|
BADSEY RANGERS U15 7 NORTHSIDE YOUTH U15 5
Badsey Rangers Under 15’s progressed
to the final of the WFA County Cup following a high scoring contest against Northside
Youth from Worcester on Sunday. In an
entertaining game played in an excellent spirit both sides contributed good open football
and excellent finishing to dish up a game that see sawed back and forth.
The Rangers settled to their task quickly and soon cashed in on their home advantage when
from a Matt Magee corner Jake Hall flicked on and Central Defender Ben Jones powered in a
text book header. The lead was soon increased
with Matt Magee again the provider, taking a pass from Christian Punchard, Matt’s
powerful run and cross from the right flank was masterfully swept into the Northside net
by the ever alert Ollie Davies.
This early two goal lead seemed to see the Rangers taking their foot off the gas and this
allowed Northside back into the game, failure to clear the ball from the edge of the box
allowed Mike Cox to make progress into the Badsey box and find the top corner of the
Badsey net. Minutes later Northside were on
level terms when a high cross from the left into a crowded penalty area saw Dan Humpston
in the Badsey goal impeded and then bundled over the line with the Badsey defence
appealing for a free kick that never came.
Buoyed on by this comeback Northside then took the lead with a powerful header from Joe
Grove at close range following a set piece which gave Humpston no chance. Shaken by this reversal Badsey stepped back on the
gas and following good mid field interplay Matt Magee got just far enough away from the
Northside back four to lift the ball over the advancing Aaron Thompson in the Northside
goal for the equaliser (3-3). With the half
time break approaching the game continued to dish up goals.
Northside again from a set piece took advantage of slack defending and O’Keef
snatched the lead for Northside which only lasted a few minutes with the ever alert Matt
Magee scoring almost a carbon copy of his first goal finding room in the Northside penalty
area and managing to get the ball over the keeper and into the net (4-4). Thus ended a breathless but wholly entertaining
first half.
The second half saw Badsey taking control of the game and as in the first half were
quickly into their work with Chris Foster who had been a constant threat to Northside in
the first half outstripping the Northside defence and cooly slotting the ball past
Thompson. This was quickly followed by
another piece of opportunism from Matt Magee to complete his hat trick. The Badsey scoring was completed when Chris Foster
following good interplay between Ollie Davies and Matt Magee deftly chipped the Northside
keeper.
This was not the end of the drama, a free kick from the Badsey left flank saw the Badsey
defence hesitate and Mike Cox nipped in to drive the ball home from close range for his
second goal and guarantee a nervy but goal less last ten minutes.
This was a thoroughly entertaining game with both sides playing a full part in it. Ollie Davies was voted man of the match, fully
deserved by a player who on the day had a hand in everything that was good up front. That is not to take anything away from Matt and
Chris whose performances along with Ollie would trouble the most competent of defences. Connor Trotman ably assisted by Ben Jones and Liam
Hundley coped with most that was thrown at them but our achilles heel remains the defence
of set pieces, work to do on the training ground. The
overriding thing that came out of this game was the 100% effort from all of the Badsey
players.
The date and venue for the Final are now known. The final will take place on Sunday 13th of April against Kidderminster
Lions who defeated Worcester Colts 3-2 in the other semi final. The venue will be Pershore Towns ground kick off
2.30pm. It will be a difficult hurdle
to get over but it is so pleasing to have the chance of winning this cup in its inaugural
year. Thanks to all the players in the squad
and all parents friends and family for their continued efforts and welcome support.
|
