U13 Shinfield Rangers v Sandhurst

High flying Shinfield faced lowly Sandhurst in a classic top versus bottom match this weekend. The potential for a banana skin performance was significant with such a difference in league positions, a muddy pitch that was more like a ploughed field, enthusiastic opponents and the manager’s strategy to swap players positions around……

To be fair, Shinfield pushed forward from the first whistle and the majority of the play took place deep in the Sandhurst half. Will looked energetic and full of running and was unlucky not to score. He did then play a part in the opening goal when he fed Tyson who scored after a nippy run and shot past the diving keeper.

It was Liam’s turn next to break from his position at back, he went on a strong run and finished very impressively with skillful swagger.

After this the result never really looked in danger. However as a spectacle, it lacked the elegance of recent matches. Players were unused to their new positions and crowded round the ball in a big huddle rather than using the space on the flanks. The heavy pitch did nothing to help either. Sandhurst did capitalise on this confusion and exposed a hole at left back with a dynamic run and shot that Zish could do nothing about.

Sam grabbed his customary goal when he took the pitch in the second half after Will set him up with a delightful through ball. He really is deadly in that role breaking forward and caused the Sandhurst defence many problems.

A late tactical shuffle saw more familiar faces in more familiar positions and this allowed Shinfield to show their true colours with some powerful play. Liam converted a penalty after tricky Tyson was rather crudely taken down as he burst into the penalty box. He completed his hat trick shortly after when he neatly turned in a piledriver shot from Sam, that the brave Sandhurst keeper could only parry into his path.

The game closed with Shinfield comfortable winners and happy with the 3 points. Our best wishes go to Sandhurst who are clearly having a tough time this season but who never gave up the cause.

Overall the team should be delighted with their league form but this game felt a bit too disorganised and muddled, lacking sustained coherent passages of play so here’s hoping the weather improves soon so the pitch regrows green and the lads can pass the ball around once again with flair and precision……

Score 5-1
Scorers – Liam-3, Tyson-1, Sam-1