A cold and gusty morning on Clapham Common, and a game against Bedhead Azurri. The Youths buoyant after a first league win away to Aspire FC the previous week, and unbeaten in 4.
Bedhead looked strong at the outset, pinning back the Youths in their own half for the first few minutes. But as the boys began to settle at the back the breaks began to come; some nice interplay between Zac and Jimmy culminating in a speculative long ball from Basil towards the Bedhead goal. Fyfe settled well into the central midfield role and began to thread some useful balls through the middle.
The game stayed fairly even though for most of the half though and either side could have scored. Fred broke well down the right and was only thwarted by a body-check from an opposition player.
Shortly after that Jasper was set free on the left and opened up the space to cross the ball. There were three Clapham players waiting in the box and the ball passed through for Stan, waiting on the far side to blast home. Clapham 1 Bedhead 0.
Then a free kick from distance taken by Basil looked like a certain goal as the bobbled around in the Bedhead box, but no-one was able to push it home.
Stan had another good opportunity when Jasper passed in from the left, but was unable to connect with the ball.
Arthur too had a good opportunity when another ball came across from the left. His shot was blocked by a defender and went out for a corner.
Bedhead had some good opportunities of their own in the first half, but Luca and Basil mostly held their front men at bay. Stand-in keeper, Harry Parfitt, performed well when required and the Youths kept their 1-0 lead as they went into the break.
Bedhead started the second half as strongly as the first, pushing the Youths back into their own half and making the better opportunities. The Youths for their part started to look a little tired at the back.
Bedhead continued their efforts, pressing well for every ball and creating pressure, finally getting a deserved equalizer. Clapham 1 Bedhead 1, with around 10 minutes to go.
But Clapham, perhaps spurred on by losing their lead, found a new wave of energy, rediscovering their mojo in attack and defence.
A good Bedhead goal effort was blocked by at point-blank range by Arthur, who got a boot in the chest for his efforts,
And then a ball dinked over the Bedhead midfield by Basil bounced through for Ryan to poke home. Clapham 2 Bedhead 1.
Clapham finished the game confidently. A ball though from Ryan came to Arthur, whose shot was pushed out by the keeper for a corner.
Then Jimmy went on a run, beating two defenders and shooting well, to see his shot too kept out by the keeper for another corner.
The Youths stayed good to the end. A hard-fought and well-deserved victory. Final score Clapham 2 Bedhead 1.
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