Gravesham Schools' Football Association U13s 2017 / 18
KENT CUP AND FRIENDLY FIXTURES
The team have entered the Kent Cup which is played on a League basis. The first two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals of the Charles Harvey Trophy and the next four teams will qualify for the quarter-finals of the Twenty-Twelve Trophy.
Saturday 30th September, 2017.KENT CUP
Lancing FC, Culver Road, West Sussex BN15 9AX 10.30am kick off.
Brighton 13 Gravesham 0
Gravesham U13s had a difficult start to their season, with the squad being assembled the previous Saturday. Throughout the game the boys gave 100% and worked so hard, and the result did not portray how much they gave. Their first game was away to Brighton who were very well drilled and had won the Kent Cup as Under 12s. The first half was a huge learning experience, seeing how quick and physical the game was going to be. An early goal took the wind out of Gravesham's sails, and after that we struggled to get going, giving the ball away too often and being unable to recover quick enough. Gravesham went in 6-0 down at half time, but with a change of formation and brilliant determination came out in the second half playing much better. To their credit Gravesham started to attack and move the ball well in spells. But Brighton's never ending pressure made the last ten minutes very tough and eventually the game ended 13-0 to Brighton. The result didn't give justice to a much better second half performance, which gives a lot of positivity to take into the next game. A special mention goes to Man of the Match goalkeeper Oliver Chalmers who pulled off many world class saves.
Saturday 14th October, 2017. KENT CUP.
Charles Darwin School, Jail Lane, Biggin Hill TN16 3AU, 10.00am kick off
Bromley 12 Gravesham 0
The game started well, with Gravesham moving the ball from back to front quickly and used simple passes which was brilliant to see. The boys really looked as though they had gelled together only 10 mins into their second game together. However, the pace and power of Bromley's striker meant Gravesham were 6-0 down at the break. The second half was again better but Gravesham were unable to deal with the speed of Bromley's front line and continued to be caught on the counter. The game finished 12-0. The lads battled hard in the second half and started controlling the game towards the end. The more the boys gel together and continue the hard work the better it will get. Onward and upwards.
Saturday 25th November, 2017. KENT CUP.
Elite Venue, Dunkirk Close, Gravesend. DA12 5NN. 10.30am kick off
Gravesham 3 Blackheath 4 (Scorers: Gadeikis(2), Devlin)
On a horribly cold morning Gravesham U13s turned up raring to go and battled hard to produce their best performance so far this season.
Unfortunately Gravesham saw themselves go 1-0 down despite dominating the first half and playing some lovely one and two touch passing patterns. Gravesham had one goal disallowed and two cleared off the line, so went in at half time 1-0 down. The start of the second half wasn't good, and Gravesham conceded three early goals, despite still having more possession, which was so frustrating seeing how well the hosts were playing.
The last 15 minutes Gravesham really pushed on and managed to find a way through with a beautifully worked and finished goal from Keanan Devlin. Two minutes later Gravesham got themselves further back into the game with a penalty, won and scored by Johnathon Gadeikis. Johnathon popped up again five minutes later with his second and our third of the game. Harvey Chadwick then saw a rocket shot saved by the keeper from long range.
Unfortunately Gravesham ran out of time to complete their comeback and the game finished 4-3 to Blackheath. The boys should be very proud of their performance and the improvement we have seen is outstanding. The work is paying off!
Man of the match goes to our central defender and captain Tyler, an outstanding performance on and off the ball!
Saturday 16th December, 2017. KENT CUP.
Sporting Club Thamesmead, Bayliss Avenue, London SE28 8NJ 10.30 kick off
North Kent 9 Gravesham 0
Saturday 13th January, 2018. KENT CUP
Old Southfields Playing Field, Nursery Mews off of Cedar Avenue DA12 5JT 10.00 kick off
Gravesham 1 West Kent 6 (Scorer: Gadeikis)
Gravesham came up against a very well organised and clinical West Kent side. The game started really well and Gravesham found themselves 1-0 up inside 10 minutes thanks to a shot from outside the box from Johnathon Gadeikis, which looped over the goalkeeper into the net. Gravesham were on top and dictating the game for 20 minutes and should have been further ahead. Unfortunately Gravesham then conceded 4 goals in a very short amount of time and came in at half time 4-1 down. In the second half Gravesham came out fighting but couldn't find a way through West Kent's defence. They continued to counter attack well and their pressure overcame Gravesham's will. The game finished 6-1 to West Kent, which was very disappointing from Gravesham's view. A tough game but again a learning curve, Gravesham need to be better defensively as a team, and we will continue to work hard in training to develop as a squad.
Saturday 24th February, 2018. KENT CUP.
Twenty-Twelve Trophy Quarter Finals
Towers School and Sixth Form Centre, Faversham Road, Ashford, TN24 9AL 10.30 kick off
Ashford 5 Gravesham 3
E.S.F.A. INTER-ASSOCIATION NATIONAL TROPHY
The team have entered this competition which us played on a knock out basis and open to all associations in England.
Saturday 7th October, 2017. Round 1
North Hertfordshire v Gravesham
North Hertfordshire withdrew from the competition and Gravesham were awarded a bye into Round 2.
Saturday 4th November, 2017. Round 2
Elite Venue, Dunkirk Close, Gravesend. DA12 5NN. 10.30 kick off
Gravesham 1 South London 8 (Rayfield)
On a horrible day weather-wise the Gravesham U13s had a very tough game against an excellent South London District side. The first half performance was difficult; Gravesham had to adjust to the fact they were playing in the National cup, against Academy players and it was raining hard! Gravesham spent long periods without the ball and were defending through the first half so to come in 5-0 down at half time was unsurprising. In the second half Gravesham gave a really good performance; they battled, and managed to create a goal scoring opportunity when Kye Rayfield was brought down in the area and the referee pointed to the spot. Kye stepped up and slotted it home nicely into the bottom corner. Overall Gravesham can be proud of their second half performance and if they continue with performances like the second half they will no doubt begin to see development. Man of the match went to Centre Back Danielius Budreckis who was sensational.
WIMBLEDON CHALLENGE TROPHY
The team have entered the Wimbledon Challenge Trophy which is played on a knock out basis and is open to associations in the South East area.
Saturday 11th November, 2017. Round 1
Gravesham v Croydon
Gravesham were unable to field a team and forfeited the match.