Gravesham Schools' Football Association Under 12s Fixtures 2014 / 15
KENT CUP AND FRIENDLY FIXTURES
The team entered the Kent Cup, the early stages of which were played on a league basis. The top four in the league qualified for the A.B. Taylor Trophy and the next four teams qualified for the Holy Cross Cup.
Saturday 4th October Kent Cup
Gravesham 4 North Kent 6 (Scorer: Jones, Torto-Doku, Dhami, Sahni)
Gravesham U12s began their season with a match at home to North Kent. This was the first season that this age group has been played as a 9-a-side competition. Gravesham started the match brightly and some crisp passing caused the visitors some difficulties in the opening ten minutes. However the physically stronger North Kent side began to take the upper hand and Gravesham were struggling to deal with their forward runs.
Goalkeeper Jack Scott was forced to make some good saves but eventually Gravesham conceded three goals at the end of the first half. North Kent continued to look strong at the beginning of the second half and soon increased their lead to 4-0. Gravesham rallied again however and forward Morgan Jones confidently pulled a goal back for the home side.
Soon afterwards Gravesham were awarded a free-kick just outside the visitors penalty area and Godfrey Torto-Dorku struck the ball superbly into the back of the net. North Kent then regained control and scored twice more but Gravesham refused to give up. Gravesham once more began to pass the ball with greater accuracy and were rewarded with two goals following fine strikes firstly from Rio Dhami and then Rajan Sanhi.
However, Gravesham were unable to make any further impact on the score which finished Gravesham 4 North Kent 6.
Saturday 18th October Kent Cup
West Kent 4 Gravesham 2 (Scorers: Dhami, Sahni)
Gravesham U12s played West Kent at St. Gregory's Catholic School in Tunbridge Wells. Gravesham started the match playing against the slope, and they battled doggedly. Gravesham deservedly took the lead when Louie Watkins long range shot was too powerful for the goalkeeper to hold and Rio Dhami followed up to head home. West Kent began to offer more threats and Gravesham keeper Jack Scott was called to make some good saves. West Kent equalised in the final minute of the last half from a free-kick. West Kent started the second half strongly and within ten minutes had a 3-1 advantage. However Gravesham continued to push forwards. Rajan Sahni scored his second goal in two matches to make the score 3-2 and Kieran Ellis was unfortunate when he hit the, crossbar with a fierce shot from 20 yards. West Kent scored once more to make the final score 4-2.
Saturday 29th November Kent Cup
Gravesham 2 Blackheath 5 (Scorers Vickers, Sahni(pen))
Gravesham U12s hosted Blackheath in the AB Taylor Trophy. Gravesham made the worst possible start, conceding within the first minute of the match. However, they fought their way back into the match and Travis Vickers equalised after ten minutes. Two minutes later Gravesham took were awarded a penalty after a Blackheath defender handled the ball on the line and Rajan Sahni drilled an unstoppable shot past the Blackheath goalkeeper. However, Gravesham were unable to maintain concentration and then conceded three quick goals to make the score at half-time 5-2. In the second half Gravesham re-grouped and defended with more conviction and at the same time put some pleasing passing moves together when attacking. Neither team were able to add to their goal tally in the second half and the final score was Gravesham 2 Blackheath 5.
Saturday 13th December Kent Cup
Bromley 1 Gravesham 2 (Scorers: Wells, Jones)
Gravesham U12s travelled to Glebe FC in Chislehurst to play Bromley on a bright, crisp winter morning. Bromley played some good possession football from the outset but some resolute defending by Joe Salmon, Louie Watkins and Godfrey Torto-Doku as well as a string of good saves from goalkeeper Jack Scott kept the home team at bay. As the half progressed Gravesham visibly grew in confidence and began to create some chances of their own. However at half-time neither team had managed to break the deadlock. Within 5 minutes of the second half Gravesham took the lead. A fine pass from Rio Dhami invited George Wells to strike a ferocious shot in the top corner from 20 yards. Both teams were beginning to create chances without converting until Bromley equalised with 15 minutes remaining. The game became increasingly open but with less than ten minutes remaining goalkeeper Jack Scott collected the ball from a corner and quickly launched a long kick into the Bromley half. Forward Morgan Jones used his strength to power past a Bromley defender and struck decisively to restore Gravesham's lead. Both teams had further opportunities score but at the end of the match Gravesham had secured their first win of the season.
Saturday 24th January Kent Cup
Gravesham 3 East Sussex 1 (Scorers: Vickers, Dhami, Taylor)
Gravesham U12s entertained East Sussex on a cold January morning at Elite Venue. Gravesham began the game brightly and after an even opening ten minutes began to dominate possession. Baran Ramsubhag and Raj Sahni took control of the centre of the park with some strong challenges and fine passing. As the half progressed Gravesham played some good football, enabling them to create a number of decent opportunities. Gravesham had a number of close attempts, the closest of which was when George Wells hit the apex of the cross bar and post from 15 yards. Despite this East Sussex took the lead after 18 minutes on a rare attack. Gravesham continued to pile on the pressure but found the visiting goalkeeper in outstanding form. In the final minute of the first half Gravesham had a corner and although Louie Watkins saw his goal bound attempt blocked Travis Vickers was in the right place to drive the ball over the line to equalise. Ten minutes into the second half Gravesham took the lead when a superb strike from Rio Dhami went into the top corner of the net. The remainder of the match was more even with few chances created at either end but Gravesham were able to extend their lead with two minutes remaining when Harry Taylor's goal made the final score 3-1 to Gravesham.
Saturday 7th February Friendly
Swale 2 Gravesham 2 (Scorer: Sahni(2))
Gravesham U12s travelled to Murston Park to play Swale in a friendly. Gravesham dominated possession in the first half with some tidy possessive football but it was the hosts that took the lead after 29 minutes following a rare attack. In the second half Gravesham continued to have the greater possession and after 37 minutes Rio Dhami played a good through ball for Raj Sahni to run onto and score. Gravesham had an opportunity to take the lead after 44 minutes but had a penalty that was well saved by the Swale goalkeeper. Swale did have more opportunities in the second half and regained the lead after 49 minutes. This led to an onslaught from Gravesham with several shots blocked or missing the target. However, Gravesham gained a deserved equaliser with three minutes remaining when Godfrey Torto-Doku's blistering free-kick was tipped onto the crossbar allowing Raj Sahni to follow up for his second goal of the match, Final score: Swale 2 Gravesham 2.
Saturday 14th March Kent Cup
Maidstone 3 Gravesham 0
Gravesham U12s played their last match in the league stages of the Kent Cup away to Maidstone. Gravesham started brightly without really threatening Maidstone but then let in two goals to be trailing two-nil after 20 minutes. Rajan Sahni had an opportunity to score and Joe Salmon was unfortunate to see a thunderous shot from 25 yards hit the underside of the crossbar but the score remained 2-0 at half-time. The second half remained an even affair but Maidstone eventually ran out 3-0 winners. Despite the defeat Gravesham have amassed enough points to qualify for the Quarter-Finals of the Holy Cross Competition and will be at home to Thanet on March 21st.
The team entered the Kent Cup, the early stages of which were played on a league basis. The top four in the league qualified for the A.B. Taylor Trophy and the next four teams qualified for the Holy Cross Cup.
Saturday 4th October Kent Cup
Gravesham 4 North Kent 6 (Scorer: Jones, Torto-Doku, Dhami, Sahni)
Gravesham U12s began their season with a match at home to North Kent. This was the first season that this age group has been played as a 9-a-side competition. Gravesham started the match brightly and some crisp passing caused the visitors some difficulties in the opening ten minutes. However the physically stronger North Kent side began to take the upper hand and Gravesham were struggling to deal with their forward runs.
Goalkeeper Jack Scott was forced to make some good saves but eventually Gravesham conceded three goals at the end of the first half. North Kent continued to look strong at the beginning of the second half and soon increased their lead to 4-0. Gravesham rallied again however and forward Morgan Jones confidently pulled a goal back for the home side.
Soon afterwards Gravesham were awarded a free-kick just outside the visitors penalty area and Godfrey Torto-Dorku struck the ball superbly into the back of the net. North Kent then regained control and scored twice more but Gravesham refused to give up. Gravesham once more began to pass the ball with greater accuracy and were rewarded with two goals following fine strikes firstly from Rio Dhami and then Rajan Sanhi.
However, Gravesham were unable to make any further impact on the score which finished Gravesham 4 North Kent 6.
Saturday 18th October Kent Cup
West Kent 4 Gravesham 2 (Scorers: Dhami, Sahni)
Gravesham U12s played West Kent at St. Gregory's Catholic School in Tunbridge Wells. Gravesham started the match playing against the slope, and they battled doggedly. Gravesham deservedly took the lead when Louie Watkins long range shot was too powerful for the goalkeeper to hold and Rio Dhami followed up to head home. West Kent began to offer more threats and Gravesham keeper Jack Scott was called to make some good saves. West Kent equalised in the final minute of the last half from a free-kick. West Kent started the second half strongly and within ten minutes had a 3-1 advantage. However Gravesham continued to push forwards. Rajan Sahni scored his second goal in two matches to make the score 3-2 and Kieran Ellis was unfortunate when he hit the, crossbar with a fierce shot from 20 yards. West Kent scored once more to make the final score 4-2.
Saturday 29th November Kent Cup
Gravesham 2 Blackheath 5 (Scorers Vickers, Sahni(pen))
Gravesham U12s hosted Blackheath in the AB Taylor Trophy. Gravesham made the worst possible start, conceding within the first minute of the match. However, they fought their way back into the match and Travis Vickers equalised after ten minutes. Two minutes later Gravesham took were awarded a penalty after a Blackheath defender handled the ball on the line and Rajan Sahni drilled an unstoppable shot past the Blackheath goalkeeper. However, Gravesham were unable to maintain concentration and then conceded three quick goals to make the score at half-time 5-2. In the second half Gravesham re-grouped and defended with more conviction and at the same time put some pleasing passing moves together when attacking. Neither team were able to add to their goal tally in the second half and the final score was Gravesham 2 Blackheath 5.
Saturday 13th December Kent Cup
Bromley 1 Gravesham 2 (Scorers: Wells, Jones)
Gravesham U12s travelled to Glebe FC in Chislehurst to play Bromley on a bright, crisp winter morning. Bromley played some good possession football from the outset but some resolute defending by Joe Salmon, Louie Watkins and Godfrey Torto-Doku as well as a string of good saves from goalkeeper Jack Scott kept the home team at bay. As the half progressed Gravesham visibly grew in confidence and began to create some chances of their own. However at half-time neither team had managed to break the deadlock. Within 5 minutes of the second half Gravesham took the lead. A fine pass from Rio Dhami invited George Wells to strike a ferocious shot in the top corner from 20 yards. Both teams were beginning to create chances without converting until Bromley equalised with 15 minutes remaining. The game became increasingly open but with less than ten minutes remaining goalkeeper Jack Scott collected the ball from a corner and quickly launched a long kick into the Bromley half. Forward Morgan Jones used his strength to power past a Bromley defender and struck decisively to restore Gravesham's lead. Both teams had further opportunities score but at the end of the match Gravesham had secured their first win of the season.
Saturday 24th January Kent Cup
Gravesham 3 East Sussex 1 (Scorers: Vickers, Dhami, Taylor)
Gravesham U12s entertained East Sussex on a cold January morning at Elite Venue. Gravesham began the game brightly and after an even opening ten minutes began to dominate possession. Baran Ramsubhag and Raj Sahni took control of the centre of the park with some strong challenges and fine passing. As the half progressed Gravesham played some good football, enabling them to create a number of decent opportunities. Gravesham had a number of close attempts, the closest of which was when George Wells hit the apex of the cross bar and post from 15 yards. Despite this East Sussex took the lead after 18 minutes on a rare attack. Gravesham continued to pile on the pressure but found the visiting goalkeeper in outstanding form. In the final minute of the first half Gravesham had a corner and although Louie Watkins saw his goal bound attempt blocked Travis Vickers was in the right place to drive the ball over the line to equalise. Ten minutes into the second half Gravesham took the lead when a superb strike from Rio Dhami went into the top corner of the net. The remainder of the match was more even with few chances created at either end but Gravesham were able to extend their lead with two minutes remaining when Harry Taylor's goal made the final score 3-1 to Gravesham.
Saturday 7th February Friendly
Swale 2 Gravesham 2 (Scorer: Sahni(2))
Gravesham U12s travelled to Murston Park to play Swale in a friendly. Gravesham dominated possession in the first half with some tidy possessive football but it was the hosts that took the lead after 29 minutes following a rare attack. In the second half Gravesham continued to have the greater possession and after 37 minutes Rio Dhami played a good through ball for Raj Sahni to run onto and score. Gravesham had an opportunity to take the lead after 44 minutes but had a penalty that was well saved by the Swale goalkeeper. Swale did have more opportunities in the second half and regained the lead after 49 minutes. This led to an onslaught from Gravesham with several shots blocked or missing the target. However, Gravesham gained a deserved equaliser with three minutes remaining when Godfrey Torto-Doku's blistering free-kick was tipped onto the crossbar allowing Raj Sahni to follow up for his second goal of the match, Final score: Swale 2 Gravesham 2.
Saturday 14th March Kent Cup
Maidstone 3 Gravesham 0
Gravesham U12s played their last match in the league stages of the Kent Cup away to Maidstone. Gravesham started brightly without really threatening Maidstone but then let in two goals to be trailing two-nil after 20 minutes. Rajan Sahni had an opportunity to score and Joe Salmon was unfortunate to see a thunderous shot from 25 yards hit the underside of the crossbar but the score remained 2-0 at half-time. The second half remained an even affair but Maidstone eventually ran out 3-0 winners. Despite the defeat Gravesham have amassed enough points to qualify for the Quarter-Finals of the Holy Cross Competition and will be at home to Thanet on March 21st.
HOLY CROSS TROPHY QUARTER-FINALS
Saturday 21st March
Gravesham 0 Thanet 2
Gravesham U12s lost 2-0 to Thanet in the Quarter Finals of the Holy Cross Trophy. Gravesham started the match with the majority of possession but without creating any clear chances. However after 15 minutes Thanet took the lead following a fantastic strike from 20 yards. The score remained 1-0 at half time. In the second half Gravesham again enjoyed good possession without scoring and Thanet broke to score against the run of play with 10 minutes remaining. Thanet were denied extending their lead when goalkeeper Jack Scott made a fantastic save following a deflection from a Gravesham defender.
Patrick Haugh Trophy
This was a knock out competition open to all associations in the South East area.
Saturday 22nd November Round 1
Gravesham 4 South London 8 (Scorers: Ellis(2), Sahni, Vickers)
Gravesham U12s hosted South London in the Patrick Haugh Trophy on a squalid morning at Elite Venue. Gravesham's start was as damp as the weather and half way through the first half they were trailing 2-0, and Jack Scott was kept busy in goal. However, as the half progressed so did the determination Gravesham showed and there were no further goals before half-time. In the second half Gravesham played with greater energy and passed the ball with confidence causing South London problems. At the same time Louie Watkins, Joe Salmon, Godfrey Torto-Doku and Baran Ramsubhag began to control the attacks that South London threatened. Kieran Ellis managed to score to make the score 2-1. Soon afterwards Rajan Sahni who had been a threat all match scored with a low drive into the corner to equalise. Against the run of play South London regained the lead from a free-kick. However, to Gravesham's credit they continued to press and the hard working Kieran Ellis deservedly equalised. By this time the rain had made the pitch heavy and Gravesham's energy had been sapped as the match moved into extra time. Consequently South London scored three times in the first half of extra time. Although Travis Vickers scored in the second half of extra time, South London won the tie 8-4. The big score disguises the character and positive display which Gravesham provided. It is hoped this will give Gravesham the confidence to believe in their ability and develop as a team.
Saturday 21st March
Gravesham 0 Thanet 2
Gravesham U12s lost 2-0 to Thanet in the Quarter Finals of the Holy Cross Trophy. Gravesham started the match with the majority of possession but without creating any clear chances. However after 15 minutes Thanet took the lead following a fantastic strike from 20 yards. The score remained 1-0 at half time. In the second half Gravesham again enjoyed good possession without scoring and Thanet broke to score against the run of play with 10 minutes remaining. Thanet were denied extending their lead when goalkeeper Jack Scott made a fantastic save following a deflection from a Gravesham defender.
Patrick Haugh Trophy
This was a knock out competition open to all associations in the South East area.
Saturday 22nd November Round 1
Gravesham 4 South London 8 (Scorers: Ellis(2), Sahni, Vickers)
Gravesham U12s hosted South London in the Patrick Haugh Trophy on a squalid morning at Elite Venue. Gravesham's start was as damp as the weather and half way through the first half they were trailing 2-0, and Jack Scott was kept busy in goal. However, as the half progressed so did the determination Gravesham showed and there were no further goals before half-time. In the second half Gravesham played with greater energy and passed the ball with confidence causing South London problems. At the same time Louie Watkins, Joe Salmon, Godfrey Torto-Doku and Baran Ramsubhag began to control the attacks that South London threatened. Kieran Ellis managed to score to make the score 2-1. Soon afterwards Rajan Sahni who had been a threat all match scored with a low drive into the corner to equalise. Against the run of play South London regained the lead from a free-kick. However, to Gravesham's credit they continued to press and the hard working Kieran Ellis deservedly equalised. By this time the rain had made the pitch heavy and Gravesham's energy had been sapped as the match moved into extra time. Consequently South London scored three times in the first half of extra time. Although Travis Vickers scored in the second half of extra time, South London won the tie 8-4. The big score disguises the character and positive display which Gravesham provided. It is hoped this will give Gravesham the confidence to believe in their ability and develop as a team.