Match Report
Montpelier Villa U18 1-4 Newhaven U18 (HT 1-0)
Last Sunday’s match was an away fixture against Montpellier U18s, to be played at Falmer, but their normal pitch was unavailable so we used the one behind the artificial ground. Montpellier were a place behind us in the League and had been playing well so we knew this game would be difficult.
The team was very familiar but there was a start for Chandler and although club captain Tayler was now fit he was on the subs bench.
It was very foggy from the start and this did lead to some visibility problems for the linesmen but the referee was happy to give time for the conditions to improve. Early play was fairly even but our first chance came after just five minutes from a cross by Sam that fell to Chas but nothing came from it.
Kyle then won a free kick just outside the box but his effort went high and wide. A few minutes later Jake took a free kick and his cross was headed by Ryan to Chas who advanced, taking on defenders and releasing a shot that was well saved by the keeper, for a corner but nothing came from this.
Montpellier then attacked and Jack in goal had to make a good save to keep the scores level. Kyle then had a shot saved following a great run down the flank by Sam before crossing to Kyle.
We then won a corner but nothing came from this and it was then that we conceded a goal from a free kick that found its way to a forward to slot home.
We needed a response and the team did increase the tempo and just before half time created another chance when Kyle released Ryan who turned and sent in a shot that was just wide of the post. Jack then had to make a great save, just before half time, following a quick break by Montpellier. 1-0 behind.
The team talk was, shall I say, forthright, and the players were left in no doubt that the performance was not good enough and that the players had to increase their tempo and desire to win this game.
However, it was Montpellier who created the first chance of the second half in the first minute from a corner and the ball was scrambled in the penalty area but Jack managed to grab it.
Within a minute we created a chance from a Kyle free kick and his cross was met by Ryan but his header was just wide.
Then a turning point when Kyle picked the ball up in midfield and went forward and then unleashed a great shot from range that the keeper never went for, a goal that even the opposition manager applauded.
A few minutes later Kyle was fouled in the penalty area following another run and he converted the chance. 2-1.
Montpellier then came at us but the attack only resulted in a corner and we increased our lead following a break up our left flank and the ball fell to Kyle who took on the defence and sent in a shot that the keeper got a hand to but the pace was too much and the ball nestled in the back of the net, and Kyle’s hat-trick.
We were playing some great football now and all the substitutes were brought on at some stage of the half and they all contributed to the performance. Further chances came, one from a Will corner that Ryan headed over and another from a Will cross that fell to Kyle but his shot was wide.
Jack had to keep alert in goal and when Montpellier did have a break he came out quickly to narrow the shooting angle allowing Charlie to complete the clearance.
Kyle then scored his and the team’s 4th goal again from a shot that went through the keepers hands into the net. 4-1.
There were no further goals and we saw the game out to record a very good win that takes us up to 3rd in the league. Credit must be given to the players who took on board what was said to them at half time and went out and delivered a great 2nd half performance. A special mention to Kyle for his four goals and overall performance.
Newhaven: Jack Webb, Jonny Donegan, Charlie White, Jake Baker-Cliff, George Baker, Harry Mills, Sam Wilkins, William Fermer (c), Ryan Hill, Kyle Woolven, Chandler Perrin, Callum Winser, Edward Clarke, Darnel Kiambi, Tayler O’Brien, Matt Cramp.