Gravesham Schools' Football Association U15s Fixtures 2015 / 16
KENT CUP AND FRIENDLY FIXTURES
The team entered the Kent Cup, the early stages of which are played on a league basis. The top two in the league qualify for the Fletcher Trophy Semi-Finals.
Monday 14th September Kent Cup
Sittingbourne Community College, 6.30pm
Bromley 1 Gravesham 3 (Scorers: Crow(2), Adesigbin)
On Monday 14th September the Gravesham U15s district team began their Fletcher Trophy campaign with a new look squad against Bromley. The match began at a fast pace with Gravesham struggling to find their passing game under early pressure from Bromley. After a frantic start Gravesham settled down and looked increasingly dangerous through the pace and inter play of Jubril Adesigbin, Callum Coombs, Lewis Crow and Jake Jarvis. This was only possible through the hard work of midfield pairing of Dominic German and Sonny Adshead. The team were eventually rewarded when Lewis Crow cut in from the right hand side to curl a fantastic left foot strike into the left hand corner. This gave the team the confidence they needed and the lead was doubled through another almost identical strike from Lewis Crow just before half time.
With Gravesham losing Sonny Adshead to injury at half time Bromley began to outnumber an increasingly tired looking Gravesham side in midfield. As the second half wore on this led to sustained pressure on the Gravesham goal where only a resolute defensive display and a string of fine saves from James Harrison kept Bromley at bay. The opposition did eventually get rewarded towards the end of the game when a neat finish finally broke the resistance of a superb goalkeeping display from James Harrison. With Bromley searching for an equaliser the Gravesham back four did exceptionally well to deal with any attacking threat. Particular praise must be given to Luke Smoker and James Curd who dealt with the Bromley forwards well throughout. They were ably supported by Ryan Harris, Robbie Keen, Denzil Jones and Andrew Cooke who also had excellent games. With seconds to play Gravesham secured the win through a fine breakaway goal from last year’s top goal scorer, Jubril Adesigbin. Overall it was an excellent result to give the team valuable momentum going into a National Cup game against Barnet.
Monday 9th November Kent Cup
Maplesden Noakes School, 7.30pm
Gravesham 0 North Kent 8
Monday 23rd November Kent Cup
Maplesden Noakes School, 7.30pm
Gravesham 2 Medway 4 (Scorers: Hanley, Crow)
On Monday 23rd November the Gravesham U15 team continued league competition against Medway District at Maplesden Noakes School. After an extremely poor performance against a strong North Kent team in the last league game the side had a point to prove against equally strong opposition. The match started at a frenetic pace with Gravesham pressing high up the pitch to force a number of Medway errors in midfield and defence. Despite a good start few clear cut opportunities were created. Against the run of play Medway won a corner from which poor defending led to a close finish and the opening goal. The opposition then doubled their lead from equally poor defending on the half hour mark. This has been a consistent problem for the Gravesham U15 side that must be addressed in the remaining games this season. Showing fantastic spirit Gravesham hauled themselves back into the match before half time with two well worked team goals from Ryan Hanley and Lewis Crow. This was another fantastic captains performance from Lewis Crow in the absence of the injured Robbie Keen. Having drawn level at half time the second half started well with a few half chances for Gravesham. This made it even more frustrating when Medway District scored the decisive two goals from set pieces. Although Gravesham continued to press and pass the ball well goal scoring opportunities were few and far between. Overall it proved to be a much improved performance that was flawed by defensive lapses in concentration. The Gravesham U15's now have the return games to play against Bromley, North Kent and Medway Districts in the coming months.
Monday 14th December Kent Cup
Sittingbourne Community College, 6.30pm
Bromley 6 Gravesham 0
Monday 25th January Kent Cup
Maplesden Noakes School, 7.30pm
Gravesham 2 North Kent 8
Monday 22nd February Kent Cup
Maplesden Noakes School, 7.30pm
Gravesham 1 Medway 6
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 3rd October Round 1
Elite Venue 11.00 k.o.
Gravesham 2 Barnet 4 (Scorers: Crow, Curd)
On Saturday 3rd October the Gravesham U15s team played Barnet District in the first round of the ESFA National Cup at Elite Venue, Gravesend. The visitors made an imposing start to the game winning the physical battle in midfield to dominate possession and create a number of good chances in the opening twenty minutes. The deadlock was eventually broken when a free kick on the right edge of the Gravesham box was clinically finished into the bottom left corner by Barnet. The lead was then doubled before a more competitive Gravesham midfield released Lewis Crow to finish clinically past the Barnet goalkeeper on the stroke of half time. This gave the team a much needed lift and impetus going into the second half. More hard work in midfield by Ryan Handley and Jake Jarvis was again rewarded through an excellent headed goal from James Curd on the hour mark. The tall centre back jumped above the defence to head in from a corner. Going into the last twenty minutes the constant rotation of players from the Barnet bench began to take its toll against tiring Gravesham legs. The visitors took the initiative with two counter attacking goals in quick succession. This summed up a frustrating morning for the Gravesham team who at 2-2 had chances to take the lead.
This competition was played on a knock-out basis and was open to all associations in England.
Saturday 3rd October Round 1
Elite Venue 11.00 k.o.
Gravesham 2 Barnet 4 (Scorers: Crow, Curd)
On Saturday 3rd October the Gravesham U15s team played Barnet District in the first round of the ESFA National Cup at Elite Venue, Gravesend. The visitors made an imposing start to the game winning the physical battle in midfield to dominate possession and create a number of good chances in the opening twenty minutes. The deadlock was eventually broken when a free kick on the right edge of the Gravesham box was clinically finished into the bottom left corner by Barnet. The lead was then doubled before a more competitive Gravesham midfield released Lewis Crow to finish clinically past the Barnet goalkeeper on the stroke of half time. This gave the team a much needed lift and impetus going into the second half. More hard work in midfield by Ryan Handley and Jake Jarvis was again rewarded through an excellent headed goal from James Curd on the hour mark. The tall centre back jumped above the defence to head in from a corner. Going into the last twenty minutes the constant rotation of players from the Barnet bench began to take its toll against tiring Gravesham legs. The visitors took the initiative with two counter attacking goals in quick succession. This summed up a frustrating morning for the Gravesham team who at 2-2 had chances to take the lead.
