Under 18's Match Reports

Jan 31st 2007

Cogenhoe U18's 3 Stamford AFC U18's 0

Northants League Cup

A desperately unlucky young Stamford side were unfortunate to lose 3-0 at unbeaten Cogenhoe in the Cup on Wednesday night. Indeed the final scoreline flattered a very good Cogenhoe XI who finally overcame a spirited performance from Stamford who had not played for 7 weeks. Denied to opportunity by Rothwell Town to play their leading scorer Ricky Miller, Stamford gave a debut to Alex Harrison but he was injured early in the match and was unable to show what he could do. The first half was very even and Stamford could have been 2 goals to the good as the home defenders almost scored 2 spectacular own goals midway through the first period. Just before his injury Harrison was about to shoot but was brilliantly tackled and subsequently had to be sustituted. Bashford at right back was also injured and Oliver was unwell but a resolute and committed Stamford performance meant the teams went in at half-time all square.

 Early in the 2nd half Cogenhoe put the visitors under pressure without creating any real clear-cut chances. Indeed, Stamford were playing as a collective, well disciplined unit working hard to deny a footballing side the chance to demonstrate their undoubted abilities. A few long-range shots was all the Cogenhoe team could muster as Jones dealt with these quite easily behind a Stamford rearguard playing extremely well. Just as extra-time loomed and honours were still even the chance of the match fell to Brennan whose first-time snap shot went over the bar 10 seconds before the final whistle. As extra-time started Cogenhoe stepped up the pressure and a fortuitous cross found the home leftwinger unmarked at the far post and his mishit shot trickled into the net. This was harsh on Stamford who threw everything at Cogenhoe and created 4 chances to equalise within 5 minutes but converted none of them. Firman fired over from a corner, Brennan was crowded out as he was about to fire home, McDonald's shot went agonisingly past the upright and Brennan just failed to get a last touch to a cross when only inches from the goaline. Against the run of play Cogenhoe scored again when a ball fell kindly to a home attacker 6 yards out and he stroked the ball home. Still not dispirited, Stamford plugged away playing good football but tiredness finally told and they were undone when a fluke cross come shot looped into their net to make the final score a flattering 3-0 victory for Cogenhoe.

 In defeat the Stamford team had shown great spirit in adversity throughout the squad and produced a strong team performance lacking only a little quality and luck in front of goal. Indeed this squad of players, after a 7 week absence through postponed matches, lack of training and the Xmas break, had played with real pride and passion. They drew great praise from worthy opponents and had done Stamford AFC proud with their never-say-die commitment and inspirational performance. Stamford AFC Line up: 

Jones, Bashford, Firman, Sparks, Hardy, Wright, Harrison (McDonald), Brennan, Asher, Oliver (Morrison), Vorley

Feb 21st 2007

Stamford AFC U18's 1 Raunds Town U18's 2

After an encouraging previous performance Stamford AFC U18s produced an uninspiring effort against high-flying Raunds. A laclustre warm-up and confusion over a new playing formation did not help but players should take responsibilty for individual performances and this did not happen until the game was beyond them. Disappointingly this was a match the young daniels could have won but a soft own goal and a wonder strike from the visiting full back meant the young daniels were always chasing the game. To their credit Miller pulled a goal back late on but it was a case of too little too late.

 On a positive note Wylie and Syddons gave encouraging debut perfomances but ultimately this was a bad day at the office for the team as a whole. The priority now is to regain the impetus from the Cogenhoe fixture and finish the second half of the season in style. The young daniels are more than capable of achieving this aim

 Tunstall, Sparks, Firman, Vorley (Morrison), McDonald, Asher, Brennan, Oliver (Wright), Wylie, Syddons, Miller (1)

Feb 28th 2007

Stamford AFC U18s 2 Irchester United U18s 2

 During a bright, high tempo start by Stamford U18s, the young Daniels side could not put their early chances away that their good play deserved. Indeed, Asher was unfortunate with 2 chances, Hardy just failed to beat the keeper, Vorley hit a good effort inches wide and similar half-chances went begging in a promising opening spell. Just as their football was becoming a little too direct WYLIE made the breakthrough with his first goal for the Club, driving a rebound from the keepers save fiercely into the net. Stamford deserved to be a goal in front at this stage and should have been 2-0 up but McDonald was wrongly flagged offside having placed his effort into the corner of the net. Against the run of play the visitors equalized with a breakaway goal, albeit superb interplay amongst 3 visiting player resulted in Tunstall having little chance of saving the forwards piledriver. Unfortunate injuries to Sparks and Morrison at this stage resulted in them being substituted in quick succession and this unsettled the home team whilst they tried to reorganise. Just before the interval the visitors scored again after a defensive mix-up led to an own goal.

 The second half was a scrappy affair but Stamford gamely plugged away but could not find a way past a resolute and uncompromising Irchester defence. More bad luck ensued as Wylie was injured and was replaced by Jones, a substitute goalkeeper forced to play outfield. Brennan up front was struggling with a groin injury but the spirit of the team was evident as late in the game HARDY went up front and quickly scored a sweet left footed equalizer. Thus, despite the misfortune of injuries to 4 key players and the changes that followed as a result, the home side deserved their point but finished frustrated that their early play had not brought them all 3.

 Tunstall, Morrison (Kemp), Sparks (Oliver), Firman, Vorley, McDonald, Wylie (1) (Jones), Hardy (1), Brennan, Asher, Wright.