GTFC U13 Youth’s second league fixture of the season saw them lose 6-3 against AFC Barwell Ravens. Whilst Barwell deserved the victory, GTFC were left to rue moments of indecision which contributed to all four of Barwell’s first half goals. However, there were lots of positives for GTFC to take away, with all of the team contributing in one way or another.

The day started badly with Zach withdrawing from the team due to an injury sustained in training. This meant a change in formation, with Dhru coming into a back four for his first game of the season, and leaving Max as the only substitute. Harrison moved to Right Midfield and Sean went to CDM.

Barwell took the lead in the first minute, Number 11 Kian pouncing on an errant pass to slot past Ted in goal. GTFC almost equalised soon after, with Harrison breaking through the Barwell defence, but his shot was straight at the Barwell keeper. The game was quite even, with both teams looking dangerous in attack. Barwell though extended their lead further, with substitute Kayden scoring after the ball was lost on the edge of the box. Again, GTFC had chances, with Lewis hitting over from Jack’s through pass, and Fin shooting again at the keeper. Barwell continued to impress going forward, with Ted called into action, but a third goal came when Barwell were able to work an unchallenged cross from the right for Kian to again score. He then sealed his hat trick just before half time; a kick from hands by the keeper bounced over Jack and the Barwell striker got in between the onrushing Ted and Jack to lift the ball with the outside of his left foot over Ted and into the back of the net.

So Barwell went into half time 4-0 to the good. From GTFC’s perspective, chances had been created and it didn’t feel like a particularly poor performance, but Barwell had shown that they would punish any mistakes.

The game continued to flow from end to end in the second half, and Barwell extended their lead further when number 10 Harry scored from the right hand side. However, GTFC pulled one back when Ted’s kick beat the Barwell defence and Fin raced through to score. Leighton then hit the crossbar with a Free Kick, Jack’s header from the rebound didn’t have enough power on it to unduly trouble the keeper.

Ted was called into action again when Keerthan was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box, saving the resulting penalty down to his right, with the rebound scrambled clear. With eight minutes to go, GTFC reduced the deficit further, this time Leighton’s pace taking him past the Barwell defence to beat the keeper, but Kian made it six for Barwell and four for himself almost immediately afterwards. The goal scoring wasn’t quite finished though; the hard working Lewis won a corner by putting pressure onto the Barwell Right Back and Leighton’s in-swinger from the right evaded everybody, finding its way into the back of the home side’s net.

The game finished 6-3 to Barwell, but there was plenty for GTFC to take away from this, with great performances from Ted and Harrison, although all 12 worked really hard throughout and refused to give up. There was some good football at times and it felt as though the performance was a step up from the 2-1 defeat against GNG Tigers. If we can improve the decision making across the pitch, results will undoubtedly get better.