Match Report - Esher Wizards Blues U14 - 27 Feb 2022

With the back end of the season now upon us the CTYFC U14 Rebels were again on the road in a SYL Premier Elite fixture against Esher Wizards. On a small tight pitch it was always going to be a battle and so it proved. Both teams seemed hampered by the limited space and were struggling to put together any sort of sustained possession. It was stop start with the ref happy to give multiple soft free kicks and the game really lacked rhythm. We were forced into an early sub after 8 minutes when Zahir was fouled and injured so Lewis replaced him. We nearly benefited and maybe should have done better from 2 free kicks awarded to us right on the edge of the box but efforts from Freddie and Luca did not trouble the keeper. It took us until the 23rd minute to finally put together some decisive passes in the final 3rd which put Luca in some space. He dropped his shoulder to create a good shooting opportunity 18 yards out but his effort was wide of the target. Hayden came close with a powerful low shot having been found running in at the back post from a left wing cross, Oli just unable to get on the rebound from the keepers parry. Shortly after a lapse in concentration at the end other end saw Freddie give a short back pass to let in their striker but Dom rescued the situation with a great save when 1 v 1 with the attacker. We didn’t learn our lesson and just before half time we gifted Esher with another great opportunity when JJ left another back pass way short. But yet again Dom produced a world class save when 1 v 1 and when the rebound fell to another Esher player Dom produced a second great save. HT 0-0

The second half pattern was very similar to the first and only a few half chances were created by either side. Isaac was marshalling the defence well with JJ, Freddie and Hayden, whilst Kris, Erim and Lewis in the heart of midfield were trying to get things going. Luca, Zahir, Josh DK and James kept probing but couldn’t find any incisive passages of play. Chances for Mikey, Oli and Luke were limited and the game fizzled out to a stalemate. FT 0-0.

A tough day at the office for the squad but we battled to the end. Sometimes it’s difficult to execute the game plan and we take a valuable point and move on. MoM - for three outstanding saves and all his good work throughout the game Dom deservedly gets the award this week.