Away victory for City U12's

City under 12's travelled to Birmingham for a tough fixture against Birmingham St Georges RTC and came away with the spoils
Q1
The first quarter saw both sides play some attractive football but it was the home side who started stronger and had a good chance early on when a city attack broke down and a quick counter attack saw the home striker clear of the defence but an excellent timed tackle from Jay Bennet saw off the danger. The home side were winning the early physical battles but the City defence of Josh Francis, Joe Layland and Jay Bennet were excellent and kept the score at 0-0
City's first chance fell to the in form Ash Doyle who superbly brought down a high ball on the edge of the area before firing a shot goal bound only to see Joshua Birkett in the home goal pull off a fine save. St Georges had an effort when Nicholas Hough hit a long range effort which Zac Watkins comfortably saved. It was end to end stuff and Joe Layland hit a long range effort over the bar before Kyle Clayton was denied by Birkett in the home goal with a fantastic tip round the post. Jake Brookes was unlucky not to break the deadlock at the far post after some fine work down the left by Doyle. Right on the whistle of the first quarter City managed to get past the excellent home keeper to take the lead when Adam Willis through ball saw Doyle calmly put the ball into the home net
Q2
The introduction of Henry Guy into the centre of midfield and Clayton pushing up top in the second quarter saw City take control of the game with some neat passing and ball retention. The chances were now coming thick and fast with both Clayton and Doyle being denied by the keeper before Doyle doubled the score after some great link up play with Jake Brookes. The midfield of Brookes, Guy, Willis and Doyle were linking well and moving the ball quickly which lead to Doyle being denied a deserved hattrick by the outstanding Birkett in the home goal.
Q3
The 3rd quarter continued to see the visitors dominate and Guy was denied again by the keeper bravely diving at his feet. Substitute Josh Sanders started to give the home side problems out wide with his pace but it was proving difficult to get past the in form keeper who was having a tremendous game. It would take something special to beat him and it came in the 50th minute courtesy of Jay Bennet. The defender picked up a loose ball 30 yards out and unleashed a perfectly judged shot over Birkett and into the roof of the net. Further chances from Doyle and Clayton were once again well saved. St Georges refused to give up and battled hard and were almost rewarded for the persistence. They were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area and Hough curled a terrific shot towards the far corner but Watkins proved it was a day for the keepers in pulling off a fine diving save
Q4
The final quarter continued in the same vein with both sides pressing for more goals but Hayden Russel expertly dealt with any threat at the heart of the city defence and Watkins denied the lively Jahnieh Miles bravely diving at his feet. Willis came close with an effort just over the bar and Doyle had another chance of his hat trick denied by the keeper. City thought they had scored their 4th when Sanders struck an unstoppable drive from outside the box which struck the bar and the back of the scrambling keeper but after consulting with the linesman the Referee deemed the ball hadn't crossed the line. Further efforts from Rafe Green and Brookes were dealt with by the keeper as the game ended with a 3-0 victory for the city boys

Gold - Jay Bennet
Silver - Ash Doyle
Bronze - Jake Brookes