City U18s attempt at a Shakespearian Tragedy

A game between Worcester City and Stratford Town has always been a great contest usually very even and extremely challenging, exactly what Midland Floodlit Youth League is about.

From the whistle Stratford's intensity was impressive; their persistence paid off after 14 minutes when they scored in open play. City looked a little lacklustre and shell shocked. The highlight of the half for City was the series of impressive saves from top goal keeper Ben Clay who kept the team in the game. At the other end, we created a number of chances but either we couldn't quite get it on target or their equally stunning keeper kept the ball out.

Second half we looked better. Several early corners and a well positioned free kick showed early promise. As the half went on, City began to look more dominant and were dangerous in front of goal. It was the 68th minute when City got the equaliser. Sam Swatton, surrounded in the box, swivelled and hooked the ball over the defensive line to striker Alex Watts who took it well and buried it deep.1-1.

Spurred on by the goal, City pressed high delivering decent balls into the Stratford area however they couldn't make it count. Then a real blow in the 75th minute as one of City players was given a straight red card. Down to 10 City continued to press well but just couldn't quite get the winning goal. And whilst most of the game was in Stratford's half, the visitors broke free in the last few minutes, put a tentative ball across the box for a striker to run in and poke it into our net. 90th minute goal. There was just a couple of minutes for injury time and the ref ended it at 1-2.

It was one of those nights it all went wrong. But City U18s shouldn't be too down hearted, it's the first game in 7 they haven't won. So we go again, this time against an EFL One Academy Burton Town in the FA Youth Cup on 6th Nov.