Stourbridge U11s vs Worcester City U11s

Worcester City u11s were involved in a topsy-turvy encounter that was settled by a wonder strike from the last kick of the game, in their first JPL One league game away against Stourbridge.

WCFC came into the game on the back of a packed preseason fixture list where they’ve come to terms with the bigger pitch and offsides.

The game started scrappily, but WCFC were getting joy down the left hand side and they took the lead through a piece of individual magic with Liam squeezing home a brilliant finish from a ridiculous angle.

However WCFC’s general starting malaise, something that was evident both last season and again in preseason, saw them squander the lead almost immediately and the scores were level going into the first break.

The second quarter saw much of the same, as WCFC just couldn’t raise levels and compete for the second ball and when in possession their quality wasn’t at the levels we have come to expect. Early on in quarter two WCFC conceded again down their left and with five minutes left of the the half went further behind. A typically battling goal by Tom brought the scores closer at the halfway stage.

WCFC definitely upped their game in the second half, with the calming and assured performance of Ryan at the heart of defence setting the tone. They began to dominate the midfield and were winning the territory battle. A sumptuous through ball from Isaac found Dylan who coolly slotted home to bring the scores level.

WCFC were on top, and aside from Stourbridge’s dangerous corners, they looked in control and were the only team attempting to play football. The quality was still missing at times but WCFC were suddenly winning challenges and playing on the front foot. However, against the run of play Stourbridge took the lead through an error and WCFC entered the last quarter behind.

Despite the game being their 6th game in a fortnight, to the boys credit their superior fitness levels began to show. WCFC were on top and it was only a matter of time before they got back on level terms. It came half way through the period with a lovely through ball from Evan K, setting up Tom to bag his second of the game. It felt like there was only going to be the one winner, with WCFC having more possession. With less than a minute to go WCFC launched another attack down their left, and spotting Evan K In acres of space, an attempted through ball that, if successful, would have surely sealed it. Alas the ball was intercepted and cleared, Stourbridge first to the ball on two separate occasions and with the ball ending up 25 yards from goal their midfielder drilled a shot in to the top right hand corner to win the game. It was a strike worthy of winning any game of football and was timed at 19 minutes and 58 seconds!

A tough ending for the lads given how they’d responded to being behind, and with regards to the overall pattern of the game. That said WCFC made it difficult for ourselves with errors across the pitch and were lacking intensity and quality for most of the game.

GOLD
Despite being played out of his normal position, Ryan was instrumental in the turnaround of performance adding a layer of composure at the heart of the back three.

SILVER
Dylan was back at his tenacious best, took his goal well and linked up well with the defence and midfield.

BRONZE
Evan K provided an attacking threat down our right hand side and worked hard in both attach and defence.