Match Report 18.11.18
Aylsham FC U13 v Holt United U13, Holt Sports Centre
Aylsham FC U13 travelled north to take on Holt United U13 at Holt Sports Centre this morning (Sunday 18th November) in their latest Norfolk Combined Youth Football League U13 Premiership fixture.
In bright but breezy conditions Holt kicked off and looked to get the ball forward quickly and directly. After Aylsham couldn’t clear a throw the ball was hooked back into the area where a snapshot from a home striker flew just wide. There was a contrast of styles but nothing between the teams early on however Aylsham got their noses in front in the 5th minute. Ronnie was first to a loose ball finding Jaiden in space who moved it forward to Freddy in turn playing it into Alfie. Josh made a darting run down the right and he was well found by Alfie and he took the ball past his man before lifting a cross-shot over the keeper into the back of the net to give the visitors the lead.
Aylsham looked to play passing football and Holt were a determined opposition, closing down the space quickly and fighting for every ball. In the 12th minute Aylsham had the ball in the net again after Alfie powerfully headed home a Freddy free-kick but the referee had spotted an infringement in the area so the goal was disallowed. Holt were putting together some nice moves and the Aylsham defence were put under pressure but dealt with the quick ball forward well. The visitors created a half chance from a corner that was put in deep by Alfie and while Ronnie timed his run perfectly, volleyed just past the post. From the goal-kick Freddy was presented with a chance to shoot but a brave block took the sting out of the shot and the keeper gathered it comfortably.
In the 31st minute Brad came on for Ronnie down the left and was immediately into action combining nicely with Jack to play out of trouble and set Aylsham moving forwards, winning a throw-in deep in the Holt half. Although the initial throw was cleared, Jack was first to it recovering possession and setting Brad away down the left and the ball was worked back into Jaiden who picked out Josh on the right. A perfectly weighted cross was put into the box but Freddy was just off target with his effort. For the remainder of the half both sides cancelled each other out with the whistle blowing to signal the end of a very even first period with Aylsham leading 1-0.
Aylsham began the second half with a slight wind at their backs. The opening exchanges were frantic with neither side able to maintain possession. The visitors did put together a nice move but the goalkeeper accelerated off his line to snatch the ball away as Freddy looked to poke the ball home after a clever pass lifted through by Josh. Five minutes into the second period Denver took a breather with Ronnie coming back on the left flank with Brad moving more centrally.
In the 47th minute Holt drew level after a free kick on the halfway line was launched forward that breached the Aylsham backline and while the ball was initially cleared it dropped to a home player just inside the box who made no mistake to make it 1-1. Aylsham looked to get back in front after calm play by Jack moved the ball to Freddy and he, Mitchy, Ronnie and Brad combined well to give Alfie an opportunity to shoot but his volley from outside the box dropped narrowly wide.
In the 59th minute, Holt went extremely close to taking the lead from a dangerous cross that Adam punched away but the ball dropped to a Holt player. He took a touch to steady himself and struck it powerfully from the edge of the six yard box but Jack had closed down quickly to make a goal saving block. Moments later Holt did put the ball in the net but the linesman’s flag was raised to rule out the effort for offside. Holt has their tails up and were putting pressure on the Aylsham defence but the back four were well organised and kept their shape to keep the scores level. Jude read a promising Holt attack perfectly to clear a dangerous cross under pressure as the home side continued on the offensive. Another great chance fell to a Holt player but Ollie put in a brave sliding challenge to prevent a certain goal after neat footwork in the box as Aylsham hung on. Adam was called into action shortly after but held a shot from distance well.
Despite Holt having the best of the play the last two minutes belonged to Aylsham and they could well have sneaked a second goal with two very close efforts. First Freddy’s through-ball was half cleared to Brad and his first-time shot from distance looked goal-bound until a superb diving save from the Holt goalkeeper tipped it round the post. Following this Alfie swung in a dangerous corner that the home keeper did well to punch clear under pressure and the ball fell to Ronnie but poked his shot agonisingly wide. The final whistle blew to bring the end to a pulsating game that could have gone either way with a draw probably a fair result in the end. Aylsham maintaining their unbeaten record to remain top of the Norfolk Combined Youth Football League U13 Premiership.
