U12 Calcio Talent & Select - Opponent

Calcio battled valiantly in a 2-0 defeat at home to Pickering Town FC.

The game started very evenly, but by ten minutes in, it was Calcio that were the side on top and looking the most likely to find an opener. A few chances came and went, with Calcio's dominance not being rewarded on the scoresheet. Indeed, this was arguably the best 20 minutes we'd played all season, but that matter nought as with a minute to go until the end of the quarter, a long Pickering throw down the line ended up being crossed seemingly harmlessly into the box, but a mix up resulted in an easy Pickering tap in. End of the first quarter: 0-1.

Again, Calcio started on the front foot. Two minutes in Louis played a long ball out from the back, which was magnificently cushioned by Fletcher into Hugo's path to run onto. While it only ended up as a corner, the quality of Fletcher's touch warrants its recording. Then, halfway through the quarter, James won the ball in his own half before dribbling several players and feeding Fletcher, whose shot was well saved by the Pickering goalkeeper for a corner. Calcio were again on top, but a long Pickering ball 16 minutes in caused another mix up before a tidy finish, so the Rosso went into halftime 0-2.

In truth, the second half was a very even affair. As Calcio began to open up more and more, creating chances in doing so, more chances came to Pickering, too. With fifteen minutes to go, for example, some strong play from the Pickering striker forced an excellent one-on-one save by Rufus, with the follow up being cleared by the backtracking Fletcher. Calcio kept pushing, bringing the entire team (including the goalkeeper) up for late corners, but unfortunately the obstinate Pickering defence wouldn't budge.

It was a bruising game which Calcio perhaps shaded without dominating. We were certainly unlucky to not gain even a point, with plenty of positives from the game throughout. The next game is on Tuesday evening against Bradford City Select.