Match Report v Hayes Youth 13/01/08 Lost 1-2

Feltham entertained the league leaders at Blenheim Park and produced another good display as they went down by the odd goal. We had been thrashed 9-1 at Hayes in September and this result shows how far we have come since then.

Hayes were soon into their flow of quick passing triangular football and had the home side defending for the opening period. However they did not have it all their own way and Feltham gradually came into the game as our midfield got a grip on the game. On the midway point Feltham took the lead when Lee outpaced the Hayes defence to slot the ball home for his 15th goal of the season. Lee very nearly then made it 2-0 when he hit the side net with a low shot. Hayes came back into the game and the Whites were forced to defend in numbers. Ryan pulled off a couple of very good saves in this period , diving to his right to turn a long shot away and then standing up to an oncoming player to clear the danger. Minutes before half time Hayes equalised when an unmarked forward turned a low shot into the net. The teams were therefore level at the break in a fast and even half.

Hayes took the lead 5 minutes into the second half when a shot rebounded off the crossbar straight to a Hayes forward who turned the ball home. The game now ebbed and flowed with both sides creating chances and both keepers forced into good saves. Nathan came close to rescuing a point for Feltham but his shot was blocked just in front of the line. The game was delayed for nearly 10 minutes due a bad head injury to a Hayes player but we are relieved to know that he is now ok. Feltham could not find the equaliser and therefore went down to their second narrow defeat of the year.

This was a much improved performance against a very good side who I am sure will leave us for the Premier Elite division next season. 7 of our 9 defeats have been by the odd goal and there is really not much between us and any of the teams in this league. If we can keep improving at this rate we will become a very good team in time for next season. Well done to you all today.

Thank you to all the parents for your continued support today and a big thanks to Pete for Reffing and Steve for running the line. Thanks to Martin and the Hayes boys for a very sporting yet competitive game and good luck for the rest of the season.

Squad – Ryan , Lewis , Ben , Leon , Charlie , Matt , Lee , Anthony , Nathan , Daniel , Jack , Paulo , Turnell , Ryan , John Jo

Scorer – Lee