This has to have been the game of the season so far. Two well-matched teams produced a game of end- to-end excitement. It was clear from early in the game that it was going to take something rather special to separate the two teams.
For the first ten minutes or so both teams probed each other's defence. It was in the 13th minute that a ball down the line from Leigh found Ulrich who threaded it through to Tijan who, with a feint forward let the ball run past him, turning his defender inside out, headed for goal and got off a shot that the Rhiwbina goalie, Chris, saved. Two minutes later and it was Regan's chance to get off a shot on goal, which was again saved. Another two minutes and this time it was Ulrich getting a shot in. Chris turned it around the post for a corner.
Chris dealt with the corner and started the move which saw Rhiwbina winger Sam Cawley unleash a shot, but under pressure from Jake, the ball went wide. Five minutes later and Rhiwbina worked the ball through to Ben Francombe who, with a quick turn, saw his attempt just skim the crossbar.
On the 28th minute Rhiwbina were awarded a free kick which Adam launched towards the Buns' goal. The ball was cleared and as St Albans gave chase it was Rhiwbina's turn to concede a free-kick. Tyrone sent the ball into the Rhiwbina box, which Joe rose to meet and direct goalwards, but the Rhiwbina goalie gathered it safely.
For the next ten minutes the game ebbed and flowed as both teams looked for that vital first goal. The next real chance came when Aaron, with a run down the left, drew a foul. Dylan lined up a shot but it went just wide of the left-hand upright.
Just as it looked as though the first half would end 0-0, a diagonal ball from left back Leigh found its way to Ulrich in the penalty box. He got off a shot which Chris parried, only to see Tijan pounce on the loose ball to guide it into the net.
Half-time: Rhiwbina 0 - 1 St Albans
At the start of the second half Tremaine came on for the Buns and Scott for the Rhiwbina team. Rhiwbina came out and applied the pressure as they looked for an equaliser. Alfie soon got off a long shot on goal, which Elliot gathered. A quick break from St Albans and the ball was threaded through to Tijan who got the ball into the net only to be adjudged offside.
But just a minute later a mix-up in the St Albans defence saw Jacob Scott intercept the ball to get the equaliser. Rhiwbina 1 - 1 St Albans. The goal spurred the Buns to regain the initiative. A run down the left by Ulrich, a cross, which Joe rose to meet, but his header was gathered in by the Rhiwbina goalie. A minute later and Chris was again called into action to turn a shot from Tremaine around the post. Tremaine took the corner, launching it into the box. Sean got his head on the ball flicking it on to Dylan who saw his effort saved by Chris. A quick counter-attack resulted in a fierce shot from Dan Pike just grazing the crossbar. A minute later and Rhiwbina win another corner, but it goes straight out.
With Rhiwbina beginning to edge possession they almost take the lead, but a goal-saving tackle from Sean puts the ball behind for a corner. The corner is cleared upfield where Tremaine is able to get off a long-range power shot, but the Rhiwbina goalie is alive to it.
Again Rhiwbina return to the attack and force a corner. St Albans clear their lines only for Dan Pike and Alfie to cut through the Buns defence with a series of one-twos. But Elliot pulls off a great save that probably proved to be a turning point. Elliot then sets up a counter attack which leads to Regan producing a 'chip' pass that split the Rhiwbina defence. Tijan picked up the pass, sending it across to Tremaine who got in a shot on goal, only for it to be saved. With sixty six minutes gone the score remains 1 - 1.
For the next ten minutes two visibly tiring teams are drawing on their last reserves of energy with play running end to end. Rhiwbina bring on Roman in search of a winner. As the players tire mistakes creep in and the free kicks start to mount.
In the 78th minute a free-kick into the box from Leigh is headed just over by Sean. A minute later and it is Rhiwbina putting the ball wide from a free kick. The Buns goal-kick results in Rhiwbina conceding a free kick ten yards inside the St Albans half. Tyrone steps up and sends the ball into the Rhiwbina box. As the Rhiwbina goalie advances to claim the ball, Tremaine's pace gets him to the ball first and a sublime chip puts it in the back of the net. It secures the goal that proves to be that something special that was to separate two quality football teams.
Final Score: Rhiwbina 1 - 2 St Albans
For the rest of the Cardiff & District U15 results, see below.
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