UEAFC go five points clear!

The UEAFC 2nd string increased their lead at the top of the BUCS Midlands 3B league to 5 points, with a convincing 2-0 victory over Bedford (Luton) University in bitter weather conditions.

The cold conditions seemed to affect The Yellows at the start, with Bedford starting as the quicker of the sides. They dominated the first 10 minutes, coming close with a shot that hit the crossbar. Their attacks looked dangerous, but UEA heeded the warning and settled into the game. Turning out in a favoured 4-2-3-1 formation Samuel Harle and Conor Bell began to command the midfield, spraying passes all over the pitch. Both wide men, David Okpala on the right and Tsukasa Katase on the left, looked dangerous on the ball.

As it was the UEA team made no serious in-roads before the break, with the final pass often missing. Free kicks from both flanks always looked a threat though, and set-pieces seemed to be the key to getting the breakthrough. In a physical game this meant a lot of chances, although the referee overlooked many dangerous tackles. In the best chance of the game so far Alex Willerton missed what seemed to be a sitter, skying over the crossbar from six yards. Bedford were glad for the half-time whistle when it came.

Their reprieve did not last long though, as early on in the second half  The Yellows got the all-important breakthrough. All of Katase’s in-swinging corners looked dangerous throughout, and from one floated in from the left the ball finally ended up under the crossbar and in the net, with Conor Bell getting the last touch. UEAFC looked settled after the goal, and soon after Samuel Harle found himself in space to play a fine ball into the box which David Okpala deftly volleyed in.

UEAFC have gone 5 points clear at the top of their league.

It seemed like after the second had gone in UEAFC were well on the way to embarrassing their opponents, however, a combination of good last-ditch defending and poor finishing allowed Bedford to keep the score at just the two. There were three chances in particular that UEA really should have taken advantage of. Twice Bradley Nelson found himself through on goal only to draw good saves from the Bedford keeper, and Willerton found the ball drop kindly at his feet with only the keeper to beat but shot over. The two forward players for UEA were out on their feet towards the end, having run themselves into the ground holding up play, and always giving the Bedford defence something to think about.

A few chances fell to the Bedford strikers, although UEA keeper Kavi Luchowa was never that badly challenged, and the UEA defence always looked sound, led well, and kept motivated throughout, by captain Dan Williams. The commanding Conor Bell was deservedly named Man of the Match, although it could of gone to any of Katase, Okpala or Harle also.

Overall, a sound performance from The Yellows against a physical and powerful side leaving them looking well on the way to gaining some silverware at the end of the season. Fingers-crossed!