Following last weekends tight defeat against Redditch Utd. The Under 16s were on the road again this time to face SYL Blacks at the Fernie Fields Stadium in Northampton. Despite the recent heavy rain the pitch was in pristine condition, and the facilities at Fernie Fields were excellent. A great setup for the boys to come and play their football at.

Given the good opposition we were playing, there was a change in shape from the start today. We decided to play a back four, and a solid midfield three. Having played SYL before we knew they played with three high forwards, so keeping a good shape was key today.

The team started the game really well. On the front foot we were bossing possession and territory. The midfield three were controlling things nicely, and the shape was restricting SYL to very little in terms of dangerous openings.

Toby and Tyra who started the game as wide forwards both had space on their respective flanks, and a couple of dangerous balls into the box by them were eventually cleared to safety by SYL.

In terms of clear cut chances at goal, there was very little to report on in the opening 20 minutes, although there was situations and offensive actions that if the final ball was spot on would of definitely led to goal scoring chances.

Banbury deservedly took the lead after 24 minutes. SYL attempted a through ball, that was brilliantly read by Lex. He drove forward for a few yards before playing a defense splitting pass through to Tyra, he sped away towards goal and corrected his body well to slide the ball past the keeper. 0-1.

SYL were shocked by the goal, and in fairness to the them, it did give them a bit of a lift to try and force an equaliser. After what looked a very innocuous free kick award, the SYL player hit a fine three kick towards goal, but Myron who was making his first appearance of the season excellently tipped the ball over the bar.

Moments later another long range effort from SYL crashed off the cross bar, and they were then aggrieved at an offside decision when their forward player was through on goal. The linesman's flag definitely correct. Myron was then quick off his line on a couple of occasions to stop potentially dangerous situations from developing further as SYL pressed to get back into the game.

Just before half time, Banbury broke. Tyra who was working tirelessly upfront chased down the defenders, won the ball and drove towards goal, as he was about to shoot he was taken clean out by the SYL defender. Penalty awarded. An SYL player was subsequently sin binned for 8 minutes following his remonstrations. Jacob who has an exemplary record from the penalty spot stepped up. But on this occasion the keeper got the better of him with a smart save down to his left. A real shame for Jacob whose performance throughout the whole game was deserving of a goal!

At half time Ben and I were delighted with the performance. We wanted more of the same. Retain the shape, work hard for each other all over the pitch, and don't let the penalty miss just before half time affect the way we were playing.

The second half started very similar to the first. Banbury were controlling the game and looking to extend the lead. Finlay who had come on in the left wing position got away down the wing and played a lovely ball across the box to Zach whose left foot half volley looked certain to go in, but was agonisingly wide of the post.

Another massive opportunity came 10 minutes later. a lovely ball was slid through to Lennon who had timed his run from midfield brilliantly. He done everything right, went round the keeper and got his shot off at goal - unfortunately it cannoned off the outside of the post and away to safety. Two big opportunities that we were hoping weren't going to cost us.

SYL themselves then had a really good chance to equalise. A ball found its way through the middle of the backline, the SYL striker struck towards goal but Myron stuck out a foot to make a great save and divert the ball wide of the post.

The all important second goal came on the hour mark. It was a little fortunate the way it came about, but the performance had deserved that little bit of luck. Tyra received the ball on the corner of the six yard box. He fired the ball across goal, which Toby flicked into the goal off of his chest (Not sure how much Toby actually knew about it!)

The lads were now had the bit between their teeth and soon opened up a three goal cushion. Toby put in a teasing cross into the box. The SYL keeper got a hand to it but could only punch it to the edge of the box where Lewis arrived to smash a half volley into the roof of the net. 65 minutes gone 0-3.

The lads were determined to see the game out with a clean sheet, you could sense a determination from every one of the players on the pitch. SYL hit a lovely strike towards goal from the edge of the box that zipped off the service just as it reached Myron, but once again he was on hand to make a great save around the post.

The game got a little tetchy towards full time, as SYL clearly lost their heads a little once they knew they were beaten. But some solid defensive work kept them out as the boys saw the rest of the match out untroubled.

A really excellent performance from the lads today - probably the best of the season to date. A deserved clean sheet, and a cracking three points. More tough matches are ahead in the coming weeks, but if the boys take the same level of performance into subsequent games then they have no one to fear.

The result cements our place in the top ten of the MJPL, details can be seen here

Full Time
SYL Blacks U16s 0 Banbury United U16s 3

Goals - Tyra, Toby, Lewis
Assists - Lex, Tyra, Toby
Men of the match - Myron, Lex, Jacob