Club News
We are now recruiting for our new U7 age group for the 25/26 season. Children must be aged 6 as at 31/8/25 and we aim to create 6 or 7 new teams in the age group.
Training will start in mid March and we would please ask that all interested parents contact:
chairman@afcstoneham.co.uk 07841696579
Largest grassroots football club in the South of England and third in the UK.
AFC Stoneham were delighted to learn this week that our club is now formally recognised as the largest grassroots football club in the South of England with 139 FA affiliated teams.
The club is in the top three in the UK from over 42,000 other grassroots football clubs.
We are immensely proud and delighted of this achievement which is a direct result of a huge amount of hard work by many people over a long period of time.
We would particularly like to recognise our 450 volunteer managers and coaches who through their fantastic commitment to grassroots football and our club make a very positive influence on many young people's lives and our local community.
A massive thank you to everyone who has contributed to this success and achievement.
Jude Townsend
Purple Heart Award for recognising great sportsmanship and acts of kindness.
Jude would never have imagined that his one act of kindness at the weekend could prove to be so powerful and enabled so many positive outcomes.
The feedback has been huge from people feeling happy to read such a positive heartwarming story (many peeling onions at the time!) ,other managers now recognising their players in a similar way and the club now producing an award available to all of our players moving forward which may spread to other clubs as well. The post has had nearly 10000 views.
This wonderful act of kindness and sportsmanship reminds us that grassroots sport can be so powerful for so many reasons. Whilst there are always negative stories there are a lot more hugely positive ones which sadly we don't highlight enough. If we have a great story we should tell it !
On the back of Jude's fantastic sportsmanship and kindness the club has now created the Purple Heart Award for recognising great sportsmanship and acts of kindness by our young players. The photo of Jude and the goalkeeper will be the badge on the trophy.
Jude will obviously be the first ever recipient of the new award.
Our team managers can nominate to the club a player to be presented with a Purple Heart Award. The bar has been set very high!
Jude has truly been an inspiration to literally thousands of people in the last 48 hours and spread a huge amount of love and happiness.
Again, a huge well done to Jude.
Thank you
Jude Townsend - Jaguars U13
Recognition for outstanding sportsmanship.
To the best of our knowledge our club has never published such a post as below.
Perhaps we should have done, however sometimes there are fantastic acts of kindness and sportsmanship which ensure that there is a "first time". There will only ever be one "first time".
Sportsmanship, kindness, thoughtfulness and respect are all huge values at AFC Stoneham. Yesterday 12 year old Jude Townsend displayed them all in abundance.
Please see below three messages received which illustrate what happened..........
Message received from the oppositions goalies parent:
My son played against your U13 Jaguars yesterday.
Things took a turn when our goalkeeper got injured after 20 minutes. Our backup goalkeeper/defender had to step in.
At halftime, the backup goalkeeper got injured too, and my son volunteered to go in goal thinking it would be easy and fun, but guess what? The Jaguars started scoring goals left and right, and our team went down to 10 and 9 players!
My son was so frustrated with the poor defence and his own performance in goal that he started crying.
But then, out of nowhere, the Jaguars’ centre-back, Jude, ran from his half to comfort my son. He gave him a pep talk and said some encouraging words.
It was so heartwarming to see! that moment of support was truly incredible. It was one of the strongest positive actions I’ve ever seen in youth football. Even at the end of the game, the Jaguars were the first ones to rush to my son to comfort him despite having just won the league.
I don’t know if there’s an award for respect in the club, but if there is, Jude definitely deserves it!
He showed incredible kindness and support to my son during the game.
Jude's Father
Wow what a message!!! Thank you for saying so.
Jude is my son and I’ve never been more proud of the young man he’s becoming.
All parents were confused as to what he was doing running over there as everyone else ran off celebrating. He showed a real touch of class and I’m beaming with pride.
I take my hat off to Luke in goal today for stepping in as a 3rd choice goalie. He showed tremendous team spirit.
You should be incredibly proud also.
Thank you
Lee - Jaguars Manager
Since I’ve been at AFC Stoneham for 5 seasons now so I’ve seen a lot of games not just in our age group,today was a true testament of what our club stands for
Jude sacrificed his own enjoyment of winning the league to make sure that the oppositions standby GK was okay after being on the other end of an onslaught.
I personally think that players like Jude should be praised for acts like this and also shows how well the club is portrayed.
I was just wondering if there were any way of decorating Jude for his passion for AFC Stoneham and what it means to play for the club.
Following on from Jude's example the club will now be recognising other acts of sportsmanship amongst our players allowing our managers to recommend to the club an award for such outstanding behaviour as they see fit amongst their players.
JUDE TOWNSEND - We salute you young man and are very proud to have you on board at AFC Stoneham.
Thank you
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EDMSL RESPECT MARKS
We were delighted to receive our clubs Respect marks for the last couple of months from our friends at the Eastleigh and District Mini Soccer League.
Respect by our players and management to officials and opposition teams is hugely important to our club and the marks given reflect this ethos.
AFC Stoneham has 23 teams playing in the EDMSL and the marks cover 303 games over a two month period. Each opposition team gives feedback on our teams and the comments received are unanimously kind and very positive. Thank you.
Our clubs Respect Marks were:
On pitch 97%
Around pitch 96%
Considering the number of games reviewed we are extremely proud of the figures which we believe to be one of the very best in the league, if not the best.
Well done to all of our players, managers, coaches and parents for displaying outstanding behaviour and conduct. Thank you.
U13 Girls Tigers
A fantastic win for our super U13 Tigers recently in their first season together that we thought we would give them their own post.
AFC Stoneham Tigers 3 - Hythe and Dibden 1
A long awaited and well deserved win for the Tigers today!!!
We went into the game against a tough opponent with the bare 11.
The girls dominated from the off playing with amazing work rate.
Our first goal was a great effort from our right winger Lacey who pushed through the oppositions back line and took advantage of the opportunity that presented itself lobbing the keeper to put us 1 ahead.
The girls could feel the momentum building all through the first half and we went into half time 2 up after a great finish from Tia who persistently applied pressure on the opposition.
Early in the first half and with Hythe now applying pressure of their own we went down to 10 players after an injury from a great 50/50 tackle.
Hythe then managed to get a goal back midway through the second half and were starting to take advantage of our tired legs.
With lots of encouragement and team spirit the tigers pushed back and were determined not to let the game slip away.
With minutes left in the game and some tigers now visibly in pain due to giving absolutely everything they had, they upped the tempo and Nyah ran the majority of the pitch delivering a controlled and precise finish to put the game away winning 3-1.
Hearts , determination and team spirit gave the Tigers the first 3 points of the season.
We are all so proud of the girls, their first season has not been an easy one. Their resilience has been unreal.
Well done Tigers #UTP
We remain in three cup competitions at the semi final stage.
The three semi finals are as follows:
Russell Cotes Cup : Hamble away on Tuesday March 4th
Southampton Senior Cup: Broughton at Romsey Town on Tuesday March 18th
Hampshire Senior Cup: v the winner of Hamble and Sholing. Date and venue tbc.
SUMMER TOURNAMENT - JULY 5 and 6
The club are delighted to announce that our summer tournament this year will be held over the weekend of July 5 and 6.
Last summer we hosted nearly 200 teams from the South of England with over 5000 people visiting our ground.
Entries can be made via Purpslive.co.uk or by scanning the QR code below.
All enquiries for further information if required can be made via:
tournament@afcstoneham.co.uk
The club will need many volunteers over the weekend and if you can help please contact:
chairman@afcstoneham.co.uk
We look forward to hopefully seeing you in July for another great tournament.
Thank you
#upthepurps
We were delighted to be awarded with the Velocity Wessex League Premier Division team of the month award for January for the third consecutive month ,a magnificent achievement of "three in a row".
Dolphin Motorhomes - Thank you!
A huge thank you to Dolphin Motorhomes who have recently become a key sponsor to the club including as shirt sponsor to our first team.
Dolphin is a family business with over 50 years' experience in the motorhome industry. They pride themselves on offering exceptional customer care by looking after both new & existing customers.
Dolphin have two branches in Southampton & Christchurch which open 7 days a week.
Thank you for your generous sponsorship and great support to our club.
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Thank you
Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association.
The club is delighted to be supporting the Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association.
We hope to build a close relationship together and support the association within the local community. Our U14 Lions have been the first to highlight their great work by proudly wearing the logo on their new shirts. Club Mascot and ambassador, Orla, is shown in her new shirt alongside the U14 Lions team photo. The charity is brilliant and helps families all over the region. They provide support and education services for children with Down Syndrome and are a vital resource for families.
They were a driving force in the creation of the Down Syndrome Act which was signed into law in 2024, protecting services for families for years to come. They also provide training directly to both schools and NHS maternity units free of charge to make sure children are coming into a world that they can thrive in. Fund raising has been difficult for charities over the last few years following covid and then cost of living concerns so raising awareness is more important than ever.
AFC Stoneham hope to work closely with the association to raise their profile and have a positive effect on young children's lives.
Thank you
Club Statement
FA Vase
Roman Glass St George v AFC Stoneham
Saturday February 1st
Roman Glass St George were charged with playing an ineligible player in the last round v Andover New Street which they won 1-0.
Having heard the case we are advised this morning by the football association that the charge has been proven. We will therefore now travel to Andover New Street in the next round on Saturday February 1st as things stand.
Roman Glass St George do have a right to appeal and we will be advised on Tuesday if an appeal has been lodged.
Thank you.
AFC Stoneham vs Wincanton Town match report:
On a mild afternoon at Stoneham Lane, AFC Stoneham continued their league campaign with a 4-0 win against Wincanton Town.
Three goals from Tyrell Sampson and one from Duarte Martins secured the win. The purps made a fast start as Tyrell Sampson saw an effort saved before the resulting corner was punched away well under pressure by the opposition goalkeeper.
The corners paid dividends early on as Will Seeley did well once again under pressure to punch clear, but the resulting ball was bought down well by Oli Jenkins before being smashed home by Tyrell Sampson.
The purps continually pushed against the away side with Duarte Martins seeing a shot flash just across the face of goal after being slipped through following an immaculate touch from Tyrell Sampson. Lewis Nagle was next to sting the palms of Will Seeley, as he did from the left angle of the box after a chipped through ball from Oli Jenkins, who saw a header well saved by Seeley in the next phase of play.
The game took a pivotal turn on 31 minutes however as Ash Wells was sent off for what was deemed to be a studs up challenge on Darren McAlistair.. The away side had a flurry of corners at the start of the second half, forcing Ryan Cluett into a clearance off the line. But Stoneham took the initiative and doubled their lead after Tyrell Sampson finished in a clinical manner following a stunning solo run.
The purps added a third soon after as Duarte Martins latched onto a long ball to lift it. Owen Fee then hit the bar with an unbelievable strike before Jim saw his shot blocked on the follow up.
Ross Casey had to be on top form to keep the clean sheet in tac however as Conor Williams picked up on a loose Ryan Cluett pass and forced Ross Casey into a top quality save.
The long ball paid dividends once more for the Purps as Tyrell Sampson gained his hat trick with a similar finish to Martins’.
Interview by Cam Donaldson with James Phillips.
James, you must be pleased with the result considering the circumstances, what did
you make of that one?
No, no complaints at all, going down to ten men after half an hour was always going to make it tricky. It was a tricky challenge for us to be honest. I thought that we should have scored, or scored a couple more before we went down to ten men, which would have obviously made it more comfortable. But yeah, with the game only being 1-0, it was always going to be a challenge and a real test of our character and commitment to it. But I thought the lads were outstanding after that.
We obviously have to allude to the two ‘stains’ on the game if you like, what did you make of the sending off and how is Dan Millar after coming off at half time?
Yes, honestly I know it may sound like I am backing out of it, but I couldn’t see from where I was. Some of the lads on the pitch were saying it wasn’t a very good challenge so ill take their word for it. When your own teammates are saying that it probably says it all really, so no complaints on that one. We also took Millsy off at half time which again isn’t ideal. Losing two of your back four, or back five, however you want to look at it, is never good, but hopefully it is just an impact one and hopefully he is ok but we will have to see how that one goes. Clarkey came on at half time however and was faultless through that second fourty five minutes, so fair play to him. He has not had a lot of minutes recently, so it is tough for him to come into a game like that and do what he did, so fair play to him.
How challenging is it as a manager to have to change that early on after setting up a new system for the game with five at the back?
Yeah, it was disappointing. I thought we were playing really well, I liked how welooked in possession and out of possession. Like you say, it is not something we do all of the time, but we have been working on it for quite a while. We do it a lot in later stages of games just to see things out, bit more of a five when it happens like that, but obviously today it was back three. But it was disappointing to have to it change it
so early, but we adapted quite well and obviously got bodies behind the ball. We always knew we would still create chances and it was just about taking them, and thankfully we did that second half.
Wincanton have now scored 40 which is the joint most in the bottom half this season, and conceded 69 which is the most in the league this season, so how important is it to make sure games like these aren’t too frantic or if they are, make sure you are scoring the goals and dictating?
Yeah, I said before the game, some of the reason as to why we chose the system we did today, was to make sure we could dominate the ball. Obviously here on our pitch we expect to do that anyway, but I thought that would give us a lot more control, pose them a few more questions. Back when we played them earlier on in the season, we were 2-1 down at half time, flipped to a back three in that and it caused them all sorts of problems. So we thought that would be the way forward. But it is important to manage teams like this. Like you say they score a lot but they concede quite a few so we always thought that we would score, which we did. But it was about making sure we were secure at the other end, which I said to the boys, we haven’t been great at recently, but we got a clean sheet and put in a good defensive display.
You obviously had the news about Roman Glass St George yesterday what do you make of that and the fact you will now face Andover, a team you know but also a tough test?
Yeah, unexpected. We got wind of it quite early on. I know Jamie, the Andover manager quite well so we kind of had an inckling it might happen. Not ideal if I am honest. If you get to the last 16 of the Vase, you don’t want to be playing someone from your own league really, just from the experience point of view more than anything. The League will obviously be happy because it guarantees a team from this division in the next round, which just shows how strong the league is at the moment really. But we look forward to the game, they are a really good side Andover. Loads of experience in there, but loads of youth and character as well so it will be a tough challenge, but we have done our homework on them, played them before and watched them again today, but we have Ringwood first and then we will prepare for the Vase.
What are your thoughts ahead of Ringwood?
It will be a tough test, I think they are unbeaten at home so far. I don’t know how they got on tody, but I think they are unbeaten in the league, so we wont be taking them lightly at all. I know Fran has a good side down there, they are pushing playoffs up the top end. But we will go there confident and wanting to go into a semi final so we will do everything we can to do that.
AFC Stoneham vs Blackfield and Langley match report:
AFC Stoneham continued their league campaign under the lights on Tuesday night at Stoneham Lane with a 3-1 win against Blackfield and Langley. Two goals from Duarte Martins and one from Dan Millar secured the win. Stoneham started the brighter of the two sides with a flurry of chances in the opening period, most notably off Owen Fee who cut inside from the right hand side and had an effort that was turned behind for a corner by the goalkeeper. Josh Williams had a strike from the resulting corner which was blocked well on the line.
Stoneham’s next chance came twenty minutes into the match as Tyrell Sampson received the ball and cut inside with a curling effort that was palmed away by the goalkeeper before an onrushing Duarte Martins was able to latch onto the end of it.
Josh Williams was the next to try his luck after an unsuccessful give and go between Owen Fee and Duarte Martins, Martins turned the ball back for Josh Williams who struck inches over the bar from the edge of the area.
Duarte Martins was able to break the deadlock just before half time with a flicked on header from a cross by Tyrell Sampson. Minutes later, Duarte turned provider as he slipped the ball in behind for Owen Fee with a dinked finish however it was offside. There was also time for Tyrell Sampson to hit the bar with a speculative effort from a crossing position before the half time whistle.
The away side struck back from a corner courtesy of a Josh Rose header from point blank range. The combination of Tyrell Sampson and Duarte Martins almost paid dividends in response, however a header from the number nine dipped agonisingly over the bar.
Duarte Martins was then able to score once again for the home side. Good work from Tyrell Sampson released Jim Orvis who squared the ball for Duarte to turn home.
The third followed from a corner as Dan Millar rose highest to head home from point blank range.
Oli Jenkins should have added a fourth just before half time to seal the win as he followed in his first header which hit the bar to head over with the goal beckoning. The purps were then able to hold out for victory.
Baffins Milton Rovers vs AFC Stoneham match report:
It was a return to league action for Stoneham as they came away from the PMC stadium with a 3-1 win against Baffins Milton Rovers.
Two goals from Tyrell Sampson and one from Jim Orvis secured the win. Stoneham started fast in the game with a long ball up to Duarte Martins that he laid off for Owen Fee, before he saw the ball ricochet back to Martins who drilled his shot over the bar.
This was followed a minute later with another flurry of chances as Owen Fee played a good ball out to Tyrell Sampson who laid the ball off for Mat Bainbridge who was only able to shoot straight at the goalkeeper before Tyrell Sampson’s follow up shot was blocked. Lewis Nagle will be rueing a missed chance on 24 minutes after some good interplay from Duarte Martins which left him bearing down on the goalkeeper however his dinked chip went wide of the goal.
As the first half continued, chances were at a premium with Stoneham’s next best chance coming on the 36 minute mark with a Tyrell Sampson shot that rolled comfortably into the goalkeepers hands.
Even when fighting against the sloped pitch, Stoneham were the first to threaten in the second half. Tyrell Sampson was able to cut inside and draw a save from the goalkeepers feet before a Lewis Nagle longshot was turned behind for a corner that came to nothing. The purps were pegged back however much to their annoyance as Kelvin Robinson was able to lob the goalkeeper on the half volley with a goal that was potentially offside.
Tyrell Sampson was once again in the action following the goal, however his snapshot was saved again by the goalkeeper, before Roux Hardcastle denied him from a shot from point blank range after a lofted free kick.
Twenty minutes into the second half, Tyrell Sampson finally got his goal, cutting inside and bending into the bottom right corner for the equaliser. Sampson scored the winner late on as an effort from a free kick was diverted back before Tyrell converted.
Jim Orvis was able to tap home late on to make the win a comfortable one.
Post match interview with manager James Phillips.
So James, did you feel you had to graft for that win today?
James: Hundred per cent, yes. More so probably. It is a really difficult pitch, don’t get me wrong, it is decent for this time of year and looks good, but it is soft underfoot. It obviously takes a lot to run on, to turn on, that sort of stuff so our physical output was through the roof again today.
Obviously the pitch is sloped, how do you feel that impacts the game and was it pleasing to score the goals on the uphill?
James: You obviously haven’t been to Horndean as it is a lot worse down at their place! But this is a slight gradient in comparison. But I am really plased. I thought that we were excellent in the first half, really, really good. We had four or five chances and didn’t take them unfortunately. I said to the boys at half time that we needed to take one, because they are always a threat. They play a certain way, they have got two bodies up front that compete for everything and I warned them that if they get in behind us, they will score. Unfortunately that is what they did which made our task even harder but we got three goals and turned it around so I cant complain.
The world of refereeing decisions is a fun one to get into, and in terms of their goal it didn’t impact the result but did you feel there was a slight hint of offside with that one?
A slight hint of offside is probably an understatement, He has told us Millsy has played him onside but Millsy was probably our highest defender out of all of them so I don’t what he saw there! Whether it was offside or not I don’t know, I will have to watch it back, and it obviously fuels the fire a bit more, but these boys don’t need any more motivation, they know what they have to do.
Baffins have been able to adapt after the loss of Brett Pitman and stay in a similar league position, how well do you feel they have adapted without Brett?
Yes, really well. I get on really well with Danny. We had a good chat before the game, we discussed how he has changed the team. They are a bit younger now, got some youngsters in, a coupe of loans I believe. We were talking before the game, the team spirit he has got here now is what they need you know. Sometimes, you have a star player who gets you goals and brings you quality, but I think you have seen today, they are a bit more united than they possibly were when we first played them. We knew we had to be right at it to get a result today and they pushed us all the way.
It is another quick turnaround, another Tuesday, thoughts ahead of that?
It is another quick turnaround. Difficult pitch, heavy pitch, byt I keep saying to the boys the depth in the squad is phenomenal at the moment so we will use that and go again and that is what we will need til the end of the season.
Portishead Town v AFC Stoneham, FA Vase 4th Round, 11th January
Report by Matt Gillett of Portishead Town
Portishead Town’s historic run in the FA Vase was ended by a very strong AFC Stoneham. Clinical finishing gave the visitors a 4-0 win, the scoreline very harsh on Posset. Three goals behind at the break Posset came close to reducing the deficit in the second half but couldn’t quite make the breakthrough.
In the opening quarter of an hour of the game Portishead dominated possession with Stoneham barely able to get out of their own half. Posset’s crisp passing stretched the visitors defence as fullbacks Hamish Hurst and David Thorne pushed up high. Posset forced a number of corners without being able to create too many clear openings.
After weathering that early pressure Stoneham grew into the game and took the lead after 23 minutes. Posset were unable to clear a ball into the box and Oliver Jenkins curled in. Portishead responded well as Tom Llewellyn arrowed a long pass into Ethan Feltham’s path, his pacey right wing cross grabbed by Stoneham keeper Callum Lee as Owen Punselie arrived on the 6-yard box. Then on 25 minutes Posset keeper Ryan Thatcher saved well at the feet of the impressive Stoneham No10 Owen Fee, with the rebound being skied.
Stoneham doubled their lead after 36 minutes, a high cross from the left poked in by Duarte Martins. Worse on the stroke of half-time as, from a long ball into the box, Mat Bainbridge guided his header into the net for 3-0.
Portishead began the second period well with a number of efforts on goal in the opening minutes. Lee had to deal with shots from Kyle Egan and Punselie, while Feltham saw his effort blocked after Egan had shown great skill to cross. The Posset goal that would have brought them back into the game wouldn’t come though as Stoneham held firm.
The visitors always offered a threat and Thatcher had to save low as Stoneham broke. From the resulting corner the keeper had to be alert to push the ball out from under his crossbar. Portishead pressed but Stoneham were working hard closing in numbers on Feltham, Punselie and Jay Murray as soon as they received the ball. Lee was again called into action to save low from Callum Eastwood. Then on 69 minutes a characteristically bold Feltham effort from distance struck the woodwork.
With Posset throwing players forward Stoneham added another on 78 minutes, Ash Pope shooting powerfully past Thacker for 4-0 and victory for Stoneham. A tough afternoon for Portishead but they can exit the competition with heads held high. A best ever run in the Vase is another measure of the huge and ongoing progress of this club. The character in this side will ensure they bounce back as attention turns back to the league campaign.
AFC Stoneham vs Millbrook RCC Match Report:
Stoneham hosted Millbrook once again on Tuesday night at Stoneham Lane, coming out with a 3-1 win against their counterparts in the Russell Cotes Cup.
Goals from Ash Pope, Owen Fee and Josh Williams secured the win.
Ash Pope latched onto a ball early on down the line before calmly slotting home to give Stoneham the lead. Stoneham’s second effort of the match came on the fifteen minute mark after more possession from the away side.
Good interplay allowed Josh Williams to slip the ball into Tyrell Sampson however his long range deflected effort was comfortably saved by the goalkeeper. A corner nearly proved to be the achilles heel for the away side soon after, after pinball in the box lead to an overhead kick effort from Ash Pope which he caught well, but saw sail just over the bar. Stoneham started to gain further control with an effort two minutes later after a good ball from Jim Orvis into Owen Fee. Fee then turned the ball across and saw it cleared away before Tyrell Sampson drilled an effort just past the post.
The Purps were inches away from extending their lead just before half time as Tyrell Sampson cut inside and drilled a shot against the post before it cannoned wide off Owen Fee.
This was then followed by a driving run from Ash Pope who was unable to keep his shot on target, before a Millbrook cross was diverted against the post. The first action of the second half saw Lewis Nagle drive a shot over the bar after being coolly teed up by Owen Fee. Millbrook remained a threat and soon had their equaliser as Bobby Gorman played a long ball down the pitch and Brandon Chebby used his body against Tom Annetts and turned home for the away side.
Ash Pope was once again within the action for the home side, winning the ball and turning across for Owen Fee to turn home and regain the lead. Josh Williams added to the scoreline with a debut goal, turning home in the top left corner on the half volley following a flick on to seal the win.
Manager Interview
James, you must be getting tired of me saying how did you play against Millbrook,
but how did you feel that one went?
Yeah, it wasn’t particularly a pleasing game to watch to be honest. Two teams that battled it out really, both teams competed really well. There was a lot of second balls and that sort of stuff and there wasn’t masses of possession for either side really. I thought that both teams had a little spell each, but it was a very competitive game and there were no yards really given to each other so it was entertaining from that point of view, we would like to have had a bit more control at times but we knew it was going to be that type of game.
You said that you were going to make changes for tonight’s game and you did, so what was your assessment of the players that came in tonight?
Yeah, I mean it was eight changes from Saturday I think, seven or eight changes. We needed to use our squad, especially with the weeks we have coming up. But I thought they did really, really well. A couple of special mentions to Dan Thompson and Clarkey coming in, I thought they defended really well, especially seeing as they haven’t had a lot of minutes recently. Josh Williams did very well, obviously great technique for his goal, that was pleasing as well. But everyone that came in, Tom came in and did well at full back, Popey did well, so it was very pleasing.
You mention Ash Pope, he has found a goalscoring touch with two goals and one assist in his past few games, what has changed in his game to provoke this?
Im not sure really. He is just one of those lads, that you know he is always tuned in and you can always rely on him to come off the bench. Yes, he wants to be playing more, of course he does, and he was getting a bit frustrated a few weeks ago but as I keeping saying to all of them, they just have to try and stay with us. We have got a brilliant squad now. Wellsy wasn’t here tonight, Dan Millar coming in, so there is so much strength in depth but he keeps himself well motivated most of the time and trains really well, so no real complaints. It is so easy to lose players in terms of their application and mentality in training, but he always tops the charts for running andthat sort of stuff. He is a great lad and he thoroughly deserves his goals and assists tonight.
You reference Dan Millar, what will his signing bring to the team from Sholing?
Exactly that, he has experience in absolute abundance, experience at different levels as well which I think is really important. We have seen that with Wellsy coming in, you know just those different parts to the game. He is an absolute man mountain as well so that will give us some prescence in both boxes. He is a great guy, wanted to come and fits in with what we do, so I am sure he will be a great asset.
What is your thoughts ahead of the big tie against Portishead at the weekend?
Yes of course, it is the furthest we have ever been in the Vase and we want to continue that. Obviously, we know it will be a tough game. They are flying in their league, we have had some very good reports on them, so we are expecting a tough game. But, we have nothing to lose now, we are 18, 19 unbeaten so we will go into it full of confidence and see how we get on.
AFC Stoneham vs Portland United match report: by
Stoneham returned to Stoneham Lane once more as they played host to Portland United in a 4-2 win on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Ash Pope along with an own goal and tap ins from close range by Duarte Martins and Tyrell Sampson secured the win.
Stoneham’s first chance of the game came after an incisive defence splitting pass from Jake Thomson into Oli Jenkins who laid the ball off to Jim Orvis, however Jim’s scooped effort was easily saved.
The home side took the lead on the twenty five minute mark with their first meaningful effort on target. A quick break was instigated by Jamie Johnston who hit a through ball over the top to Ash Pope who was able to finish in a clinical manner on the half volley.
Jamie Johnston came close to doubling the lead on the forty minute mark. His initial free kick hit the wall and sailed back to him before he struck a venomous volley that was well saved by the goalkeeper forcing the corner, which Lewis Nagle was only able to volley harmlessly wide. The away side were always a threat from long throws however and that paid dividends just before half time as Sam Gadsby was able to flick the ball on and equalise with an effort that Ross Casey was only able to palm over the line.
The response was quick from Stoneham, a driving run from Lewis Nagle provoked an attack before he laid the ball into Duarte Martins who drilled the ball across the box which was turned home for the own goal by Max Buckler. The Purps were on top in the early stages of the second half, with Jim Orvis coming the closest with a shot that spun harmlessly wide. The Purps had a glorious chance to go ahead ten minutes from time after Ash Pope pulled the ball back to Oli Jenkins but Jenkins was unable to keep his effort under the bar.
Stoneham pressed and scored an offside goal from the head of Lewis Nagle before Duarte Martins tapped home and secured victory. There was still time for Tyrell Sampson to add a fourth, tapping home after good work from Oli Jenkins.
Interview with Manager, James Phillips.
Post Match Interview: (H) against Portland United
It was a close run thing, but you got there in the end. What did you make of that one
James?
Yeah, you are right, got there in the end that’s all I can say. Overall performance I
thought we were so dominant, really good first half but two poor goals from us. That
wasn’t like us, I said that to them at half time about that being not like us and then
the second one was just as bad, so disappointing from that point of view. But, at this
stage of the season in games like this, you just have to find a way to win. All credit to
the boys, they stayed patient, trusted what we do and managed to get two late goals.
Persistence is a key characteristic to be successful in football, does today show how
important it is?
Yes, 100%. It would have been very easy for heads to drop after their second goal.
In the end, when we scored our third goal, I think there was about four minutes left of
play, but you are exactly right with persistence. I thought that we created enough
chances, OJ has fired just over, one at the near post and obviously Nagle’s header.
So we still created enough, but it needed some belief to go to the end and they
showed that today.
In terms of the opposition, they had a managerial change this week, what did you
feel that brought to the table for them today?
Me and Marshy always joke that every time we play Portland, they seem to have a
new manager in place. We warned the boys about that, the classic new manager
bounce, the players will play, they will show lots of enthusiasm and lots of desire to
impress the new guys. It is obviously great to see Carl back, he is a really good guy.
We knew they were going to be robust, rugged and stay in the game and try and pile
it on a bit on set pieces and that’s what they did, but I was very impressed with them
today, they had a young team that did well.
Obviously you have quite a few games coming up and you have brought a new
name in Josh Williams in to help the team during that, what will he bring to the team?
First of all he is a very talented midfielder. Obviously we are losing Welchy for a bit
with his travelling and we felt that we needed another body in there. Williams has a
bit of a different profile to what we already have in there, he gets after the ball well,
has plenty of energy and runs all day long, and he has a bit of bite about him as well.
I think he will be a great asset to us from now until the end of the season. We were
hoping to get him involved today but there was a bit of a delay with the registration,
but he will be involved from Tuesday and I am looking forward to working with him.
He is a great kid, will fit in very well with us, so I am sure he will do very well.
Speaking of Tuesday, you have got to know Millbrook well this season, what are your
thoughts ahead of that one?
Yes, Millbrook again! But I am looking forward to it. I will be honest, it has come at a
bad time for us really with todays game and the Vase next weekend, this next couple
of weeks is really important for us. But that is why we have got a big squad, but you
look at the bench today, to have them sat behind us is incredible and the strength in
depth we have is excellent, and for it to stay that way we have to keep them happy,
so there will be quite a few changes for Tuesday, but we will put out a team that we
believe can win and take them on again.
4 January 2025
Grigg Lane having fallen victim to the frost, the Content Adviser and I had a quick look at the remaining fixtures, and decided to take (another!) unscheduled trip to Stoneham Lane… pretty much guaranteed to be on, and very easy to reach for both. Believe it or not, this was the fifth time we’ve watched the Purps this season (previously home and away in the league, once in the Russell Cotes, a random FA Trophy game against Royal Wootton Bassett Town): don’t go getting any ideas, they’re not a second team, it’s just happened that way!
The hosts did get their noses over the line in the end, but this was a much tougher assignment than the final score suggests: for the second week in a row, Stoneham were the better side in quite a tight game, just about deserved to win but struggled to put their seal on things. The Purps can no doubt play better, and will need to; but ultimately they did enough.
The game started slowly: Orvis powered a shot goalwards in the 4th minute, well tipped over by Moggeridge, but the visitors were solid, and 25 minutes passed with no other incident… and suddenly, one long ball over the top, Pope ran onto it in splendid isolation (looking more offside than a couple that had been given previously) and smashed his shot past the keeper to open the scoring. That didn’t open the floodgates, although Portland picked up a couple of yellow cards for late challenges and could possibly have had a couple more; they weren’t overly physical but some silly and unnecessary fouls. 42 minutes, referee Harry Redman gave Stoneham a free kick for something we didn’t see: Johnston straight into the wall, but the ball came back to him and his excellent volley was tipped over. And then, 44th minute, a throw for Portland, flicked on and, to everyone’s surprise, in at the back post through a crowd of players from Gadsby, and the visitors were level. Cue disgruntlement in the stands… the Purps upped the energy, Nagle with a great run down the left, good cross – two defenders converged on it ahead of Martins, and the ball cannoned in off one of them for an own goal. I have no idea which, and I doubt they want to claim it. HT 2-1
The second half started with a few Stoneham corners which Portland didn’t find easy to defend, and on 50 minutes Orvis bobbled a shot just wide with the keeper nowhere, but the game settled back into its familiar pattern of home possession and solid visiting defence. Going to take a minute here to mention Troy Walbridge for Portland, playing the lone role up front, worked exceptionally hard, great hold-up play, credit to him. Then another “out of nowhere” moment; a free kick on the halfway line to Portland (no idea why this was given, right in front of us), played high to the edge of the box; keeper Casey came for the ball into a crowd of players, didn’t collect it, the ball broke loose and a golden chance for the Blues smashed against the bar, another shot seemingly handled by Martins on the line but again recycled and this time squeezed home for a second equaliser by Cleaver. Personally I didn’t see a foul on the keeper and a goal looked the right decision. So the hosts had to do it all again. Jenkins blazed over the bar with 12 minutes to go… it was actually quite hard to call, the hosts looked the more likely but it wasn’t entirely one-way traffic (and there was one glorious, outrageous turn from Portland sub Stavrianos which sadly led to nothing). Three minutes left: another cross into the Portland box, the shot badly mishit and heading well wide, hit Sampson who was standing almost on the byline and somehow the ball rebounded and spun high across goal and in! – but Sampson was miles offside… no goal. 90 seconds left – a cross into the box, headed back across by Jenkins and headed home by Martins from four yards to give Stoneham a lead that they would not, this time, let slip. And just into injury time, another cross, a weak header from Martins but Moggeridge fumbled it, the ball squirmed loose along the line and Sampson scored from about two yards to finally put clear purple water between the teams. FT 4-2
Not a bad game, overall. Six goals, interesting clash of styles, credit to Portland for their organisation and for not folding, barely taking a backward step; but credit to Stoneham for finding a way. And let’s just say, whatever happens, I won’t be following them to Portishead next weekend
Games played (all comps) - 59
Wins - 44
Draws - 6
Defeats - 9
Win percentage- 79.66%
Goals scored - 178
Conceded - 50
Clean sheets - 25
Goals scored -
Tyrrell Sampson - 34
Oliver Jenkins - 22
Jamie Johnston - 17
Duarte Martins - 17
Ash Pope - 15
Assists -
Tyrrell Sampson - 25
Alex Welch - 18
Jim Orvis - 17
Lewis Nagle - 13
Mat Bainbridge - 13
Most appearances-
Lewis Nagle - 57
Mat Bainbridge - 56
Tyrrell Sampson - 54
Jim Orvis - 54
Ryan Cluett - 54
We were delighted to be awarded the Wessex Premier League December Club of the Month award following the same award being awarded to our club in November.
We played five games in December winning all five including our FA Vase win over Brixham 4-0. The award also reflects a good disciplinary record during the month aligned to excellent results.
Well done boys.!!
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