SCORERS: |
Dan McGinnis 2 Tom Edwards |
M.O.T.M: | Tom Edwards |
STARTING XI: | 1. BEN DARLINGTON 2. JOSH MAZZARELLA 3. KYLE DAVIES 4. DYF SMITH 5. AARON JONES 6. HARRY BOWEN 7. LUKE PETERS 8. OWEN ROBERTS 9. DAN MCGINNIS 10. BEN RICHARDS 11. TOM EDWARDS |
SUBSTITUTES: | 12. KYLE JARVIS 13. JOSH WILLIAMS 14. JOSH JONES 15. RHYS POWELL 16. ALEX ROWLANDS |
Our first midweek game of the season saw us come up against an experienced Lex XI side at Stansty Park.We used the ball well from the outset today and looked to control the tempo and had a flurry of half chances in the first 15 minutes. Some excellent work on the wing from Tom Edwards resulted in the ball being flashed across goal numerous times, with us unable to get on the end of them. We created more half chances before Dan McGinnis opened his account for the season in the 23rd minute, as quick build up play resulted in McGinnis finding himself 18 yards out before dispatching a left foot volley past the Lex GK. Lex were reliant on the long ball and we caused ourselves problems, inviting pressure by not winning the ball back higher up the pitch. On the half hour mark a corner came in from the right which was headed goal bound by the Lex player only for him to see his resulting effort expertly saved by Ben Darlington.
With the midfield three of Harry Bowen, Owen Roberts & Ben Richards causing Lex problems, and Tom Edwards giving the full back a night to forget it was only a matter of time before we extended our lead and we did on 40 minutes as Dan McGinnis added to his tally as he drove the ball home in to the bottom corner from 15 yards.
Second half the game opened and became a bit stretched, which opened up space for us to move the ball quicker. With starting the second half on the front foot we created a few half chances before a Ben Richards strike from the edge of the box was well saved by the Lex GK only for the on rushing Tom Edwards to nudge the ball home at the back post in the 49th minute. Lex created a few problems with the long ball but Dyf Smith & Aaron Jones were impressive at the back and dealt with everything thrown against them. A hat full of chances went astray second half as Ben Richards had a close range effort saved, before Harry Bowen & Dan McGinnis had strikes flash wide of the Lex goal.The 3-0 score line flattered Lex a little, if we had been more ruthless in front of goal we could have added a few more to the score line. A good performance tonight resulted in us deservedly taking all three points back home with us.We came for the three points to add to the one we picked up Saturday, and we built on that performance. The team last night had an average age of 18.5, with 9 out of the 11 having played in our youth set up. The lads will learn each week together and with Natty & Kian Davies (16 & 17), Ruben Monterio (16) and (another) Tom Edwards (20) to come back in to the squad, all but one have also played for our youth section, it makes for an exciting season and future for the club.The lads have a weekend off before we return to league action next week as we welcome Brymbo Res to the Riverside.