U16's GET OFF TO FLYING START WITH WIN OVER GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Cornwall 3 – 2 Gloucestershire
South and West Counties Championship U16
Wadebridge Town FC- Sunday 6th October 2019
Report by Richard Pallot, Representative Team Secretary and Governance Manager.
Cornwalls first venture into U16 Representative Football began on Sunday, a stunning second half comeback sealed victory against a very talented Gloucestershire side.
The game started rather tentatively as both teams were really sizing each other up, defences were very much on top and the game was mainly being played in the middle third of the pitch. There was plenty of effort and endeavour from both sides with strong tackles and plenty of commitment. After about 20 minutes the game really sprung into life, firstly Cornwall attacked down the left through Ciran Budge, he beat the right back and cut into the area before fixing a cross into the 6 yard box, with on-rushing striker Oscar Marks inches way from making contact. Finn Bartlett on the other wing tried to follow up but his low shot was saved.
This seemed to spring Gloucestershire into life and within a couple minutes they took the lead, a corner was delivered from the left hand side and landed at the feet of the Gloucester striker, his initial shot was brilliantly saved by Cornish Keeper Jamie Beare from point blank range. The follow up was then blocked on the line by a combination of Beare and Danny Pearce, a third effort saw more Cornish defenders put the bodies on the line to keep the ball out but it was 4th time luck as the Gloucestershire striker final managed to prod home after a lengthy goalmouth scramble.
The goal seemed to give Gloucestershire real impetus and they took charge of the game, creating a few good chances, only some good goalkeeping by Beare and strong tackles my skipper Archie Mcteare and his centre half partner Kayden Gordon-Dunn kept the score down. Cornwall looked to get back into the game in the last 10 minutes of the half and just as it seemed that we were building up a head of steam Gloucestershire struck again. This time a quick break found the Gloucestershire right winger, his cross in the box was met acrobatically by the Gloucestershire forward whose scissor click flew into the net leaving Beare with no chance. Cornwall needed to re-group but were lucky to go in at the break only 2 behind after Gloucestershire struck the bar in the last minute of the half.
Second Half
When the 2nd half started their seemed to be a little more urgency in the Cornwall play, full-back James Edlin and Danny Pearce looked to get forward a little more putting Cornwall on the front foot. Cornwall also made a couple of telling substitutions with Theo Cadby coming onto the pitch to provide more support to Marks up front. It was Cadby who made the impact, a through ball into the area saw him beat the Gloucestershire keeper to the ball but the keeper caught the on-rushing striker and bought him down for a penalty, a penalty that was neatly dispatched by Cadby himself.
Cornwall now really had the wind in their sails and Cameron Hirst, Tom Dolan, and Fin Ellacott in centre midfield became more and more influential, and within a few minutes Cornwall were level. Hirst delivered a fizzing corner from the left which the unfortunate Gloucestershire keeper could only punch into his own net. Following the equaliser the game became very stretched with both teams desperate to find a winner but neither quite able to find that finishing touch. However just as it seemed the game was heading for a draw Cornwall snatched a dramatic late winner. A long ball over the top seemed to have been dealt with by the Gloucestershire defence but substitute Joe Moran didn’t give it up and nicked the ball off the toe of the defender before calmly slotting home. It was a great way for Cornwall to win the game, even if the final score was a little harsh on Gloucestershire.
The final whistle went and Cornwall had the win, the players were applauded off the pitch by a healthy crowd of parents and supporters, and deservedly so following a wonderful 2nd half fightback.
Cornwall Side – 1. Jamie Beare, 2. James Edlin, 3. Danny Pearce, 4. Cameron Hirst, 5. Kayden Gordon-Dunn, 6. Archie Mcteare (captain), 7. Finn Bartlett, 8. Tom Dolan, 9. Oscar Marks, 10. Fin Ellacott, 11. Ciran Budge
Subs – 12. Harry Phillips, 13. Leo Summer, 14. James Swan, 15. Theo Cadby, 16. Joe Moran, 17. Josh Evans
