FREDS EDGE TROPHY SEMI-FINAL AT ALFREDIAN PARK

On a beautiful sunny morning at Alfredian Park, Wantage Town U17's took their very first steps on a pitch fit for kings, to compete with Stonesfield for a place in last season's Trophy final, and crowned their debut with a 3-1 win.

Without Harry Howard, Will Beynon, Matthew MacDonald, and restricted to last season's squad (tournament stipulation), the green and white hoops shuffled the pack to a degree and drew aces.

Matthew Lambe was energetic as a supporting wing-back, Guy Woolley and Jacob Haines teamed up in the centre, and Elliot Hayter mirrored the right side on the left.

Roan Stillion, Matthew Goodman and James Hirst played as a compact three in the centre of midfield - looking to break up play and engage a three-pronged attack featuring Joe George, Jonny Hall and Ray Rwodzi.

It was Matthew Lambe, taking his cue from Ray Rwodzi on the ball, that frequently took up advanced positions and looked to combine with the speedy winger and Jonny Hall to get in behind the Stonesfield back four.

Lambe had broken the defensive line a few times to signal intent, scorching good crosses into the corridor of uncertainty and, eventually, played a part in breaking the deadlock.

Rwodzi turned on a sixpence with deft technique in a tight space to steal half a yard, and signed off his work of art with a signature finish from close range. 1-0.

ROAN STILLION scored FREDS third goal!

The Freds looked to establish patterns of play, and forced countless corners to pose a threat. However, arriving in the line of flight at the right time was proving difficult.

Stonesfield countered such a corner. It was swift, and committing to try and win back possession, as opposed to delaying the attack to allow recovery lines, proved costly for Wantage. The Stonesfield Strikers broke the line, combined on the box edge, and struck gold with a low shot inside Lewis Jordan's right post. It was a good finish. 1-1.

Freds switched their approach to see if they could prosper from inverted wingers and almost hit the jackpot. Joe George cut in from the right, evaded a couple of challenges as he worked to find a yard of space along the box edge - did so, and flashed his shot narrowly wide.

Nathan Baker and Christian Marsh stepped in after the interval.

The versatile and talented Nathan Baker played centre back to free up Guy Woolley into midfield, and Marsh worked the right flank.

Greater intensity restored the Freds lead. Nathan Baker and Elliot Hayter looked to break lines from defensive positions, and conspired to release Ray Rwodzi. Rwodzi did escape close attention and raced away to pass across the face of goal, where Chris Marsh arrived to prod home. 2-1.

Matthew Goodman, operating as a pivot, invited players on both sides of the pitch to get numbers into the final two thirds and build an attack that could be sustained.

Jonny Hall made good runs into pockets and linked with intelligent runners.

Nathan Baker then adopted a flank to demonstrate his agility, balance, co-ordination, touch and menace.

Alex Rose replaced Elliot Hayter in the left wing-back position and continued the good work.

Stonesfield weren't going away, and the Freds needed to add a third.

Guy Woolley almost delivered it with an outstretched leg in the box, following a another corner. Jonny Hall almost delivered it with a downward header from six yards.

However, it was Roan Stillion, ten minutes from time, who reacted quickly to help a little leather lost in a crowd. Lacking a sense of direction, Stillion gave it some. 3-1.

Alex Grimes replaced Jonny Hall in the front line, and the Freds managed the closing stages without drama.

Freds: Lewis Jordan, Matthew Lambe, Elliot Hayter, Guy Woolley, Jacob Haines, Roan Stillion, Matthew Goodman, James Hirst, Joe George, Jonny Hall, Ray Rwodzi, Nathan Baker, Chris Marsh, Alex Rose, Alex Grimes