A very tough game away to Stratton Jaguars U15s on a poor pitch, atrocious conditions and with a referee that gave very little our way. Although it was a 9-2 loss, there was much more effort today and the team kept going to the end. Well done to all involved.
The first half was very competitive and although Stratton dominated play, it was Ramsbury who scored first with a superb through ball by Ben P to Noah who sprinted forward to score into the bottom right hand corner. For 20 minutes Ramsbury kept their structure and shape with Maya and Josh holding the defensive line in front of Tom in goal and Seb and Max making well timed tackles. The middle three of Dan, Oli and Reece were excellent with protecting the defence and getting the ball wide to Noah and Fred on the wings or to Ben P up front. A very harsh penalty decision against Seb gifted Stratton a goal to make it 1-1 and this changed the momentum. We lost our shape and conceded yet again to make it 2-1 and were very much on the back foot. Hayden and Byron came on as fresh legs and did really well and unfortunately a lack of concentration at the end of the half resulted in another Stratton goal as we failed to close down a shot from distance that flew in over Tom’s head to make it 3-1 at half time.
The second half started well and Ramsbury were again thwarted by the referee who disallowed a Ben P goal as the opposition keeper and defender collided and Ben calmly shot into an empty net. It was a real blow as it would have made it 3-2 and all to play for. But Stratton scored shortly after this to make it 4-1 and understandably the Ramsbury heads went down. It was then one way traffic as Ramsbury lost their discipline and shape and Stratton took full advantage to make it 5-1. However, Ramsbury rallied and through Noah and Ben P playing some great football and a brilliant through ball by Noah we scored our second to make it 5-2. Players were flagging with a heavy pitch, strong wind and hail and rain and with the wind in their favour Stratton played the ball neatly and accurately to score two quick goals to make it 7-2 and if it wasn’t for Tom making some top draw saves it would have been more. Maya was solid in defence, but Josh struggled to keep his discipline in the centre of defence and swapped to right back with Hayden in the centre; Max moved into the centre of midfield for Oli with Byron moving to left back for Seb and Fred on for Reece who was as Geoff said frozen like a popsicle! The shuffle resulted in better play and I was impressed with Byron, Max and Fred who created a number of chances for Ben and Noah and Barney on the right wind, but who were beaten by the deteriorating pitch and slipped over when through on goal….it was one of those days! Stratton scored two more goals with one of those an unfortunate Hayden own goal and the game ended 9-2 to Stratton. A chastening score line against a very strong team who will likely win the league or be runners up at the end of the season!
Player of the match went to Ben P as Captain who just pipped Noah for his positive attitude and overall play. Moment of the match went to Tom in goal for a string of top saves, but he could not get the trophy as it had not been handed back from last week. Could I ask that all players bring the trophies back the following week at training.
LOOK FORWARD. Next week there is NO training on Saturday as we are at Futsal in Swindon on Friday. No cost and just come wearing astros or trainers and Ramsbury FC training tops. 7-8pm and please be there 10 minutes before.
On Sunday is our cup match v Div 1 Bishops Cannings which is TBC and I will keep you posted whether we play this game or not.
Finally, our Team Christmas party is in Marlborough Leisure Centre @ 5pm – 6.30pm on Fri 20 Dec for a 5 a side competition followed by pizza and ice cream in Prezzo in Marlborough. Please bring £3 for the leisure centre costs and again this year our sponsors Arthur and Karen at ergo facilities management are very generously covering the meal and drinks. I will send a menu out on SPOND so we can pre-order food and will update on drop off and pick ups. We will also take a team photo when there so also bring your Ramsbury FC shirts.
Have a great week
Jon
