston throw deep in their own half Jack won a header directing it to Josh who showed great feet to beat his marker before arrowing a pass into the path of Mitchy on the left who struck his shot well but it flew just past the far post.
Sprowston won a free kick down their left which was swung into the area where Denver headed clear. The ball went back into the Aylsham box where a home attacker got to it just before Bailey to direct it goalwards but Denver was on hand again to clear off the line. The hosts created another chance after a corner was only half cleared back to the taker who sent in a dangerous cross that Freddy had to read well to block a shot from inside the six yard box. Two minutes later Sprowston went close again following a ball over the top that sent the home striker away down the right but his shot flew just wide of the far post. Soon after Aylsham defended doggedly with Denver making a brave block and Jaiden getting a vital touch to prevent another Sprowston shot at goal.
After having to work hard to keep Sprowston at bay Aylsham took the lead in the 20th minute after Jack was first to a goal-kick to prevent it going any further up the pitch. Freddy was strongest and won the bouncing ball against his opponent and lifted it forward. A home defender headed it out of the Sprowston box where it sat up nicely for Jack to strike a dipping first-time volley that flew past the keeper from outside the area to make it 1-0 to Aylsham. The goal seemed to settle the visitors and they played with much more fluidity and confidence, passing the ball quickly and with purpose.
Aylsham put together a flowing move that almost resulted in their second goal a few minutes later. The move began with Ollie’s long throw that was headed back to Jaiden who calmly played it into Josh’s feet who ghosted past two players before passing it wide to Jack. Jack played a skilful back-heel flick returning the ball into Josh’s path and he sold his marker a superb dummy driving forward away from a sliding challenge. A through-ball was played through to Brad and although his marker got a touch Jack retrieved it and passed inside to Freddy who showed great awareness to play it perfectly into Mitchy on the left who took a wonderful first touch but, while his shot beat the keeper, it went inches wide of the far post.
Despite having the bulk of the possession for a good period Aylsham still had to be on their guard as Sprowston went in search of an equaliser. A sharp chance fell to a home player in the visitor’s box but Bailey saved well low down. In the 27th minute Alfie came on replacing Brad up front and it didn’t take him long to get into the game after a throw from Ollie was worked from right to left by Freddy, Josh and Jude and Alfie let fly but his effort flew just past the upright. The last few minutes of the first half were evenly matched with Sprowston winning a free-kick that was pumped into the box with Adam doing well to prevent an attacker from getting a shot away. The whistle blew to signal the end of an entertaining and well contested half with the visitors leading by 1-0.
Aylsham kicked off the second period with Ronnie coming on for Mitchy down the left. The visitors put some nice moves together but found themselves up against determined opposition who were well organised, pressing and closing down quickly. Sprowston worked themselves a great opportunity from the left flank where a low cross was met perfectly by an onrushing player but Bailey was equal to it, diving full length to his left to clutch the goal-bound effort out of the air to keep his clean sheet intact. This was a crucial save as within a minute Aylsham doubled their advantage after a flowing move as the game entered the 43rd minute. Adam’s throw down the right was moved across the pitch following a neat one-two between Josh and Alfie with Ronnie taking the ball down the left flank. Although his path was blocked initially, the ball fell to Denver who lifted it to Josh via a touch off a Sprowston player’s head. Josh, with a nice piece of skill, created space for Ronnie to move into and Josh split three players with his pass to find his teammate. Ronnie beat an opponent on his way into the box picking out Alfie to his right who squared it to Freddy in a great position. Freddy took a perfect touch to steady himself before burying the ball into the corner of the net low down to the keeper’s left for 2-0 Aylsham.
In the 46th minute Sprowston broke forward with pace and looked to get in behind the Aylsham defence but Ollie tracked his man well and timed his challenge perfectly inside the area. Freddy headed the corner clear but the ball was sent back in quickly, Denver blocking the first cross and Jaiden heading the second attempt away with Josh completing the clearance. Sprowston were desperately trying to pull a goal back and kept the pressure on, Jude putting in a strong challenge and a last ditch tackle by Adam preserving Aylsham’s two goal lead.
Brad came back on for Jack in the 51st minute and in the 57th minute Mitchy returned for Jude. At this stage both sides seemed to be cancelling each other out with much of the play taking place in the central third. From a Sprowston corner Denver powerfully headed the ball away and a misplaced pass gave Alfie a chance to hold the ball up. Alfie picked out Mitchy who cut inside before looking for Freddy up in support. The home goalkeeper was first to it but his clearance was nodded to Alfie by Ronnie and a lifted pass was right onto Mitchy’s left foot but his well judged volley flew narrowly wide. Aylsham were creating the better chances but found themselves up against a well organised, determined and motivated opponent. A Sprowston player threw himself in front of the ball to block a shot from Alfie after good work from Freddy and moments later Josh picked out Ronnie on the left who cut inside onto his right foot and shot from distance that forced a good save from the keeper.
From an Aylsham goal-kick the ball was worked deep into Sprowston territory where Brad showed his marker a clean pair of heels before cutting it back to Alfie and only another brave block prevented the ball crossing the line from his first-time shot. With 6 minutes left the visitors had the ball in the net after a clinical finish from Brad following a through-ball from Alfie but the linesman’s flag had been raised for offside.
With 2 minutes remaining Aylsham went very close to adding a third goal after Mitchy intercepted a clearance before finding Freddy in space who moved it left to Ronnie, beating two players but finding his path blocked. Ronnie showed great awareness to lay it back to Mitchy who struck it first time with his right foot from midway inside the Sprowston half and was so unlucky to see his effort hit the crossbar and drop over. This proved to be the last action with Aylsham having to work hard for their 2-0 victory to stay top of the Norfolk Combined Youth Football League U13 Premiership.
