AFC Totton
Young Stags Take Their Revenge on Gosport
On Thursday evening our U18s took their revenge over Gosport U18s beneath the floodlights of the Testwood Stadium, with an emphatic victory over a team who narrowly beat them in the league just a couple of weeks earlier.
The previous meeting between these two teams was a feisty affair and saw three of the Gosport team sent off for various misdemeanours, but that game showed the young stags grit and determination, however, on that occasion, they were unlucky to lose, failing to take their chances accordingly.
On Thursday evening the teams met in the Floodlit cup and it was an all together different matter. After a nervous start, which saw the physical Gosport team press hard, our young team found their rhythm, getting the ball down and playing some exciting football. As Division 1 Champions from last season, we know that this team has quality throughout, but on this occasion they really showed their class and, in the end, completely outplayed the Gosport team in this 4-0 thriller.
The deadlock was broken just before half time when a nicely placed cross from Harry Prisk set up Charlie Hennen for a sweet strike, which edged low passed the keeper. This seemed to settle the team further and shortly afterwards, this goal was followed by a second from Alex Haynes, who has been a regular on the team sheet for the 1st team this season.
With a two goal advantage at the break the 2nd half was always going to be interesting, as no one expected Gosport to lay down and take it. This season the U18 have suffered a little from the “game of two halves” syndrome, dominating teams in the first 45 then having the same done to them for the second period.
This time there was no such situation and the U18s continued to press for a 3rd goal, moving the ball well throughout the team and using the width of the pitch. The goals from the first half seemed to give confidence and it wasn’t too long before Charlie Hennen got his second of the night followed, towards the end of the game, by a fourth goal, giving Alex Haynes his brace too.
All in all a very positive performance from the team, which included a number of the U16s, and showed the potential of this young team to improve on their league performances, which have been encouraging, but falling short of points.
Difficult to call out individuals as the team, under the guidance of manager Jamie Robinson, held its structure well throughout the game with a solid defensive set up, a battling and creative midfield and a menacing strike force. That said, one shout out for Konard Szymaniak, who pulled off an outstanding one on one save in the first half which kept our boys in it at the time.
Reward for Thursday’s performance is another home tie at the Testwood Stadium, this time against the U18s of Aldershot Town on the 12th January 2017 in the quarter finals of the Hampshire Midweek Floodlit Cup.
Team: (Keeper) Konard Szymaniak (Defence) Jack Webb, George Ockwell (C), Ryan Gill, Mitchell Wood, (Midfield) Tom Rose, Charlie Hennen, Alex Haynes, James Bennett Strikers, Joe Murray, Callum Hellyer
Subs: Nathan Jones, Tom Lycett, Sam Muddieman, Harry Prisk, Bradley Taylor
