Steeple Claydon Juniors

U9s Shield competition.
 
Silverstone 4 – 4 Steeple Claydon (Silverstone win 3 – 2 on penalties)
 
] The match started with Silverstone on the attack and for the first 5 minutes that’s the way it stayed with defenders Ronnie “the Rock” Bruder and Grace Walker comfortably dealing with the home teams advances. Then Claydon got themselves into the match and started to dominate with their passing and movement. Midfielders Ewan Barnard and Tobie Bullivant linking up with centre forward Harrison “deadeye” Gibson-Smith to produce some very good opportunities on goal. Finally the visitors got what they deserved for their domination with a lovely move and a cracking strike from Harrison. One – Nil to the visitors. Silverstone almost immediately responded when a mix up in defence and a deflection left goalkeeper Erin “the Cat” Walker with no chance as the ball ended up in the corner of the visitors goal. Claydon then camped in the oppositions half and had plenty of chances to regain the lead. However as often happens they got caught on the break and Silverstone took the lead with a well-finished strike low in the corner of the Claydon goal. Two – One Silverstone. Claydon once again camped in the opposition half and after many close efforts on goal finally got the equaliser just before half time. Started in midfield by Max Cowell the ball found its way through to Harrison who pulled the trigger with a fierce shot that hit the net before the keeper had moved. Two All and half time almost immediately after.
 
The second half started with the visitors having the wind advantage and straight away on the attack. Once again Ewan, Max and Tobie controlling the midfield, Grace and Ronnie sweeping up the occasional counter from Silverstone and Erin in goal comfortably dealing with the few opportunities Silverstone created. Harrison a constant threat up front the home team seemed unable to get out of their half. Once again though an isolated break from Silverstone and a lovely finish into the corner of the Claydon goal put the home team ahead. Three – Two Silverstone. Then back down the other end Claydon equalised with another scorcher from Harrison after teeing himself up, giving the keeper no chance. Three – Three. Once again Claydon, whilst pushing for the winner got caught on the break, a powerful shot, partly blocked by Erin Walker in goal spins off into the Claydon net. With seconds left on the clock however Claydon got a deserved equaliser, once again from Harrison after a bit of panic in the home teams area. Four – Four (who needs the premier league?). Full time 20 seconds later and all set for penalties.
 
Claydons first penalty taker Tobie Bullivant, he shoots and scores, the keeper not getting even close. But the referee calls the penalty to be retaken as the keeper moved. (Doah) Tobie retakes the penalty and the keeper saves. The away fans are not pleased with the Referee who has shown no common sense to let the perfectly good goal stand. Silverstone then score with a well taken strike. Up steps Harrison who thumps it into the net for 1 – 1. Silverstone then score to make it two one. Ewan Barnard steps up for Claydons third penalty and also thumps it into the net. 2-2 with the final penalty to go. Silverstone shoot, it goes wide, still 2-2 and sudden death (Although would have been 2-3 to Claydon but for the dodgy retake). Grace Walker takes the fourth penalty but the shot goes wide. Silverstone score the next penalty to win the match 3 – 2 on penalty’s. However a bitter taste for the away team who dominated the match and should have won but for a very poor refereeing decision.
 
Well done the Claydon team, great performance and especially Harrison with 4 goals and a penalty. Haven’t really done the team justice with this report as they were all fantastic and a credit to their coaches Craig Goward and Ronnie Harrington