SUNDAY OCTOBER 13TH - YOUTH ROUND UP

Sunday Round Up

Wolves U9 v BTC Cobras

Last week the Wolves continued their fine form but BTC Cobras were set to be a big challenge at Fleming Park.

We started positively with the boys looking to play out from the back and exploit wide areas and it was Jack who forced the opener, with his whipped cross being turned in by a BTC defender. BTC responded with two goals, the second an excellent move finished at the far post. Jacob and Louie had plenty of work to do and both put in strong tackles and clearances. Shay used his skill to progress through the middle looking to create chances for Fyfe and Cohen.

Vinnie, Mason and Fozzy came in to give us something different going forward and Teddy slotted in at the back. With BTC battling hard in defence we struggled to create a clear opening with shots coming in from wide and their keeper matching them. Jasper at the other end was called into action with some good saves but BTC extended their lead further. Louie had a stint between the sticks and we rallied well but couldn't quite make the key passes stick, nor bury the big chances when they came. On the long, narrow pitch the easiest ball was long but with 3 at the back BTC handled it.

It was going to happen eventually and the run comes to an end for the Wolves. The lesson is keep focused on the pass and move style that has served us well and don't let the opposition rush our decisions. Jasper pulled off some good stops today and played the sweeper keeper role well earning him today's MotM.

The U13 Stoneham Spitfires started their defence of the Hampshire cup with a victory against Hiltingbury Harriers this morning.

The Spitfires went one up early on with a penalty into the bottom corner by Alfie L after Freds was taken down in the box. Several chances were then spurned before Stoneham scored several goals in a short period. Matty F cut the ball back to Freds who laid it off to Charlie M to score and soon after Alfie L was put through to score.

The good passing and unselfish play continued as Ashley played the ball down the line to Matty F , who passed to Alfie L who cut the ball back to Freds to side foot the ball in to make it 4. Matty F shot across the keeper into the bottom corner and then Ethan used his pace to latch onto a through ball and knock it past the advancing keeper.

Ashley then got on the score sheet with a strong shot that deflected over the top of the keeper, followed by a goal by Freds with a shot into the bottom corner. Stoneham maintained the pressure with a run down the line and cross by Ethan for Alfie L to tap in.

Matty F then played the ball down the line to Ashley who crossed to Freds to slot in. Freds passed to Alfie L to score in the bottom corner and a skilful turn and ball to Freds from fellow striker Ethan saw Freds strike into the corner.

There was still time for a couple more goals before half time with Matty F once again linking well with the strikers, passing down the line to Alfie L who crossed to Freds to score, followed by a ball through by Ads to midfield which was skilfully dummied and left to run through to Ethan who slotted the ball past the keeper.

In the second half the Spitfires continued to pass the ball well and to open up space in the opposition’s half, with several more goals coming from balls down the line which were cut back to the advancing strikers. The second half scoring was started by Bushy who chested the ball in from a good cross from Eli. Bushy then turned provider, whipping the ball across from the left for Ethan to yet again use his pace to beat the keeper to the ball and to tap it past him. Bushy then had another run down the left, crossing for Eli to smash it into the net.

The Spitfires continued to build from the back with a great ball through by Sam to Bushy to set up another goal with Ethan getting on the end of the cross. It was time then for Bushy to score his second when Matty F cut the ball to Bushy in the box who lashed it home. Ethan then scored his fifth goal when Ads and James to link up and for James to find Ethan in the box.

The pressure continued as Ashley made another run into the box, cutting back to Alfie L who steadied himself with a touch before smashing the ball into the net. Alfie then turned provider with a cross to Freds who skilfully dispatched with a side-foot volley. Alfie L then scored his sixth before Charlie M’s clever ball through to Freds saw him convert his seventh goal of the match.

In the last few minutes of the game Ashley scored his second and Charlie M scored his second after a good run and cut back by Alfie L.

All in all a good performance by the Stoneham Spitfires who demonstrated respect to the opposition and continued to play as a team throughout.

AFC Stoneham U14 Jaguars 6-0 Romsey Town U14 Cougars

The Jaguars put together a performance with a real cutting edge to ruthlessly dispose of the visitors 6-0.

The home team made light of their goalkeeper being absent with both Harry D and then latterly Jamie keeping clean sheets. Much of that was made possible by an outstanding defensive performance which limited to the visitors to wild shots from range.

In the first half, Jaguars drew first blood within minutes. Archie burst down the left and his drilled cross flew over the stranded Cougars goalkeeper and into the net. The Cougars tried to respond in an often very physical manner, but the home team weren’t to be intimidated. Daniel kept the noisy centre forward quiet, Dyllon read the game well and Isaac organised the unit really effectively. All the while, Harry W, Taylor and Josh battled hard to limit shots from midfield.

One goal became two when Isaac played a wonderful through ball to the ever dangerous Ibs, who cut inside before being hacked down from behind in the box. Archie stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot to double the host’s lead.

The Jaguars continued to limit the visitors in terms of territory and chances. Tiago and Jamie worked tirelessly down the flanks, and it was the latter that scored the Jaguars third. Another lung-busting run from Archie saw him overlap Tiago and find Jamie beautifully with a floated cross which Jamie tapped in.

With two goals and an assist, Archie wasn’t done. Ibs once again caused problems and a rising shot was deemed to have hit a defender’s hand just outside the box. Archie curled the resulting free kick into the goal for his hat trick. Moments later he scored his fourth, and the Jaguars fifth, scything through the Cougars’ defence and crashing the ball home.

Jamie took the gloves for the second half, but the pattern of the game didn’t change. The Jaguars controlled the tempo, were resilient and miserly in defence, and dangerous up top. Charlie and Freddie made intelligent runs and held the ball up well, and Harry D, now in the middle of the park, made some big tackles and used the ball in simple, effective ways.

Harry W burst through the midfield to win a corner. He and Matteo thought quickly and creatively to score the Jaguars sixth goal, with Harry rolling the ball to the advancing Matteo who chipped the goalkeeper expertly.

That was the end of the goal scoring, but not the action. Harry W saw a free kick from distance kiss the top of the bar, and Jamie pulled off a save for the cameras when the ball seemed destined for the corner of the goal.

A clean sheet and a really sharp attacking display from the Jaguars will certainly put the rest of the league on notice, and they may have just uncovered a couple of star sweeper-keepers in the process. Up the Jags!

U16 Girls Eagles v Winchester Flyers Cardinals

What a fabulous game to watch.

Such tenacity and determination. The positive attitude started with an impressive save from GK Kyla 3 minutes in, the ball was tipped onto the crossbar. Our new team member Jess started with a determined attitude from the off. Jess had a shot on goal assisted by Iris, unfortunately the shot went wide. Some good throw ins from a determined May, parents feared we’d all get knocked over!

Parents on the sidelines observed Stoneham’s fighting spirit with good consistent press from the Purps. Imposing tackles from Poppy A. Another attempt on goal by Jess, Purps defended well under pressure when scrambled by Cardinals. Good defensive block from Megan just before the half time whistle. First half goalless but Stoneham keeping Cardinals at bay.

Matt’s verdict of the first half that wants noted “Stoneham have suffocated the opposition by showing an early stranglehold of the game”!!

Strong start to second half by Jess, Natalia proving pretty unbeatable in defence. Control gained in midfield and good chances had. It is evident that The Purps have more belief this week. Lou and Iris working well together to control the game from the centre. Kyla had another great save with a strong long goal kick. Couple of balls to both Poppy A and Poppy S ‘s faces - ouch!

Cardinals had a shot on goal, luckily for us didn’t go in, came from a free kick. Substitution 15 mins in to second half, Annabelle off and Christiana on. Another confident save from Kyla. Good pressure from Christiana in a one on one. Good control and time taken by Iris in the centre. Great tackle by Annabelle on their no 8. Their attacker one on one with our goalie, Kyla came out of goal to save it, ball came free, another shot on goal and saved again by Kyla.

Very impressive attitude and perseverance from Kyla today. Second substitution, May on for Poppy A. Great battling from Natalia against their no 16. Cardinals had shot on goal, ball hit the post, then crossbar, then saved again by Kyla. Just before the final whistle.

Ended 0-0 now for pens!

Parents stressed!

Cardinals no 2 scored. Kyla dived the same way.

Poppy A’s shot was saved by their goalies hand.

Cardinals no 7 missed the goal as ball went wide.

Lou’s shot was saved by goalie but goalie off their line, Lou had another go, saved by goalie’s hand.

Cardinals no 9 scored. Kyla dived the same way.

Iris’s shot saved by goalie.

Cardinals no 10 scored. Again Kyla guessed the same direction again.

Dad of Cardinals no 7 passed on his view that he thought Stoneham deserved to win that game, that was nice to hear.

Parents Player of the Match was awarded to Natalia.

Coaches Player of the match was awarded to Izzy.

Oppositions Player of the match was awarded to Poppy S.

Well done Purps!

What an awesome bunch these girls are! It makes a hell of a difference to have more girls available but to turn a 7-1 defeat into a 0-0 draw in the space of a week is some achievement. The girls never give up, they took on board everything we worked on in training in the week and everything we discussed pre-match and executed it brilliantly. Obviously a shame to lose on pens but it really seemed irrelevant at that point!

Special things are happening with this group and if they maintain that desire to work for each other and give their absolute best in each training session and each game then there is no limit to what they can achieve. So proud as a coach and an absolute pleasure to work with.