Sunday Dec 4th round up

U7 Panthers

Well done today guys.

Another solid performance against another U8 team. Thought you all played your part today. The energy, tackling, passing and shooting was superb today. Not to mention the saves!!

Caleb and Morgan were excellent today, with some strong tackles and great passing. Both with a magic moment. Evan and Harley was outstanding in midfield, breaking up play, driving with the ball and shooting. Both managed to bag themselves a hat trick of moments. Matthew and Seth worked their socks off up front, with some great footwork, shooting and all round play. Seth with his hat trick of moments and Matthew with 1.

But my man of the match went to our GK Jacob. Some of his saves and rushing out was outstanding today, and his distribution was also brilliant. Well done Jacob, well done all of you today.

U7 Tigers

Tigers U7s had another good test and having a great attitude to never give up .Half the team were under the weather today but gave there all .

MOTM MAX

AFC Stoneham Panthers U8

Panthers U8 vs. Winchester City U9 Red

Great performance this cold Sunday afternoon against Winchester City U9 Red. Our passing game was on point. The movement between the boys flowed well and it meant the opposition were finding it tricky to find their rhythm. Positioning was on point and the decision making from some of the players was great, especially when choosing to switch play and making use of the big pitch. All of the team battled hard. Goals today came from a brace from Jack, a further goal from Cooper and a penalty from Hayden. You should all be really proud of your efforts today as the opposition was strong but you kept your A game. Player of the Match went to Manny for his passing and positioning.

U9 Spitfires

U9 Spitfires played there 1st game after being moved up to Red 1 against our very own Thunder.

It took the boys a while to adjust to the new level and credit to Thunder as they played sone great stuff scoring some good goals and were out of sight by half time.

The 2nd 2 thirds the boys were amazing and played some great football and deservedly got the goal for their efforts through Brody Hibberd.

Lots of positives to take from today and we move on.

POM went to Mazen Ismaeel who was excellent and calm on the ball playing some great balls to start attacks and super defending/tracking back when needed.

U11 Jaguars

Marchwood Rangers Youth U11 v AFC Stoneham U11 Jaguars

An impressive performance from the Jags on a very cold December morning.

Right from the start the Jags were on the front foot and the Marchwood defence were tested repeatedly. Will using his pace and skill on the wing and driving the team forward.

Eventually the Jags were awarded a penalty after a handball in the box.

Goalkeeper Riley stepped up to take it and slotted it past the keeper.

The 2nd quarter saw Marchwood create chances but the Jags defence stayed strong with Galileo leading the way and making some important challenges.

At the other end a corner from Alex came out to Charlie who would score a great goal from the edge of the box.

Shortly after a ball played through to Egit was cooly dispatched to end his mini goal drought .

Quarter 3 was tighter, both defences on top form.

Wills link up play on the wing with Galileo and Billy creating long range efforts just off target.

Quarter 4 and Marchwood pushed hard to get back in the team. The Jags defensive line stayed strong though and soaked up the pressure.

When pushing forward, Charlie played a through ball to Wezi who rounded the keeper before a late penalty from Alex.

A disciplined effort from every player bringing a great performance.

Parents player of the week goes to Galileo, great defensive display and awareness helped get the team a cleansheet.

Coachs player of the week goes to Will who's work on the wing and great communication helped push the team forward.

Jag of the week goes to Egit, working hard in training, back on the scoresheet and never letting his head drop. Great attitude

U11 Wolves

U11 Wolves v Hedge End Rangers Hawks

A new shape and style to keep the 'Wonderful Wolves' on their toes led to numerous passes into goalscoring positions today with Fuku, Dash and captain Jude the main providers with each having their best game of the season, especially Wolf of the Week Dash who was excellent in providing the overload in various areas.

There were very encouraging signs today of a strike partnership forming between Harrison and Muhammed. Muhammed had significant contributions to the outcome of the match while Harrison also had his moment and is quickly learning how, when and where to make his runs as a striker.

At the back, Dominik had a good day in goal while Frankie and Dylan stepped up well to being asked to play as centre backs and in midfield Evan was very positive in moving the team forward.

U11 Spitfires

A disappointing result against a good Romsey team today. The boys played well in spells but didn’t click as a team. We learn from the game and move onto next week.

U12 Jaguars

AFC Stoneham Jaguars 1

Winchester City Reds 1

Hot on the heels of an impressive away win, the Jaguars provided top-of-the-table Winchester Reds with an almighty scare in a highly entertaining score draw.

Despite being on an 8 win run, Winchester were made to look second best for much of a first half in which the Jaguars took it to their high-flying opponents. The hosts created chance after chance but found the visiting goalkeeper in inspired form. Elliot, Owen, Matteo, Charlie and Freddie all had the opportunity to put the Jaguars ahead, but each was thwarted. A lung-busting run from Freddie saw the wide forward beat three players and be brought down from behind on the edge of the box. From the resulting free kick, Elliot finally beat the visiting goalkeeper only to see his ferocious shot crash off the bar.

The first half wasn’t all one way traffic; as one would expect from a team in the visitors’ league position, they carried a real threat. Therefore, a 0-0 half time scoreline was testament to a rock solid defensive performance from Jamie, Isaac and Archie with Finn, as always, providing an indomitable presence in goal.

The second half began in the same fashion: the Jaguars outplaying and out-working their title-chasing opponents, with some fantastic combination play. Robert, Matteo and Ramesses all worked hard to control the centre of the park, and each provided moments of awareness and skill with excellent through balls to the tireless front three. The Winchester left winger found himself time and time again foiled by the ever-reliable Daniel. Eventually, the home pressure told and ten minutes in, Elliot calmly rolled the ball into the net and the Jaguars into the lead. However, they say in football a team is at their most vulnerable when they’ve just scored, and so it proved, when Winchester broke immediately down the left. The cross that came in caused confusion and the Winchester no. 8 pounced on the defensive indecision to drive in the equaliser.

Rather than sit deep, the Jaguars, pleasingly, continued to play for the win, and, therefore, what followed was an end to end fifteen minutes where both teams might have felt they could and probably should have won it. John impressed mightily, switching from his wide midfield position to an unfamiliar right back role and excelling against a very strong winger. Archie also demonstrated his versatility, putting in a strong shift at centre back. Both keepers were forced into saves and both teams had to defend dangerous corners. In the end, a point, in truth, could have been so much more for the home team, but as always what is more important than the points is the performance, and in that respect, the Jaguars can be mighty proud.

U12 Knights

AFC Stoneham Knights vs Southbrook Pirates

An early 9:00 kick off produced an excellent, competitive match today that was played in an excellent manor.

The opening 5 minutes started off evenly with both teams creating a couple of chances but in the end Southbrook took the lead with a top shot from distance. They scored their second and took a deserved 0-2 lead into the break.

At the halftime team talk we spoke about trying to up our intensity and desire to win and have the ball. We asked the boys to be fearless and brave with the ball. We wanted to see a reaction.

Coming out for the second half we were a changed team, we were on the front foot and had a much better edge to our game.

Shortly having a goal ruled out for offside, we finally got the breakthrough. Charlie P finishing smartly a great cross from Charlie S after some neat team passing.

With the bit between our teeth, we scored our 2nd. Charlie S with an exquisite solo goal, dribbling past 3/4 defenders and slotting home coolly past the keeper.

The next 10 minutes was end to end stuff. Both keeper making some great saves and keeping the scores level.

With 4 minutes to go Southbrook hearts were broken as we scored the winner. Picking up the ball in midfield, JP found himself with space and from 20 yards or so out, hit a rocket into the bottom corner of the net.

A goal to win any match, we saw out the remaining few minutes to claim the 3 points.

The character shown in the second half was amazing and it was great to see the subs up and cheering their teammates on.

Players of the day -

Oscar, a truly wonderful keeping display. Making a couple of huge saves and being so assured.

Alastair, playing at full back kept a grip on the pacy wingers and worked incredibly hard.

Up the Knights!

U12 Lions

Lions performed very well against higher league Eastleigh winning 3-1 with a hat trick for Cheikhouna.

Our opponents created many chances in the second half however player of the match , Simon "the cat" , pulled off 5 or 6 outstanding saves in goal to deny the hosts. Simon revealed after the game that dad promised to clean his boots this week if he pulled off some great saves. This method of motivation definitely worked!!

We would like to thank our hosts Eastleigh and referee Connor for an excellent game always played and conducted in the right spirit.

U13 Spitfires

Spitfires had a dominating but frustrating game at home to BTC Sharks.

The boys dominated and controlled the game but somehow found ourselves behind at half time against the run of play.

The 2nd half was the same where we controlled the game but just couldn’t get the breakthrough or at least it looked that way until Ethan Cripps hit 1 from outside the box the crept under the keeper in the last seconds of the game.

The least the boys deserved after their performance.

POM went to Will Lakin who was excellent in defence and a threat going forward.

U13 Panthers

Under 13 Panthers played on the 'big' senior 11 a side pitch today for the first time with an early one but thankfully the boys seemed awake as we took the lead in the 2nd minute and didn't look back from that point.

Some good passing football was played as we ran out 7-0 winners.

All three of our Sam's scored today with Robinson knocking in 4, White and Warner both with singles. Joey Gibson made sure it wasn't just the Sam show by scoring out last.

Man of the match was given to Robbo for his 4 goal showing but the lads all played well today.

U14 Tornadoes

Our U14 Tornadoes won 7-3 today.

Normally reserved manager Ian said" I was delighted with the boys today and their overall play was excellent with great determination. We are having a great season "

Well done to all of our teams !

#upthepurps