MATCH REPORT: 16-year-old Ipswich Town loanee bags brace in narrow victory!
- Woodbridge Town
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
It was a day to remember for Ipswich Town loanee, Roman Burton-Yurevich, as he bagged his first - and second - senior goals, as Woodbridge Town claimed a 3-2 victory over Lakenheath.
It was a fast start for Woodbridge Town, who looked dangerous in attacking areas. Mark Ray had the best of the early opportunities, bursting towards the front post to meet a cross from Roman Burton-Yurevich, but he headed the opportunity over the bar. Burton-Yurevich had an effort of his own parried wide, and Andy Crowe’s cross was pushed into a dangerous area but Kye Webb couldn’t convert the resultant opportunity.
That one-way traffic was persistent until eventually Woodbridge Town found the breakthrough on the 23 minute mark. Kye Webb was released down the left hand side, latching on the pass and driving inside. He placed his effort to the left of the goalkeeper, who managed to get a glove to it, deflecting the effort into the path of Roman Burton-Yurevich, who finished the chance without issue. His effort drew praise from Ipswich Town Loan and Emergent Talent Analyst, Alfie Davidson, who stated on X, “Delighted for Roman, first senior goal!”
The first half continued in a similar manner, with Woodbridge Town controlling possession but struggling to create anything of note. Roman Burton-Yurevich had another opportunity, cutting inside and forcing a strong stop from the goalkeeper, but ultimately it was Lakenheath who took advantage of Woodbridge Town’s lack of a clinical touch. A cross from the left flank was dealt with poorly in the penalty area, and headed home at the back post, despite the best efforts of Toby Hurst to charge down the effort.
Woodbridge Town had chances to re-establish their advantage before the break. Taylor Southgate nodded over from close range, and the biggest opportunity in the first half came in the 44th minute, as Mark Ray found space down the right and squared the ball across the face of goal, but Kye Webb couldn’t quite reach it. The sides went into the break level.
A rapid start to the second half caught out our social media admin, who emerged from the clubhouse just in time to catch Kye Webb nestling an effort home at the far post but not in time to capture it on camera. A tidy finish, by all accounts, from the 17-year-old, who’s enjoyed an electric season for Woodbridge Town.
6 minutes later, Woodbridge Town extended their advantage. Kye Webb was released down the left flank. Shifting the ball onto his right foot, he swung a cross towards the back post, where Roman Burton-Yurevich rose highest to nod across goal and grab his second of the game.
A few substitutions around the hour mark interrupted a quiet period, as Zac Gayfer, who has impressed since joining a month ago, was replaced by Jesse Smith, and a few minutes later Roman Burton-Yurevich made way to a smattering of applause and Harry Alexander, stepping up from the under 18s, entered the play.
Lakenheath managed to find a scrappy goal late on, in very similar fashion to their first. A ball from the left-hand side wasn’t dealt with by the Woodbridge Town defence, and was scrambled home at the back post. We saw out the game without issue though, claiming an important 3 points as the season nears its end.
Youth running the show
Chris Rogers’ faith in the youth paid off in this match. 16-year-old Ipswich Town loanee, Roman Burton-Yurevich, and 17-year-old, homegrown star, Kye Webb, both started this match in the frontline and were dynamic and dangerous throughout. Webb added to his impressive tally for the season, scoring his ninth goal and assisting Roman Burton-Yurevich for the third and final of the game. Meanwhile, Burton-Yurevich bagged the first senior goal of his career, shortly followed by his second, in just his second start for Woodbridge Town.
Amongst the substitutes, we saw Jesse Smith and Harry Alexander given minutes in the second half, and Charlie Ratcliffe was an unused sub. A total of five teenagers in the matchday squad, even without standout Woodbridge Town youth alumni, Laurie Higgs, is mightily impressive. Definitely something to build on next season.
What it means
Following this result, Woodbridge Town have a firm grasp of 11th place in the table, whilst Dereham Town’s 2-2 draw with Stowmarket means 10th place is still up for grabs.
What’s next?
Our final game of the season is a trip to Dereham Town, a direct battle between 10th and 11th in the table to see who will finish this season in the higher position.
The team
Woodbridge Town - Toby Hurst, Andrew Crowe, Sean Rea, Zac Gayfer (Jesse Smith 59’), Lewis Kincaid (Jamal Wiggins 45’), Taylor Southgate, Luke Mallett (Ivan Costa 72’), Roman Burton-Yurevich (Harry Alexander 69’), Ashley Blow, Kye Webb, Mark Ray
Thank you to all the supporters who got behind the team today and throughout the season. Whilst it may not be the final position we would like to be in, there have been some results to be proud of along the way and lots of reasons for belief next season. We’ve still got a trip to Dereham Town next Saturday, on the final day of the season, and the under 18’s, under 23’s and Ladies team’s still have many fixtures left in their seasons, so let’s show support for all our teams and demonstrate that Woodbridge Town is one club. UP THE PECKERS!
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