Under 9s Match Reports

Cheltenham Youth League
Saturday, 17th December 2005

Abbeymead started well, but again were not able to put the ball in the net. The play was from end to end with both teams creating chances. Matthew Sutton had a good game in goal keeping a clean sheet.

Abbeymead created several chances with good runs and passing down the left and right wing. Leckhampton were strong coming forward towards the end as Abbeymead tired, but strong play from Jack Boyce, Sam Ashmead and Kieran Bird ensured the game finished in the fair result - a draw.

Two well contested games where all players took an active role. All the coaches from the three teams praised the players and the good nature in which the teams played.

Abbeymead man of the match - Jack Boyce
Overall Player of the week - Kieran Bird

Cheltenham Youth League
Saturday, 17th December 2005

Abbeymead started well, but were unable to put the ball in the back of the net. Swindon Village opened the scoring with a strong kick through a crowded box. Abbeymead equalised when Jack Ashmead picked up a clearance on the right wing, passed to Dan Lutman, who controlled the ball well, shot and scored. Swindon Village continued to push hard and scored twice before the end of the first half.

Abbeymead pulled one back from a penalty after Dan Lutman was brought down in the box. Abbeymead conceded a fourth goal from a corner. Jack Ashmead continued his strong runs and was rewarded with a good goal towards the end.

Cheltenham Youth League
Saturday 17th December 2005

Abbeymead played this fixture with another bare seven. The game started off very evenly, with James Allen sitting playing well in front of Sam Benzie and Sam Kent in his first ever match. Matthew Kent made some good runs forward, supported by Ben Langworthy and Jay Singhera. However, Charlton Rovers took the lead from a great run and shot beat Ryan Smith at his front post. From the centre, Matt Kent exchanged passes with Jay Singhera, who's blocked shot rebounded to Langworthy who's shot just missed the near post.

In the second half, Abbeymead conceded a quick goal through a fast attack. Abbeymead were on top for the rest of the half, with Sam Benzie, Jay Singhera, Matt Kent and Langworthy making some good chances. A good performance from Abbeymead deserved a different result.

Mid Glos Mini-Soccer League
Under 9 North League
Saturday 10th December 2005

This was the Hawks sternest test since the opening match of the season. Severnside's game plan was to defend and then catch Abbeymead on the break. Abbeymead spent most of the first half camped in Severnside's penalty area. However Josh Cannon and Elliot Obee in defence and George Hall in goal for Abbeymead were the busier in the first 10 minutes and they had to be at their best to keep Severnside out. At the other end, Jamal Lawrence and Joe Wilton went close but the score remained goal-less at half time.

Within minutes of the start of the second half, Wilton put through top scorer Clayton Dee who fired home to settle Abbeymead's nerves. From an Abbeymead corner, some clever footwork from Ben Langworthy set up Brodie Goddard-Jones whose goal bound shot was blocked but the ball fell to Wilton who crossed for Dee to net his second. As Severnside pushed forward the game become more open. From a Severnside corner, Abbeymead broke quickly and Goddard-Jones put Dee through for his and Abbeymead's third. A Lawrence corner at the other end was headed clear but Goddard-Jones met the ball to hit home a superb shot. Severnside threw caution to the wind: Obee and Elliot Basford defended well and Hall was called into action to make a number of saves. The opposing keeper was sent up for a free kick but Hall made an excellent save, cleared quickly to Dee whose shot was blocked but Lawrence followed up to complete the scoring.

Abbeymead player of the match: Clayton Dee

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

Cheltenham Youth League
Saturday 10th December 2005

Cheltenham took the lead when the Abbeymead defence momentarily switched off and left a Saracens striker behind them. The ball was cleared past the Abbeymead defence and the striker beat goalkeeper Ryan Smith, who had earlier made some good saves.

Abbeymead equalised through a strong, determined run from Joe Taylor beating three players and finishing with good composure.

In the second half Abbeymead conceded a goal through a corner, which rebounded to the edge of the area and a powerful shot from the Saracens player beat Smith in goal.

Soon it was three, when a throw in for Abbeymead in the Saracens half was intercepted and a quick break lead to a throw in deep in the Abbeymead half. That was taken quickly to set up a one on one and a goal.

A good run and finish lead to the fourth goal, which settled the match. Matthew Kent played well on the right, as well as Sam Kent and Sam Benzie in the defence preventing further goals.

Cheltenham Youth League
Saturday 10th December 2005

Abbeymead entered the match with a bare seven, and battled until the end, and can hold their heads up high, even after losing the game.

Abbeymead started the game on top with some good attacks coming through Olly Pritchet, Jay Singhera and Joe Taylor. A dubious handball decision gave Charlton Rovers the lead from the penalty spot.

In the second half, Abbeymead had a few more attempts before Charlton Rovers got another goal through good attacking. Charlton got their last through a counter attack leaving two attackers on one Abbeymead defender.

Mid Glos Mini-Soccer League
Under 9 North League
Saturday 3rd December 2005

This was Abbeymead's first fixture for three weeks due to the weather. And it showed as they struggled to find rhythm early on, and Bream capitalised when the pacy Thompson broke clear to finish smartly.

Abbeymead tried hard to get a hold on the game on a boggy pitch, and it was sheer determination from Lawrence that allowed him to get past two defenders and finish neatly to draw level. Bream continued to cause problems on the break and it was Thompson again who raced through and brought a crucial save from Hall. This proved to be a turning point as Hall released the ball quickly, allowing a move the length of the pitch to result in a goal for Dee to make it 2-1.

Abbeymead grew in confidence and scored a fine goal from a Wilton corner when Goddard-Jones flicked the ball high into the far corner. And Goddard-Jones added a fourth to make it 4-1 at half time.

Abbeymead started the second half much better than they started the first. However, Bream scored a second as Abbeymead struggled to clear from the sodden penalty area. Hall was called upon again to make an excellent save and following his clearance, Goddard-Jones put Dee through to score. Abbeymead were now playing there best football. Cannon and Basford were providing a solid defensive platform and were distributing the ball intelligently. It was Basford who fed Dee who then enabled Goddard-Jones to complete his hat-trick and make it 6-2.

An excellent move involving Obee and Wilton, allowed Langworthy to score Abbeymead's seventh from close range. The best goal of the game followed a move that started in defence; Basford fed Wilton wide left who cut inside and fed the ball into Langworthy who committed the approaching defender before laying the ball off to Obee to hit a fine strike from the edge of the penalty area, low into the far corner to complete the scoring.

Abbeymead player of the match: Brodie Goddard-Jones

Abbeymead: George Hall, Elliott Basford, Elliott Obee, Brodie Goddard-Jones, Joseph Wilton, Jamal Lawrence, Clayton Dee, Ben Langworthy, Joshua Cannon