Gravesham Schools' Football Association U13s 2015 / 16
KENT CUP AND FRIENDLY FIXTURES
The team entered the Kent Cup which is played on a league basis. The top two teams in each group qualified for the semi-finals of the Charles Harvey Trophy and the next four teams qualified for the quarter-finals of the Twenty-Twelve Trophy.
Saturday 3rd October Kent Cup
9.45 kick off Elite Venue
Gravesham 2 West Kent 4 (Scorers: Jones, Scott)
Gravesham played their first match of the season with eight new players in the squad this season. Gravesham took the lead after just two minutes through Morgan Jones. However just three minutes later the visitors equalised. Gravesham looked comfortable for the rest of the first half but without really threatening West Kent. Goalkeeper T.J. Kilcullen made some brave saves at the feet of the West Kent forwards and debutant Jermaine Dee looked strong in defence. Another debutant George Miles worked hard in the centre of midfield but Gravesham were unable to create any clear chances with the advantage of the slope in the first half.
West Kent started the second half well and within three minutes of the re-start were leading 2-1 which they increased to 3-1 after 50 minutes. However, Billy Scott scored the best goal of the match with a great strike from 20 yards with five minutes remaining. This rekindled Gravesham's energy and Arif Cekin's forward run went unrewarded when he struck the ball across West Kent's goalmouth, With Gravesham pushing for an equaliser West Kent broke away with two minutes remaining to make the final score 4-2 to West Kent.
Saturday 17th October Kent Cup
Bromley v Gravesham - Bromley unable to fulfil the fixture - Gravesham awarded the match as a 2-0 victory
Saturday 28th November Kent Cup
Gravesham v East Sussex - Match Postponed
Saturday 9th January Kent Cup
10.30 kick off, Greenacre Academy. ME5 OLP
Medway v Gravesham - Match Postponed - Waterlogged pitch
Saturday 23rd January Kent Cup
10.30 kick off, Elite Venue
Gravesham 2 Maidstone 1 (Scorers: Houghton, Safo)
Following some heavy downpours the previous day Gravesham hosted Maidstone on a heavy pitch. Gravesham made a bright start and within eight minutes some good inter-play including Dray Sherwood and Louie Watkins put Cameron Houghton through and he finished confidently from just inside the penalty area to give Gravesham a 1-0 lead. Gravesham began to dominate and nearly doubled their lead after 15 minutes when Morgan Jones pulled the ball back well to Dray Sherwood who saw his shot well saved by the Maidstone goalkeeper. Although Gravesham were in control of the first half Maidstone did break away after 21 minutes and were denied when TJ Kilcullen made a good initial save before Daniel Brown marked a good debut when clearing the rebound effort off of the line.
In the second half Maidstone put in a stronger display and after 41 minutes made the score 1-1. A strong performance by Jermaine Dee in central defence and a couple of near misses by the visitors meant the score remained level with just three minutes remaining. The game was then won by Gravesham when Fred Safo collected the ball outside of the penalty area and his shot went into the back of the net despite a Maidstone defenders attempted block with a header.
This victory was the result of a determined performance where the hard work of all players was rewarded.
Saturday 6th February Kent Cup
Welling School 10.45 kick off
North Kent 11 Gravesham 2 (Scorers: Houghton, Ogunola)
On a blustery morning Gravesham were away to North Kent on a 4G pitch. Gravesham started the game brightly and worked hard to close down the opposition and at the same time played some good passing football. However, Gravesham were facing formidable opponents with some physically very strong players. North Kent had a number of chances that went close and eventually scored and took a 3-0 lead. Gravesham won a free-kick half way through the first half on the corner of the North Kent penalty area. Cameron Houghton struck the ball well and although the North Kent goalkeeper got a hand to the ball he was unable to prevent it sailing into the top of the goal. However, North Kent came back strongly and enjoyed a 5-1 advantage at half-time. In the second half North Kent's power continued to give them the advantage and resulted in a number of goals from fantastic strikes. Although Dami Ogunola did score for Gravesham with an excellent header from a corner for Gravesham the visitors eventually lost 11-2.
Saturday 27th February Kent Cup
10.30 kick off Elite Venue
Gravesham v East Sussex - East Sussex unable to field a team - Gravesham awarded the match as a 2-0 victory
Saturday 5th March Kent Cup
10.30 kick off, Greenacre Academy. ME5 OLP
Medway 1 Gravesham 2 (Scorers: Jones, Sherwood)
Gravesham faced Medway on a cold and wet morning. Gravesham started well and put pressure on the Medway defence but without ever reaping the rewards of their possession. Half way through the first half though Medway attacked from the left and took the lead.
In the second half with a slight slope advantage Gravesham continued to threaten Medway. After 42 minnutes Gravesham won a free-kick and once it was taken only a superb save from the Medway Goalkeeper prevented a Dray Sherwood header finding the back of the net.
However Gravesham's pressure eventually paid dividends when Morgan Jones scored an equaliser after 50 minutes. After 55 minites Jermaine Dee received the ball in centre defence and passed to Godfrey Torto- Doku and his first time pass found George Miles n the left wing. George quickly crossed the ball to Dray Sherwood who clinically converted to score an excellent team goal. For the remainder of the game Gravesham enjoyed most of the possession but did have to defend resolutely some threatening attacks from the hosts. However, when the final whistle was blown Gravesham finished as 2-1 winners.
Saturday 12th March Twenty Twelve Quarter-Final
10.30 kick off, Elite Venue, Gravesend.
Gravesham v Dover. Dover unable to field a team; Gravesham awarded a 2-0 victory
Saturday 19th March Twenty Twelve Semi-Final
10.30 kick off, Elite Venue, Gravesend.
Gravesham 0 Ashford 2
Gravesham lost 2-0 in the semi-finals in a game where the scoreline did not reflect the opportunities both teams had. In particular Gravesham had a number of good chances in the first half which they were unable to convert into goals. In the second half possession was even but Gravesham conceded a penalty which Ashford converted with 15 minutes remaining. Gravesham then had to push players forward to try to get an equaliser which allowed the visitors to break against an exposed defence to extend their lead to 2-0 with four minutes remaining.
The team entered the Kent Cup which is played on a league basis. The top two teams in each group qualified for the semi-finals of the Charles Harvey Trophy and the next four teams qualified for the quarter-finals of the Twenty-Twelve Trophy.
Saturday 3rd October Kent Cup
9.45 kick off Elite Venue
Gravesham 2 West Kent 4 (Scorers: Jones, Scott)
Gravesham played their first match of the season with eight new players in the squad this season. Gravesham took the lead after just two minutes through Morgan Jones. However just three minutes later the visitors equalised. Gravesham looked comfortable for the rest of the first half but without really threatening West Kent. Goalkeeper T.J. Kilcullen made some brave saves at the feet of the West Kent forwards and debutant Jermaine Dee looked strong in defence. Another debutant George Miles worked hard in the centre of midfield but Gravesham were unable to create any clear chances with the advantage of the slope in the first half.
West Kent started the second half well and within three minutes of the re-start were leading 2-1 which they increased to 3-1 after 50 minutes. However, Billy Scott scored the best goal of the match with a great strike from 20 yards with five minutes remaining. This rekindled Gravesham's energy and Arif Cekin's forward run went unrewarded when he struck the ball across West Kent's goalmouth, With Gravesham pushing for an equaliser West Kent broke away with two minutes remaining to make the final score 4-2 to West Kent.
Saturday 17th October Kent Cup
Bromley v Gravesham - Bromley unable to fulfil the fixture - Gravesham awarded the match as a 2-0 victory
Saturday 28th November Kent Cup
Gravesham v East Sussex - Match Postponed
Saturday 9th January Kent Cup
10.30 kick off, Greenacre Academy. ME5 OLP
Medway v Gravesham - Match Postponed - Waterlogged pitch
Saturday 23rd January Kent Cup
10.30 kick off, Elite Venue
Gravesham 2 Maidstone 1 (Scorers: Houghton, Safo)
Following some heavy downpours the previous day Gravesham hosted Maidstone on a heavy pitch. Gravesham made a bright start and within eight minutes some good inter-play including Dray Sherwood and Louie Watkins put Cameron Houghton through and he finished confidently from just inside the penalty area to give Gravesham a 1-0 lead. Gravesham began to dominate and nearly doubled their lead after 15 minutes when Morgan Jones pulled the ball back well to Dray Sherwood who saw his shot well saved by the Maidstone goalkeeper. Although Gravesham were in control of the first half Maidstone did break away after 21 minutes and were denied when TJ Kilcullen made a good initial save before Daniel Brown marked a good debut when clearing the rebound effort off of the line.
In the second half Maidstone put in a stronger display and after 41 minutes made the score 1-1. A strong performance by Jermaine Dee in central defence and a couple of near misses by the visitors meant the score remained level with just three minutes remaining. The game was then won by Gravesham when Fred Safo collected the ball outside of the penalty area and his shot went into the back of the net despite a Maidstone defenders attempted block with a header.
This victory was the result of a determined performance where the hard work of all players was rewarded.
Saturday 6th February Kent Cup
Welling School 10.45 kick off
North Kent 11 Gravesham 2 (Scorers: Houghton, Ogunola)
On a blustery morning Gravesham were away to North Kent on a 4G pitch. Gravesham started the game brightly and worked hard to close down the opposition and at the same time played some good passing football. However, Gravesham were facing formidable opponents with some physically very strong players. North Kent had a number of chances that went close and eventually scored and took a 3-0 lead. Gravesham won a free-kick half way through the first half on the corner of the North Kent penalty area. Cameron Houghton struck the ball well and although the North Kent goalkeeper got a hand to the ball he was unable to prevent it sailing into the top of the goal. However, North Kent came back strongly and enjoyed a 5-1 advantage at half-time. In the second half North Kent's power continued to give them the advantage and resulted in a number of goals from fantastic strikes. Although Dami Ogunola did score for Gravesham with an excellent header from a corner for Gravesham the visitors eventually lost 11-2.
Saturday 27th February Kent Cup
10.30 kick off Elite Venue
Gravesham v East Sussex - East Sussex unable to field a team - Gravesham awarded the match as a 2-0 victory
Saturday 5th March Kent Cup
10.30 kick off, Greenacre Academy. ME5 OLP
Medway 1 Gravesham 2 (Scorers: Jones, Sherwood)
Gravesham faced Medway on a cold and wet morning. Gravesham started well and put pressure on the Medway defence but without ever reaping the rewards of their possession. Half way through the first half though Medway attacked from the left and took the lead.
In the second half with a slight slope advantage Gravesham continued to threaten Medway. After 42 minnutes Gravesham won a free-kick and once it was taken only a superb save from the Medway Goalkeeper prevented a Dray Sherwood header finding the back of the net.
However Gravesham's pressure eventually paid dividends when Morgan Jones scored an equaliser after 50 minutes. After 55 minites Jermaine Dee received the ball in centre defence and passed to Godfrey Torto- Doku and his first time pass found George Miles n the left wing. George quickly crossed the ball to Dray Sherwood who clinically converted to score an excellent team goal. For the remainder of the game Gravesham enjoyed most of the possession but did have to defend resolutely some threatening attacks from the hosts. However, when the final whistle was blown Gravesham finished as 2-1 winners.
Saturday 12th March Twenty Twelve Quarter-Final
10.30 kick off, Elite Venue, Gravesend.
Gravesham v Dover. Dover unable to field a team; Gravesham awarded a 2-0 victory
Saturday 19th March Twenty Twelve Semi-Final
10.30 kick off, Elite Venue, Gravesend.
Gravesham 0 Ashford 2
Gravesham lost 2-0 in the semi-finals in a game where the scoreline did not reflect the opportunities both teams had. In particular Gravesham had a number of good chances in the first half which they were unable to convert into goals. In the second half possession was even but Gravesham conceded a penalty which Ashford converted with 15 minutes remaining. Gravesham then had to push players forward to try to get an equaliser which allowed the visitors to break against an exposed defence to extend their lead to 2-0 with four minutes remaining.
E.S.F.A. INTER-ASSOCIATION NATIONAL TROPHY
The team entered this competition which was played on a knock out basis and open to all associations in England.
Saturday 10th October Round 1
10.30 kick off, Gibbons Recreation Ground, Bridge Road NW10 9BX
Brent 2 Gravesham 2 AET. Gravesham won 6-5 after penalties. (Scorers: Sherwood, Jones; Penalty scorers: Houghton, Watkins, Salmon, Dee)
Gravesham crafted a heroic victory away to Brent, playing in the shadows of Wembley Stadium. Due to late unavailability Gravesham made the long journey to Brent with only ten players but throughout the match showed great character and determination to overcome their hosts numerical advantage. Brent started the match strongly and some fine goalkeeping by TJ Kilcullen thwarted the hosts attacks. However, after 15 minutes a stunning strike from 20 yards gave Brent the lead. Gravesham then rose to the challenge and started to establish themselves into the game. Cameron Houghton and George Miles began to dominate exchanges in midfield and Morgan Jones started to cause the Brent defence problems. At half-time the score remained 1-0 to Brent but both sides had equal chances to score. In the second half Gravesham looked increasingly solid as the back four of Joe Salmon, Jermaine Dee, Louie Watkins and Godfrey Torto-Doku minimised the chances that Brent created. At the same time wide players Arif Cekin and Dray Sherwood began to stretch Brent's defence. Gravesham's pressure was rewarded after 58 minutes when debutant Dray Sherwood equalised. In the last ten minutes the game became more open and both teams threatened their opponents defence. In the final minute Gravesham felt they may have been awarded a penalty following a challenge on Cameron Houghton but the final score was 1-1.
The game moved into extra-time and a tense first half was goal-less before Morgan Jones put Gravesham into the lead early in the second period. However, within a minute Brent had equalised and with a final score of 2-2 the game moved to penalties. Gravesham's Cameron Houghton, Louie Watkins, Joe Salmon and Jermaine Dee all confidently converted their penalties and a great save by TJ Kilcullen enabled Gravesham to progress to the second round of the competition.
Saturday 14th November Round 2
10.30 kick off Elite Venue
Gravesham 0 Thurrock 6
On a wet and blustery morning Gravesham U13s hosted Thurrock in the second round of the national trophy. From the start Thurrock enjoyed greater possession and put the Gravesham defence under constant pressure. Gravesham were able to thwart this pressure until the 12th minute when Thurrock took the lead. Gravesham then began to establish themselves in the game and enjoyed the upper hand for a while. Indeed they were unfortunate when Cameron Houghton was adjudged to have failed a defender before clinically putting the ball into the oppositions net half way through the half. However, despite a battling performance from Gravesham Thurrock scored twice more to make the half-time score 3-0. In the second half Thurrock maintained control of the match and gained a 4-0 advantage after 50 minutes. Gravesham then tired and gave away two further goals in the last seven minutes to make the final score 6-0.
WIMBLEDON CHALLENGE TROPHY
The team entered this competition which was played on a knock out basis and is open to all associations in the South East area.
Round 1 Bye
Saturday 21st November Round 2
Gravesham v Thanet Match Postponed - pitch unplayable following rain and snow
Saturday 28th November Round 2
Gravesham v Thanet - Gravesham unable to field a team - game awarded to Thanet
