In chilly conditions and an overcast sky, our Cityzens headed down the road to near-neighbours Woodcote for what was going to be a competitive affair.

Sheldon Baptiste opted to make five changes ahead of the tie, introducing Ernest Sturman, James Ashu, Bless Him-Kimpiats and Keigan Allen. Debutant Jamie Barker entered the fray also, marking the final change to the outfield players. Fullback Mickael Vaisset took the armband once again, leading the Cityzens for the tie.

Ahead of the game, the ground fell silent as both teams and spectators observed a period of silence for Remembrance Day, in honour of those who lost their lives in conflict and those who continue to fight in war globally.

Kick-Off: Woodcote 0-0 City U23s

Reiss Baker got us underway, and the game began with a high tempo, with both teams fighting for possession from the start. The first key chance of the game fell to Woodcote, who charged down the right, sending in a whipped attempt which narrowly flashed across the face of the goal.

Louis Eade was the first City player to test Woodcote’s shot-stopper, who was a familiar face for the Cityzens. A clean through ball from Baker, who darted across the pitch with the help of Ashu, reached the feet of the young forward, but the hosts’ backline blocked the shot at the edge of the eighteen yard box.

Back-to-back impressive saves from ‘keeper O’Sullivan kept the scoreline neutral following a fast and energetic City attack, but only momentarily. An evading run and a powerful pass from Gmiterek was received by defender Finley Meikle, who sent a volleying shot crashing into the back of the net, giving our boys in blue the lead.

The hosts quickly bounced back, finding the bottom corner of Collie’s net shortly after, with Woodcote’s Gianni Massi netting the equaliser from close range.

Collie was called into action once again minutes later, sprinting off his line to clear a dangerous long ball from the hosts back upfield. As the ball rolled out of play, Baptiste rang in his first change of the game, introducing Andrew Tafeni in place of Ernest Sturman.

With half an hour gone, and both sides still searching for the edge to take the lead, a corner fell to the hosts. City responded well, and Ashu stood his ground to battle for the ball, and was subsequently awarded a throw-in for his efforts.

Midfielder Gmiterek was the next Cityzen to test O’Sullivan, shaking his marker to sprint to the edge of the box, before sending in a curling effort from 20 yards out. Despite a great ball, his chance dipped in flight, sailing just over the crossbar. 

As half time began to approach, the hosts began to increase the pressure, and sent a menacing ball into the final third. Meikle uses his frame to make a crucial block, and it was knocked out on the rebound for a set piece. Kimpiats rid the danger, forcing it out for a City throw.

Barker and Ashu linked up in the midfield, attempting a one-two, but Woodcote intercepted the play in its final seconds and began a counter attack. A scramble for the ball occurred, and City were given a free kick, which was taken by Vaisset. 

The referee soon blew his whistle to signal the end of the first 45, and City entered the interval feeling positive following a compelling first half performance.

Half Time: Woodcote 1-1 City U23s

At the break, the hosts opted to make their first substitution of the game, with Daniel Keskin coming off for Leon Mannion. Last time out against the ‘Cote, a first half hat trick from Mannion helped to steal the points for the hosts.

The opposition began the second half strong, attempting to take the lead at the near post, but Locke Harper’s attempt drifted just wide. Moments later, smart play down the right saw Baker receive a long ball from the edge of the third at the near post, but sadly, he was unable to get a shot off. 

Woodcote attempted to clear, but Barker regained possession and began to build up play. Gmiterek’s effort to drive the ball further forward was unfortunately stopped at the edge of the box.

Meikle’s resulting set play from the edge of the pitch was thrown long into the attacking half and quickly deflected out for a second. Tafeni and Ashu teamed up for the play, with the latter laying off a direct pass to Eade, but The ‘Cote managed to intercept and clear away the attempt.

A spell of intensity for Woodcote saw the hosts gain a corner from a deflected ball at the near post. Their number 9 was able to take a touch, but City surrounded the ball to prevent the shot from reaching the net. Vaisset split away from the box and began to charge downfield with the rebounded ball, but was marked and his run was stopped. But, our young Cityzens continued to fight.

A Woodcote forward sprung into action after latching onto a loose ball, cutting inside and setting a long range shot into the air towards Collie. Our shot-stopper leaped into action and caught the threatening ball in the air to prevent the hosts from taking the lead.

On the counter, our strike force began to increase the intensity, and a lovely through ball from Baker allowed Gmiterek to take a touch and curl a chance towards the net. It darted through the air, but whistled just outside of O’Sullivan’s left post.

Our second round of substitutes fell on the 67th minute, which saw Keigan Allen make way for Taha Menshawi in a straight positional swap. Minutes later, Charlie Gmiterek exited the field of play in place of Matei Corbu.

As we entered the final ten, Woodcote turned to their bench for inspiration, introducing Thomas and Brownlow. Barker and Tafeni created space and linked up in the midfield, threading a pass through to Corbu, who flicked the ball into the path of Baker. A key interception knocked the ball back downfield, but City persevered. 

Our final change of the game saw Ebraima Jeng enter for Reiss Baker, with the defender booked in our defensive third for a challenge only mere minutes later. 

In the final minutes of the second half, a flurry of shots were peppered towards Collie’s net, but the attack was soon ended as he clutched a near-ranged effort at the near post.

Full Time: Woodcote 1-1 City U23s

Positives all round, a point apiece and a sense of achievement across the squad makes for a great day out on the road. Our Cityzens fought from minute one to minute ninety, and shared the points after a well-fought afternoon.

Thank you to our brilliant hosts, Woodcote – we wish you all the best for the rest of the season!

Sheldon Baptiste and Mimi Olaide’s side are back on home turf next Saturday for their reverse fixture against Henley Town.