Reading Town Youth 1 Northwood Youth 4
Monday 7th September 2009
Northwood Youth |
 |
Allied Premier Scours Lane, Tilehurst, Reading |
| Will Norris | 1 |
Kick Off |
| Dan Briggs | 2 |
7.45 p.m. |
| John Uche | 3 |
H/T |
| Dwaine Cole-Parkes | 4 |
2-4 |
| Billy Myers | 5 |
Scorers |
| Johan Adjei-Dawkins | 6 |
Northwood |
| Mark Howell | 7 |
Walker 2, Khailat, Adelana |
| Nathan McLeod | 8 |
|
| Stefan Khailat | 9 |
|
| Romaine Walker | 10 |
Reading |
| Michael Delasalle | 11 |
? |
Substitutes |
||
| Jonas Charles (8) | 12 |
|
| Julian Cole (7) | 14 |
|
| JJ Adelana (9) | 15 |
|
16 |
||
17 |
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After an opening game baptism of fire, Woods' young, new look Allieds side took to the road on the long 90 mile round trip to Reading Town FC. With confidence low, matters could not have got off to a poorer start when within 1 minute of the start Woods failed to pick up on the first defensive free kick set-piece, allowing a free header to go 1-0 down.
What was to follow was a real test of character, having conceded six in the first game, but Woods' response was very encouraging and they passed their test with flying colours. They gradually settled, and soon began to get control of the midfield, with the tireless work of Mark Howell and Nathan Mcleod in a new look central midfield partnership which bodes well for the future.
On 15 minutes Woods were back on level terms, when the ball was fed into the feet of Romaine Walker wide on the left, and he turned his defender, cut inside and unleashed a 25 yard pile driver which nestled in the top corner. Five minutes later Woods edged in front when the lively Romaine Walker linked well with his partner up front Stefan Khailat, playing a short give and go wall pass on the edge of the box, with his shot half blocked, but spinning over the stranded keeper to nestle into the empty net.
The game was a well contested affair, and Woods rode their luck conceding numerous freekicks around the box and struggling to deal with Readings movement in the box. However, any nerves were soon settled when on 35 minutes Stefan Khailat scored the third against the run of play with a well taken individual effort, having gone a mazy run, riding two tackles to slip the ball into the far corner. Half-time 3-1.
The second half saw Woods produce a solid professional performance. We needed to learn from the previous week when a lack of discipline saw too many individuals commit forward leaving us very open to counter-attack. Both AJ & Michael Delasalle, playing wide in midfield, were asked to tuck in and pick and choose their forward runs more conservatively which both executed well. The back four, lead by Billy Myers (captain) produced a far more cohesive defensive unit display and in the main we were comfortable throughout the half.
All three subs were used to freshen up proceedings, with Jonas Charles replaced the tiring Nathan Mcleod on 65 minutes, JJ on for Michael Delasalle after 70 minutes, and Julian on for Mark Howell with ten minutes left. It was JJ who had the most significant impact when on 85 minutes, following a powerful run down the left flank, his speculative early cross cum shot flew into the top corner from a full 35 yards on the angle....JJ claiming a wonder strike (yeah, right!!). Result 4-1. Overall this positive result gives us a platform to build on....still much work to do but a great boost in confidence. Well done lads!
