15th May 2005

Under 12's

Great result for 12's East

Under 11's

First Trophy for 11's West  Thomas Hardy Cup - Pictures

Click on pictures for full size images.

8th May 2005

Under 12's

George Walker Trophy

OVER £1600 was raised for the Neurotrauma Educational Fund when St Albans City South Under-12's took on their West counterparts in the annual George Walker Memo­rial Trophy match at Clarence Park last Tuesday (May 3).

In front of a large crowd, South started strongly and went ahead early in the half when Joseph Bozier drove the ball home from ten yards.

The lead was doubled soon after when Michael Hill raced clear and slotted past the West keeper. South continued to create the better chances but was unable to add to the score during the remainder of the half. Maybe it was down to an inspired half-time team talk but the early second half exchanges were dominated by West and they reduced the deficit after a cross-cum-shot by Cole Beels-Ejjayna evaded the South defence and Jon Mallaburn was on hand to tap in at the back post.

Soon after it would have been 2-2 had it not been for a superb acrobatic save by South keeper Alex Cobb from a curling free kick. This though proved to be the turning point of the game and man-of-the-match Hill completed his hat-trick with two late goals to make the filial score 4-1 to City South.

During 21 seasons of stag­ing such charity games, the young Saints for a diverse range of charities have donated many thousands of pounds.

 

 

Fantastic finish to a fantastic season

The U12 girls played their final match of the season against local rivals Harvesters in the Herts Girls League Plate final. Having already won the County Cup and come runners up in the 2nd Division the girls were desperately keen to finish the season with victory in the plate final. Their opponents Harvesters from the top division seemed to have been hitting good form in the second half of the season so a good game was in prospect.
The first ten minutes were nearly all St Albans pressure with Megan Wynne coming closest to breaking the deadlock when she cut in from the left and saw her shot drift inches wide of the far post.
In Harvesters first really menacing attack of the half a swift breakaway saw their lively striker push the ball pass Lucy Hancock to make the score 1-0. The girls were slightly shell shocked for a few minutes and Harvesters began to exert more pressure. However following a Harvesters attack Megan Wynne picked up the ball in her own half beat three or four player down the right side of the pitch cut inside to beat another before scoring one of the goals of the season.
This gave the girls a real lift and shortly after a shot from Hayley Ladd was almost converted by Grace Lewis. St Albans were shading the game although Harvester were looking dangerous with one of their strikers continuously changing from the one side of the pitch to the other and giving the girls real problems. From one of these Harvesters attacks Lucy Hancock made an excellent save diverting a goal bound shot round the post.
With Half time approaching Harvesters scored their second goal to leave them 2-1 at the break.
The second half saw a defensive reorganisation, with Erin Fogarty injured Hayley Ladd moved into defence to man match the most dangerous Harvester player. St Albans began the half in good spirits and were level within a few minutes. A long throw from Megan Wynne freed Winnie Wallace, who's pace took her past the Harvesters defence. She then finished expertly to make the score 2-2.
St Albans began to exert more pressure and looked the more likely team to score. Winnie had another chance befre Michaella Fleming burst through the middle, and was almost brought down on the edge of the box. However she managed to stay on her feet. She pushed the ball into the box. Both she and the Harvesters keeper went for the ball and were injured the ref who'd played advantage brought the game back for the previous offence.
After some treatment the Harvesters keeper had to be taken off. Michaella then stepped up to take the free kick and put an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net to make the score 3-2. Five minutes later Grace Lewis broke down the right and put in a fantastic cross which Winnie Wallace converted to make the score 4-2.
Harvesters pushed forwards in the last ten minutes but St Albans held firm to win the U12 Plate, and end what has been a fantastic season on a real high.
The whole team played really well. In defence Lucy Hancock made a couple of crucial saves. Lucy Mann and Rachel Sherlow played really well at left and right back, as did Abbie Mann when she came on. All three made some excellent tackles and distributed the ball really well. In the middle of defence Erin Fogarty had an excellent game before being injured, Megan Shaw had a really commanding performance with some crucial last minutes tackles and Hayley Ladd did a fantastic job of mad marking Harvesters most dangerous player, who hardly had a kick in the second half. In midfield Josie Green and Michaella Fleming held the centre together really well Grace Lewis had an excellent game on both the Left and right side of midfield, as did Hannah Ford up front and then left midfield. Alea Brooke also gave 100% effort when she came on. Up front Winnie Wallace had a great game with a couple of cool finishes and pace that worried Harvesters throughout, whilst Megan Wynne was a constant threat, and ran herself into the ground.
This was an excellent final played in a really good spirit. Both teams should be congratulated for providing a really entertaining game.
Megan Wynne and Michaella Fleming shared the player of the match award, for two special goals and also for their non stop workrate. Megan Shaw and Hayley Ladd pushed them very close with fantastis defensive displays.

Chances missed

1st May 2005

Match report from the City Youth Highfield Fundraising day at Clarence Park, to view pictures from the day click here >>>>

Under 18's

U18 West   5    Hemel Hempstead Town 1     

Ferdinand, Clark (2),

 James, Patterson

West made the most of the excellent playing surface at Clarence Park to put on a superb show of flowing, passing football against the County Cup Winners.  They took the lead after four minutes, when Bailey chased down a lost cause and determinedly beat the Hemel defender before crossing to give Ferdinand a tap in a the front post.  Hemel equalised on 20 minutes with a 30 yard shot, after the West midfield had failed to pickup tightly enough.  But West were back in front within 30 seconds, Clark volleying home superbly after a crisp passing move of nine passes.

For the rest of the half it was one way traffic as West’s pace really began to tear Hemel apart.  Tegana James, again having an outstanding match, grabbed the third, and Kurtis Patterson got the next after yet another delightful move involving seven West players.

In the second period Hemel tightened up and made it more difficult for West to play, but the chances kept coming as Jaravaza and Patterson worked tirelessly down the flanks.  Ferdinand had one disallowed, and then crashed a wonderful shot against the bar, again following a brilliant pacey attack down the left.  The fifth and final goal went to Clark, set up by excellent individual skill from James and Jaravaza. 

In the last fifteen minutes West turned on exhibition stuff, keeping the ball and switching the play from one flank to the other.  When the players in this squad turn in on like this, no side at this age group can live with them.  Tegana James was a top star of the star-studded performance.

On Wednesday West play Southgate Adelaide, and need to win to clinch runner-up spot in the league, and then West will play Garston United in the final at Sun Postal Sports, on Sunday 15 May.  On this form , the season should end on a high note.

Team:  Kosky; Phillips, Hawes, Smith; Bailey, Tillbrook, Clark, Lock (Patterson), Jaravaza; Ferdinand, James.    

U18 West   9    Cassiobury Clarets  1     

Smith, Tillbrook

Clark (2), Ferdinand (3)

Patterson, Gray

West swept aside Cassiobury Clarets to gain a place in the Spring Cup final, despite starting the match without a goalkeeper (after traffic chaos in St Albans delayed Kosky’s arrival).  Playing flowing, pacey football, West took the lead from a Max Gray corner, headed home by Smith.  Tillbrook then poked a shot home after the Clarets keeper dropped a cross.  Clarets then pulled one back after Kosky failed to clear from a corner, but within a minute Gray had headed in West’s third from a Hawes free-kick.  Patterson, Clark and Ferdinand added further goals before half-time. In the second period, Ferdinand completed his hat-trick, and Clark added the best goal of the game after a fluid passing move to complete the 9-1 victory.

West will play Garston United in the final at Sun Postal Sports, on Sunday 15 May.

Team:  Phillipps (Kosky, 28); Bailey, Hawes, Smith; Godden, Tillbrook, Clark, Jaravaza (Anderson, 65), Gray; Ferdinand, Patterson.    

Under 13's

Best display of the season

The last game of the season against Garston and the girls put on their best display.  A great team performance that saw them raise their game to the required level.  The scoreline does not do the performance justice.  With better finishing they could have been 2-0 up after 25 minutes before Garston scored with their first real shot on target.  Instead it was Garston who ended the half 2-0 up.  Tiredness and a lack of concentration led to more goals being leaked as Garston dominated in the second half.  However the girls rallied at the end and finished as they began and Jane Jardine put the icing on the cake with the final goal after hitting a post earlier.

All thirteen played at close to their best and it was difficult to choose a single player.  Christina Berkeley has been a revelation in her new role in central defence and took the player of the match for her inspirational performance.  “Why finish the season now?”  was the mood afterwards.  Just as we are just starting to perform.

Under 12's

Girls reach final of U12 Plate competition

The U12 girls reached the final of the plate competition with a convincing 2-1 victory against Luton Town Belles.

On a hot day St Albans started off the better team, and after 5 minutes a long throw from Megan Wynne, released Winnie Wallace who outpaced the Luton defence, and ran 40 yards to score in the corner.
St Albans continued to press and after 10 minutes Megan Wynne hit a post after a strong run. Grace Lewis just failed to tap in the rebound.
Hannah Ford came close after 15 minutes, whilst at the other end despite determined Luton attacks the St Albans defence held firm.

The second half saw more of the same with St Albans taking the game to Luton. Again the girls had a number of chances with Hannah Ford going close on a couple of occasions. However as the game wore on there was still the feeling that the girls needed a second goal to kill the game off. Josie Green came closest with a header against the bar.

With six minutes to go another St Albans attack saw Grace Lewis cross for Sam May to finish at the far post.

With two minutes to go Luton scored an excellent long range goal, but St Albans held out for a well deserved victory.

This was a hard fought game, where credit should go to all the girls. Luton were really committed and anything less than 100% effort could have seen the game slip away. As it was the better team won on the day. This was an excellent team performance where everyone really put in maximum effort. Michaela Fleming and Lucy Mann were outstanding in defence.

Player of the match was Winnie Wallace who had a great game up front.
 

3 Points

 

12's East Mitre Champs

St Albans City Youth U12 East had an unforgettable time at the Mitre Cup Tournament held in Clacton over the May Bank Holiday. The tournament was run over two days with five teams taking part in a league format (matches of 20 minutes each way) and the top two going through to the final.

 

The first match for City was against Aylesbury Town but after 4 minutes a sliced clearance saw keeper Tom Coulton come quickly off his line to intercept the ball. Despite getting his hand to it first the striker tumbled and a penalty was given, which was converted. In reply St Albans' slowly upped the tempo and a Lee Close goal was disallowed for offside before the scores were equalised on half-time. Some mesmeric skills from James Lowthian in the left hand corner left his marker for dead and a firm Goro Nishioka glancing header from James' cross beat the keeper. In the second half Aylesbury didn't get out of their half and Kieran Donovan coolly controlled a Dean Kemp corner to slot home the winner. By the afternoon of the first day the sun came out, the temperature increased and St Albans faced Brentwood & Firebird who earlier had beaten a handy Carillion JFC team 3-0. Although Brentwood's players were considerably taller St Albans took the game to them and controlled the match from start to finish, but despite a Charlie Hunter freekick and Lee Close flick striking the crossbar, the match finished goalless much to B&F's relief.

An early start on the second day and a lack of sleep due to post-midnight antics didn't show when the boys faced group minnows Tempest FC as they romped away to a 7-0 win. First half goals came from Goro (hat-trick), Lee (header), James (long range strike) and an own goal, whilst Tom playing out on the pitch hammered in the seventh after half-time. Credit and praise to Tempest from Colchester, who kept going all tournament in the face of more experienced opposition. Carillion JFC from Bexley, were the last team to be faced in the group matches and they knew that they had to win to reach the final at City's expense. Never ones to sit back on their laurels City bombarded their goal in each half and with shot after shot going narrowly wide or cleared off the line, and the supporter's nerves started to build as they knew that a single breakaway could seal the boys fate. Thankfully it wasn't to be as Lee Close raced away down the left-hand side, cut inside to beat the keeper and shot home, before Goro powered through or the second, 2-0.

 

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts	GD
St Albans City Youth East	4	3	1	0	11	1	10	10
Brentwood & Firebird FC	4	3	1	0	10	0	10	10
Carillion JFC	4	2	0	2	7	6	6	1
Aylesbury Town	4	1	0	3	5	10	3	-5
Tempest FC	4	0	0	4	1	17	0	-16

   

 A 45 minute rest and the boys faced B&F in the final to settle their earlier goalless encounter, and a fantastic team spirit helped some very weary legs out on the pitch. This time the opposition were a bit more attack minded but the resolute defence of Ryan Maher, Jacob Wroe, Charlie Hunter and Will Northage coped admirably to limit B&F to a single weak header which Tom Coulton calmly scooped up. City won several corners and it was from one of these won by flying right winger Louis McNamara which settled the match. Dean Kemp stepped up to deliver the perfect ball to the near post and Goro timed his run to the millisecond to outleap the much taller defenders and his stunning header screamed past a shocked keeper. In the closing minutes Aidan Fortune kept the ball well in advanced positions in B&F's half to run down the clock for a well-deserved triumph.

 

After the post-match champagne celebration all the squad plus Laurence Wroe, Jack McNamara, Hal Maher and Team Manager Simon Wroe were presented with individual and an enormous European Cup style trophy by Sir Trevor Brooking at the Evening Reception. Overall a great weekend - good weather, good fun, hi-jinks and fantastic football.  

 

Under 11's

Excellent draw for 11's West

 

24th April 2005

Under 18's

West on top in club derby

A slow start by West saw them fall behind within two minutes.  Lucas glided past two weak challenges and crossed to the far post where the unmarked Meija volleyed past Kosky.  The goal woke up the sluggish West midfield, who quickly got on top.  The equaliser came on nine minutes, Hawes playing an excellent ball out of defence to Gray, whose first touch created the space for a defence-splitting pass to James. West’s lightening-quick forward skipped over the challenge and neatly placed the ball into the corner of the net. 

With Tillbrook now settling into his holding role in midfield, Clark and Jaravaza dominated the game.  East always looked dangerous on the break, but with Bailey doing a superb job to shackle the lively Meija, and Gray tracking back to snuff out the threat posed by Lucas, West began to look comfortable.  They took the lead after a period of play in which they had created three good chances in quick succession.  It was finally Godden, receiving a hooked pass from Ferdinand, who turned neatly and struck the ball home.  Just afterwards, Gray hit the bar with a wicked cross shot that completely deceived the East ‘keeper.

West were right to feel hard done by when East then scored from their only other shot of the half.  A good tackle by Tillbrook appeared to have cleared the ball, but the referee awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box.  Aided by the swirling wind, the free-kick drifted into the top corner with Kosky struggling to get across his line.

In the second period East pushed on looking for the win, and leaving too much space for James and Jaravaza.  James especially was a constant threat, his footwork too quick for any of the defenders.  It was James who combined down the left with Clark and Jaravaza to set up Ferdinand for what proved to be the crucial goal.

As West now reverted to 4-4-2 and sat back they comfortably absorbed the pressure, Smith and Hawes dealing easily with the long balls East pumped forward.  Every time West ventured forward they looked like getting another.  A fierce drive from Clark went narrowly over, and James twice came close to adding to his tally for the season as he danced his way through the East defence.  Patterson also carved out a good opening before driving high.  When the inevitable goal came, it was one that the East ‘keeper will want to forget, Smith’s over-hit through ball from 75 yards taking a high bounce over the ‘keepers head.  A lucky goal, but 4-2 was a fair reflection of the play.     

Team:  Kosky; Bailey, Hawes, Phillips (Smith, 45); Godden, Tillbrook, Clark, Jaravaza, Gray; James, Ferdinand (Patterson, 62).    

Under 12's

Girls lose to Harpenden

The U12 girls lost 3-1 to Harpenden in their final league game of the season, bringing to an end a winning run of 10 games.
The girls started well and started to put some pressure on Harpenden, although it was clear from the start that their opponents were a strong team.
Hannah Ford shot narrowly wide before Hayley Ladd put St Albans ahead with a well taken goal. At the other end Lucy Hancock made a couple of good saves, as Harpenden pressed forwards. St Albans continued to have the better of the game and came close to increasing their lead when they hit the post twice. With the score 1-0 at half time the girls went out in confident mood for the second half. However Harpenden began to play the better football and equalised from an excellent free kick on the edge of the box. The game became fairly much end to end. St Albans began to loose their shape and with 15 minutes to go a defensive error led to Harpenden taking the lead. This was followed by an own goal to make the final score 3-1.
Player of the match was Rachel Sherlow who had a really solid performance at right back.
 

East unstuck

After another whirlwind start which saw the East take the lead after 90 seconds, the boys couldn't hold back a strong Northwood team in the second half to go down 3-1 in the league at Francis Bacon.

With Northwood on a high after winning the Middlesex County Cup and knocking Harvesters out of the Challenge Cup, St Albans had the perfect start when a Dean Kemp corner was controlled by Goro Nishioka who spun and shot through a crowded area into the far side of the net. For fifteen minutes St Albans had most of the play but gradually Northwood played their way back into the match but both sides couldn't add to the scoreline. In the second half the wind increased and the Northwood pressure continued and they equalised after 6 minutes with a good shot high into the net which gave keeper Tom Coulton no chance. Ten minutes later Northwood got a second which then saw St Albans' throw players forward to salvage something from the game, but attempts from Goro, Lee Close and Aidan Fortune didn't trouble the scoreline. With 2 minutes injury time on the clock a rushed clearance was further punished by Northwood who added a third.

Overall disappointment for the boys in a match which closely mirrored the recent Herts County Cup Final defeat.

U12E: Coulton; Maher (Fortune), Wroe, Hunter, Gray (McNamara); Lowthian (Wilson), Donovan, Kemp (Northage), O'Shea; Nishioka, Close.

Under 12 Girls lose to Barking

On the face of it, not very good but the score belies a great performance by the girls.  Having not played for 2 months, the last game being a poor 1-19 defeat to the same Barking with only 10 players, and then arriving at the ground to find we had lost two key players somewhere on the way and never to arrive  it was not going to be easy.

he girls battled extremely well and the new defensive formation worked well despite having to draught in Anna Mason and Christina Berkeley at the last moment.  With Aimee Edel they did a great job.  Hannah Reardon and Rebecca Atkins were then given more freedom to try to impose themselves on the game, the latter certainly did so earning herself the player of the match award, perhaps just pipping Hannah to the post.  The midfield worked very hard but ran out of steam in the second half.  Oh for those two missing girls!!

Under 11's

West await final place?

 

17th April 2005

Under 12's

East show "Bouncebackability"

After an exhausting cup final on Sunday, St Albans City U12 East kept their heads high to bounce back to winning ways with a controlled single goal victory at Borehamwood 2000.

The result was secured with a single first half goal after a wondrous bit of skill from Aidan Fortune who timed his run well and beat a defender to break into the box. Aidan's resultant shot from a tight angle was half-saved by the keeper but good follow up work by Lee Close made sure the ball hit the back of the net from a few yards out. The match was keenly contested throughout with several stoppages for hard but fair tackling on both sides, and St Albans were unlucky not to take a 2 or 3 goal lead into half-time after shooting narrowly wide of the goal and a Borehamwood defender turning the ball onto his own post. The second half started off in the same pattern as the first, with Borehamwood being reduced to long shots by a keen midfield who worked the ball around the park to good effect. Chances were being created including Aidan turning neatly in the box and a shooting just over the bar and a Goro Nishioka strike which struck the post only to rebound into the keeper's arms. Even when St Albans got the ball in the net from a Dean Kemp drive, the ref had just blown for an injury. In a frantic finish the home side threw three then four attackers into the fray but excellent covering by fullbacks Louis McNamara and Eddie Gray, and some massive tackles by Jacob Wroe at centreback and Charlie Hunter at sweeper, meant that St Albans kept a welcome clean sheet.

Overall a good display which wipes away the memories of a heavy defeat on the same ground back in January, and keeps the league title hopes alive and kicking.

U12 East: Coulton; McNamara, Wroe, Hunter, Gray; Close, Donovan, Kemp, O'Shea; Nishioka, Fortune (Lowthian).

Girls progress to semi final

The U12 girls put on an excellent display to progress to the semi final of the plate competition. Playing against Hitchen Town Belles the girls started well with Winnie Wallace scoring after 2 minutes. 5 minutes later Winnie turned provider when after a good run down the right her excellent cross was finished off by Grace Lewis to make the score 2-0. St Albans continued to have most of the play although Hitchen did look dangerous on break. On 20 minutes the game looked to be all over when Megan Wynne made the score 3-0.

The score remained the same until half time and the girls came out in the second half expecting more of the same. However Hitchen really upped their game and started putting pressure on the St Albans defence. After 40 minutes they pulled a goal back to make the score 3-1. Hitchen continued to press forward and the game became fairly even before a through ball from Megan Wynne put Winnie Wallace through to score a well taken second goal. With five minutes to go Megan Wynne scored her second with a thunderous shot from outside of the area to make the final score 5-1.  This was another really good performance by the girls. They passed the ball around really well going forward and at the back dealt with everything that Hitchen threw at them.  Player of the match was hard to choose, after such a good team performance. Josie Green shaded the rest with a commanding performance in the middle of midfield.
 

Chances missed

Under 11's

Good win for the West

 

10th April 2005

Under 14's                                                                           

City 'West' suffer lack of concentration.

St Albans were away to Hemel Aces on Tuesday, a cup game which meant a lot to both teams.

But it was Hemel who took the lead after just 2 minutes when a goal line scramble was unfortunately turned in by City centre back Jamie Peters. St Albans came back from this fairly positively, although a fairly dull 1^st half saw Hemel go into the break 1-0 up.

Again City came out positively having most of the possession, but neither team could create into chances. Hemel managed to grind out a 1-0 victory, from a game which, looking back at it, would have had 0-0 written all over it.

Arron Shaw got Man of the match, finding the form he showed towards the end of last season, with a great game at the back.

 

Under 12's

 

Saints go down to Harvesters in CC Final  for full report and pictures click here>>>>>

St Albans City Youth's U12 East good fortune in the County Cup came to an end when faced with a strong Harvesters team in the final at Letchworth.

The Saints had the best of the opening encounters with good pressure down the right wing forcing a series of throw-ins deep into Harvesters half. The first chance in the match fell to Goro Nishioka whose shot from the edge of the just went past the post, but with 15 minutes gone City made the breakthrough following a deep lob from James Lowthian into the box. With Goro bearing down on the keeper, he was forced to punch the ball which was collected by Lee Close who was then tripped from behind by ex-Saint George Gordon. The ref pointed to the spot and Charlie Hunter struck the penalty to the keeper's right, and despite getting a hand to the ball it crept over the line for a deserved lead. At this point St Albans were on top with Kieran Donovan competing well in midfield whilst the defence of Louis McNamara, Jacob Wroe, Charlie Hunter and Eddie Gray, had Harvesters' strikers under wraps. More pressure saw the lads create another good chance when Lee Close broke through the back four, only for his pass to Goro to be judged offside, but from this point Harvesters got stronger. Just before half-time they upped their game and Saints were indebted to Louis who intercepted the ball off Harley Stairmand's foot when a goal looked certain and keeper Tom Coulton pulled off a breathtaking diving save to push the ball onto and over the bar.

So at half-time we were one-up, but it was backs to the wall after the restart and Harvesters got even within five minutes after a deep delivery into the box from the left wasn't picked up. After this Harvesters saw their chance and with Saints midfield tiring and a lack of support for the strikers most of the play was in the City half, where their irresistible striking force came up against the immovable object, namely Saints defence. With several attacking waves breaking on the City walls it looked as though the stalemate would continue to full-time, but in the 59th minute Harvesters capitalised on a poor header and Tom Coulton could only parry the shot to the right and the rebound was stuck away. From the kick-off Saints piled forward but the ball was lost and a deep cross from the right was neatly headed home past the defenceless Coulton in goal to rub salt into the youngsters wounds.

Overall we didn't play our best football, but the lads can be proud with their achievement of reaching their first major final which they led for 20 minutes compared to Harvesters 3! Saints men of the match were Louis playing his first match at right back for 3 years and Tom in goal who had knocked his head on the post and injured his arm whilst in the line of fire.

U12 East: Coulton; McNamara, Wroe, Hunter, Gray; Lowthian (Fortune), Donovan, Kemp, O'Shea; Nishioka, Close. Other used subs: Northage, Maher, Bullock, Wilson.

 

Girls seal runners up spot

The U12 girls sealed the runners up spot in the Herts Girls League Division 2 with a convincing 9-1 victory against Hatfield Youth.

Megan Wynne opened the scoring after 2 minutes with a typical strong run and finish. The girls then seemed to lose their way a bit and although they were still having the better of the game could not increase their lead. However on twenty minutes after a shot from Grace Lewis the ball fell to Hannah Ford in the area who slotted the ball away to make the score 2-0.

A minute later Megan Wynne made the score 3-0 with a powerful run and shot .On the stroke of half time Megan scored her hat-trick after an excellent cross from Grace Lewis. The score at half time flattered the girls with Hatfield making some decent breaks, most of which were snuffed out by the St Albans defence where Megan Shaw put in a particularly impressive performance.

The second half saw Hatfield putting up a spirited fight and after 40 minutes they scored to make the score 4-1. There were a few jitters before Megan Wynne scored her fourth to make the game safe on 50 minutes. Grace Lewis Scored a deserved goal two minutes later, and this was followed up by another by Hannah Ford to make the score 7-1.

The girls then scored one of the best this season with a flowing move. Megan Wynne fed Grace Lewis on the left who advanced on the gaol before passing to Hayley Ladd who put the ball past the keeper. Right on the stroke of full time St Albans were awarded a penalty which Josie Green calmly put away to make the final score 9-1.Despite the score Hatfield put up a brave fight and looked dangerous on the break.

This result means that the girls will definitely end up as runners up in the league. This is thoroughly deserved as the girls have played some excellent football this season and have improved considerably as the season has progressed.

Player of the match was Grace Lewis with an excellent performance on the left side of midfield.

 

Under 11's

 

West march on

St Albans City West beat Echoes 4 - 2 in their second match of the Thomas Hardy Cup. City started brightly and looked on top creating the only chances then after quarter of an hour Echoes broke quickly and with their first attack of the game scored. City still stunned watched as they did it again and their second attack produced another goal. Rather than stop City continued as they had been playing and straight after the kick off Laurence Blow placed a shot after receiving a throw in from Harvey Scott. More pressure was rewarded with a goal in the last minute of extra time. Harvey crossed the ball in and Tom Pugh jumped well to head the ball over the keeper. The second half started with Echoes determined to get back into the match and a great save from Matthew Rodford denied them an early chance. After 6 mins Laurie Blow put in a great corner which was finished with a deflected shot from Harvey. A few minutes later a penalty was awarded to City after the ball had been handled in the box but unfortunatley Matthew hit the ball wide. It made no difference as Chris Hudson sealed the win in the 56 minute powering in another fine Laurie corner. Joint men of the match going to Chris Hudson and Matthew Rodford.

 

3rd April 2005

Under 12's

Under 12's West fight back

The first goal after 8 minutes came from an excellent piece of link up play when Matt Peckham set Jon Mallaburn away down the right, and his excellent cross was buried by Carl Biggs. Charlie Craigen who was rock solid in defence and was unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions set up Scott Howlett for the 2nd goal and his shot was sweetly struck into the top corner from the edge of the box.  Matt who was influential through out the game again instigated the 3rd goal setting Scott away down the wing, beating the defence for pace and chipping the keeper in fine style.  West were cruising and pushing forward and were then given a sharp lesson conceding two goals in quick succession, although the first one came from a poor free kick decision.  However,  West kept their cool and Matt's superbly struck shot was parried by the keeper for Carl to pounce for his second.  Jon Mallaburn finally got his reward for all his hard work 1 minute from time, when Carls flick on was not cleared and Jon pressured the defender into making an error and he was able to slip the shot past the keeper.  West created plenty of chances and were unlucky not to score on a few more but it was a solid team performance. 

One eye on next week

Whether it was having half a mind on next week's County Cup Final, St Albans City Youth U12 East started poorly but twice fought back from being a goal behind against a tough Northwood side to earn a battling draw.

On a very narrow pitch St Albans were second to most balls in the first half and found themselves a goal behind after ten minutes when the Northwood striker was first to a ball over the top, and despite keeper Tom Coulton parrying the shot they were first to the rebound. With the exception of Kieran Donovan in midfield St Albans' play lacked a bit of bite and it wasn't til the 20th minute when the lads had their first meaningful shot. Northwood could count themselves unlucky not to have been two up at the break. After the restart St Albans upped their game and in the space of 6 minutes the three remaining goals were scored. The first equaliser came from the unlikely source of fullback Will Northage who put a half-cleared corner back into the Northwood box. With several player's jumping around the keeper the high ball was deflected towards the net, and Goro Nishioka made sure it crossed the line for Will's first club goal on his 59th appearance! In reply Northwood again broke through the away defence to stroke the ball past Tom, although the referee chose to ignore a foul in midfield and a blatant pull on Charlie Hunter's shirt when trying to clear the ball. The final goal came from a trademark Dean Kemp freekick, smashed high into the top corner from a full 30 yards to impress the watching Harvesters' management.

St Albans were on top in the final 10 minutes and twice skimmed the bar with efforts from Lee Close and a near piece of Goro brilliance who turned and shot in one movement from the edge of the box. Overall the draw was probably a fair result considering the poor start....... something we can't afford next week!!

U12 East: Coulton; Northage (Wilson), Maher, Hunter, Gray; McNamara (Fortune), Donovan, Kemp, O'Shea; Nishioka, Close.

Under 11's

Scott on fire

31st March 2005

Under 18's

Easter Tour report

Under 14's                                                                           

City 'West' put in another good performance.

St Albans put in another good performance in the Spring Trophy with a 3-2 win against Muswell Hill. City started well and pulled good saves out of the Muswell Hill goalkeeper from the start. But after about 15 minutes Muswell Hill broke through the City defence and a good save from the City goalkeeper stopped the original stop, but allowed a Muswell Hill striker an open goal. The score remained like this until half time.

Disaster then struck again when City conceded again about 10 minutes after the restart, when a freekick was swept across and only partially cleared, and a good strike from a Muswell Hill striker left City 2-0 down with about 25 minutes remaining. But about 5 minutes afterwards Nick Glasgow appeared at the back post to score a great goal to give City a glimmer of hope. Nick Glasgow then equalized for City with a powerful header from a Daniel Burtt corner. And, with 5 minutes remaining Aaron Lumsden crept in at the back post to claim his 20^th goal of the season.

Steli Lasonos was named Man of the Match for a solid game at the back, after a few weeks off. This victory gives City every chance of progressing further in this Spring Competition, the Competition City have won twice in the last 3 years.

 

20th March 2005

Under 18's

West into Semi Final

West won a place in the Challenge Cup semi-finals with a confident performance against a combative Garston United.  For the first time in several weeks West’s passing looked smooth as they moved the ball down the flanks.  Without creating any clear chances, they dominated the opening quarter but then, as so often this season, confidence lapsed on a set piece and a Garston forward was given a free header on goal. 

An injury to Rhodes forced a change on 21 minutes, but West maintained the same pattern of play and did not drop the tempo.  James forced a good save from the ‘keeper after an exchange of passes with Ferdinand and Clark, and then returned the compliment to send Clark in on goal.  A foul on Jaravaza on the edge of the area brought the equaliser, Hawes striking the dead ball against the crossbar and Clark following up to stroke the ball home. 

The decisive goal came early in the second half, and had a touch of luck about it, Anderson striking a firm ball across the box that took a deflection past the stranded goalkeeper.  With their noses now in front, West carved Garston apart with some incisive play.  Much of this was built upon a solid performance from Lock in midfield, and tidy play at the back from Smith and a rejuvenated Phillipps. Godden had a fine game in the centre of the park, linking the play.  He combined with Lock to break down a Garston attack and Anderson’s long pass found James. His neat turn and flick set Ferdinand free to beat the ‘keeper with a powerful shot.  At 3-1 West were coasting, and in the final ten minutes James tormented the Garston defence.  He stepped up to take a penalty awarded in the final minutes, after Smith had been impeded from a corner, to give West am emphatic victory.

Team:  Kosky; Hawes, Smith, Phillipps; Jaravaza, Lock, Clark, Rhodes (Anderson, 21), Godden; James, Ferdinand

Under 12's

Last 20 minutes turn around

For 40 minutes of this match St Albans U12 East were atrocious but in the last twenty managed to turn around a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 win over Whetstone Panthers at Francis Bacon.

Not much to say about the first half except the defence spent most of their time bickering amongst each other, the midfield wasn't covering and the attackers failed to hold up the ball, with the result that the Panthers looked by far the better team and good value for their single goal lead at the break. Within two minutes of the restart it was 2-0 with a close range shot off the post giving keeper and Arsenal Triallist, Tom Coulton no chance. Once the in-team squabbling stopped St Albans started to play and Goro Nishioka jinked through the Whetstone defence to slot the ball past the keeper for a 1-2 scoreline. Unfortunately Whetstone soon got back their two goal lead for 1-3, before Dean Kemp's appearance as substitute turned the match St Albans way. Aidan Fortune smartly took down Dean's ball on the edge of the box, turned and lobbed it over the keeper, 2-3. With the Jekyll and Hyde transformation complete St Albans were now playing good football and another substitute, Will Northage put in a defence splitting ball which Goro homed in on and fired past the advancing keeper into the far side of the net, 3-3. By now Whetstone and their followers were rattled, and a series of late, dangerous and heavy challenges were punished with freekicks around the box. From one of these freekicks a deflection appeared to hit a raised defender's hand on the line, and after much deliberation a corner was awarded, which was then handled by the Whetstone Captain. No (less) arguing this time and Charlie Hunter stepped up to strike the ball into the back of the net, 4-3 and four minutes left. In the remaining time several pitch invasions occurred with Whetstone players flinging themselves all over the pitch, but St Albans kept their cool whilst Whetstone totally lost theirs for a memorable comeback win.

U12 East: Coulton; Hollis (Bullock, Northage), Wroe, Hunter, Gray; McNamara, Maher (Kemp), Donovan, O'Shea; Nishioka, Fortune.

U12 girls see off champions

The U12 girls put in a fantastic