CUP QF: Easton Monday 2 v 5 Yate Town Vets

March 26th, 2023 Clifton College Sports Ground

TEAM: Josh, Terry, Si F, Andy M, Craig, Arron, Jason, Jon C, Lee, Dan, Morgs SUBS: Ben (Ringer), James (Ringer)

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Monday knew going into this fixture that there was a high chance that Yate would turn up not only ready for a battle, but also with a largely different squad to the one that turned up a few weeks prior and suffered their heaviest ever defeat to an excellent Mondays side. The predictions were true and rather than looking at a familiar Yate team - it was more like looking at a Bristol City team from the 2000s with nearly 1000 City appearances in the Yate starting 11, as well as an 18 year old left back! It could have been worse however, as it later transpired that Yate nearly had Jermaine Defoe in the starting 11! All the same - Monday took to the field knowing that they could take it to Yate as best they could.

Yate were not only a different team in lineup, but also in mentality. A highly motivated team, different to the team from a few weeks prior. They got off to a flying start and showed right from the beginning that they were up for it. After 5-10 minutes of probably 80% possession, Yate went 1-0 up. A cross in from the right hand side from Scott Murray found its way past Andy and their left winger managed to sneak past Terry at the back post and slotted in from 1 yard out. 0-1

Yate's 2nd goal came from their left winger once again. A run that cut inside saw a cross go past absolutely everyone en route to the goal. It never looked like heading goalward but it did and it eventually went in off somebody's back! 0-2

Yate's 3rd goal came when their left winger went on a bit of a run first heading out wide and then cutting inside. His shot from 25yards out wasn't the best but it bounced awkwardly in front of Josh and bounced back off his chest. Clayton Fortune reacted quickest and volleyed past Josh on the rebound. 0-3

Monday were very glad they had two subs available as first Si F had to go off injured and then Lee was forced off after a yellow card and things not calming down with their right back. James came on at centre back and Ben came on to slot into the left wing position. Both made excellent starts.

After the 3rd goal, Monday started to find a bit more possession and got the ball on the deck and play. Jon and Jason started to find their way into the game and Arron was starting to find some passes were finally reaching the front two. Terry and Craig were starting to show their wingers what they were made of.

Monday ended the half without a goal but in the ascendancy.

The half time team talk was all about pushing further up the pitch. Yate didn't like that last time out and the thought was 'let their strikers have it on the half way line - they won't score from there'.

The chat worked straight away. Monday had 3 chances in the first 5 minutes of the 2nd half. All came from pressure on their back four. Dan, Morgs and Arron all had shots that went just wide or were well saved. Monday were on it.

Unfortunately Yate's first attack of the 2nd half resulted in a goal. Mondays' pressure was clearly working, but Yate managed to find a way through down the right and swiftly passed it over to the left side of the field with their forward in space. He still had a lot to do but he very precisely finished past Josh. It hit the post and went in. The only place he could have put it to score! 0-4

Yate were starting to get into the groove of the 2nd half and had a few corners and a few chances. Scott Murray hit the crossbar and Josh made another excellent save tipping onto the cross bar from an attempted lob.

Monday responded nearly straight away with the continued pressure. Yates' massive striker had moved into midfield (likely because he wasn't seeing any of the ball). Their keeper played it straight to him and Arron came in off the wing to nick it off him and shoot with his left from outside the box. He found the bottom corner. 1-4

Yate unfortunately scored again soon after. All of the Monday squad (and even the ref) have forgotten how the goal was scored! 1-5.

Monday weren't done yet however. Craig nicked the ball off Scott Murray (for the umpteenth time) and he played it into Ben on the left. Great running from him, Dan and Morgs resulted in space for Arron on the right and Ben found him with a great cross field ball. Arron slotted in again past the keeper from 12 yards out. 2-5

Both sides had a few more chances to see out the match but none coming to fruition. Dan had a shot neatly blocked by Louis Carey, only for the rebound to fall back to Dan who then shot again from a tight angle and their keeper excellently saved. Morgs and Arron also had shots either blocked or go wide/over.

Despite the 2-5 loss - Monday have to come away with their heads held very high. Once again they had taken the game to Yate. Once again they had scored twice. And they showed that they are, by a country mile, the second best team in the league. If a team has to call upon actual professionals and youngsters to get the job done - that shows how much quality Monday have across the pitch.

The whole team put in a shift and once again - the ringers that were brought in were excellent. It is a great test to play against players who have literally made their careers from playing football. And not one of the team looked out of place or like the test was too much. Mike who stepped into ref also did an excellent job

Well done all and onward to the next