Match Review

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AGFC   6   vs.   2   Llantwit Vets

Date: 28-Nov-2008
Venue: Treforest

Goals:

Fraser McAvoy    3        
Calvin Yau    1        
Scott Hand    1        
Simon Brooks    1        

Man of the Match:

Duncan Hedges

Report:

Following a set-back in their previous fixture which ended a run of 5 consecutive victories, AGFC were keen to set the record straight after a 10 day break against Llantwit Vets on a bitterly cold evening at the Treforest venue. A 4-4-2 formation, which retained the in-form strike duo of McAvoy and Hand and saw Beresford taking the place of Hewitt between the sticks to prove that age is no barrier to a keeper in form, saw AGFC attack from the whistle and put pressure on the opposition.

The pressure paid off in an early success in the form of a Fraser strike when he was put through one-on-one on the keeper. The Cardiff based side were largely untroubled during the first half with constant sniping runs from Fraser and Scott and with Duncan winning a constant barrage of headers in the midfield and supporting the strikers with a series of powerful surging forward runs. Ant B, the veteran keeper, was secure at the back and dealt confidently when the Llantwit striker seized on a loose ball in the penalty box and the keeper held his nerve to thwart the on-rushing attacker. At the turn around, the first choice keeper, Craig Hewitt replaced the veteran and AGFC continued in the same vein with more emphasis being placed on playing the accurate ball to feet. The response from the visitors was to adopt a series of aerial attacks to test the AGFC defence. Early in the proceedings however, the lead was further increased when Simon deftly volleyed in from a pin point corner from AGFC’s Argentinian import, Federico. The lead was further extended after a goalmouth melee with Calvin mopping up with a sharp header through a crowded penalty area.

The visitors persisted with the aerial bombardment and eventually struck back when a long diagonal ball allowed the attacker in red to turn the defender and unleash an unstoppable shot which gave the keeper no chance. AGFC went back up the other end of the pitch to force a corner on the right and from the ensuing kick Scott found Fraser who left the defenders for dead with a bullet header to make it 4-1.

A ten minute period of sustained pressure and spirit from Llantwit Vets was rewarded when another long ball allowed their lead striker to pounce and drive a stinging shot which smacked against the near post and flew across the keeper to cross the line by the opposite post. AGFC held their nerve and confidently dominated proceedings for the remainder of the match with a further two goals when Scott struck from a narrow angle and Fraser completed an impressive hat trick with a low shot into the bottom corner.

This was another spirited and confident victory which continues an impressive first half of the season and as the Xmas break beckons, the omens look good for the second half of the season. It was an all round performance with everyone playing for the green shirt and with Duncan winning the Man of the Match for his dogged and dominant performance in the middle of the park.

Reporter: Huw Dobson

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