Year 7’s Make Winning Start

November 20th, 2006

Tollbar 3 v 1 Frederick Gough

ESFA Under 12 Competition – Round 3

Having had byes in the previous two rounds Tollbar’s year 7 team finally made their long awaited competitive debut. Their opponents were Scunthorpe school Frederick Gough who arrived in a rich vein of form. During the early stages the home sides’ lack of match practice was apparent with the visitors starting more confidently. The home side soon found their rhythm however and starting playing some slick football with pacey front pair Matty Kingston and Patrick Atkin troubling the away sides’ back four.

After a spell of sustained pressure it was the home side that broke the deadlock. A superb through ball by Ben Cuff was latched onto by Matty Kingston who outpaced the defence and finished emphatically. This seemed to galvanise the home side with skipper Sam Topliss the driving force in midfield putting in some bone crunching tackles and displaying measured passing. With Topliss inspirational in the centre the hosts began knocking the ball around with confidence. Tollbar were looking particular threatening down the right flank with Shaun Topliss and Ben Brown prominent. Following good work down the right Ben Cuff almost doubled the advantage but his long range effort struck the woodwork.

Despite the home sides pressure Frederick Gough continued to look dangerous with some lively forward play. Following sloppy defending by the home side the visitors broke down the right and a threatening cross was turned into his own goal by keeper Jordan Salthouse for the equaliser. Tollbar still poured forward despite this setback and it was they who were to take a lead into the interval. Matty Kingston, a constant menace to the visitors, broke into the box and the ball eventually dropped to Ben Cuff who rifled in an excellent strike from the edge of the area.

In the early stages of the second half it was Tollbar who gained the initiative and looked like extending their lead with Lawrence McKay having an effort cleared off the line. Frederick Gough continued to break forward but the home sides back four held firm with Jordan Boyington looking very assured at left back. At the other end the visiting goalkeeper was having an inspired afternoon and he produced a final double save from Matty Kingston to keep his side in it.

A swift break by the away side almost forced an equaliser when a lofted effort evaded keeper Tommy Webster but was headed off the line by Shaun Topliss. This capped a fine performance by Topliss who was awarded man of the match for his efforts at right back. This seemed to act as a wake up call to the home side who broke forward and extended their lead when Lawrence Mckay rounded off a fine move involving Kingston and Greg Hornby.

With a 3 – 1 lead the hosts managed to see the game through in comfortable fashion and progress into round four of the competition. Managers Mr Donnelly and Mr French were delighted with their sides’ efforts making a winning start against strong opponents.