Youth U9

This is the first Under 9 seven-a-side team, this season they play in the Dorset Youth League Section 1. See the managers notes at the bottom of the page.

Stats

Managers Notes (most recent first)

Sunday 5th December - Parkstone Heights Hawks 5 Merley 0
This was a very disppointing result, our worst of the season. There were two deflected own goals which we could do nothing about, but in fairness Parkstone are a good team and won fair and square. I do not think that the boys played badly we were just beaten by a better side. We will concentrate on better attacking play and see if we can return to our winning ways.

On the positive side Alexander Heath was the man of the match, but I also have to mention Joshua Sapherson who was tenacious in trying to get the ball in the net. We did have a couple of chances and I do feel that we were unlucky not to score. Looking forward to next week.

Sunday 28th November - Highcliffe Hawks 2 Merley 1
This was a very good game of football. Highcliffe won a very even match 2-1. I am disappointed that we did not come away with at least a point from this game, we certainly deserved it. Highcliffe scored first after a muddy scramble in the goal mouth. To the boys credit they came back and thanks to the combination of both Alex Shenton and Alexander Heath we pulled it back almost immediately.
It was a good team effort during which Gareth Griffiths earned Man of the Match for his efforts. Such are the efforts that all the boys are putting in, the man of the match decision becomes harder every week. Joshua Sapherson played a brilliant game in goal. Apart from sending in the corner from which we scored Alex Shenton proved once again what an asset he is to the team. Out of his usual position he played very well as final defender. Jamie Stuart and James Chipchase both put some excellent runs down the wings and tested the defence. Michael was his usual tower of strength tearing about the park at high speed. Alexander and William were like terriers, displaying huge commitment in the tackle, all the boys were looking to pass and play as a team.
It was a real pleasure to watch and I was very pleased indeed with the performance. This was such a change from the 4-0 result in our first game of the season. The team is getting better week on week.

Sunday 21st November - Merley 4 Longfleet 1.
This was a good game during which allowed four different players to get on the score sheet. James Stuart and William Moyce got a goal each with Alex Shenton and Alexander Heath making up the four. Longfleet did not play badly and at one point had pegged us back to 2-1.
Steve and I varied the shape of the team as much as possible to give players who regular substitutes a longer time on the pitch. This was successful and I hope that we will be able to do this again. Man of the match was Alex Shenton for a fine disciplined display. On a personal note I am glad that my son Jamie Stuart, who did a great job in goal last season got his first league goal. Well done son. I am very pleased with all the boys in my team, the way they play and the sportsmanship they display to themselves and to others.

Sunday 14th November - Merley Youth 1 Parkstone Heights Hawks 3
This was another good game and although the boys lost 3-1 I do not feel that it was a true reflection on the game. They tried hard having gone two goals down and did recover to 2-1 before the final goal went in. Our goal was scored by James Chipchase . Man of the match on this occasion was Joshua Sapherson for a fine display of Goal Keeping. This selection was made by Parkstone. The way the boys played made me hopeful for a better result in the return match in a couple of weeks.

Sunday 7th November - Burton Arrows 1 Merley Youth 3
This was a good game that we won 3-1. It was characterised by good open passing play and in particular by a beautiful goal from Alex Shenton that David Beckham would have been proud of. The team played as a team and the result was very satisfying. Burton played well and displayed good sportsmanship.

Sunday 31st October - Merley Youth 4 BS Grange 0
I am very pleased at the way the team work really came together for this match. It was a real pleasure to watch. The scoring was opened when BS Grange handled in the penalty box. Alex Heath scored from the spot. The boys kept up the pressure and were rewarded when Alex Shenton scored a lovely goal that the keeper got his hands to but could not have stopped. We went in at half time 2-0 up. The second half was more of the same with the passing much improved. Josh in Goal fed the ball to James Chipchase who fed the ball through to Alex Heath who obliged by scoring. The compliment was returned shortly afterwards when the ball was slipped through to James Chipchase who scored the fourth. It was a great all round team performance with man of the match going to Ben Wilson for his disciplined display in defence.

Sunday 17th October - Merley Youth 1 Boscombe Albion 0
This was a good match with Boscombe Albion. All the boys played well and we came away with our elusive first win of the season. We have tried a variation to our team shape and this has worked well. Captain, Man of the match and Goal Scorer was Gareth Griffiths, who having played last season in defence came up and scored his debut league goal. It was a deserved win and I am very pleased with all the boys.

Sunday 10th October - New Forest Rangers 2 Merley Youth 0
The match was very enjoyable, it was a close fought contest. The boys continue to play well but we do seem to lack the ability to score easily. I am very satisfied with the defence of the team and we will be working to improve the boys scoring ability. This is our priority. Man of the Match was Joshua Sapherson in goal, he played superbly and pulled off some brilliant saves particularly in the second half.

Sunday 3rd October - Merley Youth 0 Rossgarth 4
The boys have improved again, we had a solid start against a very good side. The boys played well stayed in shape and tried very hard, we absorbed a good deal of early pressure before conceding the first goal. We have now played three games and got better on each occasion. We did lose to the better side but it was a good performance all round. We have changed the system so that the defending players stay on for the whole match and the midfield roll on and roll off. It really was a good team effort but Man of the match was Michael Higbe for his huge effort and commitment in defence.

Sunday 26th September - Longfleet Youth 1 Merley Youth 1
The boys really played as a disciplined team. We took the lead with a lovely goal from Alexander Heath, only to be pegged back with a goal mouth scramble just before half time. The second half was unlucky for the boys, they had several shots on target only to be denied by the Goalkeeper. A good enjoyable game fairly played.

Sunday 19th September - Merley Youth 0 Highcliffe Hawks 4
This was a good open game, played in a good spirit. The result is a poor reflection of the way the boys played. Much of the first half was played in the opponents half but two breakaway goals cost us. H/T 0-2. The second half was well balanced but we conceded another two goals. Highcliffe are a good strong side and we look forward to the return match. Steve, Stuart and myself will continue to encourage the boys, so that they enjoy their football and look forward to better results in the future.

Merley Allendale YFC

Youth Under 9 2004 - 2005

Stats

Managers Notes (most recent first)