Current Competition Champions, Gloucestershire Youth U16 entertained Wiltshire Youth U16 in their first match of the Season at Oaklands Park in a competitive and entertaining match which Wiltshire won by 3-2 to gain their first win of the Season.
Play was fairly even in the early part of the match. Gloucestershire took the lead after 20 minutes when Ryan Batten (JSISA) scored from a shot from outside the box which found the corner of the net. Wiltshire equalized on 31 minutes when Jordan De Silva (Trowbridge Town) headed home from a cross by Joss Lowe (Shaw F C). Gloucestershire continued to attack the Wiltshire goal and prior to half time had two goals disallowed one for offside after the Wiltshire keeper push a shot against the bar which rebounded to a Gloucestershire forward who netted and one goal for a foul in the penalty area.
In the second half after 48 minutes Gloucestershire took the lead again when Ryan Batten collected the ball on the half way line to outpace the the Wiltshire defense beating Ryan McCaffey in the Wiltshire goal with a low shot. Two minutes later, Wiltshire were again level with a shot from Joe Walker (Trowbridge Wanderers) who was set up by Melksham Park's Ben Massly. On 75 minutes Jon Walker netted a second goal for Wiltshire winner again with a header into the far corner of the net from a corner supplied by Oxford United's Ryan Elliott.
In the closing minutes play was evenly contested with both teams trying to press their advantage but both keepers were having a good game.
Star man for Gloucestershire Ryan Batten (JSISA)
Peter T McPherson
17th November 2008