i2i Sky Blue 2-10 U23s,
York St John University,
Monday, 26th April, 2pm kick-off.
Reggie Waud’s hat-trick was complimented by goals from Ben Henderson (2), Moussa Sidibe (2), Louis Fialdini, Asa Mitchell and an own-goal to earn a comfortable victory against i2i Sky Blue.
Goalkeeper Harvey Kelly made his first appearance for the U23s in the Senior Cup as a 72nd-minute substitute while midfielders Moussa Sidibe and Oliver Russon, and Duncan Dike in defence all made their first starts in the side’s 4th win in as many matches.
The u23s began where they left off when Louis Fialdini put them ahead in the 2nd minute.
The forward was brought down after beating his defender to the ball inside the right of the box. He took the penalty, passing into the bottom left corner.
Waud, with his back to goal, flicked first time into Sidibe on the left wing in the 9th minute to put the attacker through on goal but his hard shot only found the side netting.
Sidibe again down the left, a minute later, cutting inside, shot hard and low but hooked it wide of the near post.
Waud instead made it 2-0 on 12 minutes.
The forward allowed a long-ball forward, left-to-right, come across his chest on the edge of the box before shooting back across goal, inside the post.
Rhys Toft was tested for the first time as a long-ball through the middle wasn’t dealt with until the ‘keeper punched clear on the edge of his box, possible brushing the forward’s head at the same time.
Ben Henderson’s placed finish made it three on 16 minutes.
Oliver Russon had numerous shouts from Sidibe wanting the pass, but allowed further time on the ball, the midfielder found Henderson on the left touchline. The wing-back outpaced his marker and advanced into the box with the ball before placing into the far right post.
Duncan Dike almost scored on his first start on 18 minutes, a corner from the left being sliced over by a side-footed effort inside the box.
Sidibe beat Fialdini in the race to the ball to make it four on 27 minutes.
Waud, again dropping deep to receive the ball before flicking round the corner first-time, waiting on the left were both Fialdini and Sidibe, the latter winning the race before shooting hard to the left of the ‘keeper.
I2i replied a minute later, making it 4-1.
The forward benefitted from a missed challenge inside the box, sticking the ball with the beneficiary before he poked inside the far right post.
Waud almost had his second after Russon’s free-kick on 35 minutes from the left was directed goalwards with his boot but it’s called offside.
Russon was involved 5 mnutes later to make it 5-1.
Another Russon free-kick was an inch too high for the challenging Waud but it deflected off his marker, high and over his own ‘keeper who had no chance.
I2i almost repeated the goal, three minutes later, in their favour this time when their deep free-kick from the left wasn’t dealt with and deflected goalwards off a body but well wide of Toft’s right-hand post.
Henderson instead got the next and Farsley’s 6th.
Henderson cut inside from the right this time before shooting too hard for the ‘keeper, the ball creeping through his body.
Waud nearly got his second, finally, 2 minutes after the restart. With his back to goal, a neat back heel flick took the ball round his marker to the edge of the box before the forward shot hard and over.
I2i replied a minute later with their own chance, a pass from centre to left found a free forward. He controlled before shooting which allowed Henderson to block for a corner.
Sidibe’s second and the u23s’ 7h came on 56 minutes.
Oliver Russon’s through ball over the i2i defence found the path of Sidibe on the left. One-on-one, inside the box, Sidibe powered to the ‘keeper’s right.
I2i were gifted their second, scored in the 62nd minute, making it 7-2.
A misplaced pass went straight to the forward on the edge of the box who immediately found the bottom left corner.
Substitute Asa Mitchell scored his 3rd in 4 games to make it 8 a minute later.
Sidbe’s cross from the left found Waud at the back post who headed against the bar. The ball rebounded to Mitchell inside the box who controlled before smashing in.
Waud eventually got his second, Farsley’s 9th, on 65 minutes.
Keanan Mannings’ perfectly weighted ball over the i2i defence was met by Waud’s well-timed run. The forward, alone behind the defence, chipped his first-time shot over the ‘keeper and comfortably in.
Waud completed his hat-trick and Farsley’s 10 in total, in the 83rd minute.
Mitchell, behind the i2i defence, inside the left of the box, cut back to Waud on the penalty spot who shot first time past the ‘keepers right.
The U23s return to York St John University for the second time this week when they play i2i Sky Orange, Thursday 29th April, 2pm kick-off.