Cup Success for U12's

City u12's travelled to Gloucestershire for the next round of the JPL Trophy and put in a great performance in a competitive match

First Half
Both teams deserve credit for the level of football that was played, the first ten minutes were even with both sides settling and playing some neat passing. Gloucestershire looked dangerous and lively going forward but the city defence of Hayden Russel, Joe Langland and Jay Bennet were well organised and solid. The midfield was very competitive with both sides getting the ball down but as the game progressed the central city duo of Adam Willis and Henry Guy took control and were linking well with Jake Brookes and Ash Doyle on the flanks and Rafe Green who was doing an excellent job up top. The deadlock was almost broken in the 12th minute when Guy won a tackle in the middle and linked with Willis and Doyle who's pass set Green free in on goal but the striker just shot wide of the post. Gloucestershire's first effort on target came in the 15th minute after some neat play but Zac Watkins in the city goal comfortably saved the deflected shot. City took the lead in the 17th minute when Guy once again won a 50/50 tackle in the centre before sending the lively Doyle off down the left flank. Doyle showed his class and pace beating the full back before squaring the ball to Green who made no mistake from close range. The goal sparked a frantic few minutes for the visitors and Green rattled the post with an effort and Doyle was unlucky when his effort just rolled wide but the hosts held out as the half ended

Second Half
City dominated the second half looking strong in possession and organised in defence but Gloucestershire were a threat on the break but when ever they were in with a chance they were denied by some strong challenges especially from Jay Bennet and Josh Francis. Doyle came close to extending the lead after good work by Willis and Green but his curling effort skimmed the bar. Centre half Josh Francis played a sublime defence splitting long ball to Josh Sanders who controlled the ball well and struck a shot which was blocked for a corner. Jake Brookes took the resulting corner and Francis doubled the lead with a thumping waist height volley into the roof of the net followed by some great celebrations. Two minutes later another long ball from Francis put Green in the clear and the striker cooly rounded the keeper for a deserved second goal and city's third. Further efforts from Willis, Green and Doyle all failed to add to the score although Doyle did have the ball in the back of the net after a neat turn but he was judged to be just offside.
It was a great all round team performance which now sees the boys travel to Reading for the next round