Season 2004-5 Reports

Under 10

Kennington U10s tour to Bognor Regis
Didn’t we have a luverly time the day we went to Bognor?!

Back in the depths of winter as the parents were huddled round the ever growing quantity of flasks it was decided that we would enter a tournament a little further afield to broaden our horizons, experience football in a different area and enjoy a stonking good weekend watching some good footie drinking plenty and eating loads of rubbish. And this we did.!!

Padgham of Padgham tours ably led the way and we stayed strictly in convoy till about three miles from the venue when the Elgar and Orris taxis became separated and hopelessly lost. Some telephone calls later we arrived at the campsite. Messrs Mayhew and assistant manager designate Padgham had already departed for the meeting of managers so the rest of us went to Burger King.

The Ades' were already at the site down the road where their 5 star luxury pad put ours to shame John and Harry Lancaster arrived after Harry's party and promptly commented that Mel would never have stayed in here ( and they had the best caravan).

The Comparetto's of course had not graced us with their presence on Friday preferring to stay in the comfort of their own home on Friday and booked in to a four star hotel for Saturday night ! Still I'm sure the Pasta was first class!!

Saturday came and the games began. We travelled again in convoy leaving dead on time herded by Madame manager to our respective cars and travelled to the designated pitches and arrived in plenty of time. Our opposition was from Essex, Herts, and various other places. We would play seven games and then the two top teams in the league would contest the final. Our first match against Hannakins FC was dire but we scraped a 1-0 win with an own goal. Little did we know that we would meet the same team later in the tournament. After the early game the kids played some superb footie on Saturday and completely outclassed some excellent teams scoring some great goals- a rooster from Antonio and a fine solo effort from Dion spring to mind. Defence was sound as ever with Ben on top form and Tom fitting in the games in between doing some serious buying and selling on his new phone. Will, Elliot, Jamie and Jordan patrolled the midfield and Perry had set up his deckchair in his goalmouth dealing comfortably with the little that was thrown at him.
The first day finished with four wins out of four and with the three weakest teams on paper to play on the second day. Sadly Dion had taken a heavy tackle which would prevent him from playing day two. Actually he would probably have been all right if he hadn't fallen off the swing back at the campsite!!

The kids then went swimming ably marshalled by sole adult swimmer Neil and non-swimmer Andy. The swimming trip resulted in more yellow cards than we have had all season as Jordan's 'bombs' Wills Runs Jamie's dives Carolyn's photos were all met with fierce rebukes from the over zealous life guard. Perry was dispatched to find out what exactly they could do and engaged both lifeguards in deep conversation whilst the others continued doing exactly what they shouldn’t! Chrissa proceeded to get redder and redder in the tropical conditions inside the pool.
Games on the lawn followed where Georgia frankly put some of the boys to shame with her neat footballing skills and an excellent eye for the ball in Cricket. We were joined by kids from the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth.

The girls were dispatched to Pizza Hut for food and Tescos for frozen peas for Dions ever growing ankle. The Comparetto's joined us at the caravan park for a pre Pasta Pizza. !! Silence reigned for once as numerous supremes double pepperonis and Fosters were consumed. More games followed but most disappeared to lose their hard earned pennies in the arcade.
A reasonably early night was taken in light of the games to come but as it turned out we might as well have stayed up till the early hours. The atmosphere on Sunday morning seemed strange.
Apart from the champagne moment of the weekend when Max fell backwards off his deckchair producing a double lutz with a single flip and ending up back on his feet it was very quiet. The Kids managed two wins from their final three league games which sent us to the final but there was a deep sense of foreboding as we knew that the kids were so relaxed they were almost horizontal whereas the opposition in the final Hannakins again were well up for it. We didn’t play well and lost 2-0 but who cares. Hannakins played well and they were a very pleasant bunch. We received many kind comments from other teams on our play. The presentation night was different. !!Around 600 people packed in to the theatre and two bar staff to start with. Dehydration was setting in and oxygen was at a premium but we stuck at it as Nigel Winterburn presented the excellent trophies.

The Comps left early allegedly to get home so that Ang could go to work next morning. Spookily however it appeared that some time later when we left t he theatre their car was still parked. Further investigations will take place. Back to the clubhouse where we again dined out in style and listened to what were a very good band whilst the kids terrorised the rest of the campsite. Meals ranged from tin curry and chips leather burger and what turned out to be some dodgy scampi which kept tour leader Padgham on his throne for many an hour Monday morning and resulted in some strange water events for all the surrounding caravans!!. The journey home was uneventful and we look forward to next year's event wherever it may be. Special thanks to Dave and Jane for organising the weekend, which was great and those of us, there would recommend it without a doubt.

3 March 2005

EKYFL U10 - Division 1
Kennington 2 Snowdown 1

Kennington went into this game knowing that they needed goals to try and secure second place in the league and despite dominationg the game the goals did not come. Dion Orris bundled the ball home for an early goal and Jamie Ades finished a superb team move to make it 2-0 but then the goals dried.Snowdown
bounced back with a headed goal from a corner from the smallest player on the pitch and he nearly repeated this two minutes later.Something to work on for next year !!

Red Arrows surprise defeat at he hands of FC Stripes in the afternoon means that the boys finish second and deservedly so. There is no better footballing team in the league but other teams work harder against them and sometimes this proves kenningtons undoing. Congratulations on a fine season. You have been a redit to the club as have your parents and your manager.

19 February

Dover U10s 2 Kennington U10s 4

Kennington performed much better this week against a tall and powerful Dover side.Unfortunaely the late second goal from Dover pushes us into 3rd place in the league on goal difference.

It looked ominous early on as Dover used their strength to their advantage but as soon as our lads matched them physically then the football talent was shown and in this area Kennington were clearly dominant. Jamie Ades blasted in to equalise following a fine run from Elliott Padgham and soon after Dion Orris outpaced the home defence to put Kennington in front.

In the second half Dover rareley had a chance unless it was a specultaive punt from the half way line or a freekick from 40 yards out. Perry Drew dealt confidently with these and Kenningtons lead was increased when Dion scored his second and Antonio scored a well deserved fourth.

Everybody played well again. Jack and Ben assited by Jordan were very strong at the back and Will Elgar again performed well being denied a goal by some fine Orris defending!!

12 February

Sturry Blues 1 Kennington 1

Excellent football, good team spirit, vociferous crowd, loads of flasks, but no three points. The call after the game was 'call the police weve been mugged' and yes this was true BUT the fact is we didnt score enough goals whilst totally dominating the game and unfortunately this has happened too many times this season.

There are no better footballing sides in this division we just need to turn chances into goals. The title may effectively have gone now but keep going for second place guys as this would be an excellent achievement As ever our team were sporting and had a smile on their face at the end of the game. Sturry were overjoyed at their point.

All the teams raise their game against Kennington and this is a credit to you all

20 February

FC Stripes U10s 1 Kennington U10s 4

A depleted U10s side travelled to icy Cheriton on Sunday hoping to maintain their push for honours. An early goal from the opposition did not bode well but this galvanised the team into one of their best performances of the season. The manager had called for more effort and this was given in abundance by the lads as they completely overwhelmed the opposition. The Stripes goalkeeper played an absoloute blinder and in the end was forced to be substituted after throwing himself in the way of yet another blistering drive from Jack Balsden. Antonio Comparetto scored the equaliser and a spectacular own goal just before half time gave Kennington the lead.

The second half was completely one sided with goalie Perry doing well not to freeze to death.Sound defence from Ben Lancaster and Tom Frost ensured no chances for the stripes. The third goal came from Will Elgar ending his goal drought following up on a long range effort from Balsden.Balsden himself completed the scoring on what was an excellent attacking display in awful conditions. Excellent passing and crossing from Jamie Ades and Jordan Mayhew from wide ensured a succession of chances and the only disappointing thing must be that the goal tally wasn't at least doubled!!

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