Man of the Match; Rowan
After a disappointing result last week, the U12s entertained Steyning in their first cup match of the season. Steyning kicked off, and Cranleigh were immediately looking to make amends for last week, and were on the attack right from the kick off, Cranleigh continually penned Steyning into their own half, and you could see there was a gulf in class between the two sides, without making a breakthrough though Steyning gained confidence as the game wore on. A hattrick of efforts from Harry had the Steyning keep and defenders stretched before putting his third effort wide, frustration was creeping in amongst the home team and you could see it. Steyning’s first shot on goal came about with the Cranleigh midfield napping, a fierce shot was saved well down to his right from Jake, this seemed to awaken the sleeping giant in Cranleigh and were all out attack from then on, a ferocious shot that went just passed the post from Oliver was followed by a shot on the angle from Dom, the Steyning defender was helpless as he helped it in over the line for an OG 1-0 Cranleigh
The boys started to assert their dominance, a cool lob from Rylan just beat the crossbar, from the resulting goal kick Rowan battled well to win the ball in midfield, played the ball through for Rylan who played a deft chip over the keeper to make it 2-0 at half time.
As soon as Cranleigh kicked off the second half Oliver and Raul caused the Steyning defence problems with the ball falling to Elliott, he drove the ball passed the keeper from all of 25 yards, not bad at all from the centre back to make it 3-0. Fantastic battling play from Rowan, took on a first, second, and third Steyning defender before slotting the ball under the keeper for his second of the season and Cranleigh’s fourth. All the action wasn’t all in Steyning’s half and great defensive play from Harrison saved the Cranleigh keeper from having too much work to do, the game was entering the last 15 minutes, with Steyning on the attack, Jake saved well from point blank range, more frustration was kicking in within the Cranleigh midfield, unbelievable considering they were 4-0 up, this was causing friction between certain players and the coaching staff, although I feel there would only be one winner there! Typically, out of the frustration, the Cranleigh’s midfield of Dom and Raul left an acute through ball pass them by, and the move was finished off by Oliver, a great goal to make it 5-0 dampened with over exuberant celebrating.
Great intricate play just outside the Steyning box was well finished by Dom to make it 6-0 and in the dying seconds of the match there was indeed the move of the match, one and two touch passes amongst the Cranleigh players accumulated to 16 passes before Harry smashed the ball past the Steyning keeper, that all but took the net pegs out of the ground 7-0 at full time, back to league action next weekend, today’s man of the match was well deserved, congratulations Rowan.
Match report by Alan Lightfoot
