Sheldon Baptiste’s side travelled to the Burghfield Recreation Ground on Saturday, to meet with Liam Gillis’ First Team. The Gaffer began by implementing four changes to the side which faced Holyport Reserves. Taha Menshawi, Finley Meikle, Louis Eade, and Adam Cashin-Murray all entered the team, whilst fullback Mickael Vaisset was named Captain for the first time this season, donning the armband for the Cityzens.

The hosts got us underway, and almost opened the scoring immediately, but Aymen Mouali bravely cleared a dangerous ball, which was whipped towards the box. An indirect free kick was curled towards the net moments later, but ‘keeper Alex Collie saved the attempt at the near post.

Our young Cityzens responded on the counter through midfielder Charlie Gmiterek, who pushed forward following a crucial tackle from Finley Meikle. 

As we hit the four minute mark, the referee awarded a penalty to the opposition for a foul in the box. Burghfield stepped up to the spot, directing a low ball straight down the middle, but City shot-stopper Alex Collie superbly went to ground to prevent the ball from hitting the back of the net. On the rebound, Captain Vaisset cleared the ball out of play, removing the danger after a potentially game-changing moment.

A high ball is launched over the heads of multiple players, reaching Burghfield’s number seven, who creates space in the box and shoots from close range. With the help from the City backline, both his first and follow-up efforts were cleared.

The hosts broke the deadlock as the clock ticked over to the eighth minute, through a low ball from Harry Harper. City were determined to draw level, and Mouali decided to take a risk, chasing a loose ball near the opposition’s goalkeeper. Unfortunately, it couldn’t be reached in time and the chance was stopped.

Burghfield made it two only five minutes later, doubling their lead with Oliver Brown’s cross into the bottom right corner. Our boys in yellow continued to battle for a way back into the game, with Reiss Baker coming closest. The forward received a through ball from Gmiterek, and attempted to drive forward, but was stopped at the edge of the box by Burghfield.

The hosts continued their high tempo, and the Skipper worked hard to clear the danger. To City’s relief, the flag was raised as they reached the final third. Link-up play from Meikle, Collie and Matei Corbu all helped to clear a flurry of shots peppered at goal by the Fielders.

The scoreline was added to once again as we reached the 24th minute of play, as Elliott Telford extended the hosts’ advantage.

A disagreement ensued in the 32nd minute, and City were reduced to ten men. Adam Cashin-Murray was shown a red, after a rescinded yellow card, and instructed to exit the pitch. 

The rest of the first half was well-managed by City, with the help of substitute Cohen Benn. The Cityzens were determined to reduce the deficit, and positive play enabled us to come close to scoring. However, the Fielders persevered to carry their lead into the break.

Andrew Tafeni continued to press forward, receiving crosses from Eade and Mouali, however sadly, his shots couldn’t amount to anything. Menshawi and Baker kept the pressure high on Burghfield, reaching the attacking third and asking questions, but the hosts’ ‘keeper stood strong.

Minutes later, the Cityzens entered the interval with a chance to regroup before the restart.

Half Time: Burghfield FC 3-0 City U23s

City entered the second half stronger, piling on the intensity from the first minute. Reiss Baker’s tidy touch was knocked towards the goal, but it narrowly deflected off of the ‘keeper. Gmiterek reclaimed possession and struck the ball, but it was claimed by Burghfield’s shot-stopper.

Sheldon Baptiste rang in another change ten minutes in to the second period, as Aymen Mouali made way for Roy-Jones Mbou, who had an almost immediate impact. Tafeni created space in the final third, reaching the edge of the penalty box, tapping a short pass to Gmiterek. The latter switches a great ball to Mbou, but his effort is just pushed back as he receives the pass. Gmiterek regains possession, and fires a curling effort towards the box, but Burghfield’s number 10 was there to block it.

Seun Akintola made his Under 23s debut this weekend, entering the fray in the 63rd minute, introduced for forward Reiss Baker. A fantastic block from Collie followed, who pushed a dangerous ball past his left hand post andi into the outer side netting.

A powerful ball is struck from distance into the net by the hosts, but the goalscorer strayed into an offside position during the build up, and so it was disallowed. It wasn’t long before the Fielders got the ball into the goal again, as Harry Peters made it four for the hosts in the 67th minute.

A counter attack allows Tafeni to evade defenders and manoeuvre the ball into the eighteen yard box. Burghfield cleared the ball for a corner, and the resulting set piece almost crossed the goal line. Meikle came close to heading home from around six yards out, but the ball skimmed the bar and narrowly dipped in its final seconds of flight.

As we entered the final fifteen, City continued to add pressure, with set plays proving crucial in our efforts. Gmiterek curled in a powerful corner, reaching Menshawi. He fired in an effort from the edge of the box, which was deflected for a throw. Gmiterek took again, and despite Eade’s efforts, couldn’t get back into the penalty area. Down the other end of the pitch, Meikle and Vaisset worked wonderfully together to remove the danger in our defensive half, as Burghfield started a counter attack.

A quick break forward for Tafeni saw the Cityzens come close to scoring on back-to-back occasions, but all three of his whipped chances were parried away. The hosts responded to this, and Elliott Telford claimed a brace, netting the Fielders’ fifth of the afternoon through a low cross at the near post.

The final move of the half fell to Akintola, who took a touch from a throw by the Skipper, but he was unfortunately swamped by defenders. The referee called time on the game after only a few minutes of injury time.

Full Time: Burghfield FC 5-0 City U23s

Despite the scoreline, our Cityzens fought every minute of the match, battling with determination and vigour. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be, however, many positives can be carried over into next week.

Thank you to our hosts, Burghfield FC, for a well-fought match, and we wish you the best for the rest of the season.

We will hit the road once again, heading to RG8 to face Woodcote at their home ground, on the 9th of November.