Away victory for City U12's

City u 12's made the short trip to Kidderminster for a JPL clash and came away with a fine victory

Q1
With the game being played on a big pitch both sides got the ball down early and played some attractive football.
The first chance of the game fell to the visitors when a well taken Jake Brookes corner caused panic in the home defence but after a scramble they cleared the danger. Defender Josh Francis then had a fine long range effort saved by the home keeper before a Kyle Clayton effort just sailed over the bar. Kidderminster looked lively up front and were looking to play the strikers in but any danger was well dealt with by the solid city defence of Francis, Josh Sanders and Joe Layland. Both sides were looking dangerous going forward but equally both defences were well organised and strong. Rafe Green had his effort blocked by a superbly timed challenge by the impressive Kidderminster centre half and the same fate met Ash Doyle as he was closing in on goal a few minutes later as the quarter ended honours even

Q2
The second quarter followed the same pattern as the first with the majority of play concentrated in the midfield with the excellent Henry Guy and Clayton dominating and winning the battles. Unfortunately goal scoring chances were few and far between with both defences controlling any danger. Ash Doyle had a free kick from the edge of the box easily saved by the home keeper and Green and Clayton efforts went wide. Right on the whistle for the end of the quarter Kidderminster had the best chance to open the scoring when a ball over the top of the city defence saw their striker in on goal but he was thwarted by an excellent save by Zac Watkins in the city goal to keep the score 0-0

Q3
A change in formation saw Clayton pushed up front, Adam Willis and Hayden Russell took up the centre of midfield and Guy pushed out on the left as the city took control of the game. Russell in particular won every 50/50 challenge and soon stamped his authority while Willis linked up superbly with Clayton and Doyle. Clayton showed his quality in the box whilst surrounded by defenders to fashion a shot from no where which the home keeper saved well. It was looking more likely that the city boys would make the break through and it came in the 50th minute when the excellent Henry Guy won the ball in a strong challenge then drove for the box before putting Ash Doyle through with a superb pass and the in form striker rounded the keeper to open the scoring, further efforts from Brookes, Clayton and Willis failed to find the target and Kidderminster battled hard but they found Jay Bennet in defence in commanding form with some superbly timed last ditched tackles as the third quarter ended 1-0 to the visitors

Q4
With the game still finely poised Kidderminster started the final quarter on the front foot pushing for the equaliser and Watkins once again foiled a great chance with a block on the edge of his area and Bennet and Josh Sanders pulled off important tackles at crucial times. They had a great chance to equalise in the 70th minute when an excellent run and cross form the right just failed to meet the head of the advancing striker. City needed a second goal to finish the game and it came in the 78th minute courtesy of a marauding run down the left by Henry Guy through two challenges before his cross found Rafe Green who's first shot was blocked but the rebound fell kindly and the striker kept his cool placing the ball into the far corner. The game finished 2-0 to the visitors but both sides deserve credit for an excellent, entertaining game played in a great spirit

Awards
Gold - Kyle Clayton
Silver - Ash Doyle
Bronze - Henry Guy