Worcester City FC U11s vs Droitwich Spa Crusaders U11s

Worcester City FC U11s hosted the Droitwich Spa Crusaders U11s team at Perdiswell Leisure Centre, Worcester on Saturday 18th September 2021 for a league match.

Managers Laurence Helme and Luke Morris presided over the team.

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

First Half
Both teams started the match well and there were some great displays of passing and defending on show. Both teams were also making progress into the opposition penalty box, however clear cut chances to score were scarce as both teams appeared to be cancelling each other out.

In the 11th minute, City created a goal scoring chance. City won a throw-in on the left wing just inside the Crusaders half and Joel stepped up to take it, with the throw Joel found Arlo who controlled the ball and turned the defender who was marking him. Arlo then passed the ball square to Fraser who picked up the ball and began running with it towards the corner flag before making a reverse pass to Olly. With the ball now just outside the Crusaders penalty area, Olly ran with it at goal and just after entering the area he unleashed a shot which went just wide of the left post. The approach play for this attempt at goal was fantastic and would have made a brilliant team goal if it had gone in.

In the 23rd minute, the City defence denied Crusaders a goal scoring chance. A Crusaders attacker had managed to get the ball to the edge of the City penalty area and took a shot at goal. The shot was on target and destined to go in just inside the right post of the City goal until, Tom the City goal keeper, made a reflex save with his left hand to push the ball around the post for a corner.

In the 24th minute, City created a goal scoring chance. Max found himself with the ball inside the Crusaders penalty area and from a fairly close range, he shot at goal but the Crusaders goal keeper pulled off a great save and manged to push the ball wide of the post for a corner.

In the 29th minute, the City defence thwarts a Crusaders attack. Crusaders won a corner and the resultant cross was heading for the City penalty spot where a couple of attackers were waiting to strike, however the City goalie Tom, rushed out from his starting position and managed to get a hand to the cross and deflect it into the air before gathering it safely into his hands as it dropped back down.

Second Half
In the 31st minute, City created a goal scoring chance. City had won a free kick, a few metres out from their own penalty area and Joel stepped up to take the kick. Joel launched the ball midway into the Crusaders half and managed to find Max, who controlled the ball and passed the ball to his left where Toby was making a run down the wing. Toby picked up the ball and ran at the goal and as he entered the penalty area, he struck at goal but unfortunately the ball went just wide of the Crusaders right hand post.

In the 36th minute, City created a goal scoring chance. City won a throw-in on the right wing around the half way line, the throw went to Ethan who controlled the ball and looked up to see Fraser making a run in front of him. Ethan played a through ball with perfect weight on it for Fraser to run onto and after taking the ball around the last defender, Fraser was now in a one on one scenario with the Crusaders goal keeper. Fraser completed his run into the penalty area and as he approached the midway point into the area, he struck at goal, but the keeper had come out enough to close down the angles available and Frasers shot was blocked and the ball went out of play to the right of the goal.

In the 40th minute, Crusaders opened their scoring account in the match following a spot of pin balling of the ball in the City penalty area which ended with a Crusaders attacker poking the ball into the net.

In the 52nd minute, City opened their scoring account in the match. City won a throw-in on the left wing just inside the Crusaders half and Joel stepped up to take it, with the throw Joel found Max who turned on the ball and played a square ball across the pitch to Olly who was just outside the Crusaders penalty area. Olly took a couple of steps and seeing the Crusaders keeper was off his line, he chipped a looping ball over an approaching defender and the keeper and the ball fell perfectly into the top area of the net (that was Olly’s first goal of the season and Max’s first assist).

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

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