Magpies Shot Down by Royals
A tough opening fixture of the South Surrey Youth Football League ended in defeat for Loxwood U14 Tigers, as a strong Southwater Royals side won a well fought match.
Loxwood started well, dominating the opening minutes and went close to taking the lead from their first corner. Louis Horsley's goal-bound header ricocheted off the Royals defender's head and out to safety. Five minutes later, the Magpies took the lead through a well taken goal from Tom Lillywhite, who was found just inside the box and deftly looped his effort over the Royals' keeper.
The goal sparked Southwater into life and they started to take a foothold on the game. Their midfielders began to dominate and find searching balls through our strong defensive line. In quick succession they scored twice and took a slender, but deserved lead, into the second half.
With everything to play for, Loxwood gifted Royals an early second-half goal. Confusion at the back and a failure to clear the lines, allowed Southwater to extend their lead. Soon after, the Royals scored a fabulous free kick and minutes later added a fifth. However, the Magpies never gave up and for the final third of the match began to dominate once more. Finally, we found width and better balls into the front line and were rewarded with a well taken goal to reduce the deficit. Horsley found space wide on the right, cut in and his well taken effort struck the post. An alert Harry Hunter pounced to steer the ball into the back of the net. From then on, Loxwood looked most likely to score, with Horsley sent through on goal, only for the long, dry grass to hold him back and Max Robertson just unable to beat the last man. Hunter began to find more space on the left and got some good crosses into the box that the Magpies were unable to convert. With almost the final kick of the game, Horsley had another effort that was well saved, but no one followed in to stab home the loose ball.
A competitive and exciting opening game of the 2019-20 season that was played in good spirit. Loxwood will feel that could have played with more energy throughout the match and made much better use of the speed of Hunter and Horsley. This was a good Southwater Royals side who deserved their victory, but there was enough evidence in the opening minutes and closing third of the match to believe we can scores goals and win our fair share of games this year.
Team: Eron Welch, Josh Arnold, Will Dixon, Tom Maybury, Mikey Arlett, Theo Rawlins, Tom Pearce, Tom Lillywhite, Max Robertson, Harry Hunter, Louis Horsley, Toby Chandler, Harry Comber, Toby Nicholls.
Goals: Tom Lillywhite, Harry Hunter
MOM: Will Dixon
Loxwood started well, dominating the opening minutes and went close to taking the lead from their first corner. Louis Horsley's goal-bound header ricocheted off the Royals defender's head and out to safety. Five minutes later, the Magpies took the lead through a well taken goal from Tom Lillywhite, who was found just inside the box and deftly looped his effort over the Royals' keeper.
The goal sparked Southwater into life and they started to take a foothold on the game. Their midfielders began to dominate and find searching balls through our strong defensive line. In quick succession they scored twice and took a slender, but deserved lead, into the second half.
With everything to play for, Loxwood gifted Royals an early second-half goal. Confusion at the back and a failure to clear the lines, allowed Southwater to extend their lead. Soon after, the Royals scored a fabulous free kick and minutes later added a fifth. However, the Magpies never gave up and for the final third of the match began to dominate once more. Finally, we found width and better balls into the front line and were rewarded with a well taken goal to reduce the deficit. Horsley found space wide on the right, cut in and his well taken effort struck the post. An alert Harry Hunter pounced to steer the ball into the back of the net. From then on, Loxwood looked most likely to score, with Horsley sent through on goal, only for the long, dry grass to hold him back and Max Robertson just unable to beat the last man. Hunter began to find more space on the left and got some good crosses into the box that the Magpies were unable to convert. With almost the final kick of the game, Horsley had another effort that was well saved, but no one followed in to stab home the loose ball.
A competitive and exciting opening game of the 2019-20 season that was played in good spirit. Loxwood will feel that could have played with more energy throughout the match and made much better use of the speed of Hunter and Horsley. This was a good Southwater Royals side who deserved their victory, but there was enough evidence in the opening minutes and closing third of the match to believe we can scores goals and win our fair share of games this year.
Team: Eron Welch, Josh Arnold, Will Dixon, Tom Maybury, Mikey Arlett, Theo Rawlins, Tom Pearce, Tom Lillywhite, Max Robertson, Harry Hunter, Louis Horsley, Toby Chandler, Harry Comber, Toby Nicholls.
Goals: Tom Lillywhite, Harry Hunter
MOM: Will Dixon
