The under 14s were home once again at the Banbury Plant Hire Community Stadium. This time the opponents were high flying Boldmere St Michaels BD. The away side a top 5 team, who have been earning rave reviews this season.

The pitch was once again in great order, if not a little hard because of the lack of rain over the last month, it certainly didnt stop this being a thoroughly entertaining match.

We reverted back to a 442 formation from kick off, with Jack and Tyra starting upfront and Ollie E and Jacob in the centre of the pitch. It soon became apparent that Boldmere were fired up for the match. They took control from the first minute. A strong imposing side, that were also technically gifted on the ball.

Boldmere took the lead after just 3 minutes. A fine strike from the impressive number 6 from just inside the area giving Myron no chance. 0-1.The midfield two for Boldmere were really dictating play and were without doubt the best midfield paring we have been up against so far this season.

The boys couldn't get a grip of the game, and the attacks were at this stage relentless from Bodmere. It wasn't long before it was two nil. A nice through ball was cleverly flicked on. The Boldmere striker then turned inside the challenge and smashed into the back of the net. 0-2 and only ten minutes gone.

At this stage it looked like the game was already slipping away from United. In order to get a foothold in the game, Tyra was asked to drop back a little to play in a deeper number 10 role, to help the midfield two when out of possession. Slowly but surely the lads stemmed the tide of Boldmere pressure and were beginning to keep the ball.

The game was being played at a frantic pace, and there was no time on the ball for any player. the mmenbt the ball was received there was a player closing down, and the lads were struggling to move the ball quickly.

Despite Boldmere being on top, we did look dangerous when we could get the ball out wide. Boldmere were lining up with a back 3, and this means there was space in behind out wide if the balls were played accurately.

The lads were handed a lifeline in the 22nd Minute, the ball was released through by Ollie E towards Fin who was in a foot race with the keeper, the ball was cleared out towards the half way line, where Tyra picked the ball up 25 Yards out and hit a superb effort over the keeper and into the roof of the net 1-2. Game on!

For the remainder of the half we were gain a little under the cosh, George and Jake came on for Jack K and Fin, as we fought to get control of the midfield. It was hard work for Ollie E and Jacob as they were having to put in a tremendous amount of effort to keep the lads in the game.

Myron pulled of an excellent save with his feet to deny Boldmere a third at a crucial time five minutes before half time. The defence marshalled by Aidan were resolutely swatting away the danger, Lex, Tom and Harry all making timely tackles as Boldmere looked to extend their lead.

The final action of the half saw Myron come and commandingly claim a corner kick to relieve the mounting pressure.

At half time, we talked about moving the ball quickly, and using the space that was there on the wings. It was hard to get out, but when we did we were always dangerous. Jack F came on for Ollie E, and Ollie C was on for Tom as the teams went back onto the pitch for the second half.

The second half started much more evenly, and the boys were level on 39 minutes. A poor goal kick from the Boldmere keeper was retrieved by Tyra, he drove into the box and got his shot off at goal. The keeper saved well, but Tyra was on hand to smash in the rebound 2-2.

In truth it looked like Boldmere had put so much into the first half that they were suffering a little for their exertions. The lads were a lot more vocal, pressing harder as a team, and being more aggressive in their tackles.

After Tyra fed Jake through on the right wing it looked he might be able to get clear and have an opportunity at goal, but he couldnt quite get the ball out of his feet in time to trouble the keeper.

Boldmere's excellent number 6 had changed his boots for the second half - his blue ones had been replaced by a yellow pair, but thankfully his drilled shot from the edge of the box was just wide of the post.

Following some neat interchange in the midfield Jack F got the ball out of his feet and hit a tremendous shot that flew inches over the crossbar, the game was very evenly poised, but we were looking more threatening at this stage.

Jack F done well to hold off a challenge in midfield before playing a lovely throughball for Tyra to run onto. He done exceptionally well to beat his man, but his low drive was well saved by the keeper.

Banbury United turned the game on its head, and took the lead for the first time in the game on 60 minutes. Jack played the ball into Fin on the left wing. He went on a darting run down the wing before playing the ball through to Tyra to chase. It looked for all the world that the defender and the keeper were going to clear the danger, but Tyra somehow got his toe to the ball first to slide the ball through the keepers legs and into the net. A tremendous hat trick for Tyra 3-2.

The lads were doing all they can to keep the lead, the referee who was very fussy throughout very harshly booked Fin and Jack F for first offence fouls, they were fouls no more than that!

Boldmere again responded and were throughing everything at getting an equaliser, the lads at the back were holding their own, but as the game wore on the defending was becoming more desperate and panicky with clearances smashed away, rather than the ball being held onto.

A couple of Boldmere free kicks into the box were flicked wide of the post, as we ticked into the final couple of minutes.
Boldmere won a corner in the last minute of the match, the ball was lofted high into the box and as a sea of bodies went for the ball Boldmere's number 6 rose and headed into the net. 3-3. Heartbreak for the lads who had put so much into turning the game around against a really good side.

Full time the game finished all square, in truth its hard to begrudge Boldmere a draw they probably deserved, but it was cruel to concede from a set piece so late in the game, and not for the first time!

The boys deserve a huge amount of credit, a really excellent game of football from the first minute to the last.

Banbury United U14s 3 Boldmere St Michaels BD U14s 3