Season 2005-06 Reports

Under 16 Juniors

Kent M.U.S.H League U16 South
Canterbury City 2 Kennington 2 (White, Stewart)

Kennington failed to gain full points from this match despite having the majority of possession. In a hard fought match with neither side willing to pull out of tackles it was Kennington who scored first with the prolific Aaron White racing clear of the offside trap, shooting early over the keeper and into the net. The strong Kennington defensive unit of Hall, Brown, Hadlum, and Thompson were dealing well with any threats Canterbury posed, Matt Hadlum in particular, totally dominating everything in the air. Canterbury were not causing too many problems but took their chance 10 minutes before half time when they hammered home a loose ball, after Kennington had failed to clear.

After the break Kennington again enjoyed the lions share of possession with Ryan Smith and skipper Metin Zurel putting in some strong tackles in the middle of the park. After 10 minutes of the second half, Olly Lewis, who had tormented the Canterbury defense all day was brought down. Jason Stewart stepped up and sent in a well delivered 30 yard free kick that Hadlum just failed to make contact with, but the angle on the kick sent it wide of the motionless keeper and into the net. 15 minutes later Canterbury leveled the score for the second time. A free kick was awarded halfway inside the Kennington half and a defensive mix up from the resulting kick allowed Canterbury space in behind the defensive line, and they made no mistake from close range.

In the final third of the game Kennington pushed forward in search of the winner. Chances fell to Frankie Comparetto who fired wide under pressure from close range and Matt Lightfoot who hit the side netting from 7 yards out with the keeper struggling to get across to make a save. Canterbury’s only chance came from distance but Aidan Barlow tipped the ball over at full stretch.

Despite having the majority of possession against Canterbury, it was disappointing to come away from the game with only a draw. This means that we now need to take maximum points from the North Kent sides. However, the effort and hard work from all players during this match was superb. Well done to everyone.

Squad: Barlow, Hall, Brown, Hadlum, Thompson, Smith, Lewis, Comparetto, Stewart, Zurel, Ovenden, Strand, White, Lightfoot.

Kent M.U.S.H League U16 South
Kennington 4 (Lightfoot, White 2, Zurel) Chatham Town 2

Kennington faced a strong Chatham Town side in a game that they needed to win to maintain their challenge at the top of the Kent League. Chatham began the match in fourth place, 2 points below Kennington but with two games in hand. Chatham started well dominating the early possession, with the home side second in every department and unable to get a foothold in the game. The first goal came in the 15th minute against the run of play, when Matt Lightfoot outpaced the Chatham defence and calmly knocked the ball past the advancing keeper into an empty net. Chatham stepped up the pressure and only some superb blocks from the home defence kept them out. The equalizer eventually came just before half time when Chatham scored through a deflection that wrong-footed keeper Aidan Barlow.

After half time Chatham started where they had left off, with an all out assault on the Kennington goal. As the game progressed the home side began to put some decent passing moves together and the balance of the game changed. Twenty minutes into the second half Kennington hit a purple patch, which started with a well weighted through ball from Frankie Comparetto that Striker Aaron White ran onto and bravely lobbed the keeper, injuring himself in the process. Five minutes later the impressive White increased the lead further when Ryan Strand sent him through to score. Chatham were now a shadow of the team that had dominated the early play. Things turned from bad to worse for them, when Metin Zurel crashed in a fourth from two yards out, after some excellent work by Lightfoot on the right wing. Chatham added a second late on but the game had already been settled.

Well done to everyone. After half time, you believed you could play, and did so to great effect.

Squad: Barlow, Hall, Brown, Hadlum, Thompson, Smith, Lewis, Comparetto, Stewart, Zurel, Ovenden, Strand, White, Lightfoot.

U16 Kent Youth League
Folkestone Invicta 2 Kennington 2 (Strand, Stewart)

This local derby was a hard fought encounter that Kennington controlled and should have taken maximum points from. In the first half Kennington played into a strong wind but still managed to play the better football, forcing one superb save from the Folkestone keeper, who somehow managed to tip a close range header over the bar. Folkestone played their usual game of trying to get the ball forward as fast as possible, but the Kennington defence of Hall, Brown, Hadlum and Thompson coped well, considering the conditions. Folkestone opened the scoring against the run of play, after 15 minutes when they crashed home a header at the far post. This spurred on Kennington and they were level within 2 minutes when Ryan Strands shot was deflected over the Town keeper and into the net. Kennington were in the ascendancy with ball winners Zurel and Smith dominant in central midfield.

10 minutes before halftime Kennington took a deserved lead when the impressive Jason Stewart fired the ball into the bottom corner from the right side of the 18 yard box, after some good work by Jack Ovenden.

After half time the game became very scrappy with Kennington unable to reproduce the hard working display that had allowed them to control the first half. The home side began to look dangerous and on the hour, were awarded a dubious free kick on the edge of the box. The equalising goal followed when the ball was whipped over the wall and into the net. The game then deteriorated with the referee booking a number of players. Chances were created at either end with Aidan Barlow saving well on three separate occasions. Kennington also came close with good efforts from Frankie Comparetto and Mathew Lightfoot. On the balance of play, at the final whistle Folkestone were probably the happier of the two sides with the draw.

To maintain our challenge at the top of the Kent League, we must be aware that we need to convert this type of performance against one of the top sides into 3pts.

Squad: Barlow, Hall, Brown, Hadlum, Thompson, Smith, Lewis, Comparetto, Stewart, Zurel, Ovenden, Strand, Lightfoot, White.

Kent M.U.S.H League U16 South
Kennington 1 (White) Canterbury City 3

Kennington suffered a set back in their challenge at the top of the Kent Youth League with a defeat against a hardworking Canterbury City side. Kennington started well controlling the match with some good football and creating numerous scoring opportunities. The best of the early chances falling to Jack Ovenden, who’s point blank shot, was well saved by the busy Canterbury keeper. Kennington continued to force the play with Frankie Comparetto and Ryan Strand causing problems for the City defence. Kenningtons superiority eventually paid off 15 minutes from half time when Aaron White latched onto a through ball and gave the home side a deserved lead.

Canterbury responded by stepping up a gear and putting the Kennington goal under siege, forcing a number of superb saves from Aidan Barlow. Kenningtons inability to decisively clear the ball and to charge down any miscued clearances cost them their lead and eventually the match, as Canterbury hammered in two superb goals from the edge of the box, to lead 2-1 at half time.

After half time Kennington retained the majority of possession but their build up play became less controlled as they tried to force an equaliser. Canterbury added a third goal from a corner halfway through the second half to make the final score 1-3

The outcome of the match was a disappointing result for us, but our domination of the game, especially in the first half was very encouraging. Had we scored a second goal I believe that we would have gone on to win comfortably.

Squad: Barlow, Thompson, Brown, Hadlum, Hall, Smith, Lewis, Comparetto, Stewart, Zurel, Ovenden, Strand, White.

U16 Kent League Challenge Cup
Kennington 4 (Zurel, Lightfoot 2, Lewis) Ramsgate 3

The 2nd round of the U16 Kent Youth League Cup saw Kennington entertain Ramsgate at Ball Lane. Kennington started the game slowly and were unable to compete with the high tempo play of Ramsgate who grew in confidence as the first half went on. Ramsgate went ahead after 15 minutes when the Kennington defensive unit stood motionless and watched a tame effort trickle into the net. Kennington were not playing well but managed to equalize after half an hour when Frankie Comparetto got in round the back and the outstanding Metin Zurel finished from close range.

After half time the home side were still struggling to compete, but managed to take the lead when Matt Lightfoot shot across the keeper into the far corner of the net. Kennington then decided to switch off and 12 minutes from time allowed the away side to level the score. Ramsgate were now playing with their tales up and two minutes later took a deserved 3-2 lead.

With 8 minutes left a tactical formation change and an increased urgency amongst the players saw Kennington show the type of football they are capable of. Pressure was mounting on the Ramsgate goal and with 6 minutes left Ollie Lewis beat 2 players on the edge of the box and fired the ball beyond the advancing keeper. It was now Kennington that were pressing for the winning goal and with extra time getting closer, Jack Ovenden found space just outside the 6 yard box only to find his well struck shot superbly saved by the Ramsgate keeper. The winning goal came from the resulting corner when Lightfoot's speculative shot somehow found its way into the net. In the closing minutes Kennington missed some guilt edged chances which could have lead to a scoreline that would not have been a fair reflection of the match.

Well done to both sides for an excellent cup tie.

PS. Lightfoot missed a hatful and his tea as punishment! -Ed

Squad: Barlow, Hall, Brown, Hadlum, Thompson, Smith, Lewis, Comparetto, Stewart, Zurel, Ovenden, Strand, Lightfoot.

Kent M.U.S.H League U16 South
Whitstable Town 1 Kennington 2 (Smith, Whitstable og)

Kennington moved into second place in the Kent League with a hard fought win against Whitstable Town at their Belmont Stadium. The away side had the best of the first half, forcing some fine saves from the Town keeper. Kennington looked particularly dangerous from set pieces with Matt Hadlum denied twice on the line from corners. The introduction of James Gardner 15 minutes before half time caused problems for the Whitstable defence and Kennington began to dominate. On the half hour the Whitstable keeper made the save of the match, brilliantly denying Ryan Smith from close range. Kennington took the lead five minutes before Half when Hadlum again forced a good save from the keeper but this time Smith was on hand to force the ball home.

Kennington started the second half as they had finished the first, with some good passing football. Ten minutes into the second period they were awarded a corner. Ryan Strands driven kick to the front post found Smith in space and his flick-on was deflected into the net by a Town defender. The game became a midfield battle with Stewart, Comparetto, Gardner, and Zurel having to work hard to shut down players on the large pitch. Whitstable started to get on top as they pushed to try and reduce the deficit. Excellent defending by Thompson, Hadlum, Brown and Lewis kept them out until the 70th minute when Whitstable broke through to score a deserved goal, with a low drive inside Aiden Barlow's right hand post. The home side pushed on in search of the equaliser but it was Kennington that created the best chances on the break for the hard working Matt Lightfoot and Jack Ovenden.

Well done to everyone for a strong performance and a good victory away from home.

Squad: Barlow, Thompson, Brown, Hadlum, Smith, Lewis, Comparetto, Stewart, Zurel, Gardner, Ovenden, Strand, Lightfoot.

Kent M.U.S.H League U16 South
Kennington 2 (Zurel, Lightfoot) Folkestone Invicta 1

Kennington started the new campaign with an excellent win against a strong Invicta side. The opening 15 minutes saw the game played mainly in the midfield with few chances at either end. As the game progressed Kennington began to get the upper hand and in the twentieth minute were awarded a free kick 25 yards out. The Folkestone Keeper failed to deal with Ryan Strands driven strike and Metin Zurel reacted quickest to ram the ball home from close range. Invicta began to use the long ball to try and pressure the Kennington defence of Hall, Hadlum, Brown and Comparetto. Despite their efforts Folkestone's only real chances saw Aidan Barlow make a sharp save, low down at his near post and a headed clearance off the Line by skipper Matt Hadlum. Kennington were still making chances, with Ovenden creating two good opportunities for Ryan Smith. A minute before half time Folkestone's long ball tactics eventually paid off when Kennington failed to deal with a long punt down the middle and Invictas centre forward outpaced the covering defenders to stroke the ball home.

The second half was evenly fought out with Kennington creating the more clear cut chances. Matt Lightfoot had a goal disallowed as Kennington began to gain the ascendancy. The winning goal came on the hour, when Lightfoot latched on to a superb through ball from Danny Hall and gave the Folkestone keeper no chance with a superb finish. Folkestone again tried to pressure, but it was Kennington who had the best chance when Frankie Comparetto was foiled by the Folkestone keeper when clean through.

Well done to the whole squad for an excellent battling performance. Congratulations also to the new lads who both made excellent debuts.

Squad: Barlow, Hall, Brown, Hadlum, Smith, Lewis, Comparetto, Stewart, Zurel, Avis, Ovenden, Strand, Lightfoot.

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