Youth Team Match Report

STOCKBRIDGE YOUTH 1          WHITCHURCH  3     Saturday saw Stockbridge a third of the way through their league campaign and still without a win. They entertained a Whitchurch side who beat them 4 -nil less than a month ago.   The return match was a much closer affair and the score line does not reflect how competitive the game was. The third Whitchurch goal was  a late late long range effort which bounced over Adam HILLIER to give the score line a slightly misleading edge.   With George SUTCLIFFE missing Casper ROSHAN came in at right back and had a solid game, but it was the left hand side of the Stockbridge defence which came under more pressure with Elliot SHERWOOD-CLARKE being given a difficult time by the Whitchurch wide man.   Whitchurch opened the scoring with one of these attacks down their right, Theo WILSON was drawn across from the middle to cover but was not able to cut out the cross. The ball was slightly behind  all the players in the box, ROSHAN in his stretch to clear the ball unfortunately only succeeded in diverting the ball to a Whitchurch player who calmly shot home from 8 yards.   Stockbridge again showed a good competitive spirit and bounced back, good work on the right from Bailey FOSTER and Alex THOMPSON saw Whitchurch struggling close to their goal to clear the ball but fortune was not with Stockbridge and the lose ball fell kindly to the Whitchurch defender who cleared the danger.   It wasn’t long before Stockbridge forced the equalising goal that their play deserved, again the ball was worked down the Stockbridge right by Daniel CURTIS and FOSTER put the ball into the box, Daniel CURTIS had a effort blocked but Hayden PENNY was on hand to sweep the ball home with his left foot.   The first half came to a close with the score levels and with the game closely poised. Stockbridge made no substitutions at half time but did move around their players to try and stop the Whitchurch pressure on the right flank. The game was again very competitive but as the game wore on Whitchurch looked the stronger team and started to win the midfield battle.   The 3 Stockbridge substitutes came on with 20  minutes to go, Mitchell TRAVERS slipping into a re-organised back four, Jonathon MACEY playing at right midfield and Archie McMASTER replacing CURTIS upfront.   With 10miutes remaining Whitchurch scored the all important goal, a throw on the right released a Whitchurch midfielder who ran into the box, beating TRAVERS to the ball and firing a shot across HILLIER into the far corner of the net.   Whitchurch piled forward after this but were kept at bay with HILLIER making 2 fine brave saves at the feet of on rushing forwards. With the referee about to blow for full time a speculative long range effort looped towards HILLIER who was unable to read the flight of the ball only to see it bounce over his head and into the net.   Stockbridge Manager Glenn CURTIS said after the game, ” We were much more competitive this week than when we played Whitchurch last month, we are improving game on game. Whitchurch though are a very good team, they are fired up with enthusiasm and commitment and they worked harder than us and won lots more tackles. It is good to play teams like them because it sets the standard that we have to reach if we want to improve and win games. Adam HILLIIER was our man of the match today, he didn’t have a shot to save which shows how well our boys did in front of him, but he did make several saves when coming from his goal line. He showed bravery and despite picking up a couple of knocks he was never found wanting. He remained positive in his attitude which is what we have been working  on with him”.   Stockbridge play Ludgershall next week in an away game, at Astor Crescent.