On a surprisingly hot day Ramsbury FC U15s got off to a flyer with a thrilling 9-4 HOME win against a well organised Purton U15s team. After a great start by Ramsbury it was Purton who scored the first two goals as indecision and some calamity defending resulted in Purton going 2-0 up against the run of play. What was good to see was Ramsbury didn’t panic and a number of players responded really well with some excellent vocal support. Josh reduced the deficit and made it 2-1 with a 35 yard screamer of a free kick into the top corner to give the opposition keeper no chance. It was then constant pressure by Ramsbury with Maya and Josh solid at the back and Seb and Kieran preventing the Purton wingers crossing options and Reece, Noah and Euan working tirelessly to get the ball wide to Fred or AJ and up to Ben P as the lone centre forward. This worked well and Ben P scored a simple tap in after great work by Reece and Noah and a fumble by the Purton keeper to make it 2-2. Noah then scored a superb volley after more great work by AJ and Euan to make it 3-2 just before Purton scored another goal against the run of play to make it 3-3 at half time.
Geoff made a couple of changes at half time to give some players a rest and it was a timely decision as Ramsbury took the initiative and scored through Ben P straight after the break with some super passing play by Euan, Max and Noah and it was Max who added a fourth as he pounced on a loose ball at the near post and smashed it into the roof of the net to make it 4-2. Ramsbury were on a roll and Noah was causing havoc with his pace and attacking play with Fred and John and AJ all using their pace to good effect. And it was a superb burst of pace that aw AJ skin the Purton defenders and finish with a superb shot to make it 6-3 and see Ramsbury in full control. What was also good to see was Byron coming on and playing out position and doing so well; Hayden and Alex coming on in defence and slotting in making a difference straight away with their fresh legs and maintaining the pressure on Purton. This certainly worked as it was all Ramsbury and Euan finally got his reward for his great play in midfield with a fantastic strike after AJ, Fred and John should all of scored as the Purton defence were in panic mode. Euan’s goal made it 7-3 and no way back for Purton. However, the opposition did score again to make it 7-4 as Ramsbury switched off, but it served to spark the team into life as Josh with a scuffed shot, Maya, with a thundering header from a Fred corner, Fred with the miss of the day (maybe of the season!) shooting wide and John shooting direct at the keeper all went close to making it 8-4. It was AJ that finally scored next with a great low shot to bag his second and make the score 8-4. AJ took a well earned rest but the team cracked on and Ben P netted his hat-trick late on as Purton wilted under the sustained pressure to make the final score 9-4. A tremendous result and great all round team performance. Man of the Match was Josh for his all round performance as a very solid centre half – well done Josh! Moment of the Match went to AJ for his blistering pace that saw him score the goal of the day. Well done AJ. However, Ben B had a excellent second half and scored a great hat-trick; Maya alongside Josh was brilliant in defence; Reece was immense alongside the tireless Noah and Euan and Seb and Kieran put in tremendous tackles. All our new players stepped up and Geoff and I were thoroughly delighted with the whole team.
Next up is an AWAY cup match v Marlborough Town to be played at Great Bedwyn. I will update SPOND this week. See you at training next Saturday and thank you for your support as always and especially Trina and Lisa in the Clubhouse and Alex and Hayden running the line.
Jon
