Youthie left to rue missed chances
JCK DIVISION TWO: The Ramsey Youth Centre and Old Boys side that lost 2-1 at Colby on Saturday
COLBY AFC have rebuilt off the pitch with an impressive new clubhouse and ground and on Saturday the southerners’ rebuilding on the pitch gathered more momentum with a 2-1 victory over RYCOB in JCK Division Two.
The two sides in recent years have been among the forefront in youth development, and both fielded a number of promising youngsters.
Hardly appearing on the pundits’ predictions radar, Colby and RYCOB have defied opinion, scaling the heights of the second tier this season.
This was always going to be an absorbing encounter.
On reflection, Youthie should have won. Playing a pressing game, they had the chances to kill the game off but their shooting either lacked power, direction or was repelled by the reflexes of opposing shot-stopper Jay Gandy.
Calls could also come from RYCOB for goal-line technology and assistants in top Division Two matches, the latter is achievable if players and supporters of all clubs adhere to the FA’s Respect campaign so the Referees’ Society can not only retain its current membership but also add to it.
Youthie were the first to make a telling impression on the match - Mike Nixon went close with an effort cleared off the line via a corner and Marc Faragher’s shot hit the crossbar. The visitors deservedly took the lead on 32 minutes.
Oliver Blaker’s free-kick was flicked onto Chris Robinson, who drilled home from close range.
Looking for a response, Nick Leece’s side rallied to the cause, Oliver Swales’s shot flew narrowly over the crossbar before the equaliser came just before half-time.
Launched forward, Adam Fretwell broke free. The visitors claimed the Colby striker was offside when he chipped over Peter Tomlinson to level the scores.
After the intermission, Gandy’s reputation as being one of the island’s up-and-coming goalkeepers continued to be added to.
Firstly, he superbly denied Robinson’s far-post effort before acrobatically pushing away Robert Moreton’s bending shot.
Steve Grose also came close to adding to the visitors’ scoreline after he beat the offside trap only to lift his shot over the goal.
Colby had their moments too, James Collett superbly deceiving his marker before squaring to Chris McKenna who lifted his effort over the target, while Jack Snidal’s strike was tipped onto the framework.
Youthie also claimed the ball went over the line from Moreton’s corner before it was cleared but nothing was given.
The northerners were made to pay for their profligacy when Colby scored the winner on 87 minutes.
Breaking down the left, Snidal crossed in for Fretwell to squeeze past two defenders and head home the winner.
TEAM CHECK
Colby: Jay Gandy, Jim Collett (Steve Kelly 78m), Harry Best (Joe Callaghan 71m), Alex Hullock, Oliver Swales, Chris Wignall, Jack Snidal, Adam Fretwell, Chris McKenna, Bobby Kneale (Adam Young 77m), Luke Samuels
RYCOB: Peter Tomlinson, Dan Callow, Graham Kennish, Michael Nixon, Oliver Blaker , Matthew Boyde, Martyn Murphy (Glen McGovern 73m), Ruari Poole (Marc Faragher 4m), Chris Robinson, Robert Moreton, Steve Grose (Jamie Brew 63m)
Referee: Dave Murphy
Bookings: Best (Colby), Nixon (RYCOB)
Man of the match: Hullock (Colby)
Match rating: HHHHH
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Weather for Isle of Man
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
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Temperature: 6 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 30 mph
Wind direction: North east
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Temperature: 7 C to 13 C
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