What a challenging weekend of weather, from beautiful winter sun on Saturday through to full on winter blizzard on Sunday. Well done everyone that braved the cold, the wind and the rain to play, support and referee/run the line. Read on for this week's match reports.......
Saturday-
U12 whites played a friendly against St James - Last time we played we scored 2 very late goals in the space of a min (the last minute also 😂) to win the game. This game however was a very different affair.
We won 6 - 0, played some great football - Some of the passing and attacking runs was excellent. Could have been more goals for us. The progression from when we last played has been great and was clear to see.
PotM - Kenzol - Big congratulations He normally plays left back but played the whole game at LM and did he cause the opponent some problems. First to every ball, faster than anyone I have seen before, does not stop running - They called him a menace 😂. Could and should have scored 2 goals but was unlucky not to get them. It is his first ever season of football having joined in the summer and is half the size of everyone on the pitch but plays like a terrier and just does not stop - Its great to watch and good to see him develop so well. He listens and tries so hard every week 💪
Goals -âš½ï¸ Tarila âš½ï¸ Matt âš½ï¸ Jake x 2 âš½ï¸ Mylo, âš½ï¸ Daniel Z
Also a congratulations to Daniel Z scoring his first goal for Sandgate after joining late in the summer last year. He normally plays right back but was playing RM today and got his goal - Again very good to see his development in such a short space of time.
A very good game of football to watch and great result.
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Sandgate U13 whites played Legacy this morning for the third time this season, second league game.
Previously had beaten them 5-1 both times and believe it or not, the scoreline again today….. yep 5-1.
The whites showed that they were normal teenage lads as such because having previously beaten the team comfortably they thought they were going to do so again.
However at half time it was 2-1 and they were kept in by some superb defending and the goalie.
Second half they were a different level and won the game 5-1.
PotM - Terry who was drafted in and scored his first goal for the club.
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Sunday-
The U7 Colts Played Townmead Youth today at home.
Townmead started the game incredibly fast and we found ourselves on the backfoot very early into the first quarter conceding a few goals.
After some words of encouragement during the break the Colts started the second quarter incredibly strong which led to a penalty that was won and nicely converted by Jack giving him his 3rd goal of the season.
The good play continued into the 3rd quarter where the colts pressed together as a team and held Townmead back and started playing attacking football until Jack scored again, this time from open play.
Townmead came back at us during the final quarter of the game and as our concentration dropped we conceded a few late goals.
Overall another great performance from the colts, consistently improving and always finding new things to work on.
PotM- was Layla, amazing contribution all over the pitch today, got stuck in to challenges as well as being confident on the ball.
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Sandgate U8’s played away to Delaford Colts this morning.
We had an early start on a particularly cold morning, but we were fortunate the rain held off for the duration.
Today was another day where the team came out fired-up with a strong and determined attitude.
With some great football played, demonstrating some lovely passing and communication.
Delaford managed to sneak one past our keeper and score the first goal, this did shake the team which in turn led to two more breaking through our defence in quick succession.
With a little talking to and reminding them to stay focused and not lose their shape they began to pick it up again and practice all that they have been taught.
However, Delaford managed to get another through, so we took our chance with power play and brought on an extra player.
With some lovely link ups between Theo and Ivy we created some great opportunities, but they unfortunately just fell short.
But the fire had returned and from then we could see that although we may not pull it back for a win we would get on the score sheet if we just kept going.
And right on queue Ivy delivered an incredible toe punt straight into the back of net! Moments later it was again Ivy who followed it up with her second goal of the match. Soon to be followed by Kacie who sunk our 3rd of the match.
Did we win? No, but we kept going and closed the gap on a game that could have been a very different scoreline without our comeback.
Goal scorers this week - Ivy, Kacie
PotM- again had to go to Shea, they may have put several past him, but he must have easily stopped 10 or more others from getting through, with some cracking saves.
A mention for Leo as well this week who captained the team today and worked like a trojan throughout 💪ðŸ¼
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U9 colts played a home game to Richmond & Kew Pumas. We played them in the first half of the season and won, so optimism was high.
Today's weather changed the match up and most of our players were frozen on the pitch, we conceded an early goal in the first quarter and should have conceded a lot more during the game but our players picked up the pace once they realised that the only way to go was to keep playing and running to warm up. Half time our parents asked if the boys could play in their jackets, so we went with it. To our surprise this helped as the 3rd quarter was the first quarter in the game we dominated play. Rehaan creating a great chance to see it land at Kulraj's feet for a tap in to equalise.
4th quarter didn't go ahead due to player on both teams crying about how cold and frozen they were.
So both managers and ref agreed for safety reasons to stop the game and leave it as a draw.
Fair play to Richmond & Kew who went away from our last game and worked on their weaknesses to come back stronger this time. But to be fair to my team we were missing 4 of our top players. However, the boys on the pitch put up a good fight not to lose the game.
Goals: Kulraj âš½
MPOTM went to Yaseen solid at the back once he got going and stopped every play Richmond and Kew created. Unbelievable today. Amazing performance.
PPOTM went to Mathew who led the team going forward. Wasn't scared to take on the opponents 1on1. Was there for all corners and throw in just wanted to win. Amazing work ethic today.
Come on you colts 🔴⚪. Up the Sandgate 🔴⚪
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Sandgate FC U9s Reds travelled to Harrican FC’s for an exciting 7-a-side match today. The team brought a squad of 11 players, giving all a chance to showcase their skills across the two halves.
Though the match ended in a draw and Harrican FC played with one man down for few minutes, the Red’s improvement in passing, communication, and vision compared to their previous outing was evident. The team worked much better together this time around and bounced back well after their home loss last week.
While luck wasn’t on our side today, the Red’s progress is undeniable. With more efforts like this, victories are sure to come soon!
PotM: Philip stood out with his outstanding performance, earning the well-deserved title of Man of the Match.
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Sandgate U10s were home to Woking.
Can the boys do it on a cold windy morning in stoke…. *I think they can!*
After a slow start and a wonder goal from Woking the boys absolutely took the game to them for two halves’ straight… eventually in the 3rd quarter with nonstop pressing our birthday boy Ryden got cleaned out in the box and calmly slotted his penalty.
The wind firmly at the boys back and attack after attack came in, and eventually our resident action hero The Hulk I mean OUR MAX! Hit a thunder bolt for the lead…
In the final quarter of the game the boys expended a lot of energy with more than a bag full of missed chances and 1 attack later the scores were even....not a true reflection of how the Sandgate boys played and should have their heads up going into the next few games, can’t fault them.
A special shout out for our GK Ralphy he conceded but he made them work for it, he never made it easy and put his head in the way to land on top of the ball, SUPER BRAVE KEEPER! He’s getting better and better week by week.
On to the next one lads, and the Sandgate train keeps on moving forward!
POTM Vinnie solid at left back, playing a year up you would never know
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U10 Colts played Taplow Utd Youth Whites at home today and we got off to a flying start going up at half time and were in total control of the game.
Started the second half well with the boys playing some good football, passing their way up the field. Our attack today missed a lot of chances which we need to get sorted. Klevis had a good shoot on goal at the last minute but hit the bar (luck was not on or side today). The game ended in a draw.
Goal scorers, Billy, Hussain (penalty), Alvin
PotM - Whole team - No single player of the match as they all played equally well today.
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U12 Reds played against Richmond & Kew - Building on last weekend's great performance to win 3 - 0.
A cold start saw the boys dominate the first half but could not score but going into the second half things opened a bit more and some lovely passing moves (I'm hoping we got them on the veo) helped to win the game.
Goals - âš½ï¸ Ethan, âš½ï¸ Matt, âš½ï¸ Jake
PotM - Tajveer & Archie with another very solid performance both going forward and attacking as defenders but also great defending. Excellent by these 2 today 💪
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U12 colts trekked round the M25 to Reigate, but it was worth it as the boys played some of their best football this season and came away with a dominant 4-0 win.
The boys started high tempo with JT hitting the post in the first minute.Khalid picked up a beautiful through ball from Mo to then left foot chip the keeper to take us into the break 1-0. Riley made a couple of great saves in the first half to ensure we kept our lead.
We had the momentum of the game and it wasn’t long before JT picked up a great ball from Arif and wrong footed the defender to slot home. Khalid wanted more, and got his second soon after with another assist from Mo. Jas closed out the game, winning the ball and then firing off a quick shot bottom corner.
A fantastic performance from the whole squad today, everyone worked hard and won their battles.
The weather was vicious and there were several frozen boys (and parents!) toward the end of game, huge well done for persevering, esp Riley in goal who really didn’t have much to do in the second half.
PotM was Ralph who was on fire 🔥 today, tackling and battling for everything, and picking out some super passes to his teammates. Outstanding! ðŸ‘
Shout out to Mason for a great captain's performance, solid and tenacious in the middle and growing in confidence vocally to help and motivate his team mates. ðŸ‘
Well done boys- Steve and I couldn’t be prouder â¤ï¸âš½ï¸
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U13’s played Esher Reds in the league trophy, despite them being 2 divisions above us we dominated the game.
Even with the awful weather ( wind and rain) we absolutely bossed the game, great defending kept them to next to no shots at all and some great team play and goals meant we went in at the break 4-0 up.
Unfortunately the weather was taking hold now and we lost 2 boys feeling the effects of the cold. We battled on, unfortunately conceding an unlucky goal after a great save just pushed out to their player who hit the post and just went over the line.
Final score 4-1 to us… onto the next round
Goals: Yuvi âš½ï¸âš½ï¸ Casey âš½ï¸ Zac âš½ï¸
PotM- Harvey for a great performance today, endless running and pressing on and off the ball.
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U13 reds played at home to Hampton and Richmond. A dominating display from the first whistle see us run out 10-0 winners in the wind and rain.
Goals: Jenson 3, Suraj 3, Saifan 2, Hal and Arjun.
PotM: Areen for some beautiful football and set up play.
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U14s played top of the league today, Mitchum. We knew it was going to be another tough one as it always is.
Boys had been told this game was a must win to keep us in with a shout to win the league.
First half was better than the second half for us. Kai grabbing our only goal of the game which was a scorcher.
Second half was a bit sloppy as temperatures were dropping by the minute.
Final score was 1-0 to our U14s
Goal : Kai âš½ï¸
PotM : Whole team for a great effort against a good side ðŸ†
