Worcester City FC U11s vs Kidderminster Athletic Eagles U11s

Worcester City FC U11s hosted the Kidderminster Athletic Eagles U11s team at Perdiswell Leisure Centre, Worcester on Saturday 8th January 2022 for a league match.

Managers Laurence Helme and Luke Morris presided over the team.

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

First Half
The first half started with City applying all the early pressure; however the Eagles teams defence was holding strong by keeping space tight between their players and forcing the play into compact areas. It took the City players a while to adjust to this and make better use of the space elsewhere on the pitch.

In the 15th minute, City opened their scoring account in the match. Toby had the ball in his possession on the right wing, as he ran deeper into the Eagles half, he crossed the ball into the penalty area. An Eagles defender attempted to intercept the cross but only deflected it and the ball fell to Ewan in the central area of the goal and a few metres out. Ewan took an immediate low shot at goal but the Eagles goal keeper got down to block it, fortunately for City, the ball bounced back to Ewan from the block and he was able to tap the ball into the net from a couple of metres out (that was Ewan’s first goal of the season).

In the 20th minute, City created a goal scoring chance. From just inside the Eagles half, Ethan played a through ball to Toby who was approaching the Eagles penalty area. As Toby ran onto the ball, he took a low shot from just inside the area and towards the bottom right of the Eagles goal. The Eagles goal keeper made a great diving save to deny Toby the goal and the ball went out for a corner.

Second Half
The Eagles team started the second half putting the City defence under pressure with an extra forward joining their attack. Over the first ten minutes of the half, the City players adapted to the change and quickly took back the dominance in the match.

In the 48th minute, City scored another goal in the match. Olly had made a run with the ball down the right wing and was nearing the corner flag when he crossed the ball towards the Eagles goal. The ball landed near the corner of the 6 yard box and the Eagles goal keeper had come to intercept it, but also vying for the ball was Max who got to it marginally quicker and was able to tap the ball past the approaching keeper and across the face of the goal. Running in at the back post was Toby who was unopposed and able to tap the ball into the empty net (that was Toby’s third goal of the season and Max’s second assist).

In the 53rd minute, City created a goal scoring chance. Olly had made a run with the ball down the right wing and was nearing the corner flag when he crossed the ball towards the Eagles goal in an almost carbon copy of his cross that led to the last City goal. However this time round, the ball struck the near post of the goal and ricocheted out to an Eagles defender who was able to clear the ball.

In the 55th minute, City scored another goal in the match. Will was making an attacking run within the Eagles penalty area and as he advanced with the ball, a defender ran from behind and swung a leg to try and win the ball, but all they did was take Will’s legs from beneath him and the referee had no choice but to award a penalty to City. Toby stepped up to take the spot kick and struck the ball just off centre of the goal as the Eagles keeper stood his ground but couldn’t react quick enough to save it (that was Toby’s fourth goal of the season).

In the 59th minute, City scored another goal in the match. City had won a throw-in on the left and mid-way into the Eagles half, Hayden stepped up to take the throw and found Arlo on the corner of the Eagles penalty area. Arlo was being marked by a defender but quickly turned with the ball and played a pass across the edge of the area to Will who was just inside the area. The pass was just behind Will but he received the ball, quickly turned with it and after a step or two struck a low shot at goal which went into the bottom right corner as the Eagles keeper attempted to save it (that was Will’s first goal of the season and Arlo’s second assist).

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

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