Ramsbury FC U15s lost 5-2 to North Swindon Lions FC U15s in a highly entertaining match played at the Swindon Academy.

Team: Ben B, John, Josh, Maya, Reece, Cam, Dan, Byron, AJ, Fred, Ben P (C), Seb and Hayden

It was Ramsbury FC who scored first with a great opportunist goal by Captain Ben Pratt after and excellent clearance out of defence by John Turner at left back and some excellent midfield work by Cam Sanchez and Dan O’Neill. Ramsbury had plenty of possession and were unfortunate to have a penalty awarded against them to make it 1-1. Ben B did ever so well in goal but the penalty was well taken. NSL made it 2-1 with some sustained pressure and scored again just before half time as Ramsbury failed to clear out of defence effectively. However, Maya and Josh at the back as a new centre partnership worked really well and Reece at right back and John at left back were excellent. Fred on the right and AJ on the left gave plenty of width and Byron, Cam and Dan worked hard to get the ball to Ben P as the lone striker up front. The 4-3-3 formation worked well. The second half saw NSL score against the run of play to go 4-1 up, but Ramsbury responded really well as AJ scored an excellent goal after a great though ball by Cam and some excellent break up play by Dan and Byron. Hayden came on at right back allowing Reece to push up and Seb came on at left back for John. Fred and AJ both had breaks too as Geoff rotated the two subs over the 80 minutes effectively. All players played well with Seb putting in some crunching tackles – which all th team will need to do more of in future games!  A lapse in concentration gave NSL another goal from a corner and the match ended 5-2 to NSL.

Overall, the score line flattered the opposition and 3-2 would have been justified, but lacks in concentration and indecision cost us and we need to work on this. The formation was excellent and we were the fitter team albeit a few players need to up their fitness – we will work on this. There was more positives than negatives and I was delighted by Josh and Maya as the two centre backs; AJ and Ben’s goals and, most importantly, the overall attitude and positivity of the team – so much better than last week!  Thanks for all the parent support.

See you all at training on Saturday 1000-1130

Jon