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Under 14's
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Akorn Recruitement - EGTFC U14s kit sponsor
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East Grinstead Town Under 14's Team
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[Last Updated: Friday 4th April 2008]
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| Under 14 Team Match Reports |
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| :: East Grinstead Town U14's 1, Partridge Green U14's 4 :: |
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After the much needed three week break from league football - Wasps entered the arena Saturday November 3rd fresher and with renewed determination to win - only it last all of five minutes. Confidence is low - key players are absent. Three give-away goals from set-pieces created once again, a mountain to climb - and despite brave attempts to level the score the only goal for Wasps came from midfielder Ryan Thompson. The game finished 4-1.
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| :: Cranleigh U14's 6, East Grinstead Town U14's 0 :: |
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Another disappointing performance and result for Wasps U14s, this time away at Cranleigh Saturday October 13th 2007.
In this round one Horsham League Cup game - Wasps battled to the end but paradoxically, played with little desire or belief once they found themselves two goals down after a bright and determined first five minutes from Cranleigh.
Despite a well worked goal from Wasps - which had the offside flag not been raised - may well have added some impetus for the away team - alas not on this occasion. The final score was 6-0.
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| :: Billingshurst U14's 4, East Grinstead Town U14's 3 :: |
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East Grinstead Town FC U14s played away at Billingshurst, Saturday October 6th 2007.
Although all previous fixtures against Billingshurst have ended with East Grinstead winning - this one did not - despite tremendous character on display during the second half. Just after the restart, Wasps found themselves 4-1 down. Wasps' first half goal had come from a shot by Joseph Morris-Clarke, parried by the hosts' keeper and volleyed from close range by Elliot McGuffie.
Strangely similar to the four most recent league games - the point at which Wasps were significantly behind was the point they started playing confident football. For the final twenty five minutes the result could well have been different with Billingshurst only ever getting out of their half and relieving the pressure with long keeper ball over the top. The constant barrage had impact - with Joseph Morris-Clarke scoring from another blistering run along the wing, having received a great ball out of midfield, and a goal which is becoming his trade-mark - very close to the end line, with an acute angle cross to find the opposite corner of the net. Wasps third came from "super-sub" Tristan Brown after some great footwork of his own from the left side of the 18 yard box.
The final whistle ensured a 4-3 win for Billingshurst and all three points. Wasps have only 4 points from five games, are second from bottom and a mountain to climb
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| :: East Grinstead Town U14's 2, Barns Green U14's 2 :: |
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East Grinstead Town FC U14s played at home against Barns Green, Saturday September 29th 2007.
Back in October 2005 and March 2006, East Grinstead, won 8-1 and 7-1 respectively. East Grinstead was very much inform and consistent, Barns Green on the other hand were consistently lacking in confidence, strength and skill. This was not the case last Saturday.
Within ten minutes, and despite most of the play taking place in the opposition half, the visitors took a two goal lead. Two long balls over the top, fast forwards sprinting in from the halfway line combined with poor defending on the right side for Wasps, and from nowhere, a mountain seemed to have sprung up across East Court. Despite the defensive sleep-in, Chris Clarke played well making-up the gaps in central defence. Eventually both right and left backs, Jamie and James, were replaced by Sam and Ryan. These changes helped enormously to keep the visitors at bay, although Jack Keeley struggled for most of the game.
After the restart, despite numerous first half attempts on goal - the score remained 2-0. The next twenty five minutes should have resulted in numerous goals fro Wasps, as time and again Morris-Clarke charged down the right wing, Alex Marshall held-up play in the centre of midfield winning balls and distributing well - Matt Davies on every occasion the ball fell to him put inch perfect balls out to the two wide players and forwards, and the wonderfully gifted feet of left midfielder George . worked their magic circles around and cut through the opposition players. Remarkably, for those twenty five minutes, the ball hardly crossed into the East Grinstead defending half, and Keeper Jordan Poultney remained a spectator. Eventually two goals came - the first from George and the equaliser from Matt Davies.
The final ten minutes saw the game ebb and flow from one half to the other with continued chances - and much tighter play from Wasps' back line. Truth is - this was another two points dropped for Wasps. Thus far, with four league games - and only four points to show. Wasps are now eight points off league leaders Billingshurst and if they are to realistically have any chance of taking the top spot this season - next Saturday's game away at Billingshurst is to all intents and purposes a must win cup game.
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| :: East Grinstead Town U14's 1, Melford U14's 1 AET - Melford through on penalties :: |
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East Grinstead had twenty four hours to shake off the disappointment of losing a second league game back to back.
The first and I hope not the last, great battle, between East Grinstead U14s and Melford FC, took place under balmy blue September skies at East Court. Melford FC and Wasps battled wonderfully for a place in the second round of the inter-league Sussex Cup. This was a great game to watch - in the words of one spectator, "I would have paid to watch that!" The Romans greatly feared the Carthaginians over many years - Melford FC, whilst not fearful, took a little less than thirty-five minutes to respect lower division Wasps.
Both teams were switched on and focussed from the whistle. Melford applied pressure immediately and several throw-ins in advanced positions resulted in their first corner. From defence to attack is exactly how this game was played. First and second challenges and great timing resisted wave after wave of attacks from Melford. On more than one occasion during the first thirty five minutes Keeper Jordan Poultney and a great back line kept Wasps in the game. From every Melford FC opportunity Wasps immediately broke on the counter. The first half was characterised by dynamic back and forth attacking play from both teams. Wasps' defensive work was as solid as a granite cliff face crushing Melford FC's superb attacking challenges at every advance. The back line, Charman, Captain Keeley, Clarke and Parrett were stoic, gritty and chased every ball. The midfield of Bingham, Davis, Marshall and Morris-Clarke with Noi Olafson playing behind in the hole, linked well with excellent thoughtful and intelligent play. The first and only time Wasps defenders did not get the first and second tackles in saw Melford FC's striker shoot for goal passing Keeper Poultney just cutting inside the right post - 1-0 to the visitors.
This worked to inspire and focus the home side even more and took the game right back to Melford FC. Before the break more chances went begging for both teams in abundance. After the restart the balance of play in terms of chances was very much in favour of Wasps. Six or seven opportunities to score could have seen the home team with a three goal advantage. A superbly taken free kick powerfully smashed into the hands of Melford FC's keeper must have stung. The ball dropped, rolled and was and scrambled, eventually being cracked at close range into the net for the equaliser by striker Elliot McGuffie. The cheers from the home crowd were no doubt heard during the service inside St Swithuns on the nearby hill. The end to end nature of the match continued right up to the final whistle.
At 70 minutes the game went into twenty minutes added-time - uncharted territory for Wasps. And still the game was played end to end with the lion's share of chances falling to Wasps. I could wax lyrical about every single player first team and subs. All played their part magnificently. After ninety minutes of open play - penalties.
Melford FC's number eight ballooned his penalty over the bar - Matt Davis, visibly nervous but totally reliable, smashed his ball into the net leaving Melford FC's keeper no chance to save. Melford FC's captain then scored from the spot for 2-2, and although Wasp's Noi Olasfon also scored, the penalty competition was won by the visitors.
East Grinstead U14s should take heart and use this game to launch the rest of their season. Almost all Wasps' players could have qualified for man of the match - however, young Chris Clark was ask to give 110% - and gave 125% in a superb performance in the back line, and is therefore, man of the match. Well done Chris!!
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| :: Heron Olympic U14's 6, East Grinstead Town U14's 3 :: |
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East Grinstead U14s: one weekend - two games. Saturday saw Wasps playing away from home in their third league game of the season; a match hosted in Horsham by Heron Olympic. Losing 6-3 to a team against which a win was expected - is never good. Despite a late kick-off, Heron faced little opposition during the first 45 minutes taking a comfortable 5-1 lead. Despite twenty minutes of solid brave play and goals from Miles, Joseph and Tristan, the game finished 6-3.
Jamie Parrett is awarded man of the Match for all round effort - well done Jamie.
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| :: East Grinstead Town U14's 4, Horsham Crusaders U14's 7 :: |
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East Grinstead Town FC U14s played at home against Horsham Crusaders, Saturday September 15th 2007.
The previous encounter between these two sides took place at Horsham; the game finally settled at 7-7, although not before four home-side penalties and 17 minutes of added time. Wasps U14s have set their sights high this season - second, third or fourth will not do. We are aiming for the top spot and promotion, and therefore, getting maximum points from every league game this year is key.
A nervous start and equal pressure held much of the play in the midfield for the first ten minutes with few ventures towards goal by either side. The first chance came from a straight ball through the centre from Matt Davis to Joseph Morris-Clarke who ran the right touch-line, curved into the box, and clashed with a Horsham player - seeing the ball out for a goal-kick and the Horsham player rolling round the grass. Horsham, on their first significant break scored to crack the deadlock - Wasps defence seemingly non-existent for thirty seconds.
The lead was held for less than fifteen seconds after the re-start. Joseph Morris-Clarke, from a standing start collected the ball, ran directly through the Horsham mid-fielders and defensive players, scoring the first of several equalisers during the morning. Wasps kept the pressure up and kept the ball almost exclusively in the opposition half, yet despite this, found themselves 1-2 down given another lapse at the back between defence and midfield. Play became bogged-down once in the centre of the park with numerous offside decisions going against Wasps. Matt Davis demonstrated brilliance in timing, finding the right player and inch-perfect passing. The ball cross-field, and through the centre found Joseph Morris-Clarke who easier out ran the opposition to score his second bringing the score level once more.
More central play and chances from both sides, including one great diving save from Wasps' keeper Jordan Poultney, resulted in Horsham's third goal from a well-taken corner and less than solid defensive play from the home side. At 3-2, Wasps went immediately into attack and several chances notably from Miles Borret, Elliot McGuffie and Matt Davis all went begging. A superb spell of attacking play and great determination resulted in Matt Davis scoring a first-class third to level the score just before the half-time whistle.
Almost immediately after the break - a fourth goal was gifted to Horsham from a throw-in. Spectators then witnessed many chances but only Horsham made them count during a contained and controlled fifteen minutes of play. And at 3-6 the visitors were flying high. All the same - this maturing Wasps U14s side doesn't give-up easily and despite the odds and another goal from Horsham - manage to score another two. One came from substitute George - the other from Joseph Morris-Clarke making his first hatrick of the new season.
The game finally settled 5-7 and three points given away to the visitors - and I suspect the return game at Horsham later this season will be one to watch.
Man of the match this week is awarded to Joseph M-C for his determination, his never give-up attitude - and of course his three goals. Well done Joseph.
Next weekend sees Wasps in action twice - away in the league against Heron Olympic Saturday and then at home in the first round of the Sussex Cup on Sunday - good luck lads!
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| :: Henfield U14's 1, East Grinstead Town U14's 4 :: |
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East Grinstead Town U14s began their new league season Saturday September 8th playing away from home against Henfield.
We travelled expecting to win - and did so. The game was enjoyable to watch, seeing both teams fighting hard for control and to get the ball in the net. Ten minutes after the kick-off saw Wasps break the deadlock with a goal from Elliot McGuffie assisted with an excellent cross from Joseph M-C. Shortly after a goal-mouth scramble and indecision at the other end from Wasps the equaliser was smashed into the goal at close range. Wasps regained the lead with a well executed goal from Miles Borret. At half-time the score was 1-2. After the re-start Wasps took control and battled hard eventually finding the third goal from Joseph M-C who after sprinting along the right wing, from the edge of the 18 yard box literally a few yards from the end line shot across the keeper hitting the net left corner. At 1-3 Wasps played with great confidence seeing a forth goal (and second from Elliot McG) assisted with a great and perfectly place and weighted ball through the centre form Alex Marshall, where upon Elliot took instant control dribbled past the remaining defender chipping the Keeper to perfection. At 1-4, Henfield battled on but solid and excellent defensive work paid dividends for this - our first win of the season.
Although, for due diligence, determination and all round team work, several players could be awarded man of the match - this week, the title goes to Jack Keeley who played an outstanding game in defence and who on numerous occasions tracked back at great speed to cut-off attackers headed for goal.
Note should also be given to Keeper Jordan Poultney for his agility and quick reflexes which made for several first class saves during the game.
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