Thaxted Rangers Yellows 5:3 Fairlands Youth

The Yellows continued their winning form with a victory over Stevenage’s Fairlands Youth in the second league game of the season, despite going behind initially.

It’s not often that the Yellows are the more physical side in these U18 league encounters but, today, with Fairlands fielding a young team including some under 16 boys, the most crunching tackles were definitely delivered by the home team, albeit without the referee feeling the need to brandish his yellow card.

There were half-chances at both ends before Fairlands took the lead following some slightly sleepy defending, but their lead lasted a mere two minutes until Henry’s solo run from centre back ended with a spectacular long-range shot to restore parity. A contentious decision to disallow the Yellows’ second ‘goal’ meant the teams were still level at half time.

Whatever coach Charlie said at half-time clearly invigorated the Yellows and they were notably faster to pass, and sharper to tackle compared with the first half. And, as Anton joined the fray, his weaving runs down the right wing caused immediate issues for Fairlands.

Ed headed home from a corner for 2-1, to be followed swiftly by Harley’s looping left-foot shot into the top right corner to establish a two-goal advantage. 4-1 was delivered by Jacob’s low drive to the keeper’s right before another scruffy goal-mouth scramble allowed the visitors to get a goal back.

Jacob restored the three goal difference, however, despite an assist from Christian that had a hint of handball about it.

As the game stretched into its final stages under a blazing hot sun, the sub-less visitors threw caution to the winds, nicking their third goal five minutes from time and guaranteeing a cup-tie-style finale to what was a most entertaining match.