CHELTENHAM SARACENS U13 0 BADSEY RANGERS U13 8

Another convincing performance that looked anything but likely during the first fifteen minutes when Badsey were unable to string together more than a couple of passes. Saracens started brightly and went close after ten minutes. Badsey edged ahead midway through the half with their first clear cut chance when Alex Trotman combined with Sean Brain to supply James Schembri with an opportunity which he finished efficiently. Saracens continued to press and Schembri found himself dropping deeper to assist the defence, although the hosts lacked a cutting edge and defenders Tom Attwood, David Ward, Nick Remfry and Will Gillette soaked up the pressure well. The introduction of new recruit Matty Andrew (midfield) and Adriano Ritchie with ten minutes of the half remaining had a dramatic effect and after Jack Milward had extended the lead direct from a corner Badsey began to look far more threatening. A Ritchie run and shot on the half hour was well saved and a minute later Badsey scored a third. Andrew won a fifty- fifty ball in the centre of midfield and sent Ritchie clear down the left wing. His cross was turned in by Schembri from fifteen yards. With two minutes of the half remaining a strong Remfry headed clearance fell to Andrew. He turned and slid the ball through to Schembri whose diagonal pass was directed into the bottom corner by Brain. Badsey keeper Louis Sutton threw himself low to his left to turn a long range Saracens effort round the post with the referee about to signal half time, which ended with Badsey, possibly flatteringly, 4 0 up.

Saracens started the second half as if their manager had thrown a few tea cups at them during the break and Sutton had to make two sharp saves during the first minute.

Badsey battled back and extended the lead when a Trotman throw in was picked up by Ritchie whose cross was prodded home by Schembri. The next twenty five minutes saw both defences performing well with Will Gillette and Tom Attwood outstanding. Chances were few and far between until, with five minutes remaining, Ritchie and Schembri again combined well with the latter notching his fourth and Badseys sixth. There was enough time left for Brain to add another courtesy of a Schembri pinpoint cross and Schembri was again the provider a minute from time as Ritchie netted Badseys’eigth. This win takes Badsey to the top of the C & G league on goal difference but, with October seeing them facing teams who finished in the top four last season, the strength of their championship challenge will soon become clear.

Men of the match. Will Gillette.
                             Nick Remfry.
Scorers.                 James Schembri  4
                             Sean Brain.
                             Adriano Ritchie
                             Jack Milward 1