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Becket 1 - Chilwell 4

Chilwell Under 14's emerged victorious in the 2nd round of the ESFA National Competition.

Playing familiar opposition but still without their captain and talisman, Chilwell controlled this fixture from start to finish.

With Isaac Mcleod once again picking up the captains armband and leading the team with defensive partner Leo Lulham, Chilwell have a strong, ball playing defence, and were on the front foot from the first to the last whistle.

With the overlapping running of 'The two Olli's' (Soulsby and Lawton) down the left, Chilwell almost scored with their first action of the match, which was an indication how the game would progress. Despite much pressure, in the end it took a corner from the superb Theo St.Dennis...a corner which he curled straight into the goal (a feat he also managed last year).

Chilwell continued to control the game, with Will Green winning everything in midfield, left, right and centre, he was everywhere in the first half, winning the ball and recycling possession flanked by Angus Teng and Olli Lawton.

And it was Teng who scored the 2nd, continuing to find space on the edge of the box, Angus found space and swept a shot into the far corner from the edge of the box once again demonstrating his intelligence, technique and determination to help the team.

What followed shortly after was a rare attack for Becket, and a moment when the defence switched off, with Becket's first shot of the game rebounding off of the keeper, and their second (and final) shot of the game being slotted home. The defence learned the lesson of following into the box for rebounds. A period of possession followed for Becket, but Swans keeper Alex Montgomery used his excellent anticipation and timing at running off his line to meet opposition forwards to keep things at 2-1 before half time.

The teams emerged fror the 2nd half with subs Levi Sellman and Omar Altaleb coming on. Altaleb once again demonstrating a much improved ball retention and recycling of possession in midfield and very intelligent play to utilise his capacity to steal possession, travel with the ball and execute superb passes and flicks. Linking on the right flank with St.Dennis and Coby Ingram time and time again, Becket were now facing flowing overlapping attacks on both flanks.

Despite all of the possession, it took the reintroduction of Kheone Darby from the bench 15 minutes from time, who immediately settled the tie, sweeping the ball into the far corner from the edge of the box.

Returning to the team as right forward, it was Ingram who got the fourth goal The Swans deserved, again with some superb driving running on the right, Ingram was clearly fouled inside the box by a beleaguered Becket defender . Coby coolly slotted home for his first of the season.

Once again Olli Lawton's driving runs and versatility were a contender for man of the match, but this week the award went to Will Green, who's unselfish, consistent play in the centre of the park kept the team ticking over, like Sergio Busquets of the great pep-era Barcelona side, Will was and is ever central to facilitating the flair play around him and vital to the 433 formation that is now getting the best from this group of players.

The whole team once again linked together superbly, playing possession football, on the front foot and communicating with great purpose and maturity.

Competing on three fronts this year, and growing in confidence and composure; with captain Alfie Whitehead returning for Monday's home fixture (the first home game in over a year) this team are looking forward to the opportunity to start their South Notts Cup campaign against Kimberley and demonstrate on home turf just how much they have progressed since last year.

**PLEASE NOTE** Calls may be monitored or recorded for training and quality purposes.