Gravesham Schools' Football Association U12s 2012 / 13
KENT CUP AND FRIENDLIES
The team entered the Kent Cup which was played on a league basis with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the semi-finals of the A.B. Taylor Trophy. The next two teams qualified for the semi-finals of the Holy Cross Cup.
Saturday 6th October Kent Cup
Gravesham 3 North Kent 4 (Scorers: Higgins(2), Crow)
Gravesham U12’s played their first game of the season against local rivals North Kent at Fleet Leisure. With conditions perfect for football both teams started brightly drawing smart saves from both goalkeepers. Gravesham were first to make the break through with a great counter attack. Ryan Hanley releasing Scott Higgins to calmly slide the ball past the oncoming keeper into the back of the net.
North Kent responded strongly with James Harrison making a number of great saves but was unable to prevent Gravesham going into half time 3-1 down. Gravesham responded strongly in the second half and had soon reduced the deficit with Lewis Crow powerfully finishing in to the roof of the net after a fine pass from Tom Monk.
The game continued to ebb and flow with both teams playing some good football and creating plenty of chances. Gravesham were able to make it 3-3 with Scott Higgins scoring his second goal of the game. Scott applied a cool finish into an open goal after North Kent’s goalkeeper saved at the feet of Adam Goodridge.
It was looking like the next goal would win the game with time running out, and so it proved with North Kent getting the goal to make it 4-3. Gravesham poured forward to find an equaliser and had two great chances but saw the North Kent goalkeeper make two excellent saves. A draw would have been a fair result but there were plenty of positives for a team that had not played together before.
Saturday 20th October Friendly
Gravesham 7 Dover 0 (Scorers: Goodridge(4), Bramble, Crow, Coombs)
On Saturday 20th October Gravesham U12’s played a friendly fixture against Dover to gain vital competitive practice and determine the final squad for the 2012/13 season. The game was played in three twenty-five minute periods, the first of which goalless due to some solid defensive work by both teams.
The game sparked into life during the second third with Gravesham finding more fluency in midfield leading to a number of goal scoring opportunities. Adam Goodridge was the main beneficiary of these with four superbly taken goals. With Gravesham now a constant threat more goals followed from Scott Higgins (2) to leave the score line at 6-0 after fifty minutes. Following several changes for the final third Gravesham took time to find there rhythm in a scrappy opening ten minutes.
However, another good defensive display and a fine solo run and goal from Tyreece Beesley capped off an excellent team performance. With the final score ending 7-0 to Gravesham this was a strong performance that will give the team great encouragement for the rest of the season.
Saturday 1st December Kent Cup
Gravesham 5 East Sussex 1 (Scorers: Higgins(2), Bramble, Crow, Coombs)
On Saturday 1st December Gravesham U12’s played East Sussex in the A.B Taylor Trophy. After a frustrating 2-1 defeat to Croydon the previous week the team bounced back with a fantastic 5-1 victory. From the kick off Gravesham played with an excellent tempo pressing the ball at every opportunity to put the opposition under pressure and force mistakes.
With Gravesham enjoying the majority of possession a 2-0 lead was established (Scott Higgins and TJ Bramble the scorers) before an unlucky bounce on the frosty pitch gave East Sussex a goal to leave the score 2-1 at half time. Following the break Gravesham began passing the ball with greater confidence, Dominic German and TJ Bramble picking passes that created chances for other players. This led to further goals from Scott Higgins, Lewis Crow and Callum Coombs to round off an excellent team performance.
A special mention must also be made to the defence who gave a disciplined performance offering little opportunity to East Sussex in front of goal.
Saturday 8th December Friendly
Thurrock 3 Gravesham 3 (Scorers: Arthey(2, both penalties), Higgins)
On Saturday 8th December Gravesham U12’s played Thurrock SFA in a friendly match. This provided the opportunity for the team to build on last week’s 5-1 win against East Sussex. From the first whistle Thurrock took the initiative pressing the ball at every opportunity to force mistakes from a below par Gravesham start. Early pressure resulted in a well taken goal from the opposition midway through the first half. Gravesham then responded through an excellent solo run by Tom Monk leading to a foul inside the box and calmly converted penalty by Michael Arthey. With Gravesham still off the place Thurrock created several opportunities that led to another goal and 2-1 score line at half time.After a strong team talk at half time Gravesham started to dominate proceedings, passing the ball with fluency to create a number of chances. Dominic German and Zac Smith were exceptional in the middle of the pitch showing aggression and commitment in the tackle. Although Gravesham were now the better team Thurrock broke quickly on the counter attack to lead 3-1 midway through the second half. At no point did Gravesham lose confidence and bounced back with a brilliant solo run and strike from Scott Higgins. Pushing for the equaliser Jake Jarvis then ran onto a through ball that resulted in another penalty for the team. Again well taken by Michael Arthey, the game remained at 3-3 until the final whistle. The team can be particularly proud of an excellent second half performance that showed fantastic team spirit. A special mention must be made to Stan Ford who played an excellent game at centre back dealing with any attacking threat and distributing the ball with confidence.
Saturday January 19th Kent Cup
Medway 0 Gravesham 4 (Scorers: Beesley(2), Goodrich, Jarvis)
On Sat 23rd February Gravesham U12's played their last group game against Medway District. Gravesham started positively, passing the ball fluently on a firm and bouncy pitch. Although a number of opportunities were created it took until just before half-time for the deadlock to be broken. A driving run and excellent through ball by Sonny Aoshead to Adam Goodrich allowed for a superb finish into the bottom right corner. This gave Gravesham the confidence needed to play a more expansive game after the break.
Even with five changes made at halftime the team continued to dominate play looking more threatening in the final third. The introduction of Tyreece Beesley, TJ Bramble and Jake Jarvis gave the team a higher tempo and more cutting edge in the final third. That led to continuous pressure and three brilliantly taken goals in the second half by Jake Jarvis and Tyreece Beesley (2). Gravesham's defence also looked very solid thanks to excellent performances from all the back four and keeper.
Saturday 16th February Kent Cup
West Kent 2 Gravesham 1 (Scorer: Jarvis)
After a frustrating month of cancelled fixtures the U12's resumed competitive action against West Kent at Tunbridge Wells on Saturday 16th February.
On a bouncy and uneven pitch passing proved difficult for both teams in the early exchanges. On the 20 minute mark a well taken free kick led to the opening goal of the game from West Kent. The lead was then doubled after half an hour when the Gravesham defence reacted slowly to an excellent run and through ball. Just before the half time whistle Jake Jarvis finished superbly after some good build up play to give Gravesham much needed confidence at half time.
Following the break Gravesham spent almost the entire second half on the edge of the West Kent box but failed to find the final ball or finish that would level the scoreline. After some fine saves and near misses the final score ended 2-1 leaving Gravesham 3rd in the table with one remaining group game to play against Medway.
Special mentions should be made to Sonny Aoshead, Dominic German and Michael Arthey for battling performances in midfield that nearly turned the game in our favour.
The team entered the Kent Cup which was played on a league basis with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the semi-finals of the A.B. Taylor Trophy. The next two teams qualified for the semi-finals of the Holy Cross Cup.
Saturday 6th October Kent Cup
Gravesham 3 North Kent 4 (Scorers: Higgins(2), Crow)
Gravesham U12’s played their first game of the season against local rivals North Kent at Fleet Leisure. With conditions perfect for football both teams started brightly drawing smart saves from both goalkeepers. Gravesham were first to make the break through with a great counter attack. Ryan Hanley releasing Scott Higgins to calmly slide the ball past the oncoming keeper into the back of the net.
North Kent responded strongly with James Harrison making a number of great saves but was unable to prevent Gravesham going into half time 3-1 down. Gravesham responded strongly in the second half and had soon reduced the deficit with Lewis Crow powerfully finishing in to the roof of the net after a fine pass from Tom Monk.
The game continued to ebb and flow with both teams playing some good football and creating plenty of chances. Gravesham were able to make it 3-3 with Scott Higgins scoring his second goal of the game. Scott applied a cool finish into an open goal after North Kent’s goalkeeper saved at the feet of Adam Goodridge.
It was looking like the next goal would win the game with time running out, and so it proved with North Kent getting the goal to make it 4-3. Gravesham poured forward to find an equaliser and had two great chances but saw the North Kent goalkeeper make two excellent saves. A draw would have been a fair result but there were plenty of positives for a team that had not played together before.
Saturday 20th October Friendly
Gravesham 7 Dover 0 (Scorers: Goodridge(4), Bramble, Crow, Coombs)
On Saturday 20th October Gravesham U12’s played a friendly fixture against Dover to gain vital competitive practice and determine the final squad for the 2012/13 season. The game was played in three twenty-five minute periods, the first of which goalless due to some solid defensive work by both teams.
The game sparked into life during the second third with Gravesham finding more fluency in midfield leading to a number of goal scoring opportunities. Adam Goodridge was the main beneficiary of these with four superbly taken goals. With Gravesham now a constant threat more goals followed from Scott Higgins (2) to leave the score line at 6-0 after fifty minutes. Following several changes for the final third Gravesham took time to find there rhythm in a scrappy opening ten minutes.
However, another good defensive display and a fine solo run and goal from Tyreece Beesley capped off an excellent team performance. With the final score ending 7-0 to Gravesham this was a strong performance that will give the team great encouragement for the rest of the season.
Saturday 1st December Kent Cup
Gravesham 5 East Sussex 1 (Scorers: Higgins(2), Bramble, Crow, Coombs)
On Saturday 1st December Gravesham U12’s played East Sussex in the A.B Taylor Trophy. After a frustrating 2-1 defeat to Croydon the previous week the team bounced back with a fantastic 5-1 victory. From the kick off Gravesham played with an excellent tempo pressing the ball at every opportunity to put the opposition under pressure and force mistakes.
With Gravesham enjoying the majority of possession a 2-0 lead was established (Scott Higgins and TJ Bramble the scorers) before an unlucky bounce on the frosty pitch gave East Sussex a goal to leave the score 2-1 at half time. Following the break Gravesham began passing the ball with greater confidence, Dominic German and TJ Bramble picking passes that created chances for other players. This led to further goals from Scott Higgins, Lewis Crow and Callum Coombs to round off an excellent team performance.
A special mention must also be made to the defence who gave a disciplined performance offering little opportunity to East Sussex in front of goal.
Saturday 8th December Friendly
Thurrock 3 Gravesham 3 (Scorers: Arthey(2, both penalties), Higgins)
On Saturday 8th December Gravesham U12’s played Thurrock SFA in a friendly match. This provided the opportunity for the team to build on last week’s 5-1 win against East Sussex. From the first whistle Thurrock took the initiative pressing the ball at every opportunity to force mistakes from a below par Gravesham start. Early pressure resulted in a well taken goal from the opposition midway through the first half. Gravesham then responded through an excellent solo run by Tom Monk leading to a foul inside the box and calmly converted penalty by Michael Arthey. With Gravesham still off the place Thurrock created several opportunities that led to another goal and 2-1 score line at half time.After a strong team talk at half time Gravesham started to dominate proceedings, passing the ball with fluency to create a number of chances. Dominic German and Zac Smith were exceptional in the middle of the pitch showing aggression and commitment in the tackle. Although Gravesham were now the better team Thurrock broke quickly on the counter attack to lead 3-1 midway through the second half. At no point did Gravesham lose confidence and bounced back with a brilliant solo run and strike from Scott Higgins. Pushing for the equaliser Jake Jarvis then ran onto a through ball that resulted in another penalty for the team. Again well taken by Michael Arthey, the game remained at 3-3 until the final whistle. The team can be particularly proud of an excellent second half performance that showed fantastic team spirit. A special mention must be made to Stan Ford who played an excellent game at centre back dealing with any attacking threat and distributing the ball with confidence.
Saturday January 19th Kent Cup
Medway 0 Gravesham 4 (Scorers: Beesley(2), Goodrich, Jarvis)
On Sat 23rd February Gravesham U12's played their last group game against Medway District. Gravesham started positively, passing the ball fluently on a firm and bouncy pitch. Although a number of opportunities were created it took until just before half-time for the deadlock to be broken. A driving run and excellent through ball by Sonny Aoshead to Adam Goodrich allowed for a superb finish into the bottom right corner. This gave Gravesham the confidence needed to play a more expansive game after the break.
Even with five changes made at halftime the team continued to dominate play looking more threatening in the final third. The introduction of Tyreece Beesley, TJ Bramble and Jake Jarvis gave the team a higher tempo and more cutting edge in the final third. That led to continuous pressure and three brilliantly taken goals in the second half by Jake Jarvis and Tyreece Beesley (2). Gravesham's defence also looked very solid thanks to excellent performances from all the back four and keeper.
Saturday 16th February Kent Cup
West Kent 2 Gravesham 1 (Scorer: Jarvis)
After a frustrating month of cancelled fixtures the U12's resumed competitive action against West Kent at Tunbridge Wells on Saturday 16th February.
On a bouncy and uneven pitch passing proved difficult for both teams in the early exchanges. On the 20 minute mark a well taken free kick led to the opening goal of the game from West Kent. The lead was then doubled after half an hour when the Gravesham defence reacted slowly to an excellent run and through ball. Just before the half time whistle Jake Jarvis finished superbly after some good build up play to give Gravesham much needed confidence at half time.
Following the break Gravesham spent almost the entire second half on the edge of the West Kent box but failed to find the final ball or finish that would level the scoreline. After some fine saves and near misses the final score ended 2-1 leaving Gravesham 3rd in the table with one remaining group game to play against Medway.
Special mentions should be made to Sonny Aoshead, Dominic German and Michael Arthey for battling performances in midfield that nearly turned the game in our favour.
HOLY CROSS CUP SEMI-FINAL
Saturday 23rd March
Dover 0 Gravesham 2 (Scorers: Smith Beesley)
On Saturday 20th April Gravesham U12’s travelled to Deal playing Dover in the semi-final of the Holy Cross Cup. Although Gravesham had previously been victorious against the same opposition in a pre-season friendly this was to prove a far more competitive game with the home team in determined mood. During the early exchanges Gravesham controlled possession passing the ball with confidence and composure to create a series of half chances. The best fell to Lewis Crow after a well-timed defence splitting pass from Adam Goodrich set him free. Unfortunately the Dover goalkeeper saved superbly down low to keep his team even at the break.
After half time Gravesham continued to create opportunities with Tyreece Beesley linking regularly with the midfield to apply considerable pressure to the Dover defence. Gravesham were also showing excellent discipline in defence giving little encouragement to Dover when going forward. Michael Arthey and Stan Ford read the game exceptionally to cut out any opportunities the opposition created. A special mention must also be given to Zach Smith who not only man marked Dover’s strongest player out the game but broke the deadlock midway through the second half with a brilliant 25 yard volley. With the ball dropping in midfield Zach had no hesitation in testing the keeper and striking it powerfully under the opposition crossbar. Some excellent work down either wings from Callum and Ethan Coombs Gravesham continued to create chances as the second half wore on. An outstanding team performance and win was then confirmed when Tyreece Beesley scored a much deserved goal to make in 2-0 at the final whistle. The team will now play East Sussex in the final of the Holy Cross Cup semi-final.
HOLY CROSS CUP FINAL
Friday 10th May, Fleet Leisure Centre, 7.00pm kick off
East Sussex 2 Gravesham 1 (Scorer: Beesley)
PATRICK HAUGH TROPHY
The competition was organised on a knock out basis and open to all associations in the South East area.
Saturday 24th November Round 1
Croydon 2 Gravesham 1 (Scorer: Jarvis)
Gravesham travelled to play a strong Croydon team in the Patrick Haugh Trophy. Gravesham matched their hosts but after around 15mins Croydon had a break down the right side which ended with a cross which went in at the front post so at half timethe score was 1-0 to Croydon. The second half continued to be an even contest but then Gravesham conceded a corner from which Croydon scored their second goal. However, Gravesham showed very good spirit and with 10 minutes left broke down the right and Jake Jarvis recieved the ball on the edge of the box which he hit into the top corner. With the score 2-1 Gravesham applied considerable pressure on the Croydon defence but were unable to equalise.