Under 9s Match Reports

Cheltenham Youth Football League
Saturday 24th September

The Falcons made a good start to the new season in the Cheltenham Youth League. Each game was close with all the players making valuable contributions in all areas of the pitch. In both games the Falcons put together some very good passing movements to create several chances.

In the first game against Cheltenham YMCA 'B' the deadlock was eventually broken late in the second half when Tom Claxton collected the ball just outside the opponents area and shot through a crowd of players to score a well deserved goal.

In the second game against Chrurchdown Panther Colts the Falcons took the lead when Jack Boyce shot low into the far corner after being put through with an excellent pass from Tom Claxton. However, Churchdown equalised from a looping corner soon afterwards.

The Falcons man of the match over the two games was Jack Ashmead, who made an outstanding contribution.

Abbeymead Falcons: Matthew Sutton, Sam Ashmead, Kieran Bird, Tom Claxton, Jack Ashmead, Adam Reade, Alex Vye, Jack Boyce, Daniel Lutman.

Cheltenham Youth League
Saturday 24th September

The Eagles took the lead through Jay Singhera's first goal for the club, set up by a brilliant cross from Joe Taylor. Abbeymead then defended well for a few minutes, before Dale Rawlings broke through to level the score. Rawlings then scored again, after being put through by a strong run and pass from Shane Davis. Rawlings then got his hatrick after intercepting a goal kick and slotting the ball home. Davis then scored on the half time whistle after another strong run. In the second half, a much improved Eagles side played some good football creating chances for Singhera and Pritchet. Harry Edwards then put another away, before the Eagles then had a goal mouth scramble in the Thunder penalty box, but some strong tackling prevented them from scoring. Taylor then scored himself after a great corner from Pritchet, who had been strong in centre midfield all game. Sam Benzie, Kieran Gittings and Ryan Smith made some important tackles, with Benzie in particular playing brilliantly in both games. Tom Betts made a lot of fine saves, and played well whilst filling in for Sam Kent, who is the usual keeper. Matt Kent also a solid game on the right, providing some excellent crosses, as did Singhera on the left.

Cheltenham Youth League
Saturday 24th September

Within a few minutes Abbeymead were 1-0 down, through a well worked goal down the left. From the restart, an Oliver Pritchet through ball put Joe Taylor 1 on 1 with the goalkeeper, but the keeper made a good save to deny him. For the rest of the first half the game was played in Leckhamton's half, with Jay Singhera and Matt Kent providing good width and delivery for Taylor. Abbeymead defended strongly with Sam Benzie and Kieran Gittings defending well, and Tom Betts made some great saves when called upon. Ryan Smith came on at half time, and put in some good tackles to prevent further chances for Leckhamton. Some loose tackling let Leckhampton in for an undeserved second in the second half. With Abbeymead pushing for a goal, Leckhampton broke away to put the game out of reach.

Mid Glos Mini Soccer League (North Division)
Saturday 10th September

Abbeymead got off to the perfect start and maintained their unbeaten start to the season. Brodie Goddard-Jones made a powerful run and passed to Ben Langworthy who crossed for Clayton Dee to fire home. Within minutes, Dee picked up a poor clearance and got his second. Abbeymead then relaxed and Elliot Obee and Josh Cannon had to defend well to protect George Hall in goal. Goddard-Jones was inspirational in midfield and he scored the third with a strong run and shot. Jamal Lawrence went close before Dee completed his hat-trick and the first half scoring.

Playing down the slope, Highnam started the second half strongly and took advantage of indecision in the Abbeymead defence. However, Abbeymead quickly struck back when a Joe Wilton corner crept over the line. Dee scored his fourth from close range and his fifth with a great header from another Wilton corner. Elliot Basford's clearance was charged down and Highnam got their second as George Hall was left stranded. Goddard-Jones set up Wilton, who then returned the favour. Langworthy set up Lawrence and then Wilton completed his hat-trick for numbers 10 and 11. Obee had a volley excellently saved before he scored with a fierce shot. Credit to Highnam for never giving up and in particular their goal-keeper who made some excellent saves throughout.

Abbeymead player of the match: Josh Cannon
Highnam player of the match: Joe Sligh

Abbeymead: George Hall, Elliot Obee, Elliot Basford, Clayton Dee, Brodie Goddard-Jones, Joe Wilton, Josh Cannon, Jamal Lawrence, Ben Langworthy

Mid Glos Mini Soccer League (North Division)
Saturday 10th September

Abbeymead started the game superbly playing some lovely passing football. Brodie Goddard-Jones won the ball in midfield and his pass sent Joe Wilton away to open the scoring. Elliot Obee scored the second with an excellent free kick.

However, Abbeymead then relaxed and let Hucclecote back into the game. Ben Langworthy and Clayton Dee had good opportunites to extend the lead but shot straight at the keeper. Hucclecote defended well and scored on the break and were right back in the game approaching half time. Elliot Basford and Elliot Obee were excellent in defence and George Hall had to make some important saves.

In the second half, Abbeymead continued to press and Hucclecote continued to look a threat on the break. With ten minutes to go Elliot Obee crossed, Langworthy challenged the keeper and the ball fell to Josh Cannon to score. This seemed to knock the stuffing out of Hucclecote and Clayton Dee scored two more late goals for Abbeymead to complete the scoring.

Abbeymead player of the match: Clayton Dee
Tredworth player of the match: Sam Akester

Abbeymead: George Hall, Elliot Obee, Elliot Basford, Clayton Dee, Brodie Goddard-Jones, Joe Wilton, Ben Langworthy, Joshua Cannon

Mid Glos Mini Soccer League (North Division)
Saturday 3rd September

Tredworth started the game one player short but much the sharper. After one minute the score could have been 1-1, Tredworth shooting just wide and Alex Williams in the Tigers goal making a good save.

Abbeymead started to dominate possession with the extra man. Ben Tegg was instrumental with Lee Marshall and Ben Langworthy having good chances to put Abbeymead in front.

Tredworth were quick on the break and Elliot Basford and Elliot Obee had to defend well. Joe Wilton's pass fell perfectly for Lee Marshall to beat the last defender and fire Abbeymead into the lead.

As much as they pressed, they could not get a second. Marshall had several attempts along with Clayton Dee and Brodie Goddard-Jones but they found Alex Williams in inspired form.

With five minutes left, hesitation in Abbeymead's defence led to a cross which was deflected in by an Abbeymead player for an own goal equaliser. A minute later George Hall, who had been largely redundant, had to be quick off his line to make a fine save at the feet of the Tredworth striker.

Abbeymead's player of the match: Lee Marshall
Tredworth player of the match: Alex Williams

Abbeymead: George Hall, Elliot Obee, Elliot Basford, Clayton Dee, Brodie Goddard-Jones, Joe Wilton, Lee Marshall, Ben Tegg, Ben Langworthy