After a lean few weeks for the Shinfield U13’s, we were hoping for a successful last game of the season.
The game started well when within two minutes, Max gathers the ball on the left flank and slots a lovely ball ahead of Luke. Luke takes a few steps forward with the ball then launches it into the roof of the net. A fabulous start on a nice sunny day. Ashridge dont sit back though, they come back at Shinfield and come close with two or three shots which go just wide. They then get a free kick which is thankfully hit over the bar. Shinfield put together some really nice passing and for once are pushing long balls behind the defence, but just too strong with each pass being cleaned up by the Ashridge goalkeeper. Ashridge pressure finally pays off as they slam the ball in from a deep corner to level it at 1-1. Then a spell of evenly-balanced play, the deadlock broken when Shinfield pick up a free kick a long way out. Luke steps up and hits the ball low and hard through the defence where Ellis is running in to tap it neatly home. 2-1
Our defence work hard to repel the constant Ashridge attacks and our midfield continue to feed the ball well to our forwards. Luke picks the ball up on the left and lobs into the area. Johnny is on hand, dips his head low to guide the ball into the net, but to the players frustration he was deemed offsite.
Half time arrives. A nicely balanced game so far but alot to do in the 2nd half to retain this lead.
Early on in the 2nd half, Aidan pulls away down the left and knocks the ball across goal to Luke – he hits it over the bar. Soon after, Luke grabs the ball near the half way line and pushes a nice through ball to Ellis. He runs onto it, gets into the area and launches a solid shot at goal but the goalkeeper pulls off and excellent save to deny Ellis a goal. From the corner, Casey gets his head on it to direct the ball agonisingly past the left post.
Shinfield still playing a good game all over the field and their resilience pays off when a Luke freekick outside the area is parried down by the keeper, only for Charlie to run in and tap the ball home. 3-1
Ashridge continue to battle though and pick up the ball on the edge of the box, They launch a scorching shot low and hard – it richochets off the left post into the goal leaving Luis no chance of reaching it. 3-2.
Things get tense as the final two minutes arrive. Ashridge keep up the pressure and finally break Shinfield with a high, deep corner which is expertly headed past Luis to draw the game level at 3-3.
Shinfield know there are seconds left to play, so come out fast. Casey, now playing a midfield role, picks up the ball at the half-way line, runs a few yards and then sees Max ahead. Casey stabs a long ball forward where Max picks it up, and with a defender chasing him, slides the ball nicely low past the keeper to take it to 4-3. The final seconds are tense but Shinfield hold on until the final whistle.
An exciting game for Shinfield and good game to end the season. All players worked hard today, some nice passing, good defending and a real hunger to chase down the ball, especially from Charlie and Sam.
Well done boys
Goals scored by Luke, Ellis, Charlie, Max
Trophies: Sam, Charlie, Max, James
Photos from today games at https://www.cherrymoonphotography.co.uk/shinfield2014
Regards
Chris Starke