City progress in Cup

City under 12's travelled away to Reading to face Procision in the National Trophy and put in a great performance to reach the last 16

Q1
The city boys impressed the coaches in the first quarter by playing some of their best football this season. They pressed high when not in possession and moved the ball quickly in transition. They completely dominated the early stages and took a deserved lead in the 4th minute after a neat passing move resulted in Ash Doyle crossing and when the ball struck a home defender and fell to Jake Brookes he calmly slotted the ball home for an early lead. The midfield of Henry Guy, Kyle Clayton, Doyle and Brookes were linking well and giving the opposition a torrid time moving the ball quickly. Guy, on one of his typical strong drives forward came close but he shot wide before Rafe Green had an effort superbly blocked by the home keeper. From the resulting Brookes corner the visitors doubled their lead when Kyle Clayton struck a sublime volley from just inside the box into the roof of the net. Doyle had another effort saved by the impressive home keeper who then denied Clayton after a great passage of play and passing involving all 9 players starting at the back. Procision were looking to hit the visitors on the break but the defence of Joe Layland, Jay Bennet and Hayden Russel were strong and well organised however they had their first chance in the final minute of the quarter with a break down the left and a shot from wide which was heading for the far corner before Zac Watkins finger tips pushed the ball wide to keep the visitors on top

Q2
Procision started the second quarter on the front foot and pressed the visitors trying to force mistakes and almost got some reward when their striker struck a first time volley but Watkins saved comfortably. City continued to move the ball and create chances but the home defence and especially the keeper continued to deny them. Green had a goal bound effort superbly blocked by the full back before Doyle saw his effort tipped over the bar by the keeper. A Procision break down the left wing broke the city back line but again Watkins denied the striker with a fine save with his legs. The quarter ended with Clayton and Doyle combining well but Doyle's effort was cleared off the line to keep the score 0-2

Q3
With a few changes the visitors started the third quarter a bit sluggish with some sloppy passing but any threats from the hosts were dealt with by Josh Francis in the heart of the defence. Adam Willis replaced Guy in the centre of midfield and he was busy linking play and breaking up any moves from the hosts. Willis put in Clayton who struck a fierce drive goal bound only to see the home keeper pull off another fantastic save. Josh Sanders showed his pace down the right flank and his run lead to another effort from Clayton which was easily saved. The hosts had their best quarter in terms of possession but didn't really threat Louis Hudson in the city goal. The quarter ended with a Clayton header once again being cleared off the line.

Q4
The final quarter followed the same pattern as the third with city safe in possession and defending well. Procision continued to push for goals but their only real threat was comfortably saved by Hudson. Further efforts by Doyle, Clayton and Green failed to add to the score as the game ended 0-2. It was a great effort by all the boys and the game was won with a superb performance in the first quarter and some organised play in the remainder of the game.