After a half term break for everyone, it was another great weekend of football at the club. It was great to see our teams play some entertaining football today from our u7’s youngest team though to our older u14’s colts - well done to everyone. Once all was done the pitches got a little more attention with a spike, roll and brush on each pitch then more seed put down in goal mouths. We are so lucky to have a committee that care so much about the pitches and the club. Read on to find out about all the matches…..
U7’s played Townmead at home and it was the most entertaining game we’ve seen in a while with end to end football and goals !!!
We’ve recently been working on 1v1 situations along with our passing and movement in training and it was great to see the kids trying these in the game today 🙌ðŸ»
The squads attitudes and positivity were great today ðŸ‘ðŸ»
Player of the Match - Stanley, got stuck in with the tackles, always looked to play forward, and scored a few goals
Goalscorers: Reuben, Stanley , Nihal - Well done Sandgate U7’s 🔴⚪
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U8’s played at home against Harefield Utd Whites U8’s
We started off this week from where we left off in our last match before the half term break with some good passing. That said we were unfortunate to go a goal down in the first period. After a brief team talk we reminded the players to go out and be stronger in their tackles and to be quicker at reaching the ball. They listened well and proceeded to go out there and equalise with Leo getting our first goal of the match in the net. They continued to play at the same standard with a fantastic work ethic which drove them on to go and win the game comfortably.
I will add that our opposition did only have a team of 5 today and at the point where they could have introduced power play they unfortunately weren’t able to. At a time when one of their players was struggling we made the decision to remove one of our players for a bit to make it more fair for them while he gathered himself together again.
As I always say I’m more interested in the development aspect of the game so feel it was the right decision at the time.
Getting on the scoresheet this week: Leo, Izzy, Kacie, Theo
Player of the Match this week was a difficult one and could have been any out of 4 individuals that stood out this week. That said, it went to Izzy for her sheer determination and the fact that she was a massive threat to the opposition. They knew she was the player they needed to tackle in order to try and take over control of the game.
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U9 Colts hosted Manorcroft United Juniors FC Spitfires, a league 5 team who were well drilled and a pretty physical opponent.
We only had 4 of our teams players available, so with help from Coach Jay we borrowed Romario and Phoenix (GK) we then had 4 new players playing their first games.
The quality our more experienced players was great to watch and when they played together we were super competitive and managed to hold our own really well. Was difficult to integrate all the new boys and we conceded goals but to be honest all the players fought for the team and kept pushing, we just didn't have the finishing ability.
Final score saw Manorcroft win, saying that with the players we had on the pitch it was a great performance and I'm very proud of all the boys who played today. Alot of development for the new boys is needed but they all did well.
I would love to see how the full squad would be against this opponent.
Managers POTM - Raheis consistent in defence and strong. Held his own, stayed composed and made some crucial tackles.
Parents POTM - Phoenix stunning performance in goal, he is an outstanding keeper and really growing in his craft from what I've seen of him on Jays team.
Goals from David, Romario. Come on you colts!!! 🔴⚪ Up the Sandgate!!!🔴
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U10 Colts) played Slough Town Juniors at home and what can i say, one of the best i have seen so far, we had full control of the game going a goal up from Jayden.
The away team started to grow into the game and scored. The game was level until we lost a bit of concentration and saw us go down after the 1st half.
After the team talk the boys started the second half very well scoring two more goals by Hussain, we gifted the away team another goal which got the boys heads down.
But a final attack by the boys saw Hussain get his hat trick. Really impressed by how the team is slowly playing as a unit.
MOTM - Hussain
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U12s won 8-2 v Barnes’s Eagles
Really good game today boys good performance from everyone
We relaxed a little towards the end and with them having an extra player on cost us 2 goals
Proud of them all today it’s been a tough start to the season but they never give up, every player had a great game today âš½â¤
Goals from Henry x4, Ronnie x2, Wayne x2
Players of the Match: Henry and Wayne
Henry with 4 goals and great all round play dominating the midfield
Wayne for his work rate down the wing 2 goals and 4 assists
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U12 Colts had a friendly against Langley Lions.
We were depleted with holidays, injury and illness, and only had one sub, which meant lots of pitch time for everyone. However an early injury to DJ meant we played 50 of the 60 mins with no sub!
Langley are a very big physical side and we were a bit slow to react and found ourselves 1-0 down after just 5 minutes. The boys settled into the game though and rebalanced the possession, working hard to close them down quicker, and to build our own play.
An unfortunate break away saw a quick goal at the start of the second half. The boys battled again, but the sheer size of some of the Langley boys was just too much at times, and as legs tired, they took advantage, with a couple of very well taken goals in quick succession.
Sadly some of our heads went down and final score saw us 6-0 down.
Far from our best performance, but under the circumstances a good overall run out after the half term break.
We face Division 1 Met Police next week in the cup and will need to show a vast improvement!
Ralph gave it his all against the tallest guy on the pitch, Riley made some great saves in goal, but today’s PotM was Louie, who never stopped running, made some fantastic last-man tackles and played with a never give up attitude that several of the other boys would benefit from!
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Sandgate U13 played Sandgate U13 Reds in the league trophy today.
Both teams played well, gave everything on the pitch and had chances both ends. Having missed our penalty in the second half it finished 0-0 at full time.
On to penalties which I have to say takes a lot of courage to step up in that moment and especially when under pressure.
Final score 4-3 on penalties
Pens: Casey , Tommy , Yuvi , Alfie
MOM went to Alfie for a great defensive display and the winning penalty.
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U13 reds played sandgate U13 youth in the Surrey trophy today. As Scott has summed up well above, a very close game of few chances ending 0-0 before U13 youth won 4-3 on pens.
MOM for u13 reds was Arjun for a workmanlike performance in midfield
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U14 Colts got off to a very slow start against Claygate Royals this morning, conceding a goal within minutes of the game starting. Our performance for the first 20 mins was riddled with errors and we never maintained any kind of possession.
A well taken strike from Maruti brought us level which sparked us into action and within a few minutes another wonderful strike from Finley gave us the lead. The momentum had completely swung in our favour and we started playing some great football, with both Adam and Romeo further extending our lead going in 4-1 up at half time.
We restarted the second half very slowly again with Claygate creating the betterchances and were unlucky not to get themselves back in the game. Things were slowly clicking back into place for us when Adam scored his second, Claygate responded with their second bringing the score to 5-2.
Some great team play allowed Adam to get his hat trick before Maruti added his second after an amazing switch of play from Rohan. Credit to Claygate for never giving up and continuing to push for goals right to the final whistle. Final score 7-2, with the three points restoring us to the top of the table.
Goals - Adam (3), Maruti (2), Finley, Romeo
Man of the match - several strong performances across the pitch made this a tough choice this week. Rohan took the honours for a consistently good performance and providing the assist of the season so far!
