Easter Joy for Highbury U-10’s A-Team
Highbury U-10’s A-Team played an evening game at home against Melksham Park A on Thursday the 15th of April. With the league almost certainly out of site, but with 2nd place much to play for. Highbury started this game with this in mind.
It was a convincing performance from start to finish, with a few tactical adjustments having to be made in wake of next months Cup Final game.
The ever so reliable Liam Gibbons found himself being played out on the pitch with Lyndon Parmley taking the responsibility between the sticks – a hard task to fill.
It was Highbury who started the stronger straight from the kick off and it was no surprise when the first chance came to Joe Hardy finding himself clear and winning a header from a corner delivered by Louis Cole, but the ball was easily saved by the Melksham goalie.
Highbury continued to pressurise the away defence and it was with Louis Cole’s long throw into the Melksham penalty area that forced an error by the home defender to head the ball into his own goal. 1-0.
Melksham failed to threaten our goal and when they nearly found a way through, they were stopped in their tracks by Harry ‘the Giant’ Gurri-Fear picking up the ball and whilst carrying it forward and away from danger, leaving two Melksham players on the floor behind him. However when the away team did manage to fire a shot at goal they found the nervous Lyndon Parmley diving down to his near post and pushing the ball away with ease and out for a corner.
The second goal came after a clever ball by Louis Cole was spread down the left hand wing to Liam Gibbons who controlled the ball. Liam beat his defender and unselfishly squared the ball into the box for the unmarked Chay Andrews to easily tap in. Highbury continued to pressure the away teams defence with Luke woods, Joe Hardy, Thomas McFerran all coming close.
The next chance forced another great save by Lyndon Parlmley who managed to dive athletically and tip the ball onto the post and out for a corner.
Liam Gibbons was working hard and was rewarded for his efforts when he won the ball, played a one two with Luke Woods and upon receiving the ball he then turned and shot powerfully to make the score line 3-0. Not bad for a goal keeper.
The 2nd half got underway and Highbury continued to pressure the Melksham Defence. Joe had a header go just wide of the post and then saw his next effort just clip the crossbar after a sublime touch and chip. It was Liam Gibbons who came close next as he found himself clear and running towards the Melksham goalie, he unleashed a powerful shot which hit the Melksham goal keeper straight in the face and knocked him to the ground. Play was stopped for a couple of minutes but credit must go to the goalie after he picked himself up and carried on with the game. A+ for bravery.
Melksham rarely threatened the Highbury defence and when they did they found Adam Clark, Thomas McFerran and Harry Gurri-Fear clearing the ball with ease and protecting there slightly nervous goal keeper.
Luke Woods was desperately trying to get on the goal sheet but found the Melksham goalie in excellent form by pulling of two great saves in concession.
The game finished 3-0 to Highbury and a special mention must go to Chay Andrews as due to the tactical changes having to be made in the team, Chay found himself being pushed up into midfield, where he grafted none stop for his team and produced an excellent hard working performance which he was rewarded by the goal that he scored. The Highbury team now have a two day rest before their next game on Sunday. Writes Kev Clark.
Team: Liam Gibbons, Adam Clark, Chay Andrews, Harry Guerri-Fear, Luke Woods, Louis Cole, Lyndon Parmley, Thomas McFerran, Joe Hardy.