U18 Ryman Youth League
Wednesday 11 September 2008
STAINES TOWN 1 WOKING 2
The Woking youngsters were looking to impress ahead of the forthcoming FA Youth Cup game away to Chertsey on 24th September and an entertaining and competitive game against a talented Staines Town Academy team proved a good test.
Staines probably had the best of the early exchanges but, with 28 minutes gone, it was Woking who were to take the lead when Staines failed to clear a Woking cornerfrom the right and Anson Cousins was on hand to drill the ball home.
Staines certainly believed they could get back into the game and continued to push forward, thus regularly opening their defence to a counter-attack. With 42 minutes gone, Callum Eagleunlocked the Stainesdefence with a 40 yard pass to Luke Smith, who showed his strength to power past two defenders and directt he ball calmly past the advancing Staines keeper.
Half-time: Staines 0 Woking 2
Learning how to protect a lead when 2-0 up is an important part of the boys? education, so approach and formations were changed in the second period to practise that art and, although Staines managed to pull a goal back half way through the second period, the Woking lads held on to secure all three points.
Full-time: Staines 1 Woking 2
Some very accomplished performances in this game: Nick Greaves (alias Taylor) had an outstanding game in goal, pulling off thre or four important saves; Alex Lumley had one of his best games for some time at left full back; Chris Richardsrecovered from some early adverse decision-making to give a wholehearted and combative performance at right back; Ashley Lloyd and Callum Eagle gave signs of an impressive partnership at centre half; Ashley Groombridge and Michael Boateng showed they had the heart for the massive battle in midfield; Anson Cousins and Danilo Cadete took a while to realise that they had defensive duties to attend to as well as providing width on the wings but thereafter certainly gave the Staines defence a work-out; Curtis Wayne and Luke Smith gave the team strength and pace up front and the Staines central defence knew they had been in a game.
It is difficult to come on as a sub in such a high-pace game but Rav Randhawa, Jason Cachia and James Snishko all performed well when brought on.
Difficult to pick a Man of the Match award from many good performances. Worthy of special mention were the performances of the 1st Years: Anson Cousins showed he can score a goal and also protect his own goal with some important headed clearances; apart from being caught square on one occasion, Callum Eagle gave an almost faultless performance as well as providing a fabulous pass for the winning goal; Luke Smith showed he will not be intimidated and can score goals; whilst Chris Richards showed a 'they shall not pass' spirit when defending.
When selecting a Man of the Match we look at the players who make important contributions; make the fewest errors; and choose the correct decisions on and off the ball most of the time.
Whilst Callum Eagle, Luke Smith and Alex Lumley got very close, it is Nick Greaves and his outstanding performance in goal who gets the nod this time around.
MOTM: Nick Greaves.
Squad: Nick Greaves, Chris Richards, Ashley Lloyd, Callum Eagle, Alex Lumley, Danilo Cadete, Michael Boateng, Ashley Groombridge, Anson Cousins, Curtis Wayne, Luke Smith.
Subs used: Rav Randhawa, Jason Cachia, James Snishko.
