Under 11s Match Reports

Abbeymead Rovers 3 3 Forest Rangers

GYAFL Under 11s

Sunday 30th October

Both sides contributed to a thrilling match that kept the watching crowd on the edge of their nerves right up to the final whistle. Forest Ranges started the game with purpose and took the lead within the first five minutes. Abbeymead, who failed to heed the wake up call, found themselves in more trouble just ten minutes later. Forest Rangers broke through again to double their score with a well taken shot into the bottom corner of the goal. Rovers finally started to threaten the Rangers goal with some good approach play. Danny Baxter was unfortunate not to score with an excellent header from a well delivered corner by Matt Ball. Rovers were now creating chances but could not get a break through as both Hadley Gilbert and Josh Harris had chances blocked by a stern Rangers defence. Forest Rangers took full advantage of a bit of luck to extend their lead. A clearance by the Abbeymead goalkeeper Jacob Ellmore, struck a Rangers forward. The ball bounced kindly for the forward to score into an undefended goal to put Rangers 3-0 up.

To their credit Abbeymead refused to give up. With Nate Crosby and Barnaby George at the heart of the defence and Adam Crabbe and Liam Phelps out wide the Rovers defence had now come to terms with the Rangers attack. Kieran Smith and Joshua Harris worked hard up front trying to create an opening. Rovers finally got their break through five minutes before half time. A long range shot from Gareth Davies finally beat the Rangers goalkeeper to give Abbeymead some hope.



Half Time: Abbeymead Rovers 1 Forest Rangers 3

Right from the start of the second half Abbeymead put the Forest defence under pressure. Danny Baxter supported by Barnaby George down the left were a constant threat to Rangers. Good link play through the middle by Josh Harris and Hadley Gilbert put Kieran Smith through on goal. Kieran showed all his killer instinct to score and put Rovers right back in the game. Rovers now were playing good football and now for an equaliser. An excellent save by the Forest goalkeeper denied Gareth Davies what seemed to be a certain goal.

A break away move by Forest Rangers caught out the Abbeymead defence. What looked like a certain goal scoring opportunity was averted by a superbly timed tackle by half time substitute Adam Thrall. Rovers pushed more and more for an elusive equaliser as Forest Rangers put up a solid defensive display. Tom Rich won Abbeymead a corner after chasing down a long kick from Goalkeeper Jacob Ellmore. From the resulting corner, taken by Tom Rich, Gareth Davies managed to control the ball and beat the goal keeper with a looping shot into the far corner. Rovers had now managed to level the sores at 3-3 with ten minutes left.

With the scores level, both teams looked to score a winner in a tense end to the game. The closest opportunity came from Liam Phelps, who picked up a loose ball on the edge of the goal area. He was unfortunate to see his attempt go just over the Rangers crossbar for a goal kick. The game was finally poised with Abbeymead pushing for a winner but always mindful of a breakaway by Rangers. The final whistle brought an absorbing game to an end with the scores level.
Full time: Abbeymead Rovers 3 Forest Rangers 3

Abbeymead: Jacob Ellmore, Liam Phelps, Nate Crosby, Barnaby George. Adam Crabbe, Danny Baxter, Hadley Gilbert, Matthew Ball, Gareth Davies, Kieran Smith, Joshua Harris - Subs: Brian Goodman, Adam Thrall, Tom Rich.

Hardwick B 1 Abbeymead Rovers 7
Gloucester Youth League Cup

Sunday 16th October


Abbeymead Rovers progressed through to the next round of the League Cup with a well earned victory away to Hardwick B. Abbeymead started very brightly and scored within the first two minutes curtsey of a well struck shot by Kieran Smith. Hardwicke then defended well to stop Abbeymead adding to the score, they even threatened to break through occasionally for an equaliser. However, a good Abbeymead defence marshalled by the reliable Barnaby George dealt with any threats. Eventually Kieran Smith got his, and Abbeymead's second after a delightful flick on by Matthew Ball. Just before half time Hadley Gilbert broke through from midfield to score a good goal to make things comfortable at half time for the travelling Rovers side

Half Time: Hardwick B 0 3 Abbeymead Rovers

Abbeymead started the second half playing some good football. Good work by Liam Phelps in midfield help spur Abbeymead on looking for further goals. An excellent individual goal by Gareth Davies secured Abbeymead's fourth goal. Good defending by the solid Brian Goodman and Adam Thrall restricted Hardwicke to only two chances in the second half. The first was dealt with clinically by goalkeeper Jacob Ellmore, who was quick off his line to close down a dangerous attack. Unfortunately for Abbeymead, Hardwicke scored on their next attack .Despite a valiant effort, by the ever dependable Nate Crosby, Hardwicke scored a well earned consolation goal.
Danny Baxter worked hard down the flanks and was unlucky not to score with a good effort on goal. With Adam Crabbe and Tom Rich working well down the left it was not too long before Rovers increased their lead again. The best move of the match saw Matt Ball and Barnaby George combine well to release Gareth Davies down the wing. An excellent cross was met by Kieran Smith, who completed his hat-trick with a sweet touch to beat the goalkeeper at the near post. Abbeymead were now fully in command of the game and were looking dangerous on each attack. Joshua Harris scored his third in three games, which was just rewards for his unselfish hard work.
Tom Rich completed the scoring, leaving the goalkeeper stranded, with a well struck shot.

Full Time Hardwick B 1 7 Abbeymead Rovers

Abbeymead Team: Jacob Ellmore, Adam Thrall, Barnaby George, Adam Crabbe, Danny Baxter, Liam Phelps, Gareth Davies, Hadley Gilbert, Tom Rich, Kieran Smith, Joshua Harris: subs: Matthew Ball, Nate Crosby, Brian Goodman.

Gloucester Youth League
Saturday 9th October

Abbeymead Rovers fought back from being 2-0 down to gain a deservedly hard won 2-3 victory away at Quedgeley. After 20 minutes Abbeymead Rovers found themselves facing a two goal deficit following two well taken break away goals by Quedgeley.

The crucial break through came just before halftime. A well taken goal by Joshua Harris, who worked hard all game, gave Abbeymead Rovers hope. However they found themselves still trailing 2-1 down at the half time interval.

In the second half, Abbeymead set about their objective with determination and purpose. This was typified by the constant chasing and harrying of midfield dynamo Hadley Gilbert. Some very good link play between Liam Phelps, Gareth Davies and Kieran Smith down the right caused Quedegely problems all through the second half.

The equaliser finally came from a well struck left footed shot of Matt Ball. The rest of the second half was almost constant pressure from Abbeymead in search of a winner. With the introduction at half time, of Adam Thrall for Brian Goodman and the hard working Barnaby George and Nate Crosby, the Abbeymead defence limited Quedgeley to very few opportunities. The one real chance Quedegely managed to fashion in the second half was dealt with comfortably by the Abbeymead goalkeeper Jacob Ellmore.

Tom Rich, who worked tirelessly down the left, was replaced by Adam Crabbe as Abbeymead pushed harder and harder against a determined Quedgeley defence.
The winner came with less than ten minutes to go. Kieran Smith latched on to a good through ball and beat the advancing keeper with a skilful lob. Just reward for a very good second half team performance.