Under 11 Gladiators secure fine draw away at Croft Juniors

02 November 2011 at 18:33

Croft Juniors Red 1 - 1 Cirencester Town Gladiators

The Gladiators faced a tough away trip at Croft Juniors, who were 4th place in the division.

The game saw Joe Slack move to midfield and Oliver Smalley playing in an unfamiliar right back position. Robbie Jackson resumed his position at centre back.

The First half started with the Gladiators firmly on top, penning Croft in their own half for nearly 10 minutes. Joe Slack had a shot well saved by Croft’s keeper. Estrelli also had shots saved by the “increasingly under-fire” keeper as did adventurous left-back Lomas. Oliver Smalley was playing a blinder at right-back and the partnership between Slack and Jupp in midfield was working well.

Against the run of play, Hamsa Amaan gave the hosts an undeserved lead. The Gladiators persevered, and just before the half-hour Joe Slack gave the visitors a justified equaliser after a stunning finish from the edge of the box.

The Gladiators laid siege in the Croft half but were unable to produce an opening before the interval. At half time the Gladiators went in slightly disappointed with only 1 goal to show for their complete dominance.

The Second half started with the same onslaught that the first half ended in. Croft started the second half much better though and soon started to get a stranglehold on the game.

Croft had lots of chances to win the game but the defence of Trott, Smalley and Jackson protected Tuckwell brilliantly. What Tuckwell had to do was dealt with in convincing style. Devine, Jones and Slack all had shots well saved by the keeper and by the end of the game it was end-to-end stuff.

MAN OF THE MATCH: All defenders were solid today but Oliver Smalley was a revelation at right-back. Tuckwell, Jackson, Trott, Jupp, Slack, Devine & Jones had great games.  Man of the match without doubt was Oliver Smalley. 

Cirencester:

 Luke Tuckwell, Sam Lomas, Robbie Jackson, Oliver Smalley, Ryan Devine, Joe Slack, Harvey Jupp, Oliver Jones, Max Estrelli, Josh Bolton, Oliver Trott                                                            

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