Gravesham Schools' Football Association U13s District Boys 2018 / 19

 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 8th September, 2018. FRIENDLY.
Medway 1 Gravesham 6  Scorers: Osomo (2); Manktelow (4)
Greenacre Academy, Walderslade. 10.30 kick off
Gravesham played away to Medway in a pre-season friendly. Gravesham had five new players to the squad making their debuts but the team blended together well early in the  game, producing some good passing football. Within five minutes Gravesham had taken a lead with Simon Osomo finishing well. Gravesham dominated the rest of the first half, with Maxx Manktelow scoring four goals, including a fantastic shot from the edge of the box which curled into the top corner. Gravesham missed a penalty, but had a 5-0 advantage at half time. 
In the second half Gravesham had the slope, wind and sun against them, and Medway tarted strongly putting Gravesham under some pressure. After 45 minutes Medway were awarded a penalty which was well converted. Simon Osomo scored a glorious long range goal to make the score 6-1. Both teams had other opportunities to score but in the end the result remained 6-1 to Gravesham.


Saturday 29th September, 2018. KENT CUP.
Old Southfields Playing Fields, Nursery Mews, off Cedar Avenue. DA12 5JT. 9.30 kick off
Gravesham 2 West Kent 2 (Scorers: Osomo, Manktelow)
On a bright morning Gravesham gave a positive performance showing plenty of flair and ambition. Throughout Gravesham played enterprising possession football  causing West Kent a number of difficulties. Matt Holness and Myles Kindred combined well in the central of midfield and were well supported by wide players Luke Kennerley and SImon Osomo, whilst forwards Maxx Manktelow and Samuel Solanke worked hard to trouble the West Kent defence.  In the first half Gravesham played up the slight slope and created a couple of one on one situations and were unfortunate when Maxx Manktelow hit an upright. However, it was not all one way traffic and the Gravesham back four of Joe Warwick, Joe McManus, Max Shoolbred and Liam Skeiky had to battle hard to prevent West Kent scoring. West Kent also hit a post before being awarded a penalty in the last minute of the first half. Archie Aldous, who had made a couple of good saves earlier in the half, got his hands to the penalty but was unable to keep it out, and so Gravesham went in half-time with a one goal deficit. 
In the second half Gravesham continued to inter-play well and Ashdon Day held the ball up to good effect, bringing his team mates into the game. Danny Midgeley and Emir Koksal came on and helped to keep the West Kent wide players under control. In a ten minute spell Gravesham turned the game around with goals from Simon Osomo and Maxx Manktelow, and there were opportunities to extend the lead further. However, Gravesham were disappointed when West Kent equalised with just two minutes of the match remaining. Although the result was disappointing this was a positive performance which Gravesham aim to build on in the coming months.

Saturday 3rd November, 2018. Kent Cup
Meridian Sports Ground, Charlton Park Lane. SE7 8QS 10.00 kick off
​Blackheath 2 Gravesham 5 (Scorers: Day, Manktelow(2), Solanke, Osomo)
Gravesham U13s came out on top in a game overflowing with good football. Gravesham took the lead after just seven minutes when Myles Kindred played an exquisite pass to Simon Osomo on the wide right and his low pin-point cross was coolly finished by Ashdon Day. Both teams played some fine football before another stylish goal extended Gravesham's lead after 23 minutes. Simono Osomo once more provided a perfect low cross for Maxx Mantelow to convert from eight yards out. However, within a minute Blackheath clawed a goal back with a powerful strike from 20 yards. Consequently Gravesham enjoyed a 2-1 advantage at half-time.
Within three minutes of the second half Gravesham scored again when Simon Osomo's splendid pass put Samuel Solanke through, and  he showed great composure to beat the home goalkeeper to make the score 3-1. Five minutes later 'keeper Archie Aldous made an outstanding save from a long rang shot to protect Gravesham's lead. The scoreline was further widened when Simon Osomo's deep cross was met at the far post by Max Manktelow who headed beyond the Blackheath's goalkeeper's reach. Gravesham took a 5-1 lead from Simon Osomo's well-placed strike from 15 yards. Blackheath did score once more so Gravesham left the Meridian Sports Ground with a satisfying 5-2 win.
​
Saturday 17th November, 2018. KENT CUP.
Old Southfields Playing Fields, Nursery Mews, off Cedar Avenue. DA12 5JT. 10.30 kick off
Gravesham 1 Brighton 4 (Scorer: Osomo)
On a bright morning Gravesham found themselves under pressure for the first five minutes, but gradually played themselves into the match, and after 9 minutes created their first chance when Liam Skeiky's shot went wide and high following a corner. seven minutes later, following another corner Simon Osomo's shot flew over the crossbar. Gravesham continued to play some good football and shortly behalf time Simon Osomo converted from close range following a corner taken by Matthew Holness.
In the second half Brighton had the advantage of the slope and started to put Gravesham under pressure. Ten minutes into the second half goalkeeper Archie Aldous pounced bravely on the ball in the midst of a goal mouth scramble to protect Gravesham's lead. However, Brighton then scored three goals in seven minutes, all of which were unstoppable shots from outside the penalty area.  Brighton scored once more after 62 minutes, and although Gravesham tried to reduce the deficit the final score was 4-1 to Brighton.

Saturday 1st December, 2018. KENT CUP.
Old Southfields Playing Fields, Nursery Mews, off Cedar Avenue. DA12 5JT. 10.30 kick off
Gravesham v Bromley
​Postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Saturday 15th December, 2018. KENT CUP.
​Greenacre Academy, Walderslade. 10.30 kick off
Medway 0 Gravesham 3 (Scorers: Manktelow(2), Holness)
On a bitterly cold morning Gravesham put in a splendid team performance. Playing against the slope n the first half Gravesham's central defensive partners Joe McManus and Max Shoolbred mastered the threats offered by the Medway forward line.  They were ably suupported bu full backs Dany Midgeley and Liam Skeiky who who supplied passes to the Gravesham wide players to build the visitors attacks. Midway through the first half Myles Kindred made pass to dissect the Medway defence to Simon Osomo who ran onto the ball on the right flank before making a perfect cross for Maxx Mantelow to give Gravesham the lead from close range. As the half progressed Gravesham grew in confidence with Matthew Holness and Luke Kennerly dominating the midfield. Gravesham could have extended their lead when another good cross by Simon Osomo was put just over the bar by Ashdon Day.
In the second half Gravesham continued to work tirelessly for each other. Substitutes Joe Warwick at full back and Samuel Solanke up front slotted in well as the visitors continued to look comfortable as they played downhill. Gravesham began to carve out a number of opportunities with Simon Osomo, Emir Koksal and Matthew Holness all having attempts that failed to increase Gravesham's advantage. Maxx Mantelow almost scored his second goal of the game but saw his shot come off of the post.  Gravesham did increase the lead to 2-0 following a corner that was cleared to Matthew Holness whose fierce strike from the edge of the penalty area flew into the top of the net. With a few minutes remaining Gravesham made the score 3-0 when Maxx Manktelow received the ball on the left hand side of the penalty area and his exquisite shot sailed into the top corner of the goal.

Saturday 12th, January, 2019. KENT CUP.
Old Southfields Playing Fields, Nursery Mews, off Cedar Avenue. DA12 5JT. 11.00 kick off
Gravesham 3 Bromley 0 (Scorer Osomo(3))
Gravesham made an excellent start in this group match playing some excellent football and defending well as a team. Gravesham took the lead after six minutes following a good passing move involving Matt Holness, Liam Skeiky and Maxx Manktelow before Simon Osomo converted from eight yards out. Just four minutes later a splendid pass from Maxx Manktelow enabled Simon Osomo to run onto the ball and finish well to give a Gravesham 2-0 advantage. Simon Osomo was denied a third goal five minutes before half-tme when he was thwarted by the visitors' goalkeeper in a one on one situation. Hence the half-time score was 2-0 too Gravesham. In the second half Bromley had the advantage of the slope and had a couple of opportunities to reduce the deficit . However, it was Gravesham who scored with Simon Osomo completing his hat trick 15 minutes into the second half. Bromley then enjoyed the greater possession, but Gravesham's defence stood firm against the numerous threats thrown at them to win 3-0.


Saturday 19th January, 2019. KENT UP.
Danson Sports 3G Astro, Perry Street, Crayford. DA1 4RB 11.30 kick off
North Kent 1 Gravesham 1 (Scorer: Day)
Gravesham made a positive start playing some good attacking football and utilised their wide players well to threaten the home team's defence. Howwever, as the first half progressed North Kent more of the possession and their raids into the Gravesham penalty area were often thwarted by Gravesham's well organised defence catching them offside. North Kent did score after 18 minutes when a long range shot flew into the top of the net. Gravesham adjusted their formation for the last 15 minutes of the first half but continued to be under pressure.
During the second half Gravesham began to enjoy greater dominance in midfield and solidly defended any of the home teams attacks. Gravesham equalised after 60 minutes when a shot Ashdon Day's shot from outside of the penalty area went beyond the home team's goalkeepers reach into the top of the net. Gravesham threatened on a couple of occasions to take the lead, but then found themselves under pressure for the last 5 minutes and had to defend resolutely to ensure the final score was 1-1.

​
Saturday 9th February, 2019. KENT CUP.
Twenty-Twelve Quarter-Finals
Old Southfields Playing Fields, Nursery Mews, off Cedar Avenue. DA12 5JT. 10.30 kick off
​Gravesham 5 Shepway 1 (Scorers: Skeiky, Day, Osomo (2), Manktelow)
Following torrential rain the previous day this match probably only went ahead as a result of strong winds helping too dry the pitch out overnight. However the gusty conditions continued throughout the match making conditions difficult for both teams. Gravesham made a good start and within 2 minutes had taken the lead following a good passing movement involving Mathew Holness, Ashton Day and Simon Osomo which allowed Lim Skeiky to pass the ball into the net from six yards out. However, Shepway started to cause Gravesham some problems and equalised after 14 minutes. After 25 minutes Gravesham nearly regained the lead when a great strike from Danny Midgeley rattled the crossbar. Just a minute later Simon Osomo scored for Gravesham with a headed goal from a corner. Five minutes before half-time Ashdon Day scored to make the score 3-1 at the interval. Six minutes into the second half Samuel Solanke ran at the Shepway defence before passing to Maxx Manktelow, and his shot from 15 yards flew into the top of the net. With 12 minutes remaining Simon Osomo scored the final goal of the match to make the final score 5-1 to Gravesham.

Friday 22nd March, 2019. KENT CUP
​Twenty-Twelve Semi-Finals
​West Kent 2 Gravesham​ 2 (Scorers Day, Manktelow) West Kent won 6-5 on penalties - Gravesham penalty scorers: Manktelow, Shoolbred and Kindred.
St Gregory's School, Reynolds Lane, Tunbridge Wells, TN4  9XL. 7.30pm kick off
Gravesham made a bright start to the semi-final and after six minutes Liam Skeiky mde the perfect pass for Ashton Day to run onto and clinically score with his left foot.  West Kent then enjoyed a good spell of possession and equalised after 19 minutes, and the scored remain 1-1 at half-time. The second half remained as competitive as the first with both teams giving their all, but it was West Kent who took the lead mid way through the half. Samuel Solanke went on a powerful run on the right wing, beating three players before crossing to Maxx Manktelow who was unable to hit the target. Then in the last minute Gravesham attacked again and Simon Osomo crossed for Maxx Manktelow to score an equaliser. The match went straight to penalties and despite Maxx Manktelow, Max Shoolbred and Myles Kindred all converting West Kent won 6-5 on penalties.

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.

First Round to be played on October 13th. Gravesham received a bye.

Saturday 10th November, 2018.  Second Round
​Croydon Postal Sports Ground, Trenham Drive, Warlingham, CR6 9RU, 10.30 kick off
Croydon 4 Gravesham 1 (Scorer: Manktelow)
Gravesham faced  very strong Croydon side in the National Trophy on a slippery pitch after a night of heavy rainfall. Gravesham nearly took the lead after just five minutes when some smart combination play between Matthew Holness and Ashdon Day provided Maxx Manktelow with an opening, but his fierce shot hit the crossbar. Six minutes  later only a superb double-save from Archie Aldous denied Croydon the lead, but he was powerless a minute later when the hosts took a 1-0 advantage. Fourteen minutes into the game Gravesam equalised when a masterful header from Ashdon Day went into the path of Maxx Manktelow who this time found the back of the Croydon net. After 22 minutes Archie Aldous made another good save, this time from a one on one situation to keep the scores level. Liam Skeiky nearly put Gravesham into the lead but his shot flew wide of the Croydon goal.
In the second half Croydon stepped up a gear and after 39 minutes took the lead. Gravesham played some good football in sporadic spells without really threatening the opposition's goal and, as the visitors tired, Croydon scored twice more in the last ten minutes to win 4-1.
​

​

WIMBLEDON CHALLENGE TROPHY
The team entered the Wimbledon Challenge Trophy which is played on a knock out basis and is open to associations in the South East area.

Saturday 6th October, 2018. Round 1
Forest Glade FC, Barleylands Road, Billericay Essex CM11 2UD.    10.30 kick off
Basildon 3  Gravesham 1 (Scorer: Osomo)
Gravesham made a positive start in the South East England competition, failing to take a couple of good chances to take the lead before Simon Osomo scored in the fifteenth minute of the match. After 20 minutes Basildon were awarded a penalty which was superbly saved by Archie Aldous. However, Basildon did equalise just ten minutes later to make the score 1-1 at the interval. Gravesham continued to create chances in the second half and were particularly unfortunate in the 42nd minute when Ashdon Day struck the post from 15 yards out. However, Basildon took the lead 15 minutes later. Gravesham pushed on in an attempt to equalise which led to Basildon scoring the final goal of the game with ten minutes of the game remaining.