Avon Youth League Under 16s, Division 2, 12/03/17
Bristol Central 3 KTJFC 4 (HT 2-0)
Keynsham scorers: Charlie, Ben, Ozzie & Adam.
GLORIOUS KEYNSHAM COMEBACK AGAINST MUCH IMPROVED BRISTOL CENTRAL.
A mild but overcast Whitehall Playing Fields was the venue for the second league meeting of the two teams. Keynsham, playing into a slight head wind, started the game with a new 4-5-1 formation after it had helped change the game against Yate. From the kick off there was some nice passing play from both teams with good communication and energetic pressing of the ball from Bristol Central.
Bristol Central had large numbers at the back and did a good defensive job of keeping Toby quiet.
The quality Keynsham defence of Charlie, Adam, Harrison & Tommy worked hard with occasional pacy counter attacking to deal with. Reegan was forced to make a good save on 11 minutes following an incisive move down the left hand side from Bristol Central.
There was a good chance for Keynsham when Max hit the bar on 12 minutes following a run into the box.
For the 2nd game in a row a bloodied Ozzie was forced off the field following a ball in the face and was replaced by Sam Harris.
On 17 minutes, Keynsham twice lost the ball in midfield and a breakaway down the right hand side from Bristol Central saw a beautifully delivered cross into the box headed in from close range by the No21 for a 1-0 lead.
Minutes later a long goal kick from Bristol Central by-passed the Keynsham midfield and with the defence uncharacteristically not reading it well, the ball was intercepted by their pacy No12 who slotted the ball past Reegan for a 2-0 lead that stunned the Keynsham supporters.
For the rest of the half the tactics of Bristol Central worked well with lots of men behind the ball looking to employ a dangerous counter attack with the pace and skill of the No6 down the wing and No12 through the middle. Bristol Central were also frustrating Keynsham by closing down well and battling hard for every ball. Ozzie reappeared at he expense of Dan, who was unwell, and the half ended with a bewildered Keynsham trailing 2-0.
Keynsham started the second half with a tactical change and renewed energy – they were now playing their usual 3-5-2 formation with defender Tommy, also not feeling well, replaced by Miles upfront. Within the first minute of the restart a well delivered corner from Luke was headed over the line from close range by Charlie.
Sustained Keynsham pressure followed with a panicky Bristol Central camped in their own half.
A pass from Miles put Ozzie through on goal who was brought down in the box for a Keynsham penalty. Toby elected to take but his low shot was saved by the Bristol Central goalkeeper to the delight of his teammates.
On 60 minutes Charlie was replaced by Owen on the right hand side to inject some fresh energy, Alf replaced an injured Toby and Adam was moved upfront.
On 70 minutes, with time running out, another well delivered corner by Luke was majestically headed into the back of the net by a leaping Ben Harding to level the scores.
Minutes later, with Bristol Central beginning to tire, Luke ran into the box from the left hand side beating two players and crossed the ball to Ozzie who side footed past the keeper to give Keynsham the lead!
Minutes from the end, Adam’s energy and skill upfront were finally rewarded when, following a good attacking move, he curled a super shot into the top right hand corner of the net for a 2-4 lead to Keynsham.
At the death Bristol Central scored a good volley from a cross into the box but time ran out and the match ended 3-4.
Mike Cooke.
