Sunday Round Up

Match report - Wolves U9 vs Alresford

After a string of results in the pink, the Wolves sported the famous purple for the first time this season against Alresford Magpies.

The first quarter was a lesson in flowing football. The first goal came early; a low cross turned in by Fozzy. We doubled the advantage soon after with Louie hitting the post from a great cross from Vinnie and Fozzy was in the right place with an unorthodox finish. Mason latched onto a clearance and hit a rasping drive. Teddy and Jacob kept possession at the back and Vinnie took on his man every time and caused no end of trouble.

Jack, Fyfe and Shay came in and some slick football from those three fell to Fyfe to slot in. The boys fancied a rout with everyone wanting a goal. Jasper had had a quiet game and his confidence as a sweeper keeper enabled him to find Vinnie who grabbed the goal he deserved. Vinnie soon turned provider with another great run down the right and a slide rule pass to Fozzy to complete his hattrick.

With a good lead we turned the team on it's head with defenders upfront and strikers at the back. Jasper, with an assist already to his name showed great awareness to finish into the bottom corner. More chances came including Jacob hitting the post at a corner.

Jack and Mason found themselves in unfamiliar territory at the back and both did the simple things well. Shay and Louie both had turns in goal and save for one unlucky moment looked more than comfortable. Teddy and Jacob continued to press forward but the final goal of the day came Fyfe's way who again showed his precision from range.

Another outstanding display from the Wolves, especially the first quarter where the football we played wouldn't have looked out of place in an U12s match. Lots of excellent performances, including Fozzy taking the match ball but Vinnie was an absolute menace our wide, supplying two assists and a goal to earn this week's MoTM.

U12 AFC Stoneham Royals v AFC Stoneham Panthers

A tight game between the two AFC Stoneham teams today, with the Royals just taking the win with a one goal lead, full time 4-5 to the Royals.

The Royals played a strong game today, with some spectacular passes leading to endless attempts at goal.

Goals:

Aiden -4

Romeo -1

With assists from Oakley, Nate and Dexter.

MOTM: Emaan

Star passer: Oakley

Captain: Dexter

Hampshire League Cup

Mudeford Phoenixes v AFC Stoneham Phoenixes 2-2

Phoenixes won 3-2 on pens.

An early start again for the girls this morning to go back to Mudeford for a Cup game this time.

After our win against them from 2 weeks ago, the opposition started strongly. The girls struggled a bit to start with, not playing at their best. The opposition scored at 20min. This must have been the trigger as a few minutes later, they were back to being themselves.

A few unlucky attempts from Ali, Ella and Amelie led to Ali equalising at the 31st minute. They kept going until the end of the first half with more attempts (at least one per minute) from Ella, Cara and Ali.

Despite starting strongly in the second half with several tries from Maelys, Ali, Millie H, Ella and Cara, the opposition scored at the 63rd minute.

Luckily a corner ball led to an own gaol one minute before the end (Full time scored 2-2), but this meant we were going to penalty shout outs… Having been unlucky on penalties several times over the summer, the pressure was mounting (for the girls, the coaches and the parents ;-)).

This was very tense, but thanks to Sofia saving 3 of them, Stoneham Phoenixes won the game and are through to the next round!

Coach Player of the Match: Sofia

Opposition’s Player of the Match : Olive

Netley Royals U13 Blue 2 AFC Stoneham U13 Wolves 3 - Tyro div 6

Wolves made it five wins out of five with a five-star performance today against a very good Netley side.

The first half was undoubtedly our best of the season.

The back four of Dylan, Charlie, Jude and Harry held firm, were strong in the press and covered each other well. The only alarm was a through ball that Dominik bravely rushed out to, providing just enough pressure to force the toe poke wide.

The midfield three were each effective in their individual roles. Muhammed was winning the ball and combining with either the nimble Ahmed or the lively Frankie on the Right Wing to create several chances from crosses. Talal was always perfectly positioned to collect and hold up the ball before setting up either the excellent Bobby to his left or Muhammed to his right, while Rayane controlled everything from defensive midfield, constantly pressing and always either pushing us forward or recycling possession.

Then a pass from Bobby found Muhammed on a forward run, he continued strongly, running with the ball into space before shooting powerfully past the keeper for our first. It was almost a repeat performance for our second, but this time Muhammed’s shot hit the post before the excellent Mamadou followed up from being in the right position to turn the ball over the line for a true striker’s goal.

The second half provided our sternest test as Netley increased the tempo and played four attackers up front. Dominik was called more into action including making two especially important saves, each time using strong hands to parry the ball to safety. But Wolves retained possession by playing out from defence whenever possible and working the ball forward. On one occasion, Muhammed, Mamadou and Adam combined superbly to create a scoring chance, and then it was Mamadou, Adam and the hard-working Misha who almost found a way through.

Then the drama of the final 10 minutes! A Netley snapshot made it 2-1 and the momentum turned, but the Wolves were still driving forward at every opportunity to try and relieve the pressure on the besieged Jacob and the four heroes behind him in which Jude was being supported well in his organisational duties by Wolf of the Week Dominik. Then Bobby lined up to take a free kick wide on the left in the attacking third, saw an opportunity, and floated an outstanding strike over the keeper for 3-1. Into added time, and Wolves remained focussed and organised, but being forced to defend deep meant another Netley chance was coming and it was suddenly 3-2. Into the 4th added minute and Wolves were now under constant pressure which they handled superbly through grit and determination, before eventually working the ball forward again to see out the final seconds.

A very hard fought and very well-deserved victory, and an outstanding performance from 15 outstanding players!

Monksbrook 1 v 13 AFC Stoneham Jags

So Egits secret is out...

Chicken nuggets for breakfast does a superstar striker make!!

8 goals, 2 assists and a Man of the Match award capped a scintillating performance from our No.10.

It was a one sided affair in the drizzling rain. A large pitch and a moist surface were perfect conditions for the Jags to conduct a masterclass in clinical finishing! Egit had a hatrick inside 10 minutes, a cheeky finish from Oakley and a left footed thunderbolt by callum the goals were coming thick and fast.

With the Jags leading 8-1 at half time it had been a dominating display.

A rejuvenated Monksbrook held their own deep into the second half with some neat passing out from the back. However, some tenacious defending meant that opportunities for Monksbrook in the final third were scarce. Stonehams purple wall held firm. Any balls that did find their way through found Alfie in fine form. He was unremitting in the defence of his goal. Quick off the line, Alfie came sliding out time and time again to collect loose balls sent forward. His finest late in the second half was a strong one handed scoop from off the strikers toe on the edge of his own box!

The Jags high press was relentless and led to a flurry of goals late in the second half Zohair and Oakley adding their names to the scoresheet.

Oakley also started a fine move that led to a neat one two between Egit and Harry, No.7 slotting past an outstretched keeper into the far bottom corner.

Sammie's direct play down the right hand side was carving open the Monksbrook defence. His patience almost paid off when he drove a low shot inches wide.

A statement performance from Stoneham. The win streak continues!

MOM - Egit

Warsash Wasps 4-2 AFC Stoneham Jaguars U14

For the second week running the two teams went head to head, and for the second week running the crowd were treated to a game of thrills and spills, though on this occasion it was the Wasps that came out on top.

With both teams missing players, line ups had to be revamped and it was the hosts who hit their stride first. Warsash largely dominated the opening exchanges and went ahead when their rapid centre forward outpaced the Jaguars defence to thump the ball past Finn. One goal shortly became two when the same player rounded a stranded Finn to blast home. With the management making a tweak and putting Harry W as centre back, and Harry D in midfield, little by little the Jaguars started to claw their way back into the game. Tiago made several dangerous breaks down the right and Freddie began to stretch the three Warsash centre backs. Matteo, Taylor and Harry started to find passes out wide to the willing Charlie. The hosts gave away a free kick from 30 yards out. With seeming little danger, Archie stepped up and curled a beautiful effort into the top corner. With a spring in their step the Jaguars started to dictate the tempo, despite the continuous threat of the dangerous Warsash forward line. Warsash were awarded a free kick of their own on the edge of the box. The talented Warsash number 8 drilled a shot toward the goal only for Isaac to bravely block the shot. Just before half time, the same player blasted in a worldy from distance to give the hosts a 3-1 lead at half time.

The Jaguars began the second half in positive fashion. Dylllon, playing at centre forward, held the ball up intelligently and played some neat balls out wide, and with the back four defending stoutly, the belief began to rise. With the hosts retreating, the Jaguars conjured up a wonderful second goal, where the ball was moved all the way from the right wing to Charlie, who found Matteo, who found Josh, whose first time pass found Archie’s stride perfectly to muscle through and drill his second into the bottom corner. Warsash were rattled and resorted to long shots, two of which were magnificently saved by Finn.

The next goal would be crucial and so it proved. Unfortunately, it came from the feet of the Warsash left back from range. At 4-2the Jaguars didn’t lie down, carving out good chances for Archie and Charlie, the former denied by some smart goalkeeping, but they just couldn’t capitalise.

A loss yes, but another good performance to take forward. Up the Jags!

U18 Knights were home to Gosport Borough in the Hampshire Combination central division. Gosport are currently top so knew it was going to be a tough morning.

We created several chances in the 1st half but just couldn't find the net. Both teams were playing well but I felt we were the stronger side. Unfortunately we conceded and went in 0-1 at half-time. During the second half, again, we created lots of opportunities but failed to capitalise. The game finished 1-2 with Jack scoring our only goal.

MOTM goes to Sean. He has been consistent with all his performances this season, and today was no different. Sean's break up play was exceptional.

Disappointed with the result, but the boys showed their class and that they should be challenging at the top.