Match result
| Team | Mixed U15 |
|---|---|
| Opposition | Huntington |
| Kick off | 2am 13/11/2011 |
| Score | 3-2 |
| Match report | Let's not get too obsessed with the post-match shenanigans: the due process of the FA and English criminal law will deal with that! The focus should be on an excellent fight back from Fulford and what turned out to be an outstanding performance that retained their unbeaten record and top-spot in Division 2. And this was achieved without 40 minutes of their influential talisman and captain Emo who had to retire at half-time following a knock. The first 20 minutes were difficult against a well-organised and physical Huntington midfield. Most of the possession went the home team's way as did the first goal - a soft one from Fulford's perspective. After falling behind, Ricardo's tactical genius sprung into action. By moving Josh Ford to left back and Tom R to outside left, he was able to push Liam into midfield which delivered more aggression and possession for Fulford. Not only did Liam's commanding performance deliver a well-deserved player of the match award, it also allowed Josh F and Tom R to capitalise on the additional space along the left flank. This tactical switch was a game changer and it may push Gabbiadini Senior into position as next in line for Signor Capello's job at the end of the summer! Despite his Latin name, this would be no continuation of Italian control of the English national side: Ricardo is a Yorkshireman proud and true! The second quarter of the game saw a complete reversal of the pattern of the first. Fulford had more control of the play which mostly occurred in the Huntington half, with James T, Scully and Will P solid in defence. Josh Moran's speed and persistence was a constant thorn in the side of the opposition defence, and Fulford were unlucky to go into the break one down. The second half started in a similar vein with Fulford pushing forward at every opportunity to get the equaliser. But it was Huntington who got the second goal, against the run of play. Was this to be the end of the unbeaten record? No, heads and confidence remained up and the breaks came. Again Ricardo made an astute tactical change: risking three at the back, he flooded the midfield, with Mikey P, Dan Ford, Carl achieving dominance over a tiring home side. The back three of Bedo, Scully and Josh Ford held the line strongly against the continued threat of a Huntington counter-attack, and Ben pulled off some quality stops and swept up with intelligence behind his defenders. The deficit was eventually cut when Alex at last got away from his markers and past a strong Huntington keeper. The equaliser came shortly afterwards from the same deadly centre forward after a period of prolonged Fulford pressure. And the winner came in stoppage time through a stone-wall penalty which Alex tucked away with aplomb to complete yet another hat trick. So the Under 15s march on, a little bruised and battered after this but still on course for promotion and the championship. |
Manager | Ricardo Gabbiadini |
| Captain | Emlyn D |
| Player of the match | Liam R |
Team stats
| Player | Position | Contribution | Goals | Clean sheets | Bookings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William P | Goalkeeper | Played part match | |||
| Liam R | Defence | Played full match | |||
| Thomas S © | Defence | Played full match | |||
| James T | Defence | Played part match | |||
| Harry B | Midfield | Played full match | |||
| Carl B | Midfield | Played part match | |||
| Dan F | Midfield | Played part match | |||
| Josh F | Midfield | Played full match | |||
| Michael P | Midfield | Played part match | |||
| Tom R | Midfield | Played full match | |||
| Alex F | Forward | Played full match | |||
| Josh M | Forward | Played full match | |||
| Emlyn D © | Utility | Played part match | |||
| Benjamin P | Utility | Played full match |
Go back