|
|
 |
|
Under 15's
|
|
East Grinstead Town Under 14's Team
|
[Last Updated: Monday 8th February 2010]
|
| Under 15 Team Match Reports |
back to top  |
|
| :: Dorkinians Youth U15's 1, East Grinstead Town U15's 4 :: |
back to top |
East Grinstead moved up to joint second on points in the Horsham League 'A' Division after a workmanlike display against Dorkinians.
Town shuffled their team around to take a view of players in different positions and it took a long time to get going after the prolonged break from football. Despite having the majority of possession they found it difficult to create clear cut chances against a well organised Dorkinians team. However, when they did gel they played some excellent football and Town were rewarded with a fantastic goal from James-Bettell as he unleashed a 20 yard thunderbolt into the bottom corner leaving the Dorkinians keeper no chance. There then followed a rather unique goal celebration called "The Grenade" which has to be seen to be believed!
Town now took the game to Dorkinians and good work from White on the wing saw him lay the ball off to Byrne who in turn crossed to James-Bettell who scored his second with a powerful header to make it 2-0 just before half time.
Dorkinians came back into the match in the second half and it was no surprise to see Dorkinians pull a goal back. Town were putting in a lack lustre performance and were fortunate not to concede another as Town's keeper Swadling rescued them with a last gasp clearance. White then went on a trademark run where he past five players but was unable to get his shot away. This seemed to galvanise the team into action as they finished strongly leading to a powerful header from the ever impressive O'Dwyer and then a sensational goal from Dixon as he ghosted in behind the defence to power his shot past the keeper to make it 4-1.
Specsavers Player of the Match: Tommy Dixon
|
| :: East Grinstead Town U15's 3, Three Bridges U15's 1 :: |
back to top |
Town played some of their best football of the season in this local derby against Bridges. Town's passing and movement was top drawer with O'Dwyer and Biggemann winning the midfield battle. Bridges keeper was in great form as he turned a Steers effort onto the post and shortly after it was Steers who opened the scoring with a well taken goal after latching on to an inch perfect pass from Biggemann. However, Town failed to take their chances and they were punished on the stroke of half time by a powerful header from one of Bridges few attacks.
The second half saw Town control the game as they played with confidence and a strong team spirit. Some good goalkeeping kept Town at bay however O'Dwyer found the back of the net to put East Grinstead ahead. A good performance from Carey up front, who was pressurising the Bridges defence for the whole match, kept them on the back foot and when the ball fell to Steers he coolly slotted the ball home. Biggemann then beat two players in the box and saw his shot curl agonisingly past the post, and then a goal for Town was ruled offside. East Grinstead should have added to their tally but will take great heart from an excellent team performance against a Bridges team that was made up of Tandridge 'A' division players.
Specsavers Player of the Match: Carlos Biggemann
|
| :: East Grinstead Town U15's 1, Roffey U15's 1 :: |
back to top |
Both teams played excellent passing football in difficult conditions at the Olympos Centre and EGTFC were fast out of the blocks when James-Bettel was put through only to see his shot well saved by the Roffey keeper.
Town continued to pressurise Roffey but could not convert their chances allowing Roffey back into the game. After hitting the post it was no surprise to see Roffey go one up with a well taken strike into the bottom corner. Roffey continued to dictate but Town held firm with some excellent defending particularly from Axten. However, just before half time O'Dwyer put Steers through who powered his shot just inside the post.
Changes at the break saw Town start to dictate the play in the second period as they created a number of chances only to be foiled by the Roffey keeper. Despite having the majority of the second half Town could not finish off Roffey and had to settle for a share of the points.
Specsavers Player of the Match - Daniel Axten
|
| :: East Grinstead Town U15's 4, Dorkinians U15's 2 :: |
back to top |
East Grinstead Town moved up to fourth place in the Horsham 'A' Division as they battled hard against a determined Dorkinians team at the Olympos Centre.
An early setback for Town as they failed to clear their lines saw Dorkinians score with a well taken goal. Although slow to start Town came back into the match strongly and created a string of chances and it was Biggemann who popped up in the box to equalise just before half time.
Fully recharged after the break Town came out strongly and started to play good football however they were denied by three spectacular saves from the Dorkinians keeper. Dorkinians were always a threat and it was only some great defending that kept Dorkinians at bay.
Town went 2-1 up with Ryan slotting home yet Dorkinians fought back with a defence splitting pass which put their forward clear to equalise.
At two a piece the game could have gone either way and Byrne broke Dorkinians hearts as he made a superb defensive tackle to deny the Dorkinians'' striker. Town now raised their game and dominated and with minutes left on the clock Steers "steered" the ball into the corner of the net and Town were 3-2 up. A great move from Town after the kick off saw the ball spread out wide to White who beat his defender before curling an unstoppable shot into the top corner from twenty yards to make the final score 4-2, a truly great finish.
Town just about deserved the win but will need to improve for this weekend's eagerly expected local derby against Ashurstwood in the Horsham League cup.
Specsavers Player of the Match: Rhys White
|
| :: East Grinstead Town U15's 4, Handcross U15's 2 :: |
back to top |
Town were up against a useful Handcross team who were previously unbeaten. But Town's strength showed as they held possession of the ball for longer periods. Against the run of play it was Handcross who took the lead with a goal from their lively striker who hit the top corner. Town quickly responded with a similar goal from Byrne from 25 yards out to make it one a piece. Ciaran Steers was a constant threat to Handcross and it was his good work that led to Town's second as Ryan put Town 2-1 up.
A few changes at half time and Town went 3-1 up with a well taken goal from Dixon whose powerful header found the top corner. Handcross were dangerous in the second half and their efforts were rewarded with a well taken goal to make it 3-2. However. Town's fitness was now beginning to tell and Biggemann scored a fourth for Town as they eased to a 4-2 win. Karaolis put in a strong captain's performance showing great attitude and leadership but it was Steers who stole the show to be player of the match.
Specsavers Player of the Match: Ciaran Steers
|
| :: Southwater U15's 0, East Grinstead Town U15's 8 :: |
back to top |
A scintillating performance from the Wasps left Southwater shell shocked as they went 4-0 up within 15 minutes against one of this seasons Horsham 'A' Division favourites. Now back to full strength Town showed why they are the team that everyone fears as every player put in a superb display stretching their lead to 6-0 by half time. Top drawer finishing from Ryan (3), James-Bettell (2) and O'Dwyer with a stunning header capped an incredible first half as Town put the game out of Southwater's reach. Changes at half time saw Rhys White back on the pitch after a six month break through injury and it was White who got his name on the score sheet as he converted a penalty. Southwater were no pushover but it was the manner with how Wasps went about the job in hand that impressed everyone and Ryan capped off a memorable display with a powerful drive into the bottom hand corner to make it 8-0.
Specsavers Player of the Match: Anthony Ryan
|
| :: Albury Eagles U15's 2 East Grinstead Town U15's 6 :: |
back to top |
Back to nearly full strength for the first time this season East Grinstead controlled this cup game from start to finish, only lapses in concentration and more composed finishing denied a bigger score line.
Town were two up after twenty minutes with goals from Green and James-Bettell however a mistake at the back let the Albury striker score with a well taken goal. Town were soon back in the driving seat with another goal from James-Bettell to make it 3-1 at half time.
The second half saw a fortunate free kick awarded to Albury on the edge of the box which resulted in a good strike in the bottom corner to make it 3-2. Town then upped the tempo with Connor O'Dwyer running the midfield helping Town to score another three times with goals from Green, James-Bettell and Ryan to make it 6-2.
A competent display showing that there is more to come from this team with an excellent performance at the back from new signing Jason Wakley whose composure, determination and attitude around the pitch was a lesson for everyone.
Specsavers Player of the Match: Jason Wakley
|
| :: East Grinstead Town U15's 1, Lingfield U15's 0 :: |
back to top |
This was an outstanding win for Town as not only did they start with just nine players but they also suffered an injury early on in the second half to their influential midfielder Danny Byrne who was carried off the pitch. However, against all the odds it was Town who were in the ascendancy as they took the game to Lingfield . Town's passing and movement were a joy to watch as they sliced through the Lingfield defence creating chance after chance, it was only their finishing that let them down and they could quite easily of had the game won by half time. The Lingfield keeper was also in excellent form as he tipped a Ryan effort onto the crossbar and then pushed a Steers shot around the post. Lingfield did have a couple of chances but Swadling looked in command in goal with neither team able to break the deadlock.
Town still created opportunities in the second half as did Lingfield with the game ebbing and flowing from end to end. Swadling in goal and the woodwork came to Town's rescue on a couple occasions. Although reduced to just eight players, it was Town's superior fitness that told as they began to control the game once more. A neat exchange of passes from Karaolis and Biggemann opened up Lingfield and the ball was set up by O'Dwyer for Green who appeared on the scene, and he powered his shot into the top corner from the edge of the box. Green and O'Dwyer upped the tempo as did every player on the pitch particularly Steers who worked hard the whole match as the lone striker as Town held out for a famous victory.
Specsavers Player of the Match: Connor O'Dwyer
|
| :: Brockham U15's 1, East Grinstead Town U15's 2 :: |
back to top |
Wasps' campaign this season has been plagued by injuries and were only able to field ten men against high flying Brockham in this Horsham League cup match but showed the quality that almost won them the A League title last season, holding their own against a full strength Brockham.
Town took the game to Brockham in the first half and with more composure in front of goal should have had the game out of sight by half time. A well marshalled defence by Karaolis was the platform for Biggermann and O'Dwyer to control the midfield, as they found the channels with Steers and Byrne working tirelessly.
The teams went into half time all level and a few changes were made with Steers switching to a more forward position. However, it was Brockham that came out the stronger and took the lead which was compounded with an injury to Dixon as he had to be carried off the pitch leaving them with just nine players.
But EGTFC dug in and their fitness told putting in a gritty performance as they repelled wave after wave of Brockham pressure. All credit going to Town as they refused to give up hitting the woodwork twice before getting their reward with an equaliser just four minutes from time. The match seemed destined for extra time but, with the last kick of the game, Anthony Ryan hit a thunderbolt from thirty yards and the ball sailed over the helpless Brockham keeper, giving the Town a dramatic win in the dying seconds much to the delight of the players.
Specsavers Player of the Match: Carlos Biggermann
|
|
|
|
|
