- Type of Match: Cup
- Venue: Clapham Common
- Squad – Gabriel Baptiste-Halliday, Wani Beya, James Des Voeux (Captain), Godwin Igberaese, Tom Gordon, Talib Lebby, Ruban Pradhan, Rhys Read-Beche, Djibril Sangare, Dakara Wifa
- Result: 6-0
- Scorers: Tom, Godwin (2), Wani, o.g. & Djibril
- Man of the Match – Rhys
Match Report: Clapham Rangers Colts U12 v Mighty Royale Elite U12
Clapham’s much-postponed second round tie with Mighty Royale finally went ahead on a freezing Clapham Common and saw the Colts sign 2018 off in style by storming into the quarter-finals with a convincing 6-0 win.
The sleepy starts are beginning to look like a distant memory with the Colts on the front foot from the first whistle and a pattern soon emerged of winning possession in the middle, hitting space out wide and either crossing or cutting inside to create a host of half-chances. Dakara and Wani both got behind the defence down the right and Tom and Godwin created opportunities on the left with everyone managing to get shots away but off-target.
The breakthrough came after ten minutes with Godwin wriggling through two defenders and cutting back from the by-line, finding Tom who finished through the keeper’s legs. Dakara kept finding room to cross or shoot from the right and it was from his hard, low cross that Godwin doubled the lead with a flicked near-post finish. Further right-sided pressing led to the third with Wani getting on the end of Dakara’s pass to prod home from close range.
Clapham’s territorial dominance meant there was a lot of open space to hit and Mighty Royal’s best chance came when their centre forward got himself clear – Gabriel narrowing his angles, forcing the striker to miss. Djibril had to call on his extra gear a couple of times in foot races from breakaways and a couple of good chances came from back-passes to Gabriel which were quickly played out to allow Clapham to break back at speed against a stretched opposition.
The second half was played almost entirely in MR’s half – the Colts either shooting from the edge of the box or passing their way around to the wingers with Ruban and Taleb both crossing well and Taleb forcing an excellent save from a long-range shot. The fourth came when Rhys’ touch found Godwin in space at the penalty spot and he converted with his right foot. Taleb then took over as creator-in-chief when his free-kick was headed home by an unlucky defender for number five, then was fouled when running at pace into the box for a penalty which Gabriel sent inches wide and his superb low cross was converted by Djibril at the end to make it six.
Next up in the cup are Clapham Youth with bragging rights and a place in the semi-final at stake.
Final score 6-0.
Coach Luke’s Man of the Match – Rhys
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