Under 9s Match Reports

In a thrilling end to an excellent League campaign, Abbeymead were pushed all the way by Mitcheldean and Tredworth and having only lost once all season - had to wait until the last fifteen minutes of the last match to eventually win the league title - beating one their closest rivals (one of Mitcheldean SC or Tredworth Tigers) into second place.

Abbeymead Hawks now look forward to next weeks League Cup Final against Tredworth Tigers (Sunday 7th May @ Gloucester City FC - Meadow Park, kick-off 4PM) as they aim to complete the League and Cup double.

Mid Glos Mini Soccer League
Saturday 29th April 2006

Abbeymead needed to win their final match to secure the League title following Wednesday's 1-1 draw with closest rivals Tredworth Tigers.

Abbeymead hit the post in the first minute - a lovely one-two between Clayton Dee and Joseph Wilton ended with Ben Langworthy's shot from a narrow angle hitting the upright. Abbeymead were below par - they were panicking in defence and missing chances up front. Dee, Jamal Lawrence, Brodie Goddard-Jones and Wilton all forced the Colford keeper into making comfortable saves and Ben Reid kept Basford and Obee busy in defence. At half time the score was nil-nil and the Abbeymead supporters' nerves were jangling.

It got worse, as poor defending from a corner led to an own goal and it looked like the title was slipping away. Abbeymead threw caution to the wind and sent Lawrence up front to join Dee. Only excellent defending from Elliot Obee kept Coleford out on two further occasions before a superb shot from Lawrence, right into the top left corner got Abbeymead back into the game. Minutes later a poor clearance was picked up by Goddard-Jones and he fired into the bottom corner to give them a precious lead. Joshua Cannon came back on to bolster the defence and had to make some important tackles before Langworthy?s cross was turned in by Dee to seal the match and the league title.

Abbeymead player of the match - Jamal Lawrence

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

Mid Glos Mini Soccer League
Wednesday 26th April 2006

In the midweek match against Tredworth Abbeymead started much the stronger, hitting the post from a Jamal Lawrence header in the first minute. Alex Williams, in goal made several excellent saves from Clayton Dee, Lawrence and Joe Wilton. Brodie Goddard-Jones dominated the midfield and Elliott Obee and Elliott Basford were comfortable in defence as Abbeymead piled on the pressure, before Joe Wilton lobbed the keeper following a poor clearance from a corner.

In the second half the tables were turned - Tredworth resorted to a long ball game and the Abbeymead defence was constantly forced to turn. Obee and Basford held strong but George Hall was called into action in goal for Abbeymead. Ben Langworthy had a shot saved and Josh Cannon was a threat on the right wing. However, Tigers looked the more threatening and equalised when a speculative long shot from a free kick glanced off a defender?s head for an own goal. Tredworth continued to push and George Hall made an excellent save from the last kick of the game following a mis-kicked at a corner. This left the title in Abbeymead?s own hands as a win in their final game would see them crowned as champions leaving Tredworth having to win to beat Mitcheldean into second place.

Abbeymead Player of the Match - Clayton Dee

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

Friendly Match
Saturday 22nd April 2006

Abbeymead Rovers Hawks who will finish first or second in their league travelled to Cheltenham to play Southside - who finished runner's up in the C&G League.

The game lived up to expectation with some excellent football from both sides. Abbeymead spent most of the first half camped in the Southside half - Clayton Dee hit the post twice and the Tigers keeper made a string of excellent saves. George Hall in goal for Abbeymead, did not have to make a save and Elliott Obee, Elliott Basford and Josh Cannon dealt with any threat. Ben Langworthy nearly got on the end of Jamal Lawrence cross and Joe Wilton had a good shot blocked. At the heart of the midfield, Brodie Goddard-Jones made everything tick. Despite their pressure, Rovers could not break through.

In the second half, Tigers started strongly and Hall and his defence were far more active. In the last ten minutes Abbeymead cut loose. Dee had an excellent header again hit the post before he scored two goals in quick succession: the first set up by Goddard-Jones and the second by Obee. Lawrence hit the post after a wonderful turn before Dee latched onto a pass from Langworthy to complete his hat-trick. Just before the end Wilton put a lovely cross on a plate for Lawrence to complete the scoring

Abbeymead Player of the match - Elliot Obee

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

Five years after an Abbeymead Rovers U9 team won the West Country Cup in Newquay the current U9 Hawks have beaten teams from across the south of England to win the South Coast Classic at Selsey.

In their first game against Tornadoes from Herfordshire, Abbeymead won two-nil. Ben Langworthy scored the tournament's opening goal by finishing a Clayton Dee cross and Dee himself scored the second picking up a poor clearance and finishing in style.

Against Eagles B from Kent a hat-trick from Dee and two superb strikes from Lee Marshall and Langworthy gave Abbeymead a comfortable five-nil victory.

In their third game Abbeymead came up against a physical Lytchett Red Triangle from Dorset - Marshall and Dee gave Abbeymead a two-nil lead, but in the final few minutes Lytchett scored from a free kick to set up a nervous final few minutes.

In their final game of the first day, Abbeymead played previously unbeaten Pace Football Club from Hampshire - this was the best 'football' of the tournament - both sides played a high standard of 'pass and move' football. Pace took the lead after some sloppy defending, but Abbeymead showed great resolve and came back with four goals from Dee (2), Marshall and Jamal Lawrence.

On the second day, Abbeymead knew that one win would guarantee a place in the final. Against Eagles A they started slowly having 'partied' late the night before. Langworthy hit the bar before Lawrence opened the scoring. Then Abbeymead hit top form with further goals from Marshall, Dee, a cheeky 'Zola' flick from Ben Tegg, Lawrence and Elliott Basford who was given a rare opportunity to play in attack.

In their final group match, Abbeymead encountered a stubborn Bushy Rangers from Hertfordshire - who played with seven defenders to try to contain and frustrate Abbeymead with some success - Lawrence scored the only goal against a goalkeeper who was in inspired form - without him Abbeymead would have scored far more.

Throughout the tournament, Abbeymead quickly built up a reputation for being a good footballing side. With Tegg and Elliott Obee instrumental in midfield and Dee and Marshall a constant threat in front of goal, Abbeymead won a lot of friends for their brand of fair and fluent football. Jack Boyce joined the team for the weekend and made a significant contribution in goal and was unlucky not to score when playing up front. Josh Cannon and Elliott Basford were solid and consistent in defence and George Hall was as reliable as ever in goal.

The final group match saw Lytchett out muscle Pace to reach the final.

In the final, Lytchett's game plan was clear within the first few minutes, as following a number of free kicks, Dee was through on goal when tripped, but a clear penalty was not given. Lawrence was subjected to a barrage of disgraceful challenges and had to be substituted before half time. Abbeymead dominated the game with Dee, Marshall, Langworthy, and Obee all coming close to scoring the vital goal. Lytchell only had one chance when Ben Tegg had time to clear the ball from the line. Hall was not called into action until a dramatic and tense penalty shoot out. Dee and Obee scored theirs, Hall superbly saved three to take it to sudden death. Hall saved again, leaving Ben Tegg to calmly slot the winner to give Abbeymead a thoroughly well deserved victory which was celebrated long into the night.

All players and parents deserve a huge amount of credit for the way they conducted themselves during the whole tournament and in particular the final - in the face of very confrontational and aggressive opponents both on and off the pitch.

When the tournament organisers and other opposition managers are supporting you to win and complementing you on your football, ethics and organisation, then you know you are playing the game in the right spirit.

Thanks must go to tournament organisers 'Sports Tours' for a superbly run tournament and a presentation evening out of this world - one the players and parents will never forget. Ben Langworthy proudly collected the winners trophy from Nigel Winterburn - the ex Arsenal, West Ham and England defender - a trophy so big and heavy he could hardly carry it off the stage! What a weekend!

Player of the tournament - George Hall

Abbeymead - George Hall, Jack Boyce, Elliott Basford, Elliott Obee, Josh Cannon, Ben Tegg, Lee Marshall, Clayton Dee, Jamal Lawrence, Ben Langworthy

Mid Glos Mini-Soccer League
Saturday 1st April 2006

Abbeymead's long unbeaten run came to an end at the hands of a Mitcheldean side who put in a top performance. After an even start Abbeymead took the lead when a Jamal Lawrence long shot flew into the top corner. However, Mitcheldean were dangerous on the break and George Hall in goal for Abbeymead, had to make three excellent saves from James Wilce.

Lawrence crossed for Joe Wilton who shot narrowly wide. Elliot Obee won the ball in midfield and hit a long shot which was well saved. Minutes later he fed Clayton Dee who turned and shot Abbeymead into a two-nil lead. Elliot Basford and Josh Cannon were being tested more than usual and Hall had to make more saves in this match than any other this season. Wilce put Mitcheldean back in the game when he rounded Hall and finished cooly. At the other end, Dee had a superb header from a corner saved on the line and minutes later he hit a long shot which was saved on the line by the same player with the keeper beaten on both occasions.

Within minutes of the re-start, Ben Langworthy latched onto a Wilton cross only for the keeper to make a fine save. The keeper excelled again and again turning shots from Dee over the bar. Abbeymead missed their midfield maestro, Brodie Goddard-Jones, and as they pushed forward in search of the third goal they lost their way - their passing stopped and they became more vulnerable at the back. Basford and Obee made many good tackles and Hall made more good saves. Dee hit a post and Wilton shot just wide at the other end and it looked as if that was how the game would finish. Then in the final five minutes, two major decisions went against Abbeymead and the impressive Wilce made them pay both times. Down but not out, Abbeymead went in search of the equaliser - Langworthy nearly got on the end of a Dee cross and Lawrence had an excellent shot saved. Both have second place Tredworth to play in what promises to be an exciting end to the season.

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

Abbeymead player of the match - Jamal Lawrence
Mitcheldean player of the match - James Wilce