University College School

The Under 16A football team got their season off to the best possible start thumping City 9-2 at home on Wednesday afternoon. CJ Burke hit four goals in what proved to be a very one sided game.

City started brightly but UCS seemed comfortable, soaking up the early pressure and hitting the away side on the counter attack. The team in maroon made excellent use of the big pitch and City found it impossible to cope with incisive interplay between the front pairing and the midfield. UCS took the lead on 8 minutes with Burke netting from close range. 5 minutes later, a long throw caused havoc in the box and the ball fell to Peterson who finished with a text book volley. A third was added a minute later. Worried by the pace of the UCS front men, the City defenders dropped off allowing Burke the time to pick his spot from 25 yards. Another set piece resulted in an own goal after good work by Sejdiu and Azouz in the box and Burke completed his hat trick following clever play by Akass down the right. Moments before half time, City hit back. Following a corner the ball broke on the edge of the box and the striker hit a well struck drive into the bottom corner. Half time: 5-1.

City again started the half well and as both teams tired the game opened up. However, the UCS team maintained their shape at the back well. The centre back pairing looked assured and they were ably supported by the full backs. It took UCS a quarter of an hour to add the sixth. Carson produced a moment of magic on the left. With the speed of Bolt and the balance of Acosta, he took the ball past four men and delivered a telling cross which was finished by Aaronson. With nothing to lose, City pressed but found no way through. Karamani and Burke added to the scoreline finishing off fluid moves and Aaronson notched a second with a looping drive from distance. With the full time whistle looming, City scored their second making the final score 9-2.

UCS: MacColl, Akass, Faulkner, Azouz, Carson, Jordan, Colwell (capt), Karamani, Peterson (Aaronson), Burke, Sejdiu.

The UCS team will have tougher tests this season but this was an excellent performance. The shape of the side was fantastic throughout. City had their fair share of possession but struggled to find a way through the defence. UCS counter attacked with pace and made excellent use of the wide pitch. Whilst UCS were first class attacking set pieces, defending corners will need addressing in training next week. The next fixture is away at Colfe's on Saturday morning.