Worcester City U18s boss the FA Youth Cup

The 2nd Round Qualifying of the FA Youth Cup arrived on Monday night at Claines as Worcester City U18s took on Stafford Rangers U18s. Rangers are always a good team to play but there was more than that involved. Rangers had put the U18s out of the FA Youth Cup last year when we played them away. But also Stafford Rangers first team had ended our first team’s Cup hopes just the week before. The stakes were high, and as the ref blew the whistle to start the game on the 3G pitch, you could cut the tension with a knife.

From the off, Rangers piled the pressure on City. Pressing high and quickly closing our midfield down, they were winning the ball and making most of possession, leading to one squandered opportunity to go one up when they had an almost open goal but blasted above the crossbar. Another Stafford strike was brilliantly saved by our in form goalie, Ben Clay. City fought back, gradually their passing game came together and they kept possession winning more of those midfield battles. They were finally rewarded when Tristan Webby’s corner found our tall central defender Dexter Dudley Toole who headed the ball into the net with force. 1-0. City deserved it and celebrated like they’d won, but they knuckled down quickly as Stafford came back at them.

Once again, City got control back and drove at Stafford, our three forwards #10 Kane Harold, #11 Owen Oxley, #9 Tristan Webby used blistering speed and pace to come close a few times, the best perhaps when Tris hit the upright. But for me the goal of the night came from a well worked training ground drill. Just outside Ranger’s area, Kane made to kick the ball over the wall, but elegantly passed it sideways to Tris who had been in space but, now that he was marked, drew his man off leaving the space for Owen to absolutely thunder the ball into the goal. 2-0. Brilliant team goal, executed to perfection.

Now Rangers looked a bit weary, and so making the most of the lull, Ben Clay kicked a long ball out to the right wing where Tris took it, ran to the bye line and cut in, passing to Kane who had timed the run perfectly. Kane casually slotted it in and we were 3 up. The ref called half time with the score at 3-0.

The second half got underway as Stafford roused by a HT break and team talk, came out looking to get back in the game. To be fair they are a very strong, technical team who made it very hard for City to settle. It was a great half to watch as both teams battled hard. And whilst there were opportunities for each team, it played out without further score.

City played as a team and every player played their part brilliantly. Our U18s did us proud with a great display of determination, commitment and spirit. But if there was one player that summed up the team’s battling performance, it was Josh Schuck our midfield engine. He covered every inch of the pitch putting in the tackles, turning defence into attack. He was deservedly awarded Player of the Match, when quite honestly any number of players had a shout for it.

Onto the next round which is w/c 19th October against either Heather St Johns or Rugby Town. 3rd Round Qualifying meaning we’ve won 3 FA Youth Cup games so far. C’mon City!