Below are three match reports from games involving UITC teams yesterday.
All three teams won their games which is a great credit to all those involved.
U15s progress to the JPL Cup Quarter Finals!!!
Hereford FC U15s 3 – 2 Birmingham City U15s
This fixture had been advertised all over
social media during the week and it was great to see the local press, Bulls News, Nibbo, Directors and Trustees all attending today in what
turned out to be an excellent game of football. With no Hereford FC
Senior game, it was also pleasing to see some local support from
Hereford FC fans with an attendance count of around 80 spectators.
The U15s put in an excellent performance in
what turned out to be a very entertaining game. The Hereford boys were
excellent in sticking to their game plan and looked well organised
throughout the game.
Hereford came out flying taking an early
lead through Joe Mellars before Birmingham responded 10 minutes later to
make it 1-1. Birmingham then took the lead with their striker chipping
the ball over the on-rushing Hereford goalkeeper Joe Regan. Hereford
created numerous chances to score and got their reward with a goal to
make it 2-2 just before half time when centre back Ben Vanstone went on a
run into the Birmingham penalty area, pulling the ball back for Jack
Marston to calmly fire into the net!
The second half got very competitive, both
teams wanting to win, some great tackles flying in, some great 1v1
battles and excellent teamwork. The second half saw Hereford dominate
possession and the ball spent the majority of its time in the Birmingham
half. However, when Birmingham won the ball back, they were excellent
on the counter attack and were quick to break but some excellent
recovery runs and defending soon won the ball back for Hereford. Lots of
credit must go to the Hereford boys who didn’t get frustrated, stayed
patient and it was only a matter of time before they scored the winning
goal. With 10 minutes left, Jake Spink received the ball on half way
beating two players before playing a perfectly timed pass to Liam Bishop
who slotted the ball into the far bottom corner of the net to make it
3-2.
Hereford never looked like conceding after this and the
determination to hold out and win the game from all the players was
clear. Lots of communication and organisation, commanding eachother,
working hard for eachother, meant they comfortably held on to win the
game.
The Hereford boys showed great passion and
desire to work hard and win their battles today and at the same time
play some excellent football especially the second half performance.
However, the best thing about this team is they can play either better
and are capable of moving the ball more, switching play more and
retaining possession better than they did today.
Overall an excellent whole team performance and we march on to the Quarter finals!!
Squad: J.Regan, L.Perkins, C.Godsall,
B.Vanstone, R.Edwards, T.Hayes, R.Davies, J.Marston, C.Greenhouse,
T.Baycroft, M.Mcleod, C.Gauci, L.Bishop, L.Marston, J.Mellars, J.Spink
Goals: J.Mellars, J.Marston, L.Bishop
JPL League
Hereford U13s 5 - 0 Newport County U13s
All the hard work the U13s have been
putting in at training came together this week as they produced one of
their best performances of the year.
Hereford were fast out of
the blocks and set the tempo from the start. The passing was sharp and
the lads moved the ball quickly. The first goal came from a fantastic
combination down the left with fullback Jack Mear eventually crossing
deep from the byline with Will Powell smashing his header in at the far
post.
After scoring the usual 5
minutes of complacency didn't occur this week and instead the Hereford
lads went straight back on the attack. Josh Williams slotted a great
through ball to Tom Hamilton who finished cooly when under pressure.
Hereford defended well
throughout the game and didn't even allow County a shot on target. The
determination in defence and quality in building from the back was
brilliant.
At the break the boys
were challenged to win the game with out conceding. We've worked a lot
on maintaining possession but the way the lads picked off a strong
Newport side was unbelievable. Josh Williams rounded off a man of the
match display with a fine goal and Tom Hamilton completed his
hat-trick.
A top draw performance from a talented group of players who will only get stronger as they gel as a team.
JPL League
Cheltenham Town 2 - 3 Hereford U12s
Hereford 12’s travelled to
Cheltenham Town’s Seasons training ground. This was the first time both
teams had faced each other in the league this season. Hereford would
start the match with a slight change of formation, as the away side set
up for an expansive style of play which would utilise and express the
flair and speed within their ranks.
As both teams got settled into
the match, both sides retained possession well and remaining calm in
control of the ball, Hereford were the more dominate side in the early
stages of the game but were unable to find the back of the net due to
some great last ditch defending from Cheltenham. Hereford would not give
Cheltenham a rest and continued with the attacking flair from both
wings and cross after cross, shot after shot entered the home teams
penalty box. The break through finally came in the 2nd period as Tim
Honey broke the deadlock and put Hereford 1-0 up as he got his body
in-between the ball and defender to slot home. Cheltenham then shortly
equalised as a well worked corner bought the home side level at 1-1,
however this goal would only spur Hereford on as they kept up the
pressure. With the scores level at the half way stage. It was clear that
that the Hereford players were determined to get all three points from
this fixture, as the persistence and work effort from every single
player started to take its toll as the injuries started to add up.
With 40mins left of the game
and Hereford again took the lead, this time working the ball well down
the left wing which lead to an inviting cross as Joseph Harwood didn’t
hesitate as he timed his run to poke the ball home amongst a crowded
penalty box. Cheltenham would not give up either which created a great
game of football to watch. This saw Cheltenham change tactics slightly
as it was near impossible for the home side to break down Herefords
defence of Jack Williams and Mikey Yalland, who were having a great game
together. Hereford then saw a cluster of injuries in quick succession
which saw Cheltenham take full advantage as again they draw level. This
only triggered yet another Hereford reaction as straight from kick off
they kept the ball, worked it down right hand side and as the cross came
in which saw Hugo Bernard-Pullen’s hard work pay off as he timed his
run into the box to slot home Herefords third and to seal the win
finishing the match off.