Boys' U14B v Shrewsbury

Date: Saturday 5th December

Venue: Hall Close 2

Team:Lee; Ginsberg, Shires, Cartlidge, Cohen; Cotter, Staley, Teal, Buckley; Clarke, Bell.

Sub: Reynolds

Result: L 4-0

Match Report:

The first leg of this “tie” had been one of the highlights of the season, with the U14s effecting quick, precise passing moves, and showing great spirit to come from behind twice and equalise in the final minutes.

It was to be hoped that the same togetherness, intelligence and urgency would be seen in this, the last fixture of the U14s’ first term together, but, after a bright first five minutes, brought to a close by a Shrewsbury goal scored on the break, when Byungmoo Lee was left exposed in goal and chipped from the edge of the area, the game described the themes of the season in miniature. There were fine displays in defence, with James Shires and Adam Cartlidge staunch in their defiance of Shrewsbury attacks, George Cohen making some excellent covering tackles and surging runs down the flank, and Lee keeping the score respectable with some eleventh-hour saves at full stretch. But the midfield was overrun and out-passed too frequently, and clearances from the Repton defence were soon turned into Shrewsbury attacks. Jack Clarke made a couple of exciting breaks from midfield, but Charlie Bell was left to feed off scraps for most of the game, and the Shrewsbury goal was rarely troubled.