Everything you need to know about our Under 18's football team
Under 18's
Match Reports
Onslow v Cheam (County Cup) December 8th 2007
'A team to be feared', was how today's opponents had been described to us. An under 17 outfit that were in the elite of their division and hungry for Cup glory. An uncharacteristic 1pm kick-off saw us drive the forty minutes to this leafy Surrey suburb to a large well kept pitch with a distinct lean to it. We played the first half against both the incline and the wind and for twenty five minutes we kept this admittedly impresssive side from taking the advantage. Then from one of the many errors that we were gifting them, their front man took it round Dan for a one-nil lead. Whilst we were excellent at intercepting their through balls, we endeavoured to give it straight back to them after taking possession. Dan made some wonderful reaction saves from point blank range, and up front Ollie had a superb shot parried, that saw Heff just unable to side foot it home. That's how it remained at the break and the chances were good that we could take the game to them in part two as the wind and the slope became our allies.
Before the second half began however, Dan was spoken to for what the writer is not sure, but within fifteen minutes of the restart William slid a perfect through ball to Ollie Riddle who took it first time, and from 18 yards out calmly lifted it over the keeper for the equaliser. A brilliant piece of exhibition football and one the camera crew filmed from it leaving Ollie's foot to it sliding down the back of the net and certainly one for the slow-mo archives. Shortly after Will had a chance to go one up when he was one on one with the keeper but he was not his usual sharp best and missed the chance. This only increased the pressure on us at the back and Dan performed his usual heroics in goal but the Cheam Onslought finally found the net for 2-1 and with two more in the final ten minutes from our mistakes saw our opponents make it 4-1 and into the next round. Well done to all the boys for a good clean game and for turning out on such a blisteringly cold day.
Result: Lost 4-1 (Ollie Riddle) Man of the Match: Owen Stutchbury Leading goalscorers: Will 12, James (Jamos Redmanos the Brazilian ) 8, Ollie 5, Liam 3, Matt/Owen/Heff/Adam/Tom G 2, Steve/Mike 1,
-----------------------------------------------
Onslow v Horsley: November 25th 2007
On a mild and shadowless November morning we took the team bus to the oft visited venue just along the Epsom Road which is Horsley village. A team that we understood had not been beaten all season, so the challenge was on. The first half was nothing to write home about as the game swung one way then the other. But then it exploded into life: firstly when William's brave attemptat a header with the keeper resulted in a sickening crunch of shoulder to neck as both collided in mid-air. Poor William was pole-axed and took a few seconds to come round. Hopefully no permanent damage but yours truly will keep you informed. Secondly when Horsley's left winger took a bouncing ball, and with a sweet turn sent a sensational volley screaming over Dan's head for the opening goal. After the break Onslow performed better but still managed to concede a second goal. However their valiant fight back became evident when with just seventeen minutes to go William intercepted a goal mouth scramble and shot hard against the keeper. The resulting rebound fell perfectly for Ollie who thundered it against the underside of the cross bar from 15 yards, whilst their defence stood motionless. With renewed hope of at least a point, Onslow began to push forward and were finally rewarded when James Redman controlled a delighful ball on his knee, allowed it to fall then whilst humming... 'anything you can do.... ' hit a perfectly executed volley over the keeper for 2-2, leaving Horsley's stunned defence in statuesque pose of hands on head in disbelief. With
Onslow now sensing they could take all three points, Will forced the keeper into a stylish Bank's type save that was in itself highly impressive. The man with the whistle - who had been intimidated by Horsley all game - was not taking a draw lying down, and with his 'Fergie' watch firmly in hand played at least six minutes of injury time to give them a fighting chance of a winner, even granting them a free kick on the edge of the box in the last minute. It was not to be and a draw was a fair result and another example of Onslow under 18's never-say-die fighting spirit. Result: Drew 2-2 (Ollie, James Redman) Man of the match: James Redman
-----------------------------------------------
Onslow v Hampton Harriers: November 18th 2007
On a clear, dry and cold Sunday we were at home to a never-played-against side Hampton Harriers hoping for threepoints to consolidate our position in the table. We were told they were a good side and were ready for a tough game, howevera bizarre incident after just five minutes gave us a one-nil lead. A Matt (white boots) Smith shot bounced off the keeper into the path of a returning defender only to ricochet into the net to give HH their first, and probably only, own goal of the season. Minuteslater, Will saw his header from a JR cross just graze the cross bar and Ollie's shot against a lone keeper just went wide. EvenJR was doing his own bit with a one-on-one with the keeper. He played a cheeky lift shot which just looped over the bar. By this timeHampton were becoming frustrated at their lack of success in attack and their long throw expert was becoming increasingly mouthy, as were the rest of his team and lineside management when his next effort hit Dan's post following a wonderful outstretched save.With five minutes of the half remaining, Hampton eventually scored with a high ball over Dan's head.1-1 at the break.
Hampton were now throwing everything at us to take the lead, but after twenty minutes, and with the camera crew in their newly found position behind the goal, a calmy executed ninety degree cross field ball from James R found Matt who punted it high up field to Will. With a deft touch he lifted it over the keeper then ran round him to side foot into an empty net with just a forlorn defender racing back.
Hampton were always dangerous on the beak and eventually equalised. Dan's long wind-assisted kicks were playing havoc and on oneoccasion Will brought one down and took it round the keeper only to see his shot blocked by a full back racing to cover the goaline. With some spectacular saves from Dan and great midfield play, we were sure we could take the three points we had come for, but a highlydebatable penalty was given late into the game that gave them the lead, and a yellow card for Tom Gunter for his understandable dissent. Hampton continued to pound our six yard area but Dan made some excellent reaction saves to keep the score to a respectable 3-2 Result: Lost 3-2 (og + Will ) Man of the match: Dan Platt
-----------------------------------------------
Onslow v Hook Youth (County Cup) November 11th 2007
Bedecked in our bright Brazil battlestrip, but facing wild Wigan weather, we were offered a unscheduled Remembrance DayCounty Cup match against Hook Youth in the Tandridge League. With a full squad - and even Liam back in the starting line-up,we felt confident against an un-tested and unknown opposition. Things didn't begin well however when after just five minutes a mid-field error allowed their strong centre forward to lash home a powerful left footer for a one-nil lead. This appeared to galvanise Onslow into action as for the next half hour the boys demonstrated some wonderful passing play and resolute committment in their tackling. Tom Munday and Owen were superb at the back with Liam and James Redman both demonstrating fancy drag-backs and reverse spin turns worthy of the shirts they were wearing. Will, Matt and Ollie found the going tough up front, though all had numerous chances they failed to convert. Eventually a long hard through ball from Tom M on the left found Liam who turned two defenders and poked home the equaliser. At the break the honours were shared and the prospect of extra time loomed if it stayed that way. The second forty-five was slower than the breakneck pace of the first half, and we began to lose possession to Hook as they forced six corners in as many minutes. The pressure finally told when a low left foot shot found its way through a forest of Onslow legs to see Hook take the lead. But, as proven before by Onslow, it didn't last long. With great accuracy, and with the 'poachers' hand raised on the far side, Matt Smith placed a wonderful cross to Will who was unmarked, and who side-footed the half volley for 2-2. By now Hook wereshowing their true colours of a team not used to losing. They finally made it three.....yellow cards that is for their increasingly aggresive behaviour, culminating in Matt being pushed just inside the box. With Onslow's spectators having been swollen by the arrival of the U17 squad now baying for blood, guts and red cards - and being rightly reprimanded by the Hook manager - 'Greasy' calmly smashed the spot kick to the keepers right for a deserved 3-2 lead. Hook came back hard but Onslow, determined to keep all three points - and TG his cool after being dramatically felled in the closing stages, held on to the whistle and a place in the next round. Full marks to refs and all players for observing the two minutes silence.
Result: Won 3-2 Liam, Will, Tom Gunter (Pen)
Man of the Match: Tom Munday Leading goalscorers: Will 11, James (JR) 6, Ollie/Liam 3, Matt/Owen/Heff/Adam/Tom G 2, Steve/Mike 1,
-----------------------------------------------
Onslow v Farnham: November 4th 2007
With the film crew back in action, Onslow returned to Farnham Town after a 2 year absence for a gamethat had given us good results in the past (before leaving for the Shere and District league) and the promise of a victory. Early fog eventually gave way to brilliant sunshine and the stage was set for some excellent football. With no subs, the strategy appeared to be one of attack! with four up front: Heff, Redman, Will, and Ollie with instructions to bang everything in at every opportunity for an early lead. After ten minutes, a cute one-two from Heff saw Will tripped just inside the box and with Blake and Liam out of the picture he claimed 'strikers rights' to open the score, and slammed the resulting spot kick low and hard to the keepers right for a one-nil lead. An Onslow backpass, inadvertently handled by Daniel, gave Farnham an indirect free kick from five yards out, and despite our best wall-building efforts, the resulting goal gave them the equaliser. Respect was restored within 120 seconds when the James boys combined to put us back in front. A precise through ball from James Redman gave Heff the opportunity for a power drive and he showed no hesitation - or mercy. Our front four were becoming an unremitting and unstoppable strike force. Heff and Will were working well together when Redman, not to be outdone, performed a superb solo effort with a tricky step-over then change of direction to flummox two Farnham defenders and ram home number three just ten minutes before the break. The second half began where it had left off with shots raining in from all angles testing Farnham's keeper. Tom's Munday and Gunter, Adam and Owen were all supplying excellent crosses and through balls for our attack quartet. William flew down the left only to be tripped inside the box, but keeping his feet took on another defender and only his lack of balance denied him his hat trick. Needless to say with the ref being the Farnham manager it was not awarded, yet he was penalised moments later in defence for something much less. Eventually from yet another free kick following a foul on 'JR', Owen placed a superb floating cross to the far post, that hung in the air just long enough for that same man from Dallas to touch it home for number 5. By now our opponents were all fully paid-up members of the Ankle Tappers and Blunders club, with profanities to match, but our boys rose to the challenge and did what 'Besty' always did, and reward anger with humiliation. Number 6, and Williams deserved hat trick for his dogged determination, came from a measured through ball again from the excellent 'JR' Redman, that saw Will on the left beat the offside trap and coolly right side foot to the keepers left with 'Henry-esque' precision. A dubious penalty that gave Farnham their second, did nothing to dampen the spirit of Onslow Boys who put in one of the team perfomances of the season. MoM was a close thing between Will and James, but I give it William.
Result: Won 6-2 (Will Pollitt 3, James Redman 2, James Heffman 1 ) Man of the Match: Will Pollitt Leading goalscorers: Will 10, James (JR) 6, Ollie 3, Matt/Owen/Heff/Liam/Adam 2, Tom G/Steve/Mike 1, Editors note: Suggest next penalty to Johnny Bingham, Fluff, Blake or Tom Munday then everyone has scored !!! (Sorry Dan)
-----------------------------------------------
Onslow v Claygate Royals: October 28th 2007
In the worst weather experienced so far, Onslow's loyal spectators were treated to the most exciting game of the season, full of cut and thrust football, not to mention it's fair share of hard tackles, yellow cards, cock ups and last gasp goals. The writer isn't sure if it was the extra hour in bed, or the rain in their faces, but Onslow started like an express train with three attempts in three minutes, but it only proved to be a wake up call for Claygate who responded with fierce committment and some creative football. With the wind and slope in their favour, and command of the air, Claygate ran us ragged for the next fifteen until a faltering goal kick was met with a thumping header from James Redman which fell kindly to Matt following a failed clearance attempt. He calmly slid it under the keeper for a one-nil lead. On the stroke of half on hour however they equalised when a corner was missed by all our defenders and landed on the deck for their number nine to lash it home. That's how it was at the break, but in the second half we began piling on the pressure, with some tricky football and skillfully crafted moves. It was a captivating hard fought half until a minute from time, when a mix up in our own penalty area allowed their front man to side foot home for 2-1. With capt Gunter (now subbed) screaming that his team " could sulk after the whistle ", Onslow immediately rallied, set off down the right, and with flowing one-touch exhibitionism finally found Owen who with a resolute calmness belted home the equaliser. The final whistle blew just seconds after the restart. The refereee commented later that after Claygate's second, there was 32 seconds on the clock but because of the slow start back and congregation of our opponents, he stopped the watch. At the restart, and with just those precious
32 seconds remaining, our boys provided one of the most enjoyable, entertaining and deserved goals ever witnessed. Yellow cards mostly undeserved all round because of late tackles from the wet surface, except perhaps James who after being obstructed took out the players ankles in sheer frustration. Well done to both sides for a nail biting game.
Result: Draw 2-2 (Matt, Owen) (Yellow cards 2-1: James, Tom M) Man of the Match: Tom Gunter ( Matt and Owen now on 2 goals each with Liam and Adam - behind Will 7, James 4, and Ollie 3 ) PS Film unit not in action this week sadly, camera highly susceptible to damp conditions - honest.
-----------------------------------------------
Onslow v Teddington: October 21st 2007
On a still calm, bright sunny Sunday morning the team bus delivered us to what appeared at the outset to be Stalagluft 3 on the Kingston-on-Rhine ring road. A sombre brick windowless building surrounded by a barbed wire steel fence. We could even hear the gun fire in the distance from the escapees - or was that thefiring squad for the losing side ? What it did have was three well laid out pitches and, contrary to expectations, our opponents were a well behaved bunch of lads though it seemed they had acquired 'Kinnelref' from a team we played a few seasons ago. That aside it was a well fought game even though they had no sub and a goalie from a team in a lower age group. Teddington had the best of the opening play until Adam floated a wonderful cross from the left wing to the back post for Ollie to head home for our first after just nine minutes.
Ten minutes later a corner was allowed to bounce and William headed home number two. Moments before the break, a Teddington shot from distance hit the top corner and it was 2-1. Some gallant saves from on-form Daniel kept their tally at just the one, as we began turning up the heat in the second half. A superb one-two between Ollie and Adam saw the latter calmy place our third, then a long hard daisy cutter from Will found Matt who doggedly fought off a defender to belt it home for number four. Our fifth came from another assist from Will Pollitt that was exquisitely taken down by Heff who slotted it home with clinical coolness. Number six saw James Redman in the right place at the right time lamp home a Fluff shot that was cleared off the line. Our final goal was a terrific solo effort from Adam who walked it round a defender, and the keeper, to give him his second of the game and secure the man of the match award. Excellent play from both sides and three cheers for a Teddington side that showed purpose, grit and determination and never once resorted to bad temper or underhand tactics.
Result: Won 7-1 Man of the match: Adam Marshall
Top goal scorers to date
William 7, James 4, Ollie 3, Liam/Adam 2, TomG/Steve/Owen/Matt/Mike/Heff 1 Total 24
NB authors comment: 11 different scorers after just 8 games must be some kind of club record.
-----------------------------------------------
Onslow v Oxshott: October 7th 2007
This was a lacklustre performance against our bogey team Oxshott, where the odds of a draw were about the same as betting on day following night. It was a late kick-off at 1130 and with six players injured and Liam making his swansong appearance it was never going to be our finest hour. As expected it was very much a to and fro affair with each side putting up a bold defence. Liam blasted over the bar and we failed to beat their offside trap more than once. Then after twenty minutes a piece of sloppy defending saw them go one up from a slide shot that Daniel failed to reach. That's how it was at the break and the game could have gone either way - even though they were playing with an extra man dressed all in black who was also blind in one eye. Fifteen minutes after the re-start Daniel came racing out to collect a high ball but he mis-judged it and it bounced up into the roof of the net for two. Finally a decision went our way when Liam was tripped on the edge of the box then coolly smashed in the spot kick to the keepers right as he dived left - game on. Reverting to type the referee then disallowed a blatant corner that everyone saw - and video evidence corroborated - except him, which resulted in a reprimand for assistant manager Mick Harrison who had remonstrated with him for his error. The game ended in a 2-1 defeat and a wake up call for future games.
Result: Lost 2-1 Man of the match: Fluff
-----------------------------------------------
Onslow v Walton-on-the-Hill September 30th
Todays venue was a new excursion for Onslow's under 18s. A scenic drive into the Surrey countryside took us to an attractive village near Tadworth. Hopes were high that we could repeat last weeks 6 goal thriller, and as the first few moments were to prove, we had good reason, but events were to unfold that would eventually prove disastrous. The pitch was large and excellently cared for, and with a clear sky and no wind we settled in for even game. We were still without co-striker Liam, and Blake was purely a spectator resting on crutches with a rugby incurred knee injury. With Ben now left, and Adam and Stephen still out, we started with only one sub. Despite this, we opened the scoring within the first four minuteswhen Matt belted home a cross from Heff on the left, only to see it disallowed for a dubious off side. This seemed to come as a shock to our opponents as they exploded into life putting three past Dan in less time than it takes to boil an egg. Front runners Ollie and Will were trying hard to counter their well disciplined defence and eventually Will pulled one back with a well struck shot low into the left corner after Tom Munday had made a superb effort to keep in a long ball on the right to make it 3-1. (Tom Munday on the right !!??) Respect restored. But not for long as this only provoked Walton even more and with some good breaks and well taken chances they increased their lead to 6-1 by the break. The second half we tightened up and began to assemble some decent attacks but without Liam, our strike power was only half-hearted. Eventually from a corner taken by Will, Mike deflected the cross low into the corner with an outstretched leg. An 8-2 humiliiation, but still only 2-1 in the second 45. Why can't we start later every week John ?
Result: lost 8-2 (Will, Mike) Man of the match: Mike Bourne
Onslow v New Haw: September 23rd
After two defeats in two games everyone was looking for our first win of the season and whilst we still had no Liam, Adam, Matt, or Steven, we discovered that New Haw could only muster ten men, and had already suffered two losses, so defeat for us was out of the question. The first fifteen minutes was evenly balanced with both sides fluffing chances.
Our dual strike force saw Will, on the left and Ollie on the right who was first to break the deadlock. Collecting the ball on the wing from Tom G. he belted it high and hard with the outside of the boot and, with just the tiniest of wind assistance, saw it strike the left upright and deflect down and in. That's the way it stayed until half time. However ten minutes after the break, a precision through ball from Tom M. to Will saw him beat his man and slot home number two with a gentle right foot.
A long free kick from the superb Mike Bourne gave us number three. It bounced deceptively past the last defender and wasfastened on to by poacher Pollitt ...who was already on a high after passing his driving test the day before.. who poked it home from two yards. A few moments later a calm and measured pass again from Tom M gave William his chance for a hat-trick which he took with great delight, turning his man and rifling home with his left foot. With the wind now in our favour, Dan's punts were causing great consternation to New Haw's keeper (also called Ollie) ' Watch the bounce was his cry ' as William nodded on one of those bounces to Ollie who calmy lifted it over the keeper for his second, and our fifth. We made it six just 10 minutes from time with a coolly executed cross from Heff on the right that Will let roll, then collected and turned back to Owen for a piledriver of a shot for his first of the season. Yes, it was 11 v 10 men but it was still a great performance from Onslow. Despite scoring three and assisting in two others, the Man of the Match doesn't go to Will. That would make him big-headed ! Instead it goes to Tom Munday who, along with Fluff and Mike, was excellent in defence and provided much of the forward momentum for Will, Ollie and Owen.
Result: Won 6-0 (Will 3, Ollie 2, Owen) Man of the match: Tom Munday
Following our dismal start to the season last week, we hoped for better things at Meadow Sports on this bright and sunny September morning but sadly it was not to be. An under strength squad saw us concede five in the first half, with three coming from silly Onslow defensive errors. Only a consolation goal coming from our strong central defender and long serving skipper Tom Gunter gave us some heart. Whilst our solo attack force was up against Cuthbert in goal and full backs Dibble and Grubb, Liam Harrison was having to handle BHS Rovers 3 up front players all on his own, namely Berlei, Triumph and Gossard, and he was sorely missed by all. Meadow proved to be a very physical team. Strong on the ground and good in the air and were getting to the high balls first each time. The half time team talk from manager John Platt had a profound effect however, as for the last 45 minutes neither keeper conceded, proving that we are match for any team. Just a pity we seem unable to maintain that lever of consistency for the full ninety.
Result: Lost 5-1 (Tom G) now joint leading goalscorer Man of the match: Fluff
After an encouraging 1-1 draw (what else) against our bogey team of Oxshott last week, in a pre-season friendly, we decided this would be the year to get the season off to a good start. However, for this first league match of the '07/08 season it seemed most of the boys had either just arrived back on the 'red eye' from Chicago, or hotfoot from 'Annies all nighter', so it was a forlorn hope. James was missing in defence, and Owen was sidelined with a broken finger (didn't know Annies was that violent) Alarm clocks had still to go off by the time Staines had put three past Daniel in the first half hour. Eventually, despite Staines solid back four defence, we started creating some moves, but lady luck was not with us. Will spotted the keeper off his line and only his fast backtracking pushed the lob shot over for a corner. And when Heff was through on goal, he was cruelly brought down from behind. Liam did manage to celebrate his 18th birthday in style by converting the free kick on the edge of the box into a low curling drive around the wall that the keeper had no chance of even seeing. The second half saw us with renewed vigour but more chances went begging, then once again Dan was caught off his line and Staines made it five, with a sixth following just seconds from time. Not the start we wanted.
