Gravesham Schools' Football Association Under 15s Fixtures 2014 / 15
Kent Cup Fixtures
The team entered the Kent Cup, the early stages of which were played on a league basis. The top two in the league qualified for the Fletcher Trophy Semi-Finals. All matches were played on a Monday evening on the 3G surface at Maplesden Noakes school.
Monday 8th December Kent Cup
Gravesham 4 Medway 1 (Scorers: Jones, Reynolds, Wood, Miles)
Gravesham opened their campaign in the Fletcher Trophy against Medway on the floodlit 3G pitch at Maplesden Noakes School. In the first ten minutes most of the game was played in Medway's half yet it was Medway that took the lead through a superb strike from 25 yards. From then on Gravesham galvanised themselves and the rock solid central partnership of Nathan Lewis and Lewis Wood controlled the opposition’s forwards. After 25 minutes Gravesham deservedly drew level when Donvieve Jones was put through into a one on one situation and coolly chipped the ball beyond the Medway goalkeeper's reach.
Both teams were playing some good football in a high paced game with Danny Peen and Fred Larson on the left flank stretching the Medway defence on many attacks. Gravesham were unfortunate not to take the lead when Leon Stone's shot beat the goalkeeper only to hit the post. However Gravesham took the lead just before half time following a determined effort from Lewis Reynolds.
In the second half Gravesham started to take more control of the match with Logan Mersh working hard to win several important challenges in the middle of the field, whilst James Miles was making some precise passes to endanger Medway's defence. Midway through the second half Gravesham extended their lead when Lewis Wood scored from a corner. Ten minutes later captain James Miles picked up a poor clearance from the Medway goalkeeper and skilfully lobbed the stranded goalkeeper from 25 yards to find the back f the net. Gravesham then had goalkeeper Jack 'Bubbles' Morrison to thank following a superb double save.
Gravesham were good value for this win as a result of resolute defending and fast attacking play that the opposition found difficult to counteract.
Monday 19th January Kent Cup
Gravesham 2 Maidstone 0 * Maidstone conceded the match and Gravesham were awarded a 2-0 win
Monday 2nd February Kent Cup
Bromley 5 Gravesham 2 (Scorers: Jones(2))
Gravesham U15s were ravaged by injuries and went into the match against Bromley with a bare eleven. Lewis Reynolds whose usual position is as a Centre Forward was forced to play as a centre back but had a good game there playing alongside the impressive Nathan Lewis. Gravesham started the game brightly and throughout the match more than matched their opponents with crisp passing which meant they had long spells of possession. Gravesham took a deserved lead after 15 minutes when Donvieve Jones opened the scoring, but by half-time were losing 2-1. However, Gravesham maintained their principles of possession football and within ten minutes of the second half Jones had equalised following a one on one opportunity against the Bromley goalkeeper. However a lack of concentration allowed Bromley to regain the lead within two minutes. Although Gravesham continued to play good football Bromley scored two late goals to win 5-2. Gravesham had battled well and in large periods dominated possession, and the result was an unfair reflection on their efforts.
Monday 2nd March Kent Cup
Gravesham 5 North Kent 4 (Scorers: Jones(3), Reynolds, Mersh)
Gravesham U15s started their final league match in the Fletcher Trophy at Maplesden Noakes knowing that they must beat North Kent by four goals to qualify for the semi-finals. Gravesham made a steady start and matched North Kent in terms of possession but within 15 minutes were trailing 2-0 having twice been torn apart by the strong North Kent centre forward. However Gravesham then began to increase their possession and played some good football causing North Kent increasing problems. Indeed by half time Gravesham had forced their way back into the match and a superb hat-trick by Donvieve Jones gave Gravesham a 3-2 advantage at half-time. They were unfortunate for the lead not to be 4-2 when a superb strike by Jones hit the back of the net but was adjudged to be offside. In the second half Gravesham lost a little concentration and conceded two goals as North Kent gained a 4-3 advantage. However, Gravesham refused to be beaten and goals from Lewis Reynolds and Logan Mersh provided Gravesham with a 5-4 victory. This was a gutsy performance full of determination and fantastic passing which deservedly produced a win. It meant that Gravesham had won 3 out of 4 league matches and the top three teams all finished on the same number of points. Sadly for Gravesham they finished third on goal difference and therefore did not qualify for the semi-finals.
The team entered the Kent Cup, the early stages of which were played on a league basis. The top two in the league qualified for the Fletcher Trophy Semi-Finals. All matches were played on a Monday evening on the 3G surface at Maplesden Noakes school.
Monday 8th December Kent Cup
Gravesham 4 Medway 1 (Scorers: Jones, Reynolds, Wood, Miles)
Gravesham opened their campaign in the Fletcher Trophy against Medway on the floodlit 3G pitch at Maplesden Noakes School. In the first ten minutes most of the game was played in Medway's half yet it was Medway that took the lead through a superb strike from 25 yards. From then on Gravesham galvanised themselves and the rock solid central partnership of Nathan Lewis and Lewis Wood controlled the opposition’s forwards. After 25 minutes Gravesham deservedly drew level when Donvieve Jones was put through into a one on one situation and coolly chipped the ball beyond the Medway goalkeeper's reach.
Both teams were playing some good football in a high paced game with Danny Peen and Fred Larson on the left flank stretching the Medway defence on many attacks. Gravesham were unfortunate not to take the lead when Leon Stone's shot beat the goalkeeper only to hit the post. However Gravesham took the lead just before half time following a determined effort from Lewis Reynolds.
In the second half Gravesham started to take more control of the match with Logan Mersh working hard to win several important challenges in the middle of the field, whilst James Miles was making some precise passes to endanger Medway's defence. Midway through the second half Gravesham extended their lead when Lewis Wood scored from a corner. Ten minutes later captain James Miles picked up a poor clearance from the Medway goalkeeper and skilfully lobbed the stranded goalkeeper from 25 yards to find the back f the net. Gravesham then had goalkeeper Jack 'Bubbles' Morrison to thank following a superb double save.
Gravesham were good value for this win as a result of resolute defending and fast attacking play that the opposition found difficult to counteract.
Monday 19th January Kent Cup
Gravesham 2 Maidstone 0 * Maidstone conceded the match and Gravesham were awarded a 2-0 win
Monday 2nd February Kent Cup
Bromley 5 Gravesham 2 (Scorers: Jones(2))
Gravesham U15s were ravaged by injuries and went into the match against Bromley with a bare eleven. Lewis Reynolds whose usual position is as a Centre Forward was forced to play as a centre back but had a good game there playing alongside the impressive Nathan Lewis. Gravesham started the game brightly and throughout the match more than matched their opponents with crisp passing which meant they had long spells of possession. Gravesham took a deserved lead after 15 minutes when Donvieve Jones opened the scoring, but by half-time were losing 2-1. However, Gravesham maintained their principles of possession football and within ten minutes of the second half Jones had equalised following a one on one opportunity against the Bromley goalkeeper. However a lack of concentration allowed Bromley to regain the lead within two minutes. Although Gravesham continued to play good football Bromley scored two late goals to win 5-2. Gravesham had battled well and in large periods dominated possession, and the result was an unfair reflection on their efforts.
Monday 2nd March Kent Cup
Gravesham 5 North Kent 4 (Scorers: Jones(3), Reynolds, Mersh)
Gravesham U15s started their final league match in the Fletcher Trophy at Maplesden Noakes knowing that they must beat North Kent by four goals to qualify for the semi-finals. Gravesham made a steady start and matched North Kent in terms of possession but within 15 minutes were trailing 2-0 having twice been torn apart by the strong North Kent centre forward. However Gravesham then began to increase their possession and played some good football causing North Kent increasing problems. Indeed by half time Gravesham had forced their way back into the match and a superb hat-trick by Donvieve Jones gave Gravesham a 3-2 advantage at half-time. They were unfortunate for the lead not to be 4-2 when a superb strike by Jones hit the back of the net but was adjudged to be offside. In the second half Gravesham lost a little concentration and conceded two goals as North Kent gained a 4-3 advantage. However, Gravesham refused to be beaten and goals from Lewis Reynolds and Logan Mersh provided Gravesham with a 5-4 victory. This was a gutsy performance full of determination and fantastic passing which deservedly produced a win. It meant that Gravesham had won 3 out of 4 league matches and the top three teams all finished on the same number of points. Sadly for Gravesham they finished third on goal difference and therefore did not qualify for the semi-finals.
E.S.F.A. NATIONAL INTER-ASSOCIATION TROPHY
This competition was played on a knock out basis and was open to all associations in England.
Saturday 27th September Round1
Havering 10 Gravesham 0
Gravesham travelled to face a strong Havering side in the national competition. With several changes from the previous year Gravesham found themselves playing an impressive and very fast opposition. Although Gravesham created a number of chances which they were unable to convert they found themselves well beaten in a 10-0 defeat.
This competition was played on a knock out basis and was open to all associations in England.
Saturday 27th September Round1
Havering 10 Gravesham 0
Gravesham travelled to face a strong Havering side in the national competition. With several changes from the previous year Gravesham found themselves playing an impressive and very fast opposition. Although Gravesham created a number of chances which they were unable to convert they found themselves well beaten in a 10-0 defeat.