On Saturday 07^th November 2009 Highbury under 10’s (A) played away to Melksham Town (A) hoping to follow on from their good away win last week.

The game started with Highbury constantly attacking the Melksham Defence, having them pinned back in there own half for much of the first half.  Louis Cole had an early shot that was just wide of the cross bar.  A few moments later Cole again had a long shot that was easily gathered by the away keeper.  Lyndon Parmley then found himself in space down the right wing, having beat his defender with ease, he provided a superbly weighted cross into the box of which Joe Hardy and Thomas McFerran both slid in and agonisingly both players missed their chance to score.  McFerran again found himself with a shooting chance after a great run by Louis Cole followed a superb pass through to Hardy who unfortunately slipped on the wet grass before he could get his shot away.  The ball eventually fell to McFerran who was being closed down quickly by the panicking Melksham defence and he done well to get his shot away, unfortunately hitting the side netting.  Parmley also had a corner which deceived everyone and unluckily hit the front post and out for a goal kick.

Melksham did have a few breakaway attacks at times but they found that the Highbury defence Adam Clark, Chay Andrews and Harry Guerri-Fear in resilient and stubborn form and with Luke Woods working effortlessly in midfield on the left flank clearing whatever danger that was put their way. However it was Melksham who took a surprise lead after a quick throw caught the Highbury players day dreaming and when the ball was poked through towards the Highbury goal it was again the wet pitch that played it’s part after a slip by Chay Andrews, the Melksham striker couldn’t believe his luck when the ball fell straight to his feet, he turned and neatly placed the ball into the net past the advancing Liam Gibbons in goal, just before the half time whistle was blown 1-0.

Highbury no doubt had a stern talking to at half time at there lack of ability to punish teams after having so much possession.

The 2^nd half started with Melksham pressing for another goal and looking for their first league win of the season– There confidence was obviously high.  After a save by Liam Gibbons he quickly kicked the ball up field to try and spur a reaction from his team mates and was nearly rewarded when the ball was picked up by Luke Woods who carried the ball forward and had a good shot at goal in which the away keeper saved well. Luke Woods again found himself with space out on the right after receiving a neat pass from Louis Cole; he beat his defender and unselfishly squared the ball to Joe Hardy who delicately chipped the ball over the advancing keeper to level the score to 1-1, much to the relief of the Highbury management and travelling parents.

Melksham were not about to give up and broke away towards the Highbury goal which was quickly put to a stop by a strong last ditch challenge by Adam Clark.  Melksham again pushed forward and it was Liam Gibbons that produced a great save from a well struck shot that kept the score line level.  Another well won tackle by Clark who had been pushed up into midfield was deflected to Cole whose shot just went wide of the post.  Highbury now seemed to want the game more and took control when Louis Cole found himself with the ball just inside the Melksham half, he picked out Luke Woods who picked the ball up in his stride and provided a neat finish into the bottom left corner of the net 1-2.  Highbury continued to press forward and were rewarded when a long high kick up the field from goalie Liam Gibbons bounced over the Melksham midfielder and was met by Louis Cole who was quickly being closed down by three Melksham players, but still had the composure to unleash a belter of a long shot which dipped over the keeper and into the back of the net.

Highbury’s spirits were running high and continued to press forward and it was Adam Clark who reacted first to a loose ball and found himself in an unusual position by being one on one facing the advancing keeper, his shot on target was bravely saved by the Melksham goalie as they both collided in a heap on the floor – Both uninjured, but a little shaken maybe?  A challenge out wide on the left side of the field by the halfway line found Luke Woods down injured and clearly in pain much to the dismay to the travelling parents as to what had happened?  The ref however decided to play the advantage and as Adam Clark found himself clear he picked up the loose ball, ran forward, looked up and leashed an unstoppable strike from a distance which dipped over the static goalkeeper and flew into the top left hand corner of the net – An example of playing to the whistle 1-4.

Highbury continued to push forward and were unlucky not to score a fifth after a great run by Cole beating three defenders whipped in a great cross that was equally matched by a great header from Hardy, as the ball just agonisingly went wide of the post.

Overall a much deserved display of football, however the young Highbury players need to be more clinical in front of goal and concentrate for the full 40 minutes of play writes Kev Clark.