Pleasing performance from youngsters in defeat for reserves

Saturday 25th August 2007

Stanway Rovers 2 Woodbridge Town 0

Despite tasting defeat against a strong Stanway Rovers team in their opening League Cup Group fixture, Glenn Read’s young team gave him whole-hearted effort in a thoroughly pleasing performance.

Preparation for the game was rocked by two late call-offs & insufficient time to find replacements so with only 12 players to choose from in sweltering conditions & with Liam Hillyard the only player over the age of 17, it was always going to be the sternest of opening day challenges.

The quality of the Woodbridge passing was of high quality from the beginning, although chances were not forthcoming, which was in stark contrast to Stanway who caused all sorts of problems with balls played in channels & behind the visitor’s defence. They seized the initiative with two quick-fire goals midway through the half & should also have been awarded a penalty shortly before half-time.

However, the young Woodbridge lads never dropped their heads or their standards & Craig Jennings & Danny Tatum both tested the keeper, while Jack Severy delivered a string of crosses across the face of the goal & Jennings blazed another chance wide.

Stanway began the 2nd half stronger, but failed to really test Tom Ross in the Woodbridge goal, although several efforts were narrowly off target. After changing to a back 3, substitute & debutant, Josh Mayhew, shot over from a good position before the home keeper made point-blank saves from Jennings & Severy, while Adam Webster was inches away from another Severy cross.

Pushing extra bodies forward right until the end, Woodbridge became more exposed to counter-attacks but heroics from Ross, Ben Hammond, Ted Nicholls & David Kempson managed to defy Stanway’s attempts at a killer third goal, but unfortunately the good approach play at the other end couldn’t bring about the goal to set up a grandstand finish!

A great team effort, both in terms of work-rate & quality of possession, but without the luck or coolness in goal-scoring positions. Sean Rea & Liam Hillyard were probably the pick of the Woodbridge players, but Glenn could be proud of every one of his players! The extreme heat, coupled with the fact that we only had 1 substitute was a telling factor late on, but performances like this one throughout the season will ensure more victories than defeats!

Team: Ross, Hammond, Kempson, Rea, Nicholls, Fulker (Mayhew 58), Webster, Hillyard, Tatum, Jennings & Severy.