Avon Youth League Under 16s, Division 2, 11/09/16
Keynsham Town 2 Bristol Central 0 (HT 0- 0)
Keynsham scorers: Luke & Toby.
KEYNSHAM PUNISH BRISTOL CENTRAL FOR FAILING TO CASH IN ON FIRST HALF DOMINANCE.
Bristol Central started the match at a ferocious pace and dominated the first 20 minutes with most of the play taking place in the Keynsham half of the pitch.
Bristol worked very hard closing down and gave Keynsham very little time to settle on the ball. Keynsham were forced to defend deep and had to contend with lots of good first time crosses into the box from the dynamic No14 and a host of well delivered corners. Despite this sustained pressure the Keynsham defence managed to hold and frustrate Bristol, with their set piece and corner threats being thwarted by Max virtually every time getting his head on the ball first and the skilful defensive play of Harrison, Ben, Adam & Tommy et al, comfortably playing the ball out from the back.
In the midfield Bristol Central showed good anticipation and were first to the ball on many occasions. Unusually Keynsham were restricted mainly to break away chances with Luke and Chaz having shots go wide. The Keynsham final ball on a number of occasions was crucially intercepted by the Bristol Central No3.
At the end of the half Reegan made a superb one on one save to keep the half time score 0-0.
At the start of the 2nd half Bristol Central hit the post from a move down the left hand side but their first half herculean efforts began to take their toll with a more determined Keynsham now having more of the ball. A fresh Sam and Miles were brought on for the second half with Miles putting in a good solid performance down the left hand side and a combative Sam doing what he does best in a defensive midfield role.
On 50 minutes, a battling Max placed a clever looping ball into the right hand corner for Luke who went past one player in the box and then slotted it past the keeper at a narrow angle for a 1-0 lead. Shortly after this, with Bristol Central still unsettled, a good ball from Alfie put Luke through on goal who was tackled by both the goalkeeper and defender only for the loose ball to be followed up by Toby for a tap in to make the score a flattering 2-0.
The roles were now reversed with Keynsham dominating the attack with Adam now on the left supporting the front three.
Late on, Alex had a powerful shot brilliantly saved by the goal keeper and also put a shot over the bar from close range following a great passing mover from Luke and Toby.
At the death man of the match Reegan made two great finger tip saves, one around the post and one from a high shot to keep a well deserved clean sheet.
Mike Cooke.
