Brixington Blues U15s secured an unlikely place in the league knock out stages with a close run 4-3 victory against old rivals Alphington FC.
In a gritty, wind and rain-affected performance, the Blues were the team to make the most of their chances and so leap frog their opponents in the end of season league.
The fierce wind severely impacted the pattern of the play, with the Blues attacking with the gale in the first half. Neat linking play and a quick aggressive press kept the Exeter team pegged back in their half.
Callum Smith orchestrated the play from midfield with Alex Quaife snapping hard and fast into challenges, breaking up the play and setting the Blues on the attack. Luke Ewing and Fin Clifford were both sharp in the tackle, denying the visitors any platform for attacks.
The first goal came when a long-range Cameron Horne free-kick took a deflection, giving the Alphington ‘keeper no chance. The Brixington team dominated the play, launching attack after attack to test the visitors’ defence. A quick kick out of defence by goalkeeper Ben Jeffery started a break down the right, a neat switch of flanks and a cross by Jack McBryan saw Will Lavis net with an unstoppable strike.
Brixington’s third goal came on the stroke of half-time. After a patient build up, Callum Smith found space amongst a tiring midfield, he switched the ball across on to his favoured left foot and hit a looping long-range effort into the top right-hand corner of the net.
The second half saw the tide of the match change as Alphington used the wind to their advantage. The Blues conceded three in the half but scored the game’s winning goal as the Alphington forward line seemed to run out of ideas.
The deciding score came from an attack down the left when a speculative long-range shot by Jack McBryan was fumbled by the ‘keeper to seal a fine win for the Blues and a semi-final match against Cranbrook FC.
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