Good match in difficult conditions
Saturday saw Hemyock Youth under 13s take on league leaders Colyton at Longmead Field, and whilst the result went Colyton’s way, Hemyock played probably their best football of the season, against a very good team.
The team have struggled to find a goalkeeper this season, so losing Cameron Matthews to sickness during the warm up was a blow. However, Jordan Travers volunteered to become the team’s 5th goalkeeper in 6 matches making a number of good saves, and showing some potential in the role.
Hemyock started brightly, holding their own, and playing effective passing football, took the lead after 20 minutes as Ashley Jaji slotted a pass from Henry Fawcett beyond the advancing Colyton goalkeeper.
At this point a higher power decided to intervene and put a dampener on proceedings, as the wind came up and the heavens opened. Hemyock found themselves up against the elements as well as a good Colyton team. Despite a solid performance from Josh Allen at the heart of the defence, Hemyock found it difficult to deal with a succession of crosses, and a slippery ball to find themselves 4-1 down by half time.
Midfield pair Michael Ellacott & Louie Allen, playing together for the first time this season, worked well battling against a talented group of players, as Hemyock took control in the early part of the second half. The defence held out well under Colyton pressure, with Liam Travers using his pace well playing the sweepers role. However, what was a tremendous defensive performance was in the end let down by a failure to clear the ball the ball quickly enough, leading to 2 further goals in the second half.
Hemyock maintained their composure and another good passing move presented Ashley Jaji with the opportunity to shoot over the Colyton goalkeeper, who had strayed off his line, for a final score of 2-6.
In the end whilst Colyton clearly deserved their win, the score line flattered them. Basic mistakes were responsible for 3 of the goals, but the spirit Hemyock showed in the face of quality opposition was commendable. Hemyock will come up against opposition of lesser quality over the months to come, and if they can reproduce performances like today’s they will not go unrewarded.