ESFA INTER-COUNTY U18 Cup Round 2
Monday 7 December 2009
KENT 3 MIDDLESEX 1
at Mapleden Noakes School, Maidstone
There will be no national cup glory for Middlesex this year after being well beaten by an excellent Kent side in Maidstone. Playing on a 3G pitch, both sides got off to a fast and furious start, Middlesex impressing in the opening stages as they matched the hosts. But Kent took a grip of the game and had several good chances before scoring twice in a minute shortly before half-time. Middlesex realised they could have been further behind at that stage and, having brought on striker Anthony O'Connor and left-back Sam Stevens in a half-time shake-up, needed to start the second half well. Instead they were on the back foot again and conceded a poor goal after a mix up between goalkeeper and centre-back to trail 3-0 with less than an hour gone.
Overpowered in midfield and with our strikers well marshalled by Kent's England centre-back Michael Scott, the Maroons found it impossible to create openings. We finally made the break through six minutes from time when O'Connor's dribble and 20 yard drive looped over the keeper to make it 3-1. A strong finish, in which Middlesex were finally on top, could not disguise Kent's superiority.
Middlesex play a friendly against Herts FA U18s at Letchworth Garden City on Tues 22 Dec in preparation for the next SEESFA games against Essex in Chigwell on 13 January.
Middlesex: Alex Elf (Jay Gerrett), Sam Simper, Sammy Locker-Townsend (Mark O'Gorman), Damon Rendell, Sion Hardy (Sam Stevens), Kallum Alleyne, Julian Smith (Anthony O'Connor), Steve Wakam, Romayne Mais, Sam McCarthy.
Tuesday, 24th November 2009
Herts SFA U18s B 2 Middlsex Schools U18 B 3
Clement Danes Governors Trophy
at Cavendish School, Hemel 24/11/09
Scorers: Mais 2, Wakam
Middlesex Under-18s B team clinched a dramatic late win to get their Clement Danes Governors Trophy campaign off to a flying start on a filthy night at Hemel. After several near misses, Steve Wakam put Middlesex deservedly ahead after 20 minutes only for Herts to get back into the game and equalise before half-time. Romayne Mais put the visitors ahead after the break as Middlesex took control of the game with some confident passing football on the 3G surface in driving rain. But when Herts levelled again it seeemed the Maroons were set for their third draw of the season. But Mais struck with a fine drive to complete a flowing move three minutes from time to secure a hard-fought win and give himself a great chance of playing in the A team in their ESFA Cup game against Kent in Maidstone on Mon day 7 December.
Team:
Jay Gerret Southgate College
Sam Simper Southgate College
Chris Hambis Southgate College
Damon Rendell Southgate College
Sam Stevens Fortismere School
Tommy Street Cardinal Wiseman
Julian Smith Harefield Academy
Francis Eni St Dominics College
Steve Wakam Turin Grove School
Anthony O’Connor Cardinal Wiseman
Romayne Mais Turin Grove School
Subs:
Mark O’Gorman Stanmore College
Kalum Alleyne Greig City Academy
Manager: Gavin Willacy League Football Education
Coaches:
Tucker O'Donohue Southgate College
Sean Dowdall Featherstone High School