A perfect evening for football on a flawless pitch saw Ramsbury U16s have a tough game against a much improved Pewsey FC U16s team that ended in a 2-2 draw.
With 16 players available it was always going to be hard for Geoff and Andy to keep some sort of consistency with numerous rolling subs required to ensure all players got game time. However, the usual 3-2-4-1 formation worked well throughout the game and saw Ramsbury dominate the first half and create more chances against a stubborn opposition in their 4-5-1 formation. Noah in goal was very solid and had little to do and the back 3 of Ben (C), Josh and Owen, protected by Byron and Oli, coped really well with the opposition attack.
Going forward, controlling the ball and keeping our composure in the final third was the issue today and against a very strong defence and very good keeper Ramsbury lost their patience and concentration that resulted in a loss of shape and focus on winning both first and second balls. The midfield four of AJ, Fred, Reece and Jez were clearly frustrated and at times Ben P cut a very lone figure up front and often faced 2 or three defenders. Sustained pressure by Ramsbury resulted in a goal scored midway in the first half by Fred, but disallowed for offside and this only increased the Ramsbury frustration and led to an unusually ill disciplined display. Geoff introduced some subs to inject some calm and increase the tempo with Hayden, Barney and John coming on, but the game remained a stalemate and 0-0.
Geoff and Andy had a good chat with the squad at half time and made some changes with John replacing Noah in goal and Oli, Kieran and Barney on. The tempo certainly increased and it was a more positive start with Noah and Ben P going very close to scoring and only denied by some last ditch defending and some fine saves by the Pewsey keeper. Kieran made a real impact and played some intelligent passes to Jez and Oli in midfield and after a concerted attack on the Pewsey goal the ball came out to Oli who calmly struck a fantastic shot into the top corner from 25 yards to make it 1-0.
Ben P was so unlucky not to make it 2-0 after an amazing pass by Jez that split the Pewsey defence and was denied by another fine save and then Noah also went close with a shot that was saved onto the post and out for a corner. Ramsbury for 20 minutes or so played much better and some good passing football. Only a superb pass by the one overage Pewsey player (a very god player with Salisbury FC U17s) that split our defence and saw the Pewsey right winger cut in and score a fine individual goal to make it 1-1.
Ramsbury were a bit shocked by this and Pewsey were in the ascendancy and took control of the game. Ramsbury lost their shape and concentration and were very slow to respond to the opposition attacks that saw Pewsey going close a number of times and needing John in goal to make a couple of good saves. Geoff and Andy made more changes to reverse the lack of unity and purpose and it worked with Ben P scoring a fine goal after superb work by Jez and Reece in midfield and a fine cross by Noah to make it 2-1 with 5 minutes to go.
But instead of keeping our shape and concentration and managing the game out, Ramsbury kept pushing forward and left a huge gap in midfield which was suitably exploited by the opposition to score a long range effort with the final kick of the match and see the game end 2-2.
It was a real shame as Ramsbury were the better side, but the opposition provided a very spirited display that we can learn much from. This match was a really useful game for the team with plenty of positives and plenty to reflect and work on. We will have more frustrating games I am sure and the team need to be able to cope with them and especially when decisions go against them. Reassuringly, the squad was much more positive at the end and are already looking forward to the next challenge!
Next friendly is against Ramsbury FC U15s this Saturday, in lieu of training, and they are a very good side and no pushovers! Kick off 10330 and all players to be there by 1000 latest.
Moment of the match was Oli’s wonder strike and player of the match went to both Kieran and Byron jointly for very solid performances.
Thanks for your support
Jon, Geoff and Andy
