CUP Aztec Juniors B 051106

Cambridge & District Colts League – U12 Div E

U12 Knockout Cup, Round 2: 5^th November 2006

Comberton Crusaders 2 – 1 Aztecs Juniors B

This was arguably Crusaders’ best performance of the season so far, the whole team rallying well to turn a half-time deficit into a well-deserved 2-1 win against a very determined Aztecs side.

The game started evenly, with both teams managing to mount attacks that led to corners but with no end product, and SamH was prominent early on with some good chasing back and defending as Aztecs went close to opening the scoring. Crusaders in turn threatened the Aztecs goal when Callum released Joe for a check back and shot that hit the post, but when play switched to the other end Alex had to clear his lines after a goalmouth scramble. Aztecs went even closer when shooting narrowly over the bar after Harry saved the initial effort, and the visitors duly broke the deadlock when some static Crusaders defending allowed a clear shot on goal which crept into the far corner.

With Crusaders struggling to find their rhythm Aztecs continued to press forward, and some good covering back from Alex and Paul was followed by a fine save from Harry. Paul and James were alert when Aztecs tried to attack down the middle, and Huw had to show his strength to nullify the Aztecs left wing threat. In between, Comberton hinted at things to come when Alex, Charlie and Joe combined to test the keeper, and Callum in turn fired a snapshot just wide after good work from CT. Just before the break Alex made way for Peter to join Joe up front, with Callum moving to right midfield, and when the half closed Crusaders had weathered the storm and were gradually finding their feet.

More changes at half-time saw Harry, SamH and Charlie making way for TomV, Teddy and Jamie respectively, but at the restart Aztecs immediately threatened with a direct run and shot that flew just wide. The pendulum soon began to swing Comberton’s way, however, with TomV looking comfortable in goal and Teddy showing composure at left back. Indeed, Crusaders’ growing confidence was to be rewarded when Peter sent a well-aimed diagonal ball forward to Callum, who advanced to the byeline and cut the ball back for Joe to stab home the equaliser.

At 1-1 the game was evenly poised, but Crusaders stepped up the pace with some good harassing by Callum and CT, followed by several corners from TomB that were either cleared or saved by the Aztecs keeper. With SamH replacing Callum, Crusaders continued to enjoy the majority of possession, and the hosts nearly took the lead when some neat interplay down the left between Joe and TomB saw the latter cross invitingly for Joe to head narrowly wide. With Charlie on up front for Peter, a perfect through ball from Jamie allowed Joe time to shoot, but the striker’s effort was turned round the post by the increasingly influential Aztecs keeper.

Sustained Crusaders pressure then led to a clear-cut chance for Charlie, but the keeper dived low to tip the shot into the side netting, and from the resulting corner the admirable Aztecs stopper pulled off an incredible save as he clawed back a shot from Jamie that looked certain to go in. Despite Crusaders’ efforts the winning goal proved elusive, never more so than when the seemingly unbeatable Aztecs keeper saved Charlie’s penalty after he was felled in the area. Aztecs in turn ventured forward, but some solid Crusaders midfield play ensured the ball kept returning to the Aztecs end, and Charlie again went close when firing over after good approach work from CT and SamH. Extra time loomed when Joe’s run and shot were almost predictably thwarted by the Aztecs keeper, but Crusaders were handed a final chance when the keeper unluckily conceded a penalty, for once mistiming his challenge and clattering into Charlie after the ball had gone. The responsibility fell to TomB, and amid excitable scenes he kept his cool to fire low into the left corner, securing Comberton’s victory with what proved to be the last kick of the game.

Crusaders demonstrated good all-round teamwork and no little patience to overcome a well-supported, resilient Aztecs team, who showed good sportsmanship and whose goalkeeper was undoubtedly man-of-the-match.

Squad: Peter Atkin, Jamie Baker, James Biswell, Tom Blair, Joe Dickens, Teddy Elbourn, Huw Gordon, Paul Hardy, Sam Hills, Harry Houghton, Callum Pinner, CT, Tom Vaudin, Charlie Wetton-Smith, Alex Willis