Yesterday’s match acted as our Under 23s’ penultimate fixture of the 2024/25 campaign, with top side Tadley Calleva Reserves travelling to RG30 to meet with Baptiste’s resilient side. 

The management staff implemented seven changes to the side fielded down at Barlows Park last week, with Declan Joyce, Mickael Vaisset, Harrison Bayley, Rjunior Palmer, McKoy Palmer, Luke Donville and Jahson Downes all exiting the starting XI, with the latter dropping to the bench. Javan Wright-Keizer, Krishnit Timsena and Bless-Him Kimpiats joined Downes to make up our substitutes.

Finley Meikle donned the armband for the match-up, leading the side out on home turf. Jamie Barker made a significant return to the team following a few weeks out on the sidelines for an injury picked up in our First Team’s cup clash with Epsom and Ewell back in February. As well as this, a few familiar faces entered the squad once again, including William Longmatey and Charlie Gmiterek.

First Team player Bobbi Emery, alongside Andrew Tafeni and Tafari Downes also started, with Alex Collie, Taha Menshawi, Mael Le Paih and Matthew Ramirez all retaining their places.

Kick-Off: City U23s 0-0 Tadley Calleva Reserves

The opening ten minutes saw a fairly even contest from the two sides, with first chances stemming early from each team. A charge from Tafeni started down the wing, but ‘keeper Sedgwick came off his line to scoop up the ball and claim comfortably in the area. A curving effort from the visitors down the other end swung just out of play and whistled wide of the post.

An inswinging ball over the top to Tadley key-player Moreno was palmed away by Collie, bouncing out for a corner, with the resulting set piece cleared away by a strong header from Downes. An unpredictable swerving effort followed up from the Romans slipped through the City defence but the home team’s shot-stopper tipped the ball over the bar to protect the scoreline.

As the half progressed, it appeared the hosts were looking more likely to break the deadlock, but City stood strong to parry away the efforts. Tadley’s Reid overhit a cross from the left and West just couldn’t get his head on the powerful ball, and the attempt was crucially cleared.

25 gone, and a break in play occurred following a collision in the midfield involving City players Gmiterek and Emery, with both fortunately fine and happy to continue.

A first change in personnel for City saw Bless-Him Kimpiats enter the fray in place of Taha Menshawi as the clock ticked over into the 35th minute.

Tadley continued their high press, and Moreno played in Reid, who darted towards goal, shaking free of his marker, but his near effort flashed the face of the net and rolled just wide. Le Paih completed a crucial interception as striker George sprinted into the box. On the stroke of half time, Tadley were put ahead by a strike by Holmes at the near post, and City had work to do after the break.

Half Time: City U23s 0-1 Tadley Calleva Reserves

The home side came out strong into the second half, and a close effort from skipper Meikle, assisted and supported by Ramirez, skimmed the top of the crossbar. A strike from around twenty yards out by forward Emery curved agonizingly wide of the post as City continued to battle for an equaliser.

A 60th minute change for City saw Jahson Downes enter for Jamie Barker as Baptiste looked to his bench for inspiration. A sublime build-up in play from the boys in blue, involving players from all departments, with Tafari Downes, Le Paih and Meikle preparing a strike, but the team effort was knocked out at the touchline.

A double substitution for Baptiste’s team saw Javan Wright-Keizer and Krishnit Timsena replace both Charlie Gmiterek and Mael Le Paih to freshen up the midfield.

A tidy ball from Tafeni out on the right was whipped into the eighteen yard box for Meikle to get his head to, but it was claimed at the edge of the box by ‘keeper Sedgwick, who took a risk and sprinted out to catch.

A final swap for City saw Taha Menshawi re-introduced in place of William Longmatey in a change at the back. 

Jordan Holmes doubled his tally for the day as he poked home a near effort past Collie to put the visitors two ahead.

With five to go, the home team persisted and fought to half the deficit. A throw in a vital position gave the boys in blue hope, and a brilliant touch from Tafeni began the attack. A whipped ball from distance swung into the box, with Timsena, Meikle and Emery waiting in the area, but a deflection off the back of a Tadley player sent it out of play at the far post, and City sadly could not reclaim, and the whistle blew to signify the end of a difficult evening.

Full Time: City U23s 0-2 Tadley Calleva Reserves

With the season slowly coming to an end, our Under 23s continue to fight each matchday to push themselves further up the league, however sadly it wasn’t meant to be. With one more to go this Saturday, we welcome Slough Heating Laurencians to the Atrium for our final fight of the campaign. Thank you to everyone who came to support both teams yesterday, we go again in five days time!