Pitching In Isthmiam development Youth League West 

Monday 24th April 2023

Beaconsfield Town 5 - Camberley 1

Attendance - Holloways Park - 47 

Beaconsfield Town U18’s clinched their third trophy of the season with a comprehensive 5 -1 demolition of nearest rivals Camberley Town on Monday night at a saturated Holloways Park.

The win saw Jack Porter, Ozzy Austen, and Harry Tucker’s, squad clinch the Pitching In Isthmian League development West division to add to trophies already collected as winners of the Allied county league and  Berks & Bucks Bill Gosling U18 county cup.

Knowing a win would secure the trophy The young Rams enjoyed a near-perfect start as Will Bailey burst past his full-back on the left flank before driving in a low cross which The Camberley skipper could only turn past his own keeper.

The only surprise of the first 25 minutes was that The Rams did not extend the lead as the visitors chased shadows and defended at full stretch in the face of a controlled onslaught from their hosts who dominated possession, territory and dictated play with Alfie Tucker pulling the strings in the middle of the park.

After near misses, saves, and goal line clearances, Top scorer Josh Pedley popped up in the 26th minute with a typical poachers' finish, after Tuckers’, cross come shot, come chip rebounded from a combination of goalkeeper and crossbar. Pedley reacted quickest to poke the ball home through a crowd from five yards.

Camberley barely threatened in the first half failing to register a shot on target but they began the second period on the front foot and enjoyed some better possession and territory without really creating anything to stretch Ryan North who was a virtual spectator for most of the evening.

Half time 2-0

Any nervousness at the apparent rally from the visitors didn't last long though as Jacob Wilson popped up at the far post to meet Tucker's inswinging cross and somehow force an acrobatic leaping effort between the keeper and his post after an hour.

Thoughts of an improbable comeback briefly flared when Camberley, who really carried very little attacking threat for most of the night, caught The rams on a swift counter to pull a goal back midway through the half but the Homeside retained their composure and refocussed.

Jack Porter took the opportunity to rest Alfie Tucker who has been unwell recently and Freddie Solly, working his way back to full fitness after injury and some of the midfield intensity and control dropped off after their substitutions but Beaconsfield re-established their dominance in the final 10 minutes rounding off the night and the performance with two moments of real quality.

The First a fierce curling effort from the edge of the box fired in by substitute Travis Lewis rounding off a period of extended controlled possession involving most of the team.

The second owing more to individual skill as Will Bailey capped his own and the team's excellent evening with a run and cross-shot from the angle of the penalty area that sneaked in off the far post with the Camberley keeper helpless.

A brilliant team performance from a brilliant young team who have continued to improve throughout the season. A campaign that saw them start with a record-equalling run to the first round proper of the Fa youth cup collecting 4 wins on the way before falling to National League opposition.

It's not over yet either!

The two league successes now see them enter the respective Champion of Champions competitions beginning on Thursday night [27th April] when the boys make the short trip to Flackwell Heath for the Allied Counties Champion of Champions semi final

The isthmian league win earns them a trip to face Cray Valley for the Champion of Champions semi final on a date to be determined next month.

Beaconsfield Town

Ryan North, Harry Doyle, Zak Barnett, Jacob Wilson, Callum Johnson, Alfie Tucker, Ben Parrott, Ollie Spicer, Freddie Solly, Josh Pedley,Will Bailey.

Josh Stranks, Travis Lewis Jack Clift, Alex Peapell, Jamie Davies