Alveston 4v1 Southam 2 Oct 2010 - Match Report

Alveston under 11's produced an outstanding display away at Southam to claim all three points, with a well deserved 4-1 win. In difficult conditions, and with the wind at their backs, it was the home side who started strongly, but with Isaac Downes in commanding form in goal, and Jake Greaves, Jordon Pace and Dan Malone all superb at the back, not only putting in some crunching tackles, but also looking to play the ball to feet wherever possible, they provided Alveston with a platform to build from. It was from such a move that Alveston created their first chance of the game, when good link up play between Dan Malone, Jamie Stephens & Matty Rickett released Alan Mackinnon down the right hand side, and his cross found the on-rushing Billy Dingley who fired wide. 

Josh Humphriss and Jamie Stephens were causing all sorts of problems for the home defence, and when Alex Connor played a delightful ball into the path of Josh on the left hand side of the box, Luke Hurst had to be at his best to keep the shot out. However, he could do nothing to prevent Alveston taking the lead, when a free kick from Matty Rickett found Josh Humphriss just inside the area, who's sublime first touch turned the defender before he unleashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. 

After the break it was the home side who started well, and were soon level when the referee awarded a penalty when he felt Jamie Ford was upended in the box. Connor Bowmaster calmly firing into the the bottom right hand corner, leaving Isaac Downes with no chance. Alveston responded brilliantly, with Matty Rickett, Billy Dingley and Roshen Foley taking control of the centre of the midfield and orchestrating all their attacks, and it wasn't long before they re-took the lead, when from some good work down the left by Joe Vose and Jordon Pace set up Josh Humphriss, who from the left hand edge of the area, curled a superb shot into the far corner of the net. 

Alveston continued to press, harrying every Southam player with the ball and forcing them into errors. Some good interplay between Matty Rickett, Billy Dingley & Roshen Foley forced the southam midfield into some desperate lunges, and from one of these Alveston were awarded a free kick some 25 yards out. From this distance, you would normally expect the ball to be clipped into the box, however, Josh Humphriss claimed his hat-trick when he unleashed a thunderbolt of a free kick, which flew into the top corner of the net, leaving the home keeper, Luke Hurst, rooted to the spot. 

It was all Alveston now, with Alan Mackinnon, Jamie Stephens and Matty Rickett all going close. With only 5 minutes remaining another well worked move down the Alveston right, involving the impressive Jamie Stephens, set Josh Humphriss away and when his cross was fumbled by the home keeper, Harry Spencer was on hand to guide the ball into an empty net.