University College School

UCS 3-1 Latymer

After an excellent couple of days in Loughborough in early January, where the U15A team were taken away from the bright lights of London to concentrate on fitness and pre-season training, the first encounter of the season was certainly worth waiting for. Having had two matches cancelled due to the weather, the boys were eager to strut their stuff but the mood all changed after only 4 minutes when Latymer went 1-0 ahead. UCS must have been sick at the sight of the opposition goal scorer as he scored four goals against them last year, but once Sam Shalson and captain for the season Jake Barnett organised themselves and communicated effectively, they had little to worry about.

With Jake Perry and Carl Diebitsch breaking up all the opposition attacks before they even started, they provided the perfect platform for the two wide men, Ethan Altmann and Ben Bowers to press Latymer back into their own half. With the exceptional creativity of Levi Levenfiche a constant threat to Latymer, UCS's equalizer was only a matter of moments away. Chances came and went, Vincent Onuegbu being thwarted by some fine goal-keeping and an Ethan Altman drive just missing the far post with the goalie beaten. Full-backs George Comninos and Eldar Chen were superb in joining the attack and spent most of their time in the opposition's half, and eventually UCS were back on level terms. A brilliant corner by Levenfiche was bundled in (eventually) by Captain Barnett from a yard out for a contender of Goal of the Season, and UCS's season was up and running. 1-1 at half time but UCS were very much on top.

The second half continued where the first finished, with Onuegbu being fed through balls by the majestic Levenfiche at every opportunity. The fitness of Perry and Diebitsch in central midfield was telling, with those two days in Loughborough beginning to pay off. Barnett and Shalson looked very comfortable in defence, limiting Sam Greenberg's workload. The pace of right winger Bowers eventually reaped its reward as he chased a diagonal Perry pass into the corner. The ball fell to Levenfiche just outside the box and he cleverly side footed back into the danger area for the powerful Onuegbu to help himself to his first goal of the season. However, on closer inspection it became clear that as Onuegbu tried to smash his volley towards White City, he made no connection at all and Levenfiche's cross ended up in the corner of Latymer's goal. It was no less than UCS deserved. Latymer did force Greenberg into a truly outstanding save, where a shot from the edge of the area was acrobatically kept out at the near post by the impressive goalkeeper. Latymer applied yet more pressure and Greenberg once again showed his class by making an even better save, this time from a point blank header. Two such saves spurred UCS on, and with Ratnam-Evans now operating in central midfield and magical dribbling skills by Levenfiche, UCS extended their lead. Fine passing from Chen, Altmann and Perry took UCS from their own box to the edge of the oppositions and with Onuegbu occupying two defenders, the space was created for Levenfiche to secure the win.

UCS: Greenberg, Comninos, Shalson, Barnett (capt), Chen, Ratnam-Evans (Bowers), Perry, Diebitsch, Altmann, Levenfiche, Onuegbu.

A fine 3-1 victory was thoroughly deserved and the work rate and effort shown by all twelve players was a joy to see. From Greenberg in goal, to the two forwards, Levenfiche and Onuegbu, every single player played their part. The team demonstrated great ability and it is now onto Colfes on Saturday.