For the second week running United U16s were playing at Horton View. This time hosting Proline Coaching Academy from Coventry.
After a poor start last week the lads were keen to put the performance behind them and push on.

United started the game with an intensity that suggested they had a point to prove. Immediately we were on the front foot, playing passing football that was accurate and when needed direct. Decision making in possession was good, and out of possession the shape of the team was excellent, affording Proline very little in terms of attempts.

The first goal came early in the 9th minute. After a couple of short passes into midfield, Toby lobbed a long forward pass for Tyra to chase. The keeper hesitated slightly as the two players challenged for the ball. Tyra coming out on top and sliding the ball into the empty net. 1-0.

It didn't take too long for the lead to be doubled. Toby producing another assist, this time a pinpoint corner delivery that Josh met with a lovely header into the roof of the net, the keeper no chance. 2-0.

Further chances were created as the half wore on. The lads had very strong appeals for penalties turned down. Firstly what appeared to be a blatant handball in the box was turned away, and then Luke was kicked just inside the penalty area. Very sportingly Luke jumped back up and managed to get his shot away that was saved by the keeper.

A third goal seemed inevitable, and it looked like it had arrived 10 minutes before half time. Another tempting cross was put into the box by Toby. This time Lewis got above the defence and planted a lovely header into the far corner. The linesman's flag was raised. Initially i thought it was for a foul as a coupe of our players were brought down as the ball was played in. But, remarkably the linesman had given offside. Very hard to understand how this could be the case.

Although unlucky with this disallowed goal, Lewis was finally rewarded with a goal in the 39th minute. Jack Kimber playing an exquisite through ball through to Josh. Josh held it up on the edge of the area before Lewis raced onto the ball and smashed it low and hard into the bottom corner. 3-0 at half time and thoroughly deserved.

Into the second half, and the team had been rotated. This wasn't for reasons of performance, the lads had all worked really hard, and Ben and I wanted to give breathers to certain players who were getting through a tremendous amount of work. Fin, Harry and Pablo came onto the pitch, and continued the good work of those they replaced.

In truth Nathan was a virtual spectator for most of the game, but when called upon he done everything that was asked of him. He was assured with the ball at his feet, and came to collect the ball when he needed to from crosses into the box.

We continued to probe and press for more goals, and the fourth arrived in the 55th minute. Pablo who was coming deep and getting into some good pockets of space provided Toby with the ball in the wide right position, he skillfully beat his man before cutting the ball back to Lennon who controlled and shot low into the goal for 4-0. The goal was a reward for a great performance from Lennon, whose performance in the middle of the pitch, and his positional awareness set the tone for a good overall team performance.

The next goal came quickly after in the 57th minute. Tyra had the ball in the penalty with his back to goal, wriggled away from his marker who proceeded to trip him as he looked to get a shot away at goal. Penalty awarded - Tyra stepped up himself and fired into the corner of the net despite the keeper guessing the right way.

Tyra could of had his hat-trick five minutes later, Pablo squaring the ball to him in the penalty area, but as he took a touch he was closed down quickly and his shot was blocked with it looking on target to score.

The final goal of the game arrived in the 71st minute. Tyra slid a ball through the back line, Toby looked to latch onto it, but the keeper got there just before him. The ball broke loose and Lewis was on hand to side foot into the empty net for 6-0.

The lads saw out the rest of the game with a determination to keep a clean sheet, special mention to the back three Ollie C, Lex and Arthur, who didn't let anything passed them today, and all three players playing in the wing back positions Luke, Jack K and Harry who worked tirelessly down each flank defensively and offensively.

Overall it was an excellent team performance, in which every player played their part. We look to continue in the same vain when we travel to Milton Keynes next week to face MK Galacticos!

Full Time
Banbury United U16s 6 Proline Coaching Academy U16s 0

Goalscorers - Tyra (2), Lewis (2), Josh, Lennon
Assists - Toby (3), Josh, Tyra
MOTM - Lennon