Youth Team go top!

22 Oct 2019 by Leon Turner

The Youth team were in action on Monday night as they hosted Knaphill. The opening 15 minutes was a game of ‘cat and mouse’ with Knaphill happy to keep possession in their own box with Manorcroft successfully cutting any forward passes. This chess match unfortunately let the home side drop into a passive mindset and Knaphill began to take advantage of what appeared to be a lacklustre home performance. A low drive after Manorcroft had failed to get pressure on the ball from 20 yards found the bottom corner to put the visitors into the lead. Manorcroft continued to steal possession in dangerous areas but the home sides use of the ball was predictable, lacking any cutting edge or danger and Knaphill, growing in confidence then won a corner. Uncharacteristically Manorcroft failed to deal with the delivery and Knaphill found space at the back post to add a second.
Half Time; Manorcroft 0-2 Knaphill

The second half would see Manorcroft changes and with a tweak to the home teams game plan the game turned on its head. Knaphill who had dominated possession in the first half could not string a pass together or even get out of their half and with the pressure building it was Fin Rose-Davies who struck first for the home team in what was looking increasingly like a miracle comeback! Louis Calvert was then slotted through and his calm finish beyond the excellent visiting ‘keeper made the scores 2-2 with momentum very much with the home side. With 89 minutes played Marcus Shodeinde’s vital interception on half way was beautifully controlled by Louie McLaughlin who then delivered into the box, Fin Rose-Davies scuffed shot (no look pass!! 👀) then found Ben Vassell at the back post with his calm finish into the opposite bottom corner sending the home side into celebration.

A fantastic turn around in a game very much of two halves!

Final Score: Manorcroft 3-2 Knaphill
#COYL🍋