FOREST GREEN ROVERS YOUTH U13 3 BADSEY RANGERS U13 2

An under strength Badsey tasted defeat for the first time this season against a well organised Forest Green. Badsey had the better of the early exchanges and Alex Trotman, Adriano Ritchie and Sean Brain all had more than one opportunity apiece to open the scoring. Most of the chances were created by Jack Milward and Dan Lamb who’s distribution from midfield was outstanding. Badsey took the lead on twenty five minutes when Lamb found Brain in space on the right. He cut in and laid the ball into the path of the advancing Milward who let fly from distance, finding the top left hand corner. Rovers, always dangerous on the break, equalised with the last kick of the half when Badsey failed to clear a corner.

The second half was only a minute old when Forest Green took the lead with a great strike from the edge of the area. Badsey fought back and Brain forced a good save from the impressive home keeper with Ritchie screwing the rebound just wide. From the resulting goal kick Rovers broke away and it took a great save from keeper Kieran Clark to stop Badsey falling further behind. Badsey were pushing forward to some effect but were having no luck in front of goal. Callum Rennie, from left back, made a great run before thudding a thirty yard effort against a post and Brain had two opportunities to equalise within a minute but shot over on both occasions. Badsey were level with a quarter of an hour remaining. Dan Lamb beat three in midfield before releasing Brain who slotted a well deserved equaliser. The visitors nearly took the lead a minute later when Alex Trotman broke away down the left and crossed to James Waterhouse who slid the ball to Brain, but his shot went agonisingly wide. Trotman spooned another chance just over and, with Badsey continually pressing and Rovers continuously counter attacking something had to give. Unfortunately for Badsey, Rovers netted what turned out to be the winner with eight minutes remaining. Badsey’s never say die attitude created several more chances in the closing minutes but the ball would not go in and Forest Green ran out 3 – 2 winners. Badsey created enough chances to win comfortably today and will consider this three points lost but all credit to both teams who contributed to a highly entertaining afternoon.

Man of the match.   Dan Lamb

Scorers.                 Jack Milward
                              Sean Brain