After a couple of comfortable wins in recent weeks, Shinfield came up against a much tougher opponent this week. Junior Shots Youth (JSY) came out attacking right from the start. First opportunity to James, hitting wide of left post. Then Luis forced a good save as JSY hit back. Alot of good end-to-end play followed. Luke put a lovely through ball to Aidan who ran on to it and hit it first time – well he mis-hit it first time, but a good opportunity anyway.
JSY kept coming, breaking through on left with Casey chasing but hitting the shot across the face of the goal just wide of right post. Then Sammy chases down another attack but a brave dive at the feet of the attacker by Luis saved the day. At the other end, a fabuluous 5-pass exhange between Casey and Ellis takes us right into the goal area. JSY clear the ball but only as far as Lewis who tries a long shot – but it is directed straight at the keeper for an easy save.
Finally, after a long period of end-to-end play the deadlock is broken as Ellis gets a lucky break on the edge of the box and launches the ball into the left corner well clear of the keeper. 1-0 JSY always look dangerous, especially on the break as they launch long balls over our defence and attempt to run past our defence. But good play from our defenders stops JSY from getting too close to Luis. More excitement as a Casey corner falls into a crowded box, is knocked out to Dan who smashes it hard back towards goal. But it ricochets off the left post – exciting for the crowd, but it means Shinfield go into half-time with only a slender 1 goal lead.
The second half is more of the same. Casey breaks through the defence and finds himself running at the keeper with Aidan, unmarked to his left. Casey thinks he can slot it past the keeper, but it goes wide of the goal. Aidan rightly disappointed not to get the pass in an open position. Aidan and Luke continue to cause problems down the left hand side. Aidan drives to the base line, puts a low-hard cross right across the face of the goal just in front of Johnny and Casey who are running in but they can’t quite connect.
Aidan fails to beat the keeper on a 1-1, then JSY counter attack but shoot just wide of the post. Things are looking tight and tense, but a clearance from our goal area reaches Luke who runs half the length of the pitch before launching a long, high ball from way outside the area. The keeper stands no chance as it sails into the top right corner. Fabulous goal from Luke. 2-0
The excitement is short-lived as JSY counter attack yet again and this time we fail to clear to let JSY slip one in to reduce the deficit quickly back to a single goal. 2-1
This game really hangs in the balance, those long balls from JSY continually threatening to cause us problems. Attacks by Casey and Aidan come to nothing but then Casey drives down the right hand side deep into the JSY penalty area, slams the ball hard across the front of the goal towards Johnnie but it is deflected into the JSY goal by a defender for an own goal 3-1
JSY yet again launch a long ball over our defence – it is the quick thinking of Luis who runs quickly to the edge of the box to clear the ball just before the attacker reaches it.
Casey breaks through at the other end and hits a blistering shot at goal – a great reaction save from the keeper sees the ball sail high over the bar. Luis in the action yet again, pulling off another superb save. Aidan drives down the left, pulls the ball across the goal, it is cleared but only as far as Luke who smashes it low and hard into the corner for his second goal. 4-1
Then in a repeat of their earlier goal, JSY immediately counter attack and score their 2nd of the day. 4-2
In the final minutes of an exciting and tense game, Ellis puts a nice ball through to Aidan who runs through and shoots but the goalkeeper deflects the ball out to James on the edge of the box. James hits it high and hard but the ball hits the crossbar.
This was a tough game today, but our boys kept their cool. Not their tidiest game, but some lovely passing in evidence. Our defence was kept busy today, snuffing out the long balls and fast drives effectively and Luis played a great game with some lovely saves.
A great game boys, exciting to watch!
Final Score Shinfield 4 – Junior Shots Youth 2
Scorers: Ellis, Luke (2), plus 1 og
Trophies: Sam, Aidan
Regards
Chris Starke