In the first home game in over a month, our U18s achieved a special victory today against near neighbours Bristol City.  The last match here was a comprehensive 4-7 defeat to Bournemouth, so today’s outcome will taste especially sweet.

We lined up initially 4-3-3 but varied the formation during the game, particularly when the visitors went a player down during the 2nd half, when we went to 3 at the back:

Tom  Wright; Kaven Bloniarczyk, Brogan Popham, Jack May (s- Ben Phillips 59m), Wahab Ojetero (s – Elis Thomas 59m); Carter Heywood (captain), Alfie Jones, Bobo Evans; Kai Rhodes (s – Billy Clarke 59m), Lukas Murphy (s – Harvey Gray 59m), Caio Ifans (s – Bobby Lewis 82m).

Bobby Lewis played for the U16s on the pitch next door (I believe we beat Bristol City 2-0 in that game) and came over to get a late and lively substitute appearance.

The game  kicked off a little later than advertised, but there were only 3 minutes on the clock when Caio Ifans, playing in an advanced left sided role, chested down a probing ball forward from Brogan Popham, moved into the box and scored decisively into the far corner of...