Under 11s Match Reports

Abbeymead Rovers 4 - 3 Matson Juniors

U11's League

Sunday 4th December

A good competitive game played in the right spirit between two teams determined to win. Abbeymead were the quickest of the mark and scored after just five minutes. Good work on the right between Tiff Eden and Danny Baxter led to an opening for Joshua Harris to score his and Abbeymead's first. After the early shock Matson settled down and started to create opportunities. Only a well timed tackle by Adam Thrall prevented Matson getting an early equaliser.

Abbeymead Rovers then extended their lead. Kieran Smith won possession from the Matson defence and laid off a nice pass to Joshua Harris Unchallenged from twenty yards out, Harris hit the ball high over the keeper and into the back of the net. Soon after the Matson goalkeeper made a good save to deny Matt Ball from extending the lead for Abbeymead further.

Matson were now looking to get back in the game and started to put the Abbeymead defence under pressure. With the defence well marshalled by Nate Crosby and solid tackling by Liam helps and Brian Goodman it looked as though Matson would not break through. Eventually Matson scored after a well worked move and good finish beat Jacob Ellmore in the Abbeymead goal. Jacob Ellmore made an excellent save just five minutes later to preserve Abbeymead's lead going into the second half.

HT ABBEYMEAD ROVERS 2 - 1 MATSON JUNIORS

The second half carried on where the first half ended with both teams playing good attacking football. It was Matson that struck first. The Abbeymead defence was unable to clear the ball from their area as Matson levelled the score at two each. The Matson goalkeeper made a brave save at the feet of Gareth Davies as Abbeymead now put pressure on Matson.

Hadley Gilbert on as a half time substitute for Abbeymead won the ball in midfield to set up Tiff Eden for a long range shot. Unfortunately for the Matson goalkeeper a difficult bounce saw the ball hit the back of the net to put Abbeymead back into the lead.

Matson, to their credit, refused to give up. It took a battling performance from Abbeymead to try and keep Matson at bay, typified by Liam Phelps in the Abbeymead defence. The equaliser eventually came from a free kick. The Matson forwards were quickest to react and rounded the goalkeeper to bring the scores level again.

Abbeymead stepped up their game. With Danny Baxter on the right and Tom Rich down the left they were threatening to get behind the Matson defence. Joshua Harris playing an excellent game won Abbeymead a corner. From the resulting corner the ball found its way into the Matson six yard box. Hadley Gilbert was on hand to coolly slot the ball home to put Abbeymead back in the lead yet again.

With time running out Matson once again pushed for an equaliser. Adam Crabbe was brought on as a substitute to help strengthen the Abbeymead defence. With just a few minutes remaining the Matson forwards finally got through but Jacob Ellmore was out quickly to smother the ball and Matson's last real chance of the game.

FT ABBEYMEAD ROVERS 4 - 3 MATSON JUNIORS

Abbeymead Rovers: Jacob Ellmore, Adam Thrall, Nate Crosby, Liam Phelps, Brian Goodman, Danny Baxter, Tiff Eden, Matt Ball, Gareth Davies, Joshua Harris, Kieran Smith: Subs: Hadley Gilbert, Tom Rich, Adam Crabbe.