REPORT: CLAY CROSS 21’s CRUISE TO VICTORY

This Wednesday Clay Cross u21’s hosted AFC Mansfield u21’s in this seasons North Midlands development league opener. 

Clay Cross had an impeccable pre season, beating some high rated sides and playing attractive attacking football. 

Cross put pressure on from minute one and looked to force AFC Mansfield into a mistake.

7’ Cross’s left back charged forward down the left side, cut inside and guided his effort into the bottom right corner beyond the keeper, putting Clay Cross 1 nil up. 

Just seconds later there were huge appeals for a penalty as the Mansfield keeper took down a Clay Cross forward. A penalty in the eyes of the linesman but the referee disagreed. 

14’ First chance of the game for AFC Mansfield as their number 11 received the ball on the right side of the box but he dragged his shot wide. 

18’ Clay Cross double their lead through their number 9. He received the ball just inside the box and turned his man and without hesitation fired his shot into the top right corner. 

As we approached the 35th minute Cross’s number 10 chopped inside on his left foot and guided his effort just wide. 

40’ AFC Mansfield started to come into the game as we edged closer to half time. Their winger directed a shot into the bottom left corner but the Clay Cross keeper tipped it just wide of the post. 

Just before half time Cross’s striker gets his second of the game as he volleyed a deflected shot into the top right corner giving the goalkeeper no chance. 

The referee blowed for half time and Cross went into the break with a three goal lead and a dominant performance. 

It was a quiet second half up to Clay Cross’s fourth goal in the 70th minute. Cross’s number 9 was fed a ball on the left side of the box and instinctively shot across the keeper into the bottom corner, more than likely guaranteeing the points for Clay Cross. 

Just a few minutes later Clay Cross’s number 9 bursted through on goal unchallenged and placed his effort passed the goalkeeper. 

With just five minutes to go Clay Cross remained ruthless and hungry as their number 10 drove towards goal from inside his own half evading Mansfield challenges and smashed his shot passed the keeper, wrapping up a perfect performance from Clay Cross. 

A professional and disciplined performance alongside prolific finishing earned Clay Cross a 6-0 victory and more importantly three points. 

Cross travel to Dronfield next week looking to continue their good form.