Match Report 01.10.17
Aylsham FC U12 v Fakenham Town FC U12, Youngs Park
Aylsham FC U12 continued their Norfolk Combined Youth Football League season with a mouthwatering fixture against Fakenham Town FC U12 at Youngs Park this morning (Sunday 1st October). Both teams were level on points at the top of the Premiership table with Aylsham in first place by just one goal so the expectant crowd faced the prospect of a top quality game of football between two sides boasting 100% records.
Aylsham kicked off in overcast conditions and put together a flowing five man move down the Fakenham right in the 1st minute. This seemed to set the tone for the home team’s approach to the game with Aylsham trying to play neat and intricate passing football at every opportunity. In contrast Fakenham were very direct in their style trying to get the ball forward quickly to their lone striker. The opening exchanges were very even with Fakenham attacking down the middle and the Aylsham back-line having to be resolute in defence. The home team were confident building moves from the back bringing the wide-men into play.
The first chance fell to Fakenham as the right winger cut inside onto his left foot before firing a rising shot over the bar. On 5 minutes Aylsham created their first chance when Mitchy put a long ball into space for Alfie to run onto. After outpacing his defender Alfie put a left footed shot across the keeper but just the wrong side of the far post.
Fakenham threatened to get the breakthrough on a couple of occasions with the home team having to work hard as a unit to clear their lines but on 10 minutes Aylsham nearly broke the deadlock. Denver put in a great tackle in midfield and released Mitchy down the left. Mitchy cut inside his defender before curling a right footed effort against the bar.
Two minutes later though Aylsham did take the lead after great interplay between Josh and Jack won a throw-in down the right. Jack’s long throw was cleared but Jude won the second ball to find Adam in space on the left. Adam moved the ball to Alfie who lifted it via a defender’s head to Mitchy who put in a fantastic cross. Denver had burst into the area and his outstretched right foot bravely volleyed the centre into the net for 1-0 Aylsham.
Aylsham looked to take control of the game and a break down the left created an opening for Josh but his shot from distance flew just over the bar. The home side grew in confidence and made incisive runs and passes moving the ball around the field quickly.
On 26 minutes Aylsham scored a well worked second goal turning defence into attack with a blistering move involving Jude, Adam and Mitchy. The ball was well worked to Alfie who turned quickly to find Jack in support. A great first touch by Jack allowed him time and space to spot Josh’s run and he picked out the midfielder with a diagonal ball into his path. Josh took the ball into the box before providing a clinical finish across the keeper to finish off a fine passage of play.
Aylsham continued in the ascendancy and came close to a third goal as half time approached. A cross from Josh was only half cleared and Alfie was onto it in a flash crashing a shot off the foot of the post. Moments later Jack and Alfie moved the ball across the pitch to release Mitchy bursting down the left but his low cross just evaded Denver in the box.
Aylsham still had to be on their guard at the back as Loz was forced into a smart save and on the very next Fakenham attack Ollie put in a great tackle to concede a corner. The high centre was met by a Fakenham defender who sent a free header just over the bar. The whistle blew to signal the end of an exciting half of football with Aylsham good value for their lead but finding Fakenham still very much in the game.
Aylsham went on the offensive immediately after the restart with a free-kick from Ollie just evading the head of Alfie in the box as the rain began to fall. Archie entered the fray and carried on the home side’s good defensive work putting in strong challenges to break down Fakenham attacks and distributing well from the back.
Loz was called into action early in the half as Fakenham won a free-kick down their right. The ball found its way through to a Fakenham player in the box and Loz showed his bravery to make a point blank save before reacting quickly to make a second save from the follow up shot. Fakenham created another chance as a header went just wide as they made every effort to get back into the match.
A fantastic seven man move 7 minutes into the second half starting with Loz and Ollie at the back through Denver and Josh in the midfield almost led to an Aylsham third. The ball was brilliantly worked to Mitchy who set Alfie away to put in a fabulous low cross that Jack side footed inches wide at the back post.
Midway through the second half Aylsham furthered their advantage with another well worked goal. After taking a knock in the first half birthday-boy Jaiden returned to the action and picked up the ball in midfield. Jaiden moved the ball from his left foot to his right before sliding a wonderful pass through for Jack to run onto. Without breaking his stride Jack carried the ball into the box before burying the ball low down to the keeper’s left with a right footed drive.
Two minutes later Loz pulled off a fantastic save, brilliantly tipping the ball over from just under the bar. Loz had to come off his line quickly on the very next Fakenham attack to prevent another goalscoring opportunity after a long ball forward.
Aylsham continued to play passing football and another flowing move ended up with Alfie striking a shot from distance that the keeper held with confidence. At the other end Loz made another smart save at his front post to clear the ball up and away for a corner. From the corner Fakenham reduced the arrears with header well directed into the corner of the net.
Fakenham continued to press and had the ball in the net again soon after but the goal was ruled out for offside. The second half was much more evenly balanced with both sides creating half chances towards the end but the final whistle blew with no further addition to the score.
An entertaining game between two determined sides finished with Aylsham going three points clear at the top of the U12 Premiership. Overall it was a hard fought but well deserved victory for Aylsham having to be at their best with a solid team performance against a tough and strong opposition.
