Comberton Crusaders U13's Team

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Crusaders showed quality and cutting edge against a gallant Red Lodge side, racking up an 8-0 lead at half-time and quickly adding three more, but there was still room for improvement as the second half petered out with no further scores.  

On league form Crusaders started favourites, and lost no time in opening their account when TomB’s cross went via Joe to Peter, who slotted home into an empty net. Huw’s trademark right flank runs started to cause Red Lodge problems, but it was his inswinging corner that found its way into the net off a hapless defender to double Crusaders lead. Almost immediately it was 3-0 to Crusaders when Joe latched on to Charlie’s through ball before firing home a low shot, and TomB nearly added another with a powerful cross-shot that shaved the post. The fourth goal was not long in coming as SamB headed a Red Lodge clearance back towards the area for Joe to hold off his marker before finishing precisely.  

With Crusaders in the driving seat, a personnel reshuffle saw Callum , CT , Jamie and Alex coming on for Peter, SamB, Teddy and SamH. Straight away TomB picked up the ball in midfield and unleashed a rising shot that the keeper did well to parry round the post. The ensuing corner led to a prolonged session of penalty-box pinball that ended when Charlie poked home the loose ball to put Crusaders 5-0 up. Callum then set up Joe for his hat trick with an inch-perfect pass behind the last defender that was gratefully lashed home, and only a marginal offside denied Joe another when he poked home the rebound after TomB’s shot was parried.  

The one-way traffic continued with a rapid passing move involving Paul , CT and Charlie that allowed TomB the space to pick out Joe, who nipped in ahead of the keeper to score Comberton’s seventh. Just before the break Jamie, CT and TomB combined to earn a throw near the left corner flag, from which Joe advanced into the area and rounded the keeper before tapping in to complete a first-half five-timer and put Crusaders 8-0 ahead.  

At half-time TomV replaced Harry in the Crusaders goal, though in the end neither had much to do, and when play resumed all eyes were again on the Red Lodge goal as James won possession to send TomB clear for a powerful shot that thudded away off the left upright. CT then embarked on a signature foray into the box, parting the Red sea of defenders before delivering a sliding finish to net Crusaders’ ninth goal. Number 10 followed swiftly when Charlie found TomB on the edge of the area, the midfielder finishing convincingly low into the right corner. With Alex supporting TomB on the left, the pair combined to set up Comberton’s 11^th goal when the latter’s cross was flicked on via CT’s head and Joe’s outstretched boot to reach Callum, who fired emphatically into the roof of the net.  

With Crusaders out of sight at 11-0, another reshuffle saw Joe, TomB, Charlie and Huw rested, with Peter, SamB, Teddy and SamH back on. CT and Alex both had good efforts saved, but play became scrappy as Crusaders repeatedly fell foul of the offside trap, most notably when SamH’s effort was ruled out after he ran through a static defence onto SamB’s pass. Clear opportunities were scarce, though Peter was denied by a last-ditch tackle and also side-footed over the bar, and the game cried out for some width as players crowded around the Red Lodge area. Ultimately, despite continuing to have the upper hand, Crusaders were unable to find the necessary composure to add to the scoreline.  

A clean sheet and eleven goals was just reward for a fine Crusaders team effort, and a curate’s egg second half display did not detract from an entertaining game with many positive performances.

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

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©laurawetton 19 February, 2007