Down at the Atrium once again, this time to face Holyport Reserves. In similar form to our Under 23s, it was looking to be a tough battle between the sides, but a well-fought match saw the visitors clinch the win and return to SL6 with all three points.

Assistant Manager Mimi Olaide took the reins for today’s match, and began by implementing three changes to last week’s team who faced Wargrave. Charlie Gmiterek made his return to the side, alongside defender William Longmatey and forward Andrew Tafeni.

The first half saw a combination of close chances and spectacular saves for both teams, with a shot from Holyport’s Liam McVicar opening the scoring in the tenth minute. City were determined to find the equaliser, but were prevented at every avenue, and we entered the interval a goal behind.

After the restart, Holyport maintained their strong start, and were rewarded a throw-in only moments into the half. Gmiterek cleared it out of play, and a City counter attack began. Matei Corbu struck a ball on target, but the visitors’ ‘keeper sprinted off his line to claim the shot early. 

Holyport Reserves were insistent on doubling their advantage, and began to pepper shots at City goalkeeper Alex Collie. ‘Port’s number eleven sent in a volleying effort from the edge of the eighteen-yard-box, but it darted wide of the intended target. A follow-up shot only moments later also drifted wide, with the ball rolling past the outside post. The resultant City goal kick dips into the middle third, but the visitors deflect it out of play following a battle for possession.

As the sky began to open up, defender Cohen Benn created a solid link-up play with Captain Longmatey to clear the next chance from Holyport, directing the ball upfield to Gmiterek. The midfielder crossed a through ball to Roy-Jones Mbou, who continued to drive up the pitch. He reached the effort with his head, but was unable to trouble the visitors’ shot-stopper, and Mbou’s effort just fell short.

City’s first set of substitutions fell just before the hour mark, as Olaide turned to his bench for inspiration. Matei Corbu exited the field of play for Mohammed El-Arab, who made his Under 23s debut. In an almost immediate impact, the newly introduced player assisted in Aymen Mouali’s chance in finding their way back into the game. A half-volleyed shot from inside the box narrowly missed the target after a wonderful build up in play from our Cityzens.

The second half went by in almost a flash, but both teams were determined to fight for the three points. Holyport were rewarded a free kick in the final third for a foul, and a dangerous ball curled towards the face of goal, which was well-saved by Collie. A second set-piece also threatened the City defence, but the home side were relieved as the shot dipped over the crossbar in its final seconds of flight.

Conditions began to worsen as the rain continued to fall, making for an even tougher battle for the sides. Holyport’s number seven goes to ground following a suspected head collision, and gaffer Mimi Olaide used this time to deliver further instructions to his team. With no further treatment needed, the visitors restarted, but their attack was soon prevented by Gmiterek and Baker.

A counter-attack enabled Tafeni to get into space, and the forward charged upfield, evading defenders until reaching the final third. Unfortunately, his effort amounted to nothing as a visiting player chased the ball out of play in the final moments.

A second set of substitutions entered the fray as Taha Menshawi and James Ashu added to the attack. 

Set pieces provided the most threat for the opposition, and this next free kick was no exception. Another free kick fell to Holyport, and their number 10 whipped in a flying effort, curling towards the left post. Collie ran off his line to claim, and jumped to save, preventing yet another dangerous ball. 

Moments later, the shot stopper was called to action yet again, as a threatening shot from around eighteen yards out was sent towards the bottom left corner, but he tipped the chance wide. A corner followed, which drifted out of play.

Captain Longmatey started an attack from deep within our defensive third, sending a direct long-ball from the backline, which bounced to Menshawi, but it sadly had too much power, and rolled to ‘Port’s keeper.

City had to remain calm in the final fifteen, as Holyport were proving tough, determined to maintain their lead and hold out for all three points. A powerful ball flashed across the face of goal, which led to a corner after a slight deflection. James Ashu cleared the set piece through a solid header at the back post. The visitors continued their attack, but a fantastic save from Collie kept City in the game, as he coolly clutched a threatening effort from the left.

A game of head tennis in the final third enabled Mabaye to take a touch and attempt a chance, but he was sadly dispossessed following an interception by a defender. At the other end, Holyport gained a throw-in from a deflected City ball.

The final five saw City come closest to netting the equaliser, as a tough tackle in the midfield rewarded City with a direct free kick. Gmiterek knocked a strong ball goalwards, but it dipped in flight and floated out of play at the left post.

A lapse in concentration and a defensive falter from City allowed the visitors to create space, and ‘Port’s substitute Luca Araguez sent a low ball into the bottom corner, doubling their lead.

City kept the tempo up, and Menshawi chased a long ball downfield, which was eventually knocked out for a corner to the Blues. He played it short, and a one-two with Baker saw him reach the edge of the eighteen yard box, but Holyport took a touch and City’s push was rewarded with a throw-in.

Holyport Reserves had the final shot of the game, with the keeper striking a long-range ball downfield. It reached the final third, but the visitors couldn’t create a chance from it and it rolled out of play. 

Full Time: City U23s 0-2 Holyport Reserves

Our Under 23s now have a week to prepare before they hit the road once more to face near-neighbours Burghfield FC.