Weekend Round Up

U7 Panthers

Great game today boys against Hiltingbury Minis U8, your passing and movement just keeps getting better and better. Your vision and game reading is so good.

Jacob, once again some vital saves and great distribution.

Morgan and Caleb excellent at the back, tackling and driving forward with the ball. Morgan with a magical moment from the spot.

Evan and Edison was brilliant today in midfield, Controlling, passing, tackling and shooting. Evan with 3 magical moments.

Matthew and Harley were great in attack. Great footwork, dribbling and passing. Both with a magic moment each. But my man of the match went to Seth. His work-rate was outstanding, his close control, passing and shooting was brilliant today.

Well done Seth, well done all of you today.

U7 Wolves

This week the Wolves welcomed AFC Totton and were looking to build on the excellent form they've shown over recent weeks.

The early bird catches the worm and there aren't many earlier than Vinnie. Some great attacking interplay first with Fyfe and then with Harry created two chances in the first 5 minutes and Vinnie gave the goalkeeper no chance either time.

We continued to control play in the first half and were awarded a penalty for a foul on Jack which he slotted home with real confidence. Jacob and Louie dominated defensively and snuffed out every attack.

The second half gave Totton a chance to regroup and all credit to them for the way they battled back. We defended well as a unit with midfielders tracking back well but a slightly over keen tackle gave the opposition a foothold from the spot. We looked a little off the pace in the second half but a well taken throw from Fyfe was well attacked by Harry for a poacher's finish to give us a cushion. We were pegged back again though, some great football from Totton but we'll have to look at our positions defending throw ins. We responded in fantastic style though with the ball cycling through every player in quick succession, Louie, Jack, our new January signing Shay and then Ollie to run clear for probably the best team goal we've scored this year. The final goal went to the opposition late on, a great cross and a well controlled finish.

Players of the match went to Shay; who slotted into the team like he'd always been there and showed some great technique and movement and also to Louie; we gave him an important job to do today and he is putting everything into adding those skills to his game.

Overall an excellent result, really pleased with our passing and composure in front of goal.

Some things to work on no doubt but the Wolves keep on hunting!

U8 Panthers

A very tight game in a late afternoon kick off. Winchester City U9 Red are a strong and fast paced team who are very well rehearsed at closing players down rapidly. Neither team had scored right up until the final minutes of the 2nd quarter until some great passing from the Panther boys opened up the opponents which lead to a goal from Manny assisted by Jack. Not long following this Winchester City levelled the score. In the third quarter we scored a further two goals, both from Billy assisted by Freddie and Cooper respectively. In the last quarter our opponents got a couple of goals back, including one from a defensive error, which meant we ended the game level pegging. The Panther boys kept on battling right to the final whistle. Player of the Match went to Oscar for his attitude, positioning and tackling. We'd like to give a special mention to our referee who was enthusiastic, encouraging, engaging and provided extremely valuable advice and knowledge to the boys!

U9 Spitfires

U9 Spitfires were up against our very own Panthers in a great game of football and were evenly matched throughout. Some excellent build up play saw William Comper strike the ball home 1st but were pegged back instantly. Leo Duncalfe then volleyed home from a corner only for the Panthers to equalise again. Mazen Ismael then cooly slotted home to put us back ahead but then 2 quick fire goals, 1 of which was heavily assisted by the wind put the Panthers ahead. Elliott Finch then finished off another great move to put the scores back level. Panthers then got themselves 2 more goals with 1 again heavily wind assisted.

The Spitfire’s were all excellent today and deserved more but a very pleasing performance. POM went to Zach Curtis who was excellent in defence.

U9 Panthers

Great result today boys against a spirited Stoneham Spitfires.

It was a fight which they were up for and it took us until the 2nd half to realise we need to match them. When we did, the passing, moment and ball control was great and they just couldn’t handle it.

It wasn’t the same level as the last two weeks, but we dug in and got a good performance .

Man of the match went to Oliver, cracking magical moment and an all round battling performance. Never gave up and chased every ball. Well done Oliver. Special mention for magic moments from Jake 1, Henry 1 and Jenson 3. Well done all of you today.

AFC Stoneham Girls U10 Panthers 4 Hythe & Dibden Bobcats 0

A performance to be proud of by the Panthers this week. Our first game of 2023 got off to a fast start, with 2 goals in the first quarter by Grace & Mursal.

More positive play in the second quarter and some lovely play down the wings, resulted in an audacious back-heeled nutmeg from Alisha to make it 3-0.

3rd quarter saw the Panthers take the lead to 4-0, with Alisha getting her second of the game.

The final quarter was all about keeping that clean sheet, a great save by Ramona & some solid defending by Scarlett and Hollie meant clean sheet was secured. Great performance by the whole team.

Opposition player of the match: Scarlett

Panther of the week: Hollie

U11 Jaguars

AFC Totton Youth U11 Blue vs AFC Stoneham U11 Jaguars

Great game today with both teams working hard from the first to the last minute.

The Jags took the lead in the 5th minute, Zohair running at the Totton defense before laying it off to Alex to slot home. Totton came straight back and equalised 2mins later. Both midfields battled hard to win the ball, Will and Alex never giving up and chasing every loose ball.

When the ball did break for Totton the Jags were there with great goalkeeping from Riley and last gasp defending from Galileo. In the 2nd half Totton took the lead but that didn't last long thanks to a cracking freekick from Egit to equalise. Egit would score again to give the Jags a deserved lead but again Totton came back to draw level.

The game swung from end to end before Zohair ran onto a loose ball to once again charge forward before rolling the ball to Egit who completed his hattrick. Totton pushed for the equaliser and the Jags had to dig in and defend as a team but Totton did score.Both teams had chances but this was a fair result. A great game to watch if stressful for both sets of managers!

Parents player of the week goes to Egit, worked hard all over the pitch and was rewarded with a hattrick Coaches player of the week goes to Zohair, 2 assists and solid in midfield and defence when called upon

Jag of the week goes to Alex. Great attitude in training and helped the coach organise the rest of the team. Scored an important goal in the game today and kept working hard for the team!

U12 Panthers and Knights derby

It was a great game at the Stoneham Derby; U12 Panthers versus U12 Knights.

The Panthers scored the first goal of the game in the 15th minute. Spencer worked the ball up the line, crossed to Travis who tapped it in.

A second Panthers' goal was scored from a combined effort by Spencer and Ollie but was unfortunately ruled offside.

The score at half time was 1-0 to the Panthers.

The second half was just as entertaining as the first. The Panthers continued pressing and scored from a goal kick, in the 34th minute, that was crossed in by Carl and sunk into the net by Travis- earning him his second goal of the match.

A penalty was awarded to the Knights in the 37th minute and despite the keeper getting a hand to it, they scored their first goal, bringing the score to 2-1 to the Panthers.

Impressively, in the 50th minute, Ollie's cross was turned in right at the far post by Owen, mid-slide. This was his first goal for the Panthers; well done Owen! The score then remained at 3-1 thanks to resolute defending by both teams.

An honorable mention goes to Harry who made some incredible tackles to win the ball back. He also took a ball straight to the face at close range and showed great resilience after the fact!

Man of the Match was awarded to Travis whose speed and positioning on the pitch was fantastic throughout.

The lads' teamwork this morning shone against a worthy opponent. After what has been a challenging few weeks, this was a well-deserved win!

U12 Girls Tornadoes

AFC Stoneham Tornadoes 3 Southbrook 0

A quarter final meet @ home for the Tornadoes.

Southbrook being a solid squad and one to watch fought a hard battle being 0-0 at half time. The tornadoes girls grit kept going with some great teamwork and play leading to a 3-0 win and pushing onto the Semi final plate cup

U12 Jaguars

AFC Stoneham U12 Jaguars 1

Winsor Utd Youth U12 Greens 3

In very much a game of the proverbial two halves, the Jaguars came up short against their title chasing opponents.

The hosts started relatively sprightly, and good combination play between Charlie, Elliot and Freddie created several threatening situations. The Jaguars looked relatively comfortable with the ball on the deck at the back and when on the ball, continued to try to play passing football. However, the Jaguars offensive energy wasn’t matched by their defensive energy or awareness, and Winsor took the lead halfway through the first half when they took advantage of slack marking to convert a cross at the back post. One goal quickly became two when the Winsor centre back hit an unstoppable shot from range into the top corner, leaving Finn, who made several outstanding saves in the game, completely helpless. On the stroke of half time, Winsor extended their lead further when indecisiveness at the back saw a loose pass pounced upon by the visiting forward who was allowed time to slot into an empty net.

To the boys credit, they responded very positively to the half time team talk, and took the field with renewed vigour. The second half was a much more even affair with good chances at both ends, though a combination of superb goalkeeping and staunch defending by Jamie, Isaac, Archie, and latterly Charlie, saw the hosts prevent their opponents adding to their score. Instead, it was Stoneham who managed to find the net with an expertly taken free kick from Elliot.

The Jaguars take on Winsor again next week, and will be keen to make amends with regards to scoreline and performance.

U13 Spitfires

U13 Spitfires travelled to Hythe & Dibden and after not playing since 4th December the Spitfires came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders! Two quick fire goals from Ethan Cripps and George Polkinghorne set the tone and we really took a strangle hold from there, finishing the half 4-0 up with Harry Halligan and Harley Marjason scoring the other two.

The start of the second half was much the same with Hythe’s goalkeeper making one or two notable saves. The Spitfires kept knocking and eventually got the fifth with Henry Fawcett hitting a low effort into the far corner.

Player of the match was awarded to our new January transfer debutant goalkeeper Joshua Beardsworth, who didn’t have much to do in terms of saves but his organisation and distribution was top notch.

The U15 Knights are through to the semi final of the Testway League Cup having beaten Alderbury 2-0 away this morning.

The goals were scored by Brandon (30’) and Harry (68’).

Scrappy game at times given the pitch and the fact the opposition worked their socks off to stop us playing (expect the same next week). Boys played much better second half and we battled to a good win in the end. MOTM goes to Joe. Solid and aggressive at the back and worked tirelessly all game (as did the rest of the defense). Semi finals here we come. Well done boys!!!

U16 Spitfires

U16 Spitfires played at home to AFC Totton in a very evenly matched contest. The game was very tight and few chances until AFC Totton broke clear and a great saving tackle stopped them scoring but the resulting corner was headed home to give them the lead. Boys pushed for an equaliser but a couple of defensive errors found us 2 behind. 2nd half the boys were more dominant and started to create more chances than our opponents but just could not find that finish. It wasn’t until the last kick of the game we got a goal following Jack Polkinghorne’s sweet shot being saved which Ollie Payne followed up to finish but was too little to late.

The game was dedicated to Kim Morgan who sadly passed away in the week. Kim is the wife of our coach Andy & mother to our player Fin who has been part of this team since u9’s. Our thoughts are with Andy & Fin at this sad time. The boys observed a minutes silence before the game today

as a mark of respect.

U18 Panthers

“What a goal!”

Travel the length and breadth of this fine country and you’ll struggle to see a better goal than Alessio Ardani’s first today. The look up and arching 30 yard shot over the stranded keeper was outstanding, but the quick throw from Dylan Whaley, and clever headed knock on from Alfie Smith summed up a terrific squad performance today from U18 Panthers, as they despatched higher league opposition 5-1 in the cup.

And yet, against the run of play, it was the opposition that went ahead, and could have doubled their advantage was it not for a phenomenal double save from Liam Small.

However, this team has resolve, which when matched with ability, intensity, confidence and great coaching means that they are a pleasure to watch.

They deservedly drew level with a close range finish from Josh Marks, following a Dizzie Cross freekick, before Alessio was cruelly denied a goal by an over-zealous referee’s whistle. Had an advantage been played, Alessio would have opened his account with a shot from the edge of the box, having managed to stay on his feet after a Hamble challenge. Tough to take.

But justice was served a matter of minutes later, when Alessio did score the wonder goal, seconds from the half time whistle.

From that point on there was only one team going to win the match. Alessio grabbed a second, before Matty joined him on the score sheet with a great header from a cross and then Alessio rounded off the day with his hat trick.

Every player contributed to a great performance, which was a pleasure to watch.

Man of the match: Dizzie Cross

Well done to all of our teams!

#upthepurps