Gravesham Schools' Football Association U14s 2013 / 14
KENT CUP AND FRIENDLY FIXTURES
The team entered the Kent Cup which was played on a league basis with the top two teams in each group qualifying for the semi-finals of the Presidents Shield.
Saturday 5th October Kent Cup
Gravesham 0 North Kent 3
Gravesham U14s started the season at home to North Kent in the Presidents Shield. With seven of last year's squad no longer available and five new arrivals it took a while for the home side to gel as a team and North Kent had a number of corners which Gravesham had to doggedly defend in the first ten minutes. However, Gravesham began to settle and after 15 minutes a cross from Jack Conway was knocked on by Thabo Nkomo towards Donvieve Jones whose diving header went straight into the visiting goalkeeper's arms.
Five minutes later Jack Conway turned just outside the penalty area and although his shot was well struck it narrowly missed the target. After 26 minutes North Kent took the lead when a cross from the right found an unmarked forward who had time to score. Just two minutes before half-time North Kent extended their lead when a shot from the edge of the penalty area was deflected past Gravesham goalkeeper Jack Morrisson.
The second half started in an even manner but Gravesham began to enjoy greater possession and thought they had equalised after 65 minutes when Donvieve Jones put the ball in the back of the net before being denied by a linesman's flag. This dampened Gravesham's enthusiasm a little and five minutes later North Kent scored again to make the final score 3-0. Nonetheless there were many positive aspects to this performance and Gravesham can expect to improve as they play more games together.
Saturday 19th October Friendly
Gravesham 3 Thanet 1 (Scorers: Gildea, Fenton(penalty), White)
Gravesham U14s hosted Thanet in a friendly played in three periods of 25 minutes. The first period was an even one with both teams have chances to break the deadlock. Gravesham debutant Ollie Baker settled well in central defence. However, with 3 minutes of the first period left Thanet took the lead following a corner.
The second period saw Gravesham produce their best period of the match with much improved passing, enabling them to take control of the match. After 34 minutes Lewis Wood made a fine pass to Jaydn Gildea whose shot from the edge of the penalty area narrowly missed the target. A minute Later Theo Wood struck the ball firmly from 20 yards, and although his shot beat the Thanet goalkeeper it whistled just over the visitor's crossbar. Gravesham maintained the pressure and two minutes later James Miles had a shot following a free kick from Jack Fenton which was saved by the Thanet goalkeeper.
Gravesham's pressure finally produced a deserved equaliser after 41 minutes when a precise pass from James Miles gave Jaydn Gildea the opportunity to run through and score. Gravesham's pressure was relentless and three minutes later Donvieve Jones was fouled and Jack Fenton dispatched the resulting penalty firmly into the bottom corner of the goal. After 47 minutes Gravesham extended their lead when Theo White's long range shot was too powerful for the Thanet goalkeeper to prevent a goal. After 49 minutes Gravesham goalkeeper James Morrisson made a good save to deny Thanet scoring. Donvieve Jones nearly scored Gravesham's fourth goal two minutes later but his attempt was well saved.
The final period of the match slowed down in pace as both teams tired and although both teams threatened their opponents penalty areas there were no further goal and the final score was Gravesham 3 Thanet 1.
Saturday 16th November Kent Cup
Bromley 3 Gravesham 0
Gravesham U14s were away to Bromley on a 3G pitch at the Bishop Justus School on a bright November morning. Bromley won 3-0 but this score flattered the home side. Within two minutes of the start Gravesham had won a corner which Theo White rose to head just wide. Both sides then shared equal possession and after eleven minutes the ball bounced up well for Jack Conway and his shot from thirty yards looped over the crossbar. Gravesham had further corners and created some half-chances, but equally Bromley had some talented individual players that caused Gravesham some problems. However Bromley took control of the match when they broke to score after 24 minutes and then doubled their lead four minutes later.
The second half started with both teams sharing possession without creating clear chances. As the half progressed Gravesham threatened more. After fifty minutes Jack Conway shot just past the right hand side post and four minutes later Leon Slone also shot wide. Gravesham were beginning to make more inroads into Bromley's defence and after sixty minutes Donvieve Jones had weaves through before being fouled just outside the penalty area by the last defender. Jack Fenton's resulting free kick was blocked by the home side's defence. With eight minutes Bromley won possession on the right hand side and went on to score their third goal of the match.
Saturday 8th March Kent Cup
Blackheath 4 Gravesham 1 (Scorer: Jones)
After the heavy rainfall of the last two months had finally subsided, Gravesham travelled to Blackheath without the services of their two county players. As a result Gravesham had to shuffle the pack and Jack Fenton who has been a key central defender this season was forced to play in goal and midfielder Theo White moved back into defence.
Gravesham appeared unsettled by these changes and conceded within the first four minutes. Within ten minutes Gravesham were unfortunate to be 2-0 down when a long range shot hit the cross bar before falling into the path of a home forward. Gravesham tried to play good football and were unlucky to concede a third goal before half-time when a wicked deflection from a shot gave goalkeeper Fenton no chance.
To Gravesham's credit they did not give up and in the second half were the better side. Donvieve Jones finished well to make the score 3-1 but another cruel deflection allowed Blackheath to win 4-1.
Saturday 15th March Kent Cup
Gravesham 2 East Sussex 2 (Scorers: Miles, Jones)
Gravesham U14s were at home to East Sussex in their final league match of the season. Gravesham started brightly and dominated the first half. Thabo Nkumo came close to giving Gravesham the lead but the deadlock was broken when James Miles drilled the ball home following a corner. The score remained 1-0 at half-time.
In the second half East Sussex became more threatening and equalised after 50 minutes. However, within two minutes Gravesham restored their lead following a cool finish from Donvieve Jones. Gravesham came under increasing pressure and with five minutes remaining conceded a penalty which East Sussex converted. The final score was Gravesham 2 East Sussex 2.
The team entered the Kent Cup which was played on a league basis with the top two teams in each group qualifying for the semi-finals of the Presidents Shield.
Saturday 5th October Kent Cup
Gravesham 0 North Kent 3
Gravesham U14s started the season at home to North Kent in the Presidents Shield. With seven of last year's squad no longer available and five new arrivals it took a while for the home side to gel as a team and North Kent had a number of corners which Gravesham had to doggedly defend in the first ten minutes. However, Gravesham began to settle and after 15 minutes a cross from Jack Conway was knocked on by Thabo Nkomo towards Donvieve Jones whose diving header went straight into the visiting goalkeeper's arms.
Five minutes later Jack Conway turned just outside the penalty area and although his shot was well struck it narrowly missed the target. After 26 minutes North Kent took the lead when a cross from the right found an unmarked forward who had time to score. Just two minutes before half-time North Kent extended their lead when a shot from the edge of the penalty area was deflected past Gravesham goalkeeper Jack Morrisson.
The second half started in an even manner but Gravesham began to enjoy greater possession and thought they had equalised after 65 minutes when Donvieve Jones put the ball in the back of the net before being denied by a linesman's flag. This dampened Gravesham's enthusiasm a little and five minutes later North Kent scored again to make the final score 3-0. Nonetheless there were many positive aspects to this performance and Gravesham can expect to improve as they play more games together.
Saturday 19th October Friendly
Gravesham 3 Thanet 1 (Scorers: Gildea, Fenton(penalty), White)
Gravesham U14s hosted Thanet in a friendly played in three periods of 25 minutes. The first period was an even one with both teams have chances to break the deadlock. Gravesham debutant Ollie Baker settled well in central defence. However, with 3 minutes of the first period left Thanet took the lead following a corner.
The second period saw Gravesham produce their best period of the match with much improved passing, enabling them to take control of the match. After 34 minutes Lewis Wood made a fine pass to Jaydn Gildea whose shot from the edge of the penalty area narrowly missed the target. A minute Later Theo Wood struck the ball firmly from 20 yards, and although his shot beat the Thanet goalkeeper it whistled just over the visitor's crossbar. Gravesham maintained the pressure and two minutes later James Miles had a shot following a free kick from Jack Fenton which was saved by the Thanet goalkeeper.
Gravesham's pressure finally produced a deserved equaliser after 41 minutes when a precise pass from James Miles gave Jaydn Gildea the opportunity to run through and score. Gravesham's pressure was relentless and three minutes later Donvieve Jones was fouled and Jack Fenton dispatched the resulting penalty firmly into the bottom corner of the goal. After 47 minutes Gravesham extended their lead when Theo White's long range shot was too powerful for the Thanet goalkeeper to prevent a goal. After 49 minutes Gravesham goalkeeper James Morrisson made a good save to deny Thanet scoring. Donvieve Jones nearly scored Gravesham's fourth goal two minutes later but his attempt was well saved.
The final period of the match slowed down in pace as both teams tired and although both teams threatened their opponents penalty areas there were no further goal and the final score was Gravesham 3 Thanet 1.
Saturday 16th November Kent Cup
Bromley 3 Gravesham 0
Gravesham U14s were away to Bromley on a 3G pitch at the Bishop Justus School on a bright November morning. Bromley won 3-0 but this score flattered the home side. Within two minutes of the start Gravesham had won a corner which Theo White rose to head just wide. Both sides then shared equal possession and after eleven minutes the ball bounced up well for Jack Conway and his shot from thirty yards looped over the crossbar. Gravesham had further corners and created some half-chances, but equally Bromley had some talented individual players that caused Gravesham some problems. However Bromley took control of the match when they broke to score after 24 minutes and then doubled their lead four minutes later.
The second half started with both teams sharing possession without creating clear chances. As the half progressed Gravesham threatened more. After fifty minutes Jack Conway shot just past the right hand side post and four minutes later Leon Slone also shot wide. Gravesham were beginning to make more inroads into Bromley's defence and after sixty minutes Donvieve Jones had weaves through before being fouled just outside the penalty area by the last defender. Jack Fenton's resulting free kick was blocked by the home side's defence. With eight minutes Bromley won possession on the right hand side and went on to score their third goal of the match.
Saturday 8th March Kent Cup
Blackheath 4 Gravesham 1 (Scorer: Jones)
After the heavy rainfall of the last two months had finally subsided, Gravesham travelled to Blackheath without the services of their two county players. As a result Gravesham had to shuffle the pack and Jack Fenton who has been a key central defender this season was forced to play in goal and midfielder Theo White moved back into defence.
Gravesham appeared unsettled by these changes and conceded within the first four minutes. Within ten minutes Gravesham were unfortunate to be 2-0 down when a long range shot hit the cross bar before falling into the path of a home forward. Gravesham tried to play good football and were unlucky to concede a third goal before half-time when a wicked deflection from a shot gave goalkeeper Fenton no chance.
To Gravesham's credit they did not give up and in the second half were the better side. Donvieve Jones finished well to make the score 3-1 but another cruel deflection allowed Blackheath to win 4-1.
Saturday 15th March Kent Cup
Gravesham 2 East Sussex 2 (Scorers: Miles, Jones)
Gravesham U14s were at home to East Sussex in their final league match of the season. Gravesham started brightly and dominated the first half. Thabo Nkumo came close to giving Gravesham the lead but the deadlock was broken when James Miles drilled the ball home following a corner. The score remained 1-0 at half-time.
In the second half East Sussex became more threatening and equalised after 50 minutes. However, within two minutes Gravesham restored their lead following a cool finish from Donvieve Jones. Gravesham came under increasing pressure and with five minutes remaining conceded a penalty which East Sussex converted. The final score was Gravesham 2 East Sussex 2.
EAGLES TROPHY
This competition was played on a knock out competition and open to all associations in the South East area.
Saturday 14th December Round 2
Swale 2 Gravesham 2 After Extra Time. Swale won 7-6 on penalties. (Scorers: Normal time: Slone, Jones. Penalties: Wood, Morrisson, Baker, Jones)
Gravesham U14s were away to Swale at Upchurch Cricket Club in the Eagles Trophy. Gravesham had a number of absentees and were only able to field a bare eleven players. Gravesham made the perfect start as within two minutes of kick off Donvieve Jones crossed for Leon Slone to score from eight yards out. The match was then fairly even with few chances created until Swale equalised after 20 minutes from a spectacular long-range shot. The score remained 1-1 at half-time.
Within ten minutes of the second half Swale gained a 2-1 advantage with a shot from 25 yards. However ten minutes later Donvieve Jones equalised with a powerful header following an excellent corner from Lewis Wood. Gravesham felt unfortunate not to have taken the lead hitting the post on three separate occasions following efforts from Lewis Wood, Jack Fenton and James Miles. However Swale nearly won the match with two minutes of normal time remaining, only to be denied by a fantastic low diving save by goalkeeper Jack Morrisson.
The game moved into extra time and with neither team able to break the deadlock the tie had to be decided by penalties. Despite converted penalties from Lewis Wood, Jack Morrisson, Ollie Baker and Donvieve Jones Gravesham were beaten 7-6 after the penalty shoot out. However, with no substitutes available the team could be proud of a performance full of courage and character.
This competition was played on a knock out competition and open to all associations in the South East area.
Saturday 14th December Round 2
Swale 2 Gravesham 2 After Extra Time. Swale won 7-6 on penalties. (Scorers: Normal time: Slone, Jones. Penalties: Wood, Morrisson, Baker, Jones)
Gravesham U14s were away to Swale at Upchurch Cricket Club in the Eagles Trophy. Gravesham had a number of absentees and were only able to field a bare eleven players. Gravesham made the perfect start as within two minutes of kick off Donvieve Jones crossed for Leon Slone to score from eight yards out. The match was then fairly even with few chances created until Swale equalised after 20 minutes from a spectacular long-range shot. The score remained 1-1 at half-time.
Within ten minutes of the second half Swale gained a 2-1 advantage with a shot from 25 yards. However ten minutes later Donvieve Jones equalised with a powerful header following an excellent corner from Lewis Wood. Gravesham felt unfortunate not to have taken the lead hitting the post on three separate occasions following efforts from Lewis Wood, Jack Fenton and James Miles. However Swale nearly won the match with two minutes of normal time remaining, only to be denied by a fantastic low diving save by goalkeeper Jack Morrisson.
The game moved into extra time and with neither team able to break the deadlock the tie had to be decided by penalties. Despite converted penalties from Lewis Wood, Jack Morrisson, Ollie Baker and Donvieve Jones Gravesham were beaten 7-6 after the penalty shoot out. However, with no substitutes available the team could be proud of a performance full of courage and character.