Youth Team suffer first defeat

5 Dec 2019 by Leon Turner

The Youth Team were at home to Cranleigh on Tuesday night. The young Lemons got off to a nervy and slow start and Cranleigh’s very direct style of play unsettled the Manorcroft youngsters as they played in what seemed to be a throwback to the old Wimbledon!

Cranleigh took the lead, a booming long ball that came down with snow on bounced in behind the hosts defence and in fairness the Cranleigh forward finished smartly, lofting the ball over the onrushing Duffau. The visitors then doubled their lead, following another long hoof downfield which was moped up by the home defence the visitors busy forward intercepted a back pass before coolly slotting home. The half time whistle would see the visitors lead 2-0.

The second half would see some subtle changes for the hosts and with some renewed confidence and purpose to their play the home side completely dominated the game without ever finding the final ball or the much needed finish. With just over 10 minutes to go Louis Calvert rifled one home as the visitors looked on the ropes. With just 5 minutes to go, Captain Alex Franklin was brought down in the box, unfortunately the normally unflappable Ben Vassell missed the spot kick and in the end the hosts were to fall short of finding what would have been a deserved equaliser.

A first defeat of the season in all competitions 4 months into a season is a remarkable achievement and the lads are eager to get back on track in their next game.

#COYL🍋