Match Report: Mens 3rd XI 10 Feb

Yateley 2-0 Phoenix Reading

Having struggled to get going since the Christmas break, Yateley 3’s were looking to get the most out of a home pitch advantage against a strong Phoenix Reading side, who started the day second in the table.

Captain William Russell decided to opt for a different tac for his pre match chat this week moving away from a discussion on tactics and asking the team to instead relax and enjoy the game, which is certainly something which seems to have been missing from recent performances.

With this new mindset, Yateley started the game brightly. From the off, we appeared to play with confidence, stringing well played passes together and working both flanks of Phoenix’s defense.

As the half progressed Yateley continued to look strong both in possession and without the ball, not giving the ball away cheaply and player’s keeping to their tasks diligently.

There were only a few times during the first 35 mins when Yateley’s goal was threatened. A fantastic last ditch tackle from Danno midway through the half summed up the great performances from all players in Yateley’s rotating back 4 throughout the game. In attack, we were persistent but seemed to be missing the crucial final pass to unlock Phoenix’s defense and get a clear shot on goal. However, this did not dishearten the Yateley attack who continued to work hard and sensed that a goal was coming. Not long before the end of the half, a good piece of play starting with intricate passes between Henry Chung and Zach Pyne, set up a shot striking a Phoenix foot in the circle, but advantage was played: a well positioned and awake Christopher Wright cooly placed the ball in the bottom corner giving Yateley the lead at halftime.

After a well earned half time break for the whole team, Yateley came out wanting to see more of the same. Encouragingly our intensity was not lost during halftime and we picked up from where we started, playing sharp well executed passes through the opponents midfield. However, Phoenix seemed to have decided to match our intensity after the break and we had to hold strong for 10 mins of good attack from Reading mid way through the half. Thankfully the team showed good resilience not giving away chances and limiting the opponents to two shorts which were defended well.

Yateley regained the upper hand once again by keeping hold of possession, having the confidence to pass across the back and in and out of midfield. But also looking to be positive and going forward whenever possible. Yateley were finally rewarded for their efforts in the dying moments of the match when Thomas Froud made the most of a scrappy attacking short corner, hitting a sweetly struck shot into the opposite corner from the right hand side of the D.

Yateley calmly saw out the final moments waiting for the whistle to be blown. Finally it came, giving us a much needed three points that were thoroughly deserved.

MoM: Henry (special mention to Zach who had the same votes but loses out due to suspect footwear).

DoD: Charlie for a purely struck tomahawk carrying the back fence in the warm up.