Youth football scores

U9s

Flitch Youth 6

Dunmow Rhodes Tigers 1

AFTER a seven-week weather affected mid-season break the time finally arrived for Flitch Youth to blow away the cobwebs.

Tigers started the brightest putting together a couple of well-drilled moves that only seemed to emphasis the rustiness of the Flitch players.

With some loose marking at the back, James Mitchell found himself unable to do anything about the lone Tiger that found his way into the Flitch box unmarked. One-nil to the Tigers.

With half time approaching fast Flitch managed to finally prise open the Tigers defence. Lewis Coleman poked the ball past the diving Tigers keeper.

Straight from the second half kick-off Flitch move up several gears. Jacob was first to show with a run that saw him glide past flat-footed Tigers with ease. The end result was even better as he stroked the ball into the net.

Flitch stretched their lead even further when Edward Grey collected the ball on the edge of the box and with great accuracy found the back of the net.

The home crowd did not have to wait too long for the fourth. Jacob was up-ended in the box and on hearing the referee’s whistle he picked up the ball, spotted it and with precision scored his second and Flitch’s fourth goal.

From a corner Jacob Morgan pounced on a loose ball and was able to squeeze the ball under the keeper’s body for a second half hat-trick.

With the clock running down Flitch still had time to find the net for the sixth time when Lewis Coleman benefitted from a surging run from Jak Weston.

The final moments allowed Jacob Morgan to be substituted to rapturous applause as he bagged his second hat-trick in successive games, albeit it 56 days apart.

Thaxted Rangers Blues 0

Broomfield 0

THAXTED had lots of possession in the first half with Toby Fletcher, Samuel Skinner and Joseph Osborn all combining well to tee up chances for Mason Allington. However, the home side did not always have it all their own way, and on the one occasion in the first half Broomfield got through the solid Angus Gemmill and Christopher Donlon defence, and hit the cross bar with a fine effort.

Thaxted played great football in the second half and went very close with efforts from Allington and Edward Wilson who worked really hard, but the Broomfield keeper had a great game.

It was Broomfield who had the last chance and almost won it. After a great block from Joseph Osborn, Broomfield shot inches past the post. But it stayed nil-nil. A fair result in the end but did neither team any favours as they both still aim to win the league.

U11s

Dunmow Rhodes 2

Notley knights 1

RHODES without Gilbert and Johnston played a very lethargic first half although a couple of on target strikes were bravely defended off the line with the opposition keeper the hero of the half.

The second half was a nervous affair with Notley breaking forward to present Wood with no chance and claimed first blood.

Rhodes came alive with Maddoc making exciting runs and Flynn providing fine passes, Tucker re-jigged to strengthen the defence volleyed from the goal mouth to Currie who passed to Manley who levelled to score a well worked goal.

Rhodes rose to the ascendancy and the fans were finally delighted with a vintage Rhodes performance with Frost smashing a well deserved winner after a goal mouth scramble.

U12s

Beacon Hill Rovers 4

Barnston Youth 1

BARNSTON have been waiting two months for a game of football, due to the bad weather and the winter break, although the team have still had training to keep fit.

They travelled to Rovers on Sunday, and both teams put in excellent performances.

Barnston made the early pace, and scored within the first 10 minutes, after good work down the right wing by Sam Duberry, his cross found Adam Griggs, and his neat pass to Christian Roles allowed him to slot home.

Straight from the kick of Rovers pulled level when Joe Davies scored.

The first half continued with good end to end football but no goals. Jake Lander and Duberry went close to putting Barnston ahead, but thwarted by good goalkeeping.

The second half started with Rovers tormenting the Barnston defence, but they held firm, with Pearson once again taking control, and Griggs making a goal line clearance.

But the visitors took the lead after a slight mix up between goalie and the defence, which let in Wesley Flood to score. Barnston then started to push forward, and Barnston’s man of the match Sam Hockley made a brilliant run down the right wing, and with his cross found Duberry – his shot was turned round the post.

Rovers then hit two goals in the last ten minutes through Flood and Daniel Hopper making the final score 4-1.

Dunmow United Tigers 7

Great Notley Tigers 1

DUNMOW continued their excellent recent run in a match that was more evenly contested than the score suggests.

Particularly in the first half both teams played some great football. The difference was the finishing of Alfie Monk who scored a hat-trick from the three chances he had.

The second half was more one-sided although Matthew Thomas did pull one back for Notley.

However Dunmow proved too strong and further goals followed, namely another hat-trick this time from Ryan Suleyman and an excellent finish from George Windsor completed the scoring.

Maldon Saints Whites 3

Flitch Youth 4

FLITCH maintained their good cup record with a tenacious win in blustery conditions over a determined Whites side.

They started strongly and soon took the lead when Bull shot home from close range. Maldon equalised via a penalty, and thereafter threatened more, although good defensive work by Flitch, notably Baccush and Callaghan restricted Maldon.

Flitch nearly scored several times, particularly when debutant Abbott went close after good work by Atkinson, but the match remained at 1-1 at the break.

Abbott then blasted Flitch ahead shortly after the restart, before Maldon struck back with two goals to take the lead for the first time.

Tyson netted from close range to equalise, before Turner’s late penalty sealed the win for Flitch.

Thaxted Rangers 6

Upland Rangers 2

THAXTED always find this a hard fixture, and, as in previous matches had a bit of a shaky start.

A gift of an own goal helped steady the nerves, Joe Carey’s cross from the edge of the area was hit in to the net by an Uplands defender.

Jordan Marsh quickly made it 2-0 as Uplands concentration slipped. Uplands started to attack but an offside decision gained Thaxted a free kick on the edge of their own area, Tim Jossaume hit it perfectly for Jack Morris to run on to and make it 3-0. Thinking the game was safe, Thaxted made a couple of defensive errors and the score was 3-2 with Uplands pressing hard to equalise.

The second half saw the home side start brightly and Jack Morris headed in Austen Domin’s quality corner kick to make it 4-2. Morris was soon to get his hat-trick after a cross from the wing by Graydon Thorpe. Joe Carey then sealed the match with a powerful drive from the edge of the area. Uplands did not give up and Evan Sunshine’s goalkeeping skills were brought into use on many occasions.

Jordan Marsh and Callum Sparrow dominated the midfield to cap a good team performance. Thaxted are now through to the semi-final of the cup.

Doddinghurst Olympic 2

Dunmow Rhodes 1

RHODES were unlucky to lose this tight encounter on Sunday.

They dominated the first half and were unlucky when Murphy and Frost both can close to opening the scoring.

Leaning, Carter and Evans were controlling the match and eventually the breakthrough came when Carter passed to Evans who turned the defence before laying back to Carter to curve a shot into the top corner.

Shortly before half time, Turner and French moved down the left to win the first in a serious of three corners just before the break. Still Rhodes couldn’t increase the lead.

Facing the strong wind in the second half the visitors played on the counter attack and defended well leaving goalkeeper Johnson with few incidents to deal with.

With 15 minutes to go, a lovely through ball from Doddinghurst set up the equaliser. Dunmow’s team spirit remained intact and with five minutes left Soutar’s free kick hit the bar and Murphy’s follow up was cleared off the line. With time running out Dunmow were dealt a blow when the home side were awarded a penalty which despite a great effort from Johnson was converted. The result was harsh on the Dunmow side that played well and deserved better.

U14s

Great Notley United 2

Thaxted Rangers 5 (aet)

THAXTED progressed into the quarter finals of the league knock out cup despite a poor start to the game.

Notley put on an impressive first half performance and well deserved their two goal lead at the break, the first a well taken penalty, and the second a break on goal that was forced across the line.

After half time the visitors finally started to claw their way back into the game, but could not break down a determined defence until just fifteen minutes left.

Thaxted were awarded and penalty and George Simmons scored from the spot. Thaxted put huge pressure on the home side and finally equalised with minutes to go when Nathan Smye found the back of the net.

In extra time Thaxted were full of confidence and scored three more, from Simmons, Callum Archer and Suyash Gurung.

Thaxted ran out comfortable winners in the end, but with five minutes to go of normal time it could all have been so different for a Notley team that had lead deservedly for a large part of the match.