Aston Manor 
Aston Villa Football Academy 1st match report – vs Shelfield A (friendly) 02/12/20
Wednesday 02nd December
The lads were raring to go today against their Aston Villa counterparts, Shelfield. All the lads had been really keen to get some game minutes under their belts ready for the 1st team cup game against Wolves next week.
Starting with an attacking formation, Aston Manor were nervous starters against Shelfield who kept much of possession in the first 15 minutes.
2 minutes in Aston Manor lost possession on a throw in their own half, Shelfield quickly played the ball out to the right side, a great whipped near post cross was met by an athletic scissor kick by Shelfiled #22. What a class goal. Shelfield 1-0.
After 10 minutes, Aston Manor gained some confidence and with that followed more possession. This winning combination created their first chance of goal, a cross from right full back Reni was met by #9 Dan Henry that had good attempt just wide of the post.
Shelfield were pressing again after 12 minutes down the right-hand side and looking dangerous, #22 again driving with the ball and causing problems for our defence. This time forcing his shot wide of goalkeeper Jack Richards.
15 minutes in a miss placed pass from Aston Manor central midfielder Andy Edwards gave the ball right to Shelfied, who were only able to hit a shot wide. Lucky escape for Aston Manor, what a shaky start!
A great run in the 25th minute from a frustrated left back Demico Burton, who picked up the ball in his own half, he drove the ball forward and was only stopped by a foul on the edge of the box. Andy Edwards stepped up but hit the shot well over. Aston Manor were starting to wake up and get into the game. Holy picked up the ball in the 25th minute and looked to be making a strong run from the right-hand side, only to be taken down by a really rash challenge from a Shelfield midfielder, yellow card given, but could have easily been a red.
Another driving run by left back Demico Burton in the 35th minute, gliding past the whole of Shelfields midfield, only to be taken down in the box, Aston Manor freekick and chance to take the lead. D. Burton stepped up to take the penalty, unfortunately saved by the Shelfied goalkeeper. The frustration just kept building.
In the 43rd minute Holy was in possession of the ball down right-hand side of the pitch, fouled again, free kick to Aston Manor close to half time. Centre back Jack Cleary steps up to take, floats the ball to the back post, only for the Shelfield goalkeeper to miss judge the flight of the ball, he could only watch as it lobbed over him, ball in the back of the net to everyone’s surprise. Aston Manor bring the tie to 1-1 at half time.
Half time 1-1
The second half started with Corey coming on for Vishnu on the right-hand side of midfield. A much more positive start for Aston Manor who looked to kick on the second half how they finished the first.
As the second half started a lot brighter, the quick start found much more possession for Aston Manor, especially in the opposition’s half. The attacking presence of the 1-4-5-1 attacking formation caused lots of problems for the Shelfield side and it wasn’t long before the competitive edge turned a little more aggressive, with some borderline challenges flying in from the Shelfield team that found them out of possession for the majority of the time. It didn’t take long for the Aston Manor side to create another chance on goal, a great cross from substitute Corey Leslie from the right side of midfield was met with a bullet header from centre back Jack Cleary to put Aston Manor 2-1 and a brace for the year 12 centre back. 65 minutes in and Aston Manor on top. Well deserved!
A strong performance all round for Aston Manor, which sets them up well for next week’s home cup tie against Wolves, can the team continue their unbeaten start?
Full-time 2-1
Aston Manor 2nd team kicked off their season with a friendly against Shelfield 2nd team straight after the 1st team game. Another great performance to top off a great day for Aston Manor. A 3-1 win, with goals coming from Franco Crean, Darmarnick Campbell and Sudeys Moalim.
Well done all, next week sees Wolves FC the opponents for both our teams, home for the 1st team, whilst our 2nd team travel over to the black country!
Mr Connell
Full Report Here:-
Like this article
