Another loss, but it didn’t feel quite the same as the disheartening defeats this side has otherwise suffered this season. The side had a real purple patch after half-time when it looked as though they could get an equaliser and this after going into the interval 2 nil down. Poor defending all the way down our right hand side led to McKendry conceding a soft penalty after just 2 minutes.
We initially looked very lightweight against physically more competitive opposition and, despite some neat possession play, created very little, with the exception of Clancy’s flick against a post in 22 minutes.
Another soft goal, this time from an uncleared corner, just before half-time put us 2 down.
2nd half saw sub U16 midfielder Josh Edwards make a noticable difference. We looked more assertive, started creating chances, Shields scored on 66 minutes and we went really close to getting level with a number of scuffed efforts.
It didn’t happen. Villa snatched a 3rd 10 minutes later against the run of play & got a cracking 4th from outside the box 5 minutes from time.
Overall though, quite encouraging: we ended up with 3 of our U16s on the pitch and gave a much improved 2nd half performance. For one so young, Edwards in particular looks very confident & involved. Ludvigsen also slotted in well at centre half alongside Scott Butler. It’s also evident – regardless of results – which players have developed over what’s been a tough season. Butler has come on a lot.
Former Dutch international George Boateng was one of the Villa coaches.