Post Match reaction as Youth beat Chasetown
The Mikes youth team emerged from a turbulent couple of weeks to secure a morale-boosting three points at The Scholars.
After a goalless first half, they secured the win thanks to a stunning spell early in the second half when they took the game by the scruff of the neck, with newly appointed captain James Walker at the heart of everything. First he hit the bar with a 25-yard bullet, but he didn’t have to wait long before opening the scoring. Jordan Gibbons got to round the back of his marker on the Boldmere left, before cutting the ball back for Walker to control neatly before clinically despatching the chance from 8 yards.
Minutes later it was two, but this time it was all Walker’s own work. After being released in the inside left channel, there looked to be nothing on as he was shepherded to the bye-line by his marker. With the home defence expecting him to roll the ball wide for a cross, Walker dragged the ball away from his marker before curling a delightful chip beyond the home keeper into the top corner.
The Mikes were rampant and Chris Ward had a golden chance to secure the points, but his finish agonisingly flashed inches wide of the post. The game went flat as the home keeper was stretchered off after turning his ankle throwing the ball out. This seemed to disrupt the Mikes more as out of nothing, Chasetown reduced the arrears following a fine individual goal.
After looking dead and buried, this gave them fresh hope of an equaliser. The Mikes defence held firm, and when they were exposed keeper Lewis Fenney responded with a superb block to preserve the lead.
Manager Mark Clarke was obviously delighted, and understandably relieved. “It’s been a tough couple of weeks, so it’s a really important win for us. The team were together and they dug in to see it through”.
Onlooking Reserve Team Joint-Manager Rob Clarke added “All credit to Mark, Andy and the lads. This is just what was needed and it should be excellent for confidence levels. They should all be pleased with a job well done.”
