Team: Ben B (GK), Alex, Josh, Maya, Seb, Euan, Max, Scott, Fred, Noah, Ben P (C), Byron, Barney, Reece, AJ, Sam
A disappointing loss against an organised and attack-minded Calne FC U15s side who were more up for this game that us and although flattered by the 4-0 score line they were the better team. The reason for the coaches disappointment today is that we will continue to lose winnable games like these unless we show more commitment, compete for the 50-50 balls better and minimise simple errors. On a more positive note, there was some great passing football played at times and if we had converted our clear chances on goal the game could have had a very different outcome!
The first half was a very lack lustre affair, by both sides to be honest, that was disjointed and without any real quality football being played by either side. Calne FC edged the first half with a number of shots that Ben B, in goal for the absent Tom, dealt with easily and confidently. Less confident was Ramsbury’s ability to win 50-50 balls as we continued to be outplayed in the midfield resorting to long punts up field to Ben P or Noah on the left or Fred on the right…..it was hugely frustrating to watch as Ramsbury failed to control the ball or prevent the opposition slicing through the midfield with ease. If it wasn’t for some resilient defending by Seb and Alex and last ditch challenges by Maya and Josh, Calne FC could easily have been 2 or 3 up inside 20 minutes. Calne FC did eventually take the lead through a well worked goal that the Ramsbury defence failed to clear and which fell kindly for the opposition to slot into the net to make it 1-0. It stayed like that until half time and even the injection of some much needed energy by Sam and Byron in midfield for Max and Fred and Reece for Alex did improve our play but was not enough to address the deficit.
The second half looked more promising with Scott using his huge throw-ins to great effect and Ben P and Noah getting higher up the pitch and into some good attacking positions to score. But it was Calne FC who scored next as skidding cross unfortunately caught out Ben B in goal to make it 2-0, which was a real shame as Ben B had played ever so well. The game opened up much more after the second goal with Euan and Sam playing really well in midfield and getting the ball wide to Noah on the left and AJ on the right to create more chances; with Noah doing ever so and shooting only inches wide. This was a shame as if Noah had scored it would have put Calne on the back foot and especially so as the ever-lively Reece had just prevented a certain goal and Seb also made a timely tackle to keep the game at 3-0….just!
Byron and Barney came on with fresh legs and Calne also brought on subs as the game quickened its pace and saw chances created at both ends. Geoff made his final changes with Max on for Seb and Fred and Scott back on, but it was a little too late as Calne got a quick break and lofted the ball over the Ramsbury defence to score their third and make it 3-0. Noah had another late chance blaze over the cross bar and AJ had two shots directly at the keeper – it was just not Ramsbury’s day! Finally, a clumsy tackle in the box resulted in a penalty for Calne FC to make it 4-0 and see the game slip away from Ramsbury. It stayed that way until the final whistle.
Player of the Match was undoubtedly Euan who showed the level of commitment expected and was a dynamo in midfield throughout….well done Euan! No moment of the match could be awarded as someone still has the trophy…..please find it and hand it back at training please as it would be great to hand it out at the end of matches! It would have gone to Reece for his play in defence that would have certainly been another goal…well done Reece!
Next week it is Calne FC U15s again at HOME with a 1030 kick off. I will be at Remembrance Parade in Ramsbury and will hopefully catch the second half. See you at training SATURDAY and please respond on SPOND regarding availability etc.
Regards
Jon
