Warndon Village Cobras U10s vs Worcester City FC U10s

Worcester City FC U10s visited the Warndon Village Cobras U10s team at the Little Perdiswell Playing Fields, Worcester on Saturday 15th May 2021 for a league match.

Managers Laurence Helme and Luke Morris presided over the team.

Team Sheet
Goal Keeper - Tom (co-captain)
Defenders - Joel
Midfielders - Ewan, Theo, Ethan, Luke & Toby
Forwards - Olly (co-captain) & Max

Before kick-off, both teams impeccably observed a minutes silence in tribute to the tragic loss of Jordan Banks, a nine-year-old boy from Blackpool who died after being struck by lightning during a football coaching session. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

The following is a link to a BBC news article which advises you on the actions to take when a thunderstorm is close; https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36608210

First Half
The first half started well for both teams, however it was City who appeared to be slightly on top in the encounter and they were creating the more clear cut chances to score.

In the 2nd minute, City created a goal scoring chance. City had won a throw-in near the half way line and Joel threw a long throw to Olly who was on the left edge of the Cobras penalty area. Olly controlled the ball and as he was being put under pressure from a Cobras defender, he played the ball across the top of the penalty area to Toby who was on the far side. Toby collected the ball and advanced into the area before taking a shot at goal, unfortunately his shot went into the side netting.

In the 12th minute, City created a goal scoring chance. The Cobras team had won a corner and the cross was met by Joel in the City area who headed the ball out of danger and up field to Olly. Olly collected the ball and supported by Theo, with a couple of passes between them they made their way into the Cobras penalty area. The Cobras defence put the pair under pressure and a goal mouth scramble ensued which finally ended when Olly took a shot at goal, however a defender was able to block the shot and the ball went out of play.

In the 18th minute, City created a goal scoring chance. Following a Cobras attack the ball had fallen to Joel within the City penalty area, he looked up to see Luke in space around the centre circle and played the ball forward to him. Luke took the ball under control and spotted Max on the edge of the Cobras penalty area and played the ball forward again. Max controlled the ball and under pressure from a Cobras defender, managed to get a shot away which struck the right hand post of the Cobras goal but then went out of play.

In the 20th minute, Cobras opened the scoring in the match after an individual run and shot by a Cobras attacker.

Second Half
After falling behind late in the first half, the City players came out for the second half determined to convert some of the chances they had created into a goal which would give them a foothold in the match.

In the 26th minute, City created a goal scoring chance. City had won a corner and from the resultant cross, the ball fell to Ethan just outside the Cobras penalty area on a slight angle to the goal. Ethan unleashed a half-volley shot which was destined to end up in the top right corner of the Cobras net, albeit the Cobras goal keeper pulled off an excellent save jumping to his left; denying Ethan a certain goal.

In the 33rd minute, City created a goal scoring chance. Ewan had the ball under control on the left side of midfield, spotting Max running goal wards; Ewan played the ball forward into Max’s path. Max collected the ball just outside the Cobras penalty area and as he entered the area, he took a strike, but unfortunately on this occasion the ball went just wide of the right post.

In the 42nd minute, the City defence denied Cobras a goal scoring chance. The Cobras team had won an in-direct free kick a few yards out of the City penalty area. As two Cobras attackers lined up to take the kick, one nudged the ball a few inches for the other to take a direct shot at goal. The ball flew through the air and was destined to end up in the far right side of the City net; however Tom in the City goal lunged to his left and guided the ball past the post denying a certain goal.

In the 45th minute, City opened their scoring account in the match. The Cobras team had won a corner and the cross bounced off a couple of players before falling to Ethan in the City area. He immediately began to make his way out of the area and as he did he saw Olly in space around the centre circle and played an early ball up to him. Olly got the ball under control and in the process knocked it past the defender who was putting him under pressure. Olly was now in a one on one situation with the Cobras keeper and as he made his way towards the goal, the keeper came out towards him to close down the angles. The pair came together just inside the Cobras penalty area but as they did, Olly managed to poke the ball low and to the right of the keeper and the ball hit the back of the net
(that was Olly’s fifth goal of the season).

Well played Cobras and good luck for the rest of the season. The match was watched by a few dozen respectful spectators who enjoyed a great game of football. All the City players put in great performances in the game but it was Joel and Ewan who were jointly awarded man-of-the-match.

Thanks to all the City parents for their support on match day.