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Headstone Manor YFC |
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The B team entered this tournament and played in only two league matches as St Josephs failed to turn up. We did not get to the knockout stages because we scored fewer goals. Brian Lynch managed the team and here is his report.
Game 1: Acton Whistlers 1 - 0 Headstone Manor B
The Team: Luke, Russell, Joseph, Thomas, Brett and Daniel
Headstone got off to a good start when within the first minute a cross by Daniel was flicked on by Brett and the Acton goalkeeper had to make a good save. Several other chances were created by Thomas and Russell that required good saves by the Acton goalkeeper. Slowly as the game progressed Acton came into the match and Luke made some excellent saves and kept Headstone in the match. Joseph and Russell at the back worked hard to keep them at bay. Just before the half time a long ball by Acton was pounced upon by their forward who clipped it into the Headstone net. The remainder of the match involved Headstone applying a lot of pressure on the Acton defence, again both Brett and Daniel creating chances but failing to score. This was a game that Headstone gained lots of possession and the game could have gone either way.
Game 2: Wealdstone 2 – 0 Headstone Manor B
The Team: Luke, Russell, Joseph, Francis, Federico and Brett
Federico went up front instead of Daniel and Francis replaced Thomas in midfield. The game started well for Headstone and in the first half excellent through balls by both Francis and Russell released Brett. With no-one else to beat the goalkeeper made two excellent saves. Federico worked well down the right hand flank, whilst Russell and Joe maintained their position to secure the defence. At this stage Luke had little to do in the first half. In the second half a low cross by the Wealdstone forward was inadvertently clipped by Russell into the net. Headstone was initially disheartened and for a while came back strongly. A late goal by Wealdstone from a low cross gave that team the points.
Game 3: St Josephs v Headstone Manor B (No show by St Josephs)
The A team took two teams and the B team one team to this tournament. Most of the teams were very strong and in much higher divisions than the B team. The blue A team played some very good football and just missed out on a place in the quarter finals. The yellow A team got to the semi final only to lose to Harrow St Marys A.
| A Team Yellow | A Team Blue | B Team |
|---|---|---|
| James Brophy | Kieran Ruparelia | Luke McManamara |
| Sammy Hawes | Luke | Nicholas Silva |
| Ryan Hayes | Dhyanesh Patel | Jordan Wright |
| Michael Prendeville | Warren Won | Francis Nkhoma |
| Conor Crossan | Daniel Sartori | Jamie Brown |
| Liam | Kwakou Asante | Jordan Coleman |
| Rory Briton |
The yellow As were up against Parkfield B, Kodak A, St Josephs Reds, and Pinner Albion A. They started off with a 0-1 loss to St Jo's but then picked up points with a 2-1 win over Kodak, a 2-2 draw against Parkfield and a 2-0 win over Pinner. This left them second in the table with a place in the quarter finals against Belmont B.
This was an exciting match that the As should have led early on when a tremendous shot from Liam cracked against the post. But it was Belmont who took the lead and held it deep into the match. Then in the last few minutes it all turned round. First Ryan Hayes struck the ball goalwards from deep in his half. Liam nodded it on and deceived the keeper who let it slip through his hands into the net. Then, near the end, the As were awarded a free kick on the right touchline. Liam curled it superbly with his left foot over the defence and the keeper into the far corner.
The semi final against Harrow St Marys A was a close match but the As struggled to carve out any clear cut chances. In the second half Harrow sealed the win with two goals after they had carved their way through the As defence.
The blue As had Harrow St Marys A, Pinner Albion B, St Josephs Blues and Parkfield A in their group. They lost to Harrow 0-2 in their opening match and then drew 0-0 with Parkfield. They then beat St Jo's 1-0 with a brilliant last minute goal from Daniel Sartori. They might have got through to the quarters but they lost to Pinner 0-2 in their last match.
The Bs were really up against it with Brookhouse, Belmont B, Harrow St Marys B and St Josephs Greens in their group. In their opening match they went a goal down to Brookhouse but might have tied it up when they were awarded a penalty early in the second half. Rory Briton volunteered to take it but his firm shot just went wide of the post. But it didn't stop Rory pushing forward and he had most of the team's chances on goal. Brookhouse sealed a 2-0 win with a late goal. The Bs then lost 0-3 to Belmont and 0-2 to Harrow. In the last match they had their best chance of points but were edged out 0-1 by St Jo's.
On a roasting hot day we took eight boys to this tournament at New Windsor. The Bs were grouped with Greenford Celtic, Langley Hornets, New Windsor and Slough Irish Celtic. It was a close finish.
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The Bs lost their first game 0-1 to Greenford. They had a slow start and took a while to get into the flow of the match. Greenford had most of the possession and created more chances. They scored from a sharp cross from the right that was tucked into the corner.
Against New Windsor the Bs played much better, created some good moves and drew 0-0. Tom, Rushil and Brett combined with a well taken passing move but Brett's shot went just wide. Federico and Thomas also went close and Tom showed good control creating moves from the back. Jordan made an excellent save to deflect a point blank shot wide.
The Bs then beat Langley 1-0 thanks to a neat finish from Federico Jaramillo. Again they played some good football. Jordan partnered Russell in defence and Daniel went in goal. Federico's goal came from a throw by Russell that was flicked on to him by Rushil. Federico poked the ball home with the outside of his foot.
In the last match Slough scored early and went on to win convincingly 3-0. The Bs worked hard but got caught out at the back and Slough finished well.
Greenford won the group with nine points from their four games but there was just two points between the other four teams. The Bs had four points from their four matches which was the same as New Windsor but the Bs went out on goal difference by just two goals.
Thanks to all the boys for their hard work and for achieving a win and a draw. Thank you also to all the parents who came and gave the boys such good support.