After recent success against Leyton Orient FC and Luton Town FC, FSA PRO were showcasing their talents again this time away at newly promoted to League 1 side Cheltenham Town's U17/18s.
In windy conditions both sides took time to settle into the game with possession changing hands in the midfield third battle. With both sides starting the game playing out from the back, the FSA PRO front line started to cause problems with some excellent pressing from the front to unsettle the Cheltenham backline.
From the pressure, FSA PRO began to pick up some lose balls to provide some chances, first with Beck-Ray using his pace after good link up play with Ben White, and then a Lee Quincey through ball nearly finding Suhaib Gunnan through on goal.
Cheltenham caused a couple of early problems from set pieces with Ben White clearing a header off the line from after a corner. On 27 minutes FSA PRO took the lead after winning the ball in the midfield area, Louis Bassett provided an excellent through ball for Beck-Ray to race onto and side footed the ball home.
After the goal, Cheltenham began a more direct approach playing over the press and hitting a target man who had success in the air over the FSA PRO defense. The FSA PRO backline managed to defend and cover well from the threat to keep the scoreline at 1-0 for half-time.
In minute 55 Cheltenham Town equalised after looking threatening from set pieces all game. A corner crossed deep into the box was headed home to make it 1-1.
FSA PRO had the best of the remainder of the game with a number of chances. Dom Fisher went close after showing excellent pace to get behind the Cheltenham defense, and was unfortunate moments later to not be given a penalty after being brought down inside the area.
The final part of the game was played with the Cheltenham Goalkeeper sent off for handling outside the area as FSA PRO pushed for a winner. Despite the man advantage FSA PRO were unable to convert a number of chances but finished the game with a creditable 1-1.
GAME REACTIONS
Matt Willcock - Head Coach
"I thought the team adapted to the conditions really well against a physically strong Cheltenham Town side. We stopped them from playing out from the back really well and created a number of chances towards the end of the game with our pace upfront causing problems for their defenders. There was some great individual performances on show again and the players are continuing to show they are able to compete at an elite level"
Will Warren - Man of the match
"I really enjoyed the game and thought we did really well nullifying them from playing football. It was another fantastic experience for me playing against a professional academy with FSA and thought as a team we played some excellent football and put in a great performance."
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