Report

It was just one of those days!  A very strong performance from Malmesbury Youth secured a deserved 5-0 win over Ferndale Rodbourne, as from the first kick of the game to the final whistle it was just not going to be Ferndale’s day, the bounce of the ball and some wayward shooting combining to leave Ferndale goalless at the end. 

From the off Malmesbury Youth were well organised, well drilled in passing and moving to find space, and first to nearly every loose ball.  On a narrow pitch they seemed to be able to create lots of space with some fine movement and neat passing, and they began creating chance after chance.

Oliver Bunce, Josh Blackmore, Bailey Fisher and Alex Hill were being constantly pressured in the Ferndale midfield and were struggling to keep up with the pace of the Malmesbury midfield supporting their attackers.  The back four of Samuel Hewitt, William Close, Billy King and Jack Curtis which had looked far tighter in the last few matches, were being run ragged on both wings and all four were struggling to hold their positions as Malmesbury alternated between close passing through the middle, and some fine diagonal through balls to the wings to get in behind Ferndale’s defence.

Fortunately for Ferndale stand-in goalie Aaron Betterton was in superb form and somehow with a couple of minutes to half-time it was only 2-0 to Malmesbury despite them having numerous chances and having hit both posts.  Right on half-time came Ferndale’s only real chance of the half as Callum Ratcliffe broke down the right, his effort sliding just past the post with the goalkeeper beaten.  Half time score Malmesbury 2 Ferndale 0.

The second half followed the pattern of the first.  Substitutes Rhys Chippendale and Alessio Wrona came on for the second half for Ferndale.  There was no shortage of effort from Ferndale throughout this second period but on the occasions where the boys did manage to put together some attacking moves the final ball was never quite there, or else Samuel Roberts and Callum Ratcliffe upfront could never quite get the ball fully under their control before shooting.

At the other end Malmesbury continued to create numerous chances, Ferndale often losing the ball in critical areas of the field and being unable to recover as Malmesbury broke in numbers and at pace.  Aaron Betterton continued his first half form in goal to keep the score respectable, and a mention must go to Jack Curtis who was having a fine game at left back, often outnumbered but more often than not coming away with the ball after making a tackle.  The game ended with a final score of Malmesbury 5 Ferndale 0.  

Coach Paul Gregory was disappointed that Ferndale never really got in the game or that they did not grab a consolation goal, but admitted this was a strong Malmesbury side.  Man of the match was unanimous and it went to Aaron Betterton for an unbelievable performance in Ferndale’s goal.