North Greenford-Away

Allied Counties Youth League
Premier Division

Wednesday 11th April 2007

North Greenford United (0) 1
Oxford City (0) 3 (Griffiths 55, Bell 58, 90)

City kept their winning run going when they came from a goal behind to beat North Greenford.
The first half was goalless and largely uneventful on a difficult surface. The pitch, while well-kept and tidy like the rest of the ground, was extremely dry like most other pitches at present, and both teams were occasionally defeated by the bounce. Both teams were passing the ball well but failed to give either keeper any real problems.
City, fielding a makeshift defence in the absence of the commanding Joel Meade, were caught out just after the break when a long free-kick found North Greenford’s lively centre forward in space and he slotted the ball past Alex Williams to put the home side one up.
This seemed to act as a wake-up call to City, who completely dominated the next half hour. Griffiths and Bell saw shots saved before a Lance Williams through ball found Jack Griffiths, who calmly lobbed the advancing keeper.
Three minutes later Mark Bell put City in the lead when he fired home from close range after an excellent Griffiths run and cross. Bell, Griffiths and Corey Forbes then all went close with Griffiths particularly unlucky when his snap shot rebounded off the post straight into the keeper’s arms.
An accidental collision between the home keeper and City’s Jetmir Kamberi saw the goalkeeper leave the field missing his two front teeth. The North Greenford manager was eventually sent from the bench amid considerable confusion.
Deep into injury time Mark Bell completed the scoring with a shot from twelve yards after he cleverly made space for himself in typical fashion.
City only displayed their best form in patches but still did enough to deservedly win the game. North Greenford were a quick and skilful side who certainly contributed to a generally entertaining game.

City Team: Alex Williams, Mark Janes, Simon Reeves, Kieron Lewis (Capt), Lewis Colwell (sub Jamie Coleman 88), Lance Williams, Jetmir Kamberi, Mark Bell, Ben Hepburn, Corey Forbes (sub Lawrence El-Kassir 90), Jack Griffiths.