Date

After last weeks home game against today's opponents was postponed due to their cup game we play them away this week. YMCA Youth were promoted from the 4th division last season and seem to be coping very well with the higher division. Before today's game they find themselves in 4th place having played 8, won 4, drawn 1 and lost 2. We sit 3 places behind them having played the same number of games but with 4 points behind their 13. 

1st Half
Bradley Stoke kicked off on a dry, sunny but cold afternoon. YMCA quickly won possession and had the first opportunity to open the goal account within 2  minutes of kick off seeing the final ball go just over the bar.

5th minute Andre off to get some shin pads. David came on in his place.

As the minutes ticked by YMCA began to pick up the tempo and began to bring the game to Bradley Stoke. On 7 minutes Fraser narrowed the angle to deny a certain first goal. The persistence however from YMCA paid off with a soft goal to concede by Bradley Stoke on 9 minutes. YMCA 1 Bradley Stoke 0. Andre back on with shin pads who replaced David. 

Bradley Stoke began to pass the ball around. On 12 minutes Kieran pushed a perfect pass down to Ben M. Ben threaded the ball to Will who passed the ball onto the feet of Kye. The final shot from Kye going over the bar. 

Within 2 minutes, Will flicked a perfect ball again to Kye who saw his final shot go just wide of the post. Bradley Stoke continued to play some very good football and after another good build up James S saw his shot saved by the diving keeper on 15 minutes. 

YMCA started to respond after a lean period and again Fraser made a great save on 21 minutes.  

As Bradley Stoke responded Will again found Kye who was fouled in the box. The referee had no hesitation and a penalty was awarded. Joe Coles stepped up and calmly buried the ball in the bottom right of the net. YMCA 1 Bradley Stoke 1.

YMCA again came back strong and after a good build up Fraser made a fantastic save pushing the ball over the bar to give YMCA their 3rd corner of the afternoon on 26 minutes. 

Within 2 minutes another corner was awarded to YMCA. As they sunk the ball into the box from the corner the ball was met perfectly by the free head of the YMCA striker to increase the lead again. YMCA 2 Bradley Stoke 1.

We were under attack and YMCA continued to battle towards our goal. The crossbar and Fraser again came to the rescue but on 32 minutes nothing could stop another simple goal from the home team. YMCA 3 Bradley Stoke 1.

Bradley Stoke pushed themselves forward again and on 37 minutes were very unlucky as Kye released James S who saw his shot go just over the bar. YMCA immediately responded splitting our defence but again the woodwork saved us from a further goal. Without a chance to take a breather Bradley Stoke again surged forward with good touches from both James' before the ball was passed to Kye. Kye raced to the line and crossed a perfect ball for Will to walk in the back of the net. YMCA 3 Bradley Stoke 2. 

As the whistle was sounded for the end of the first half we were left to reflect on a very good game of football produced by both teams. Bradley Stoke must have felt that they deserved better than the score line was showing. YMCA 3 Bradley Stoke 2. 
 
2nd Half
No changes at half time as YMCA brought the 2nd half to a commencement. YMCA quickly picked up the pace and won 2 further corners in the same number of minutes.   

On 4 minutes Bradley Stoke made their first break forward with Will again inching the perfect pass to James S. 

Bradley Stoke continued to enjoy the better of the play and began to produce the football we know they are capable of. YMCA defended well but seemed unable to push us back. 

Nothing much changed until the 19th minute when against the run of play a mistake by the defence gave a free shot to YMCA who made no mistake in finding the net for the 4th time. A bitter blow for Bradley Stoke who really looked like they were close to finding the goal they needed. YMCA 4 Bradley Stoke 2. 

Bradley Stoke tried to pick themselves up again and on 21 minutes Will again pushed a ball to James S.

The game continued to be played out and neither side were pushing forward. The last goal conceded by Bradley Stoke seemed to have knocked their confidence. YMCA were happy to defend but not necessary push forward. 

31 minutes saw Kieran replaced by David

35 minutes saw James C replaced by Josh.

On 39 minutes YMCA were awarded a free kick just outside the box after a tackle by Andre. Again the crossbar came to the rescue. The game proceeded on and due to the number of stoppages in the 2nd half full time almost reached 46 minutes. 

The final whistle sounded. The match today was a really entertaining game to watch. Without doubt had we not given away a silly goal in the 18th minute of the 2nd half we could have been looking at gaining 1 point if not 3. However a hard lesson today but proved that on the day we can be as good as anyone else we come across. Let's hope we can build on this display into our next match and find that extra confidence we seem at times to lack. Well done today to both teams for giving us a 'proper' game of football. YMCA 4 Bradley Stoke 2.

 Goals 1st Half  - Joe Coles (23rd) Will Tozer (38th)

 Goals 2nd Half - None

 YMCA Youth                     10

  Bradley Stoke Utd               3

 This weeks award was chosen by 'injured' Wesley Salter  :

 Fanfare Please !!!!!!!!!!

 Will Tozer

 Well Done

 MAN OF MATCH AWARDS......(as picked by parents & friends)

 James Clayton, James Snook (2), Kye Worner, Ben V, Fraser Organ,    Will Tozer

It's nice to get the award but don't forget you still need the other 10 players !!!!!!

Any queries or comments please email on:

dave.salter@blueyonder.co.uk

Thanks

Dave Salter