OXFORDSHIRE
F.A. INVITATION YOUTH LEAGUE - Under 18's B League
Sunday 10th February 2008
WANTAGE TOWN YOUTHS 1
v
BOTLEY 0
When these teams met in September the outcome was a comfortable
victory for Wantage, clearly memories of this match were upper most
in the minds of the Wantage players as they began this match as
if victory was already assured.
Much of the first half was contested in midfield. Wantage struggled
to gain any quality possession and in truth, what few opportunities
there were went in favour of the visitors. On 10 minutes a swift
break down the left gave Botley a one on one with Grundy, with the
keeper beaten it seemed inevitable that Botley would open the scoring,
however Doig worked hard to get himself into a position to cover
and was able to divert the ball away for a corner.
Botley continued to take advantage
of Wantage’s shortcomings, on 30 minutes another break on
the left from Botley opened up Wantage and the attack was only halted
by a foul on the Botley player. Fortunately the free kick went harmlessly
wide. With the game approaching half time another Botley free kick
had Grundy scrambling across his area before Wantage got their best
opportunity for the half when Harris found himself one on one with
the Botley keeper however, the keeper spread himself well to avert
the threat.
H.T: 0-0
Wantage, clearly stung by a venomous half time team talk began the
second half with much more purpose. On 44 minutes a quality pass
from Payne found Joyce who got in behind the Botley defence, unfortunately
his run took him wider than he would have liked and although he
was able to play the ball into the box, there was no one there to
convert the chance. Barely a minute later, Wantage took the lead
when a break down the left was finally converted by Harris to give
Wantage the advantage. At long last Wantage finally began to exert
some control on the match. Joyce was a constant thorn in the Botley
defence and he was well supported by Harris and latterly Middlebrook
when he came on. However,
at 1-0 the result was always in doubt and Botley came close to snatching
a point on a number of occasions. Most notably in the closing moments
when Grundy again showed bravery in preventing a goal scoring opportunity.
Wantage will be far more pleased
with the result than the performance which fell far short of the
standards they have set themselves. This team is clearly capable
of winning this league, however the boys need to learn that no game
is a foregone conclusion if they are to realise that ambition.
Team: Grundy, Doig, Wilkins,
Eltham, Wells, Payne, Vaughan, Hart, Eatwell, Harris, Joyce.
Subs: Middlebrook, James, Bowman
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
OXFORDSHIRE F.A. INVITATION YOUTH LEAGUE - Under 18's B League
Sunday 28th October 2007
SUMMERTOWN STARS 1
v
WANTAGE TOWN YOUTHS 3
When these two teams last met Wantage won 5-0 so hopes
were high. Ian Bowman was partnering Tom Middlebrook up front and
Ivor Wells was making a return in midfield along with Simon Rowland
in defence.
Within 10 mins Tom Middlebrook set up Ian
for a goal only for it to be disallowed for being offside Summertown
seemed to have made some changes and were breaking through the centre
of Wantage from time to time. In the 19th min a shot on goal from
Joel went just over the bar. Both teams just didn’t seem to
have that something extra to put the ball in the net. Wantage kept
pushing forward and passes were put together well unfortunately
just not quite enough pace and power on the ball for it to get in
the back of the net. Defence were working well and system of three
at the back is suiting the team. Tom Doig did a good job of mopping
up any ball that did get through. Half time came and with the score
being 0-0 the game was yet to light up.
At the start second half substitutes were made, Rob Joyce came on
for Ian Bowman and Nick James came on for Simon Rowland. Within
a minute of the whistle being blown Wantage were given a direct
Free Kick outside the box. Craig Payne took and just rimmed the
net. From Summertown’s goal kick they broke through Wantage
midfield and defence and had the ball in the back of Wantage goal.
1-0 Summertown in the 47th min.
The wind was picking up in between the showers and both teams now
had to ignore the cold and find that extra something. The goal from
Summertown seemed to jump start Wantage who now played with a lot
more urgency. Wantage were pressuring Summertown and shots were
taken at goal but always just over the bar or just to the side.
Craig taking the free kicks and Summertown were now being kept in
their own half. In the 68th min Wantage were finally rewarded when
Tom Eatwell sent Craig Payne forward and then onto Rob Joyce who
put the ball in the back of the net! 1-1
This seemed to lift Wantage and once again
they kept Summertown in their own half. 75th min saw Craig Payne
nicely flick the ball forward to Rob Joyce who saw Tom Middlebrook
calling. Great teamwork and another goal for Wantage. 1-2. Now and
again Summertown would regain possession only to have Alex Eltham,
Tom Doig and George Lucas at the back to re-posses the ball and
send it out to the wings, where Nick James or Joel Vaughan would
collect and send it to the midfields to overlap and push up. Wantage
kept the pressure up and in the 88th min Rob saw Tom Middlebrook
open and passed the ball to him who looked up quickly and saw Tom
Eatwell who took a shot on goal. 1-3
At the final whistle scores:
Summertown Stars 1
Wantage 3
Squad: Tom Grundy, Alex Eltham, Tom Doig, Simon Rowland,
Ivor Wells, Joel Vaughan, Craig Payne, Tom Eatwell, George Lucas,
Tom Middlebrook, Ian Bowman.
Subs: Rob Joyce, Nick James.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
OXFORDSHIRE F.A. INVITATION YOUTH LEAGUE - Under 18's B League
Sunday 21st October 2007
WANTAGE TOWN YOUTHS 5
v
CHESTERTON 2
Chesterton had only conceded one goal so far in the season
but Wantage weren’t fazed within minutes of the whistle signalling
kick off Rob Joyce had an excellent shot at goal only to be denied
by the crossbar. Wantage now with heads up went on the attack again
and Rob Joyce was rewarded 15 minutes in with a goal.
Wantage seemed well organised and Captain Craig Payne did a great
job of leading the team. 20 mins in the game and Tom Eatwell had
a shot on goal just wide, 21 mins and another shot from Tom Eatwell
wide again! Wantage had basically kept Chesterton in their own half
and played great football with passes and switches coming from all
players.
In the 23rd min Kurtis Hart had a shot and just wide of the goal
again. Chesterton came back and took the ball to Wantage half and
had a shot at goal but Tim Harris made a great clearance leading
to a corner. Chesterton took the corner and GK Tom Grundy had an
excellent save in the 27th minute. Unfortunately a Penalty decision
was made in the 36th min against Wantage for a tackle made by Nick
Wilkins and Chesterton put the ball away in the bottom right had
corner. Score 1-1
Wantage weren’t leaving it at that though and from the kick
off came straight back and Tim Harris set up Rob Joyce for his 2nd
goal in the 39th min. Back to kick off for Chesterton and shortly
after in the 42 min a yellow was issued on Chesterton’s for
a bad tackle on Kurtis Hart. Wantage were still keeping the ball
and in the last few minutes of the 1st half had more great touches,
one final run from Joel Vaughan to Craig Payne who passed to Tim
Harris who slotted it into the back off the net in the 45 + 1min
of time.
Half time score: 3 – 1 to Wantage.
After a short delay in kick off due to Chesterton being late back
onto the field of play the match got started. If the delay was a
tactical move it worked as in the 46th min Chesterton scored! 3-2.
Wantage were slow in starting but the goal woke them up, defence
closed up and Wantage started put in the tackles again. Both Keepers
had been put to the test and continued to do so. In the 57th minute
Tom Middlebrook took a shot and although looked to have crossed
the line it was cleared by Chesterton defence and wasn’t given.
66th minute and Rob Joyce had another shot only to be denied a hat
trick by Chesterton’s G Keeper.
Wantage now heads up again
and after defence keeping the ball Tom Eatwell passed to Rob Joyce
who set up Kurtis Hart for his goal! Score 4-2. Great jobs at the
back from defence, Alex Eltham, Tom Doig and Nick Wilkins clearing
or re possessing the ball each time. Tempers were starting to creep
in and Captains did a good job of moving players away. Back to kick
off and after being warned by the referee a yellow card was given
to Chesterton for a late challenge on Craig Payne. A free kick was
given in the 74th min Craig Payne took his chance and went for goal.
The sun caught the keeper’s eyes and the ball went though
his hands and went in off the back of Tom Eatwell. Score 5-2. Chesterton
didn’t seem to know how to come back but continued to play
well.
Sub 80th Tim Harris off Nick James on
Sub 85th Tom Eatwell off Ian Bowman on.
Last few minutes and in the
1st of extra time saw Nick James received a yellow card for retaliation
from a tackle. 90 + 5 full time. 5 – 2.
Team: T.Grundy (GK), N.Wilkins, T.Doig, A.Eltham, C.Payne,
J.Vaughan, K.Hart, T.Eatwell, T.Harris, T.Middlebrook, R.Joyce.
Subs: I.Bowman, N.James
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
OXFORDSHIRE F.A. INVITATION YOUTH LEAGUE - Under 18's B League
Sunday 14th October 2007
WANTAGE TOWN YOUTHS 7
v
SOUTH LEIGH 1
The game started
off quite even but South Leigh attack plan was the long, which didn’t
faze Wantage as T M scored our 1st goal after 5 minutes. T E won
possession in the middle and slotted the ball through two defenders
then went on to pass it to T M who ran to the goalie and placed
it into the back of the net in the 9th minute. Sadly Wantage lost
position in their own half in which South Leigh took advantage and
scored against the run of play in the 14th minute. This gave Wantage
a wake up call and they switched back on again, as in the 31st minute
the ball came into the 18yrd box where R J fired it into the back
of the net. Wantage were on a roll now with R J picking the ball
up on the right hand wing running around two defenders and passing
it into the 6yrd box where T M scored goal number three to make
it his hat trick.
Wantage made two changes at half time, which didn’t upset
the balance of play, and they carried on playing the way they played
in the first half. Wantage were awarded a penalty as R J was brought
down in the 6yrd box, which NW stepped up to take and gave Wantage
a 5 –1 lead. Our 6th goal came from a South Leigh goal kick
as GP received it in the middle and placed it to R J who beat two
defenders and the goalkeeper scoring with his left foot in 72 minute.
The final goal came from T M who lobbed the goalkeeper with the
ball going into the top left hand corner
Wantage had so many chances to score in the second half but South
Leigh Goal Keeper was on form.
Team: T.Grundy (GK), J.Bonner, N.Wilkins, S.Rowland, G.Payne,
J.Vaughan, K.Hart, T.Eatwell, G.Lucas, T.Middlebrook, R.Joyce.
Subs: A.Eltham, N.James, I.Bowman, T.Harris.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
OXFORDSHIRE F.A. INVITATION YOUTH LEAGUE - Under 18's B League
Sunday 30th September 2007
BOTLEY 1
v
WANTAGE TOWN YOUTHS 4
Wantage started well
having all the play pressing forward. Botley caught Wantage out
with a long ball in which they scored against the run of play. Wantage
proceeded to put the pressure on with Tom Eatwell picking up the
ball in the centre circle hitting it over Botleys back four to Rob
Joyce who slotted into the goal scoring in the 21 min. The play
was in favour of Wantage with many chances going missing when they
got their just reward with Craig Payne receiving the ball in the
centre of the pitch striking the ball first time hard and low which
went underneath the keeper in the 44 min. Half
time 1 - 2
Wantage started off how they left the first half with plenty of
pressure. Within 10 min of half time Wantage made three changes,
which allowed Botley back into the game. Wantage soon settled, then
got their just rewards with Craig Payne crossing the ball into the
right side of the 25yrd box where Kurtis Hart kicked it on the half
volley which the keeper couldn’t hold and it went into the
right hand side of the goal. This was in 65min.
Wantage preceded the pressure with Tim Harris crossing the ball
into the 18yrd box where Tom Eatwell headed it which the keeper
tried to save but it bounced out from the keepers hands and Tom
Eatwell placed it at his feet and tapped it into the goal. A well
deserved goal for Wantage. 77 min. All the lads played well including
subs. Full Time: 1 – 4
Team: T Grundy, N Wilkins, T Doig, S Rowland, C Payne, J
Vaughan, K Hart, T Eatwell, T Harris, T Middlebrook, R Joyce
Subs: J Bonner,
A Eltham, I Bowman, G Lucas.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
OXFORDSHIRE F.A. INVITATION YOUTH LEAGUE - Under 18's B League
Sunday 16th September 2007
WANTAGE TOWN YOUTHS 5
v
SUMMERTOWN STARS 0
The match started slowly for Wantage with Summertown making the
most of the game, and even having a few shots at goal. Wantage had
to make an early sub due to injury in the defence, which made the
team alter the way they played. After approx 20 mins Wantage picked
up the ball in their own half put it out to the left wing, they
in turn put it back into the middle with Kurtis Hart passing to
Tom Eatwell who then passed a quick ball to Tom Middlebrook and
into the goal it went. With their heads lifted Wantage went back
onto the attack leading to a disallowed goal for Ian Bowman. Summertown
still were in the game and sometimes due to lapses in concentration
in midfield broke throw only to be denied by defence and keeping.
The second goal came from centre midfield Kurtis who knocked the
ball to Ian who placed it into the back left of the goal 30 mins
into the game.
Frustration was now creeping into some of Summertown, which led
to T M being brought down in the 18 yd box on the left hand side.
Referee gave an instant penalty. Up stepped Craig Payne who put
it straight down the middle of the goal and rocked the back of the
net. This was in the 35 min of the game. Now heading to half time
a change in Wantage midfield was needed, so K H was moved to left
wing & George Lucas moved into centre mid with T E. With K H
faster legs on the wing this gave Wantage an edge, when he put it
through to G L down the left hand wing and then G L ran to the 25yd
area knocked the ball around Summertown’s goal keeper into
the right hand far corner of the net. Half time 4 – 0
Subs G L off Tim Harris on
With the second half started Summertown came out with renewed vigour,
this in turn had Wantage defence working harder than ever.
It was decided a sub should be made with K H coming off and Nick
James coming on at the left midfield. Simon Rowland, Tom Doig, Craig
Payne and Jake Bonner made strong challenges in defence and held
tight at the back to deny each challenge on goal. Wantage midfielders
seemed to be holding the ball for one to many touches leading in
turn for the ball to stall and Summertown to take advantage.
Summertown took a shot at goal only for Tom Grundy (GK) to head
the ball out and once again left back S R took the ball forward
passing to Tim Harris who then forward it again to I B who then
walked the ball into the goal. With the last few minutes some players
from each team started to look tired. At the final whistle the score
was 5 – 0 to Wantage. Both teams had players who put in a
performance that was well accounted for and never gave up. Wantage
can learn from this game and instead of making football look hard,
play the easier ball, which in turn will make it easier for themselves
and the team.
M. Peirson
Team ; Tom Grundy, Jake Bonner, Craig Payne, Ivor Wells,
Simon Rowland, Joel Vaughan, Kurtis Hart, Tom Eatwell George Lucas,
Ian Bowan, Tom Middlebrook.
Sub; Nick James , Tim Harris, Tom Doig
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
OXFORDSHIRE F.A. INVITATION YOUTH LEAGUE - Under 18's B League
Sunday 9th September 2007
BERINSFIELD 1
v
WANTAGE TOWN YOUTHS 4
Wantage Town Youths started the season on a warm sunny
day in Berinsfield. This has been the first time the youths have
played together as a team as some of the players play for the Wantage
reserves. We all knew that this would be a test, as they needed
to find their feet and gel as a team, which they succeeded. Wantage
dominated the first half by keeping possession but we were all wondering
when we were going to score a goal. Rob Joyce fired the ball into
the back of the net in the 44 minute, which gave us a lead of 1-
0 at half time.
The second half seemed to be slow due to the heat, so changes were
made to up the tempo. Tom Eatwell scored in the 53rd minute followed
by substitute Tim Harris with a first touch goal in the 55th minute.
Berinsfield kept battling back and we had a lucky escape with Nick
Wilkins clearing the ball of the line. But our luck ran out as we
conceded a goal through a goalkeeping error. The team encourage
one another and quickly got back into the game. With this Ian Bowman
scored in the 87th minute to make it 4-1 at full time.
Team: T Grundy, J Bonner, N Wilkins, S Rowland, J Vaughan,
K Hart, T Eatwell, N James, T Middlebrook, R Joyce
Subs: G Payne,
I Bowman, T Harris. |
