Under 9 Juniors

Season 2005-06 Reports

10 December 2005
EKYL Division2
Kennington Juniors 2 v Monton Youth 1

Kennington came out on top in this six pointer. The game started very cagily with both sides not wanting to take many risks. As the half went Kennington started to improve and took the lead through top scorer Declan Burden. With Liam Bowman in great form in defence Monkton created very little. The second half was more of the same, Kennington Created the better early chances with Declan hitting the post and Danny Pallant missing the rebound. As the half went on Kennington started getting a bit nervy and started to drop very deep. Even with this Keeper Benny Hoffman Had little to do. Just as it looked that the game was going to finish 1-0, Monkton grabbed an equaliser. From a Kennington throw in all the defenders got drawn to the ball leaving three players free in the middle, a great cross added to a fine finish gave Hoffman no chance. 1-1. To the boy's credit they did not let their heads drop and scored what turned out to be the winner almost immediately. Declan Burden surged down the wing and supplied a fine cross which Ryan Mchugh slotted home with glee for the winner.

5 November 2005
EKYL Division 2
Kennington Juniors 2 Herne Bay Youth Colts 2

Kennington recorded a fine 2-2 draw against a good Herne Bay outfit. With visiting sponsors from Campbell Foods and C4pim.org.uk watching, Kennington came out of the blocks on fire. The boys were first to every tackle playing some nice stuff, and with Captain Joseph Burden in tremendous form it was not long before Kennington were ahead. Joseph Burden latched on to a through ball but was forced wide by the visiting keeper but after rounding him he scored superbly from a tight angle. With midfield trio Liam Bowman, William Fowler and Declan Burden working well a second goal soon followed. Again it was Joseph Burden who this time scored from the edge of the box. Further chances followed with Burden hitting a post and narrowly shooting wide with only the keeper to beat. But just as things seemed to be going perfectly Herne bay snatch a goal to bring themselves back into it before half time.

The second half was much closer with chances at both ends. Keeper Benny Hoffman produced some good saves and defenders George Fender and Daniel Curry having to make some fine tackles with the latter making one superb tackle on the edge of his box when left exposed. At the other end Captain Joseph Burden was still making life difficult for the away team. A number a half chances were created but could not be converted. At the other end though the pressure was mounting, and Kennington survived some very close shaves. But to be fair near the end Herne Bay got the equalizer they deserved and an entertaining game finished 2-2. Well Done Kennington Keep it up!!

29 October 2005
EKYL Division2
Folkestone Invicta 5 Kennington Juniors 0

If ever there was a game of two halves, this was it. This first half went extremely well for Kennington. Midfield trio, Liam Bowman, Joseph Burden and Danny Pallant worked their socks off and with defenders George Fender and Daniel Curry firm at the back, Folkestone never really had a chance. At the other end Kennington created two or three very good chances. Twice Declan Burden was through on goal but the home keeper saved well, and Joseph Burden also shot wide. Kennington were soon to pay dearly for these missed chances. The second half could not have been more different, Folkestone scored their first within thirty seconds of the start. This set the tone for the rest of the game. The Kennington boys started to tire and gaps started to appear. Folkestone scored four further goals to finish the game 5-0 winners. Despite the score line there were real signs of improvement from all the players.

8 October 2005
EKYL Division 2
Kennington Under 9 Juniors 0 v Bocca Juniors 3

Kennington lost out in a closely fought local derby. In the end the score line does not reflect how close the game was. In a very tight first half neither side created any real clear cut chances and play was main limited to the midfield where Danny Pallant, starting his first game of the season, made some telling forward passes. The first goal came right on half time and was very unfortunate. Bocca had long throw, and unluckily for Captain Joseph Burden, in trying to head clear he could only flick it over a stranded Benny Hoffman in goal. The second half was again close. Needing a goal Joseph Burden was pushed up front to partner Declan Burden and the pair started to cause problems. On three separate occasions the pair linked up to send Joseph through, but on each occasion the chance went begging. Kennington again paid dearly for their missed chances with Bocca adding two late goals to wrap up the points. Special mention to William Fowler who was outstanding throughout the game.

15 October 2005 - Cup Fixture
Kennington Under 9 Juniors 3 v Tankerton Town 3
Tankerton win 2-1 on penalties

Kennington went out of the cup in the first round in an entertaining tie. Again it was the same old story of not taking their chances. The first half started well and Kennington were soon two goals up. Firstly a long range effort from Joseph Burden gave them the lead and Declan Burden soon followed up with the second from close range. After this great start Kennington took their foot off the peddle and conceded three goals themselves during the half, but still found time for Danny Pallant, Declan Burden and William Fowler to go close again.

The second half was much better from Kennington, who were always on the front foot. The defenders played very well and Tankerton hardly threatened, but again chances went begging. Declan Burden scored the equaliser but also hit the post and had another chance well saved. Joseph Burden had another long range effort superbly turned away by the away team's keeper. Despite their pressure the game ended a draw.

In the penalty shoot out special mention must go to keeper Benny Hoffman, who made two magnificent penalty saves but unfortunately Kennington blazed three penalties over the bar and hit the post with the other and Tankerton came through 2-1 winners. Good luck to Tankerton in the rest of the competition.

8 October 2005

EKYL Division 2
Ashford Borough 2 v Kennington Under 9 Juniors 1

Kennington went down 2-1 in a closely fought local derby. The first half started very well for Kennington with them straight on the attack. Lots of pressure lead to numerous corners, from these corners the crosses flashed across Ashford Borough's six yard box but Kennington just could not manage to get on the end of them. Amazingly Ashford opened the scoring with their first attack and smashed home a superb effort that keeper Benny Hoffman could only watch go in. Kennington kept going forward and deservedly equalised with a close range effort from Declan Burden. Joseph Burden also went close but Kennington again found themselves behind after they failed to clear a Ashford cross.

The second half was a different affair. Ashford Borough were a lot more determined and dominated for long periods. Kennington kept trying and nearly scored the equaliser from a Joseph Burden corner. William Fowler met the corner with a fine header that just went over. Special mention to Captain Joseph Burden who was outstanding throughout.

1 October 2005

EKYL Division2
Kennington Under 9 Juniors 2 v St Margarets 0

Kennington recorded their first win of the season with a 2-0 win over St Margarets. A much improved performance saw Kennington on the front foot from the first whistle. In a goalless first half Kennington spurned numerous chances. Striker Declan Burden went close after latching onto a through ball, Ryan Mchugh hit the post with a close range effort and Liam Bowman missed with only the keeper to beat and Joseph Burdens strong running from midfield was a constant threat. At the back the defence were in fine form and limited the away side to a couple of half chances that keeper Benny Hoffman dealt with well.

The second half started just as well, and Kennington finally got the goal they deserved. Another great run from Joseph Burden down the left and he delivered a fine cross that Ryan Mchugh just missed but Declan Burden was on hand to finish from close range. The second goal soon followed with a second for Declan Burden scoring with a angled drive from just inside the box. Kennington now had their tails up and several more good chances were created but they could not add to their tally.Special mention must go to Daniel Curry at the back who was superb.

EKYL Division 2
Snowdown & Aylesham 5 Kennington 0

Another difficult game for kennington but it could have been so different.Kennington Started Really well. An even first ten minutes with neither side creating many chances, Kennington started to get on top and really should have opened the scoring. Firstly George fender had a superb freekick turned away by the home keeper, Joseph Burden was through on goal but dragged his shot wide and again Kennington had another near miss when Fender had a shot cleared off the line from a corner. The turning point of the match came right on the half time whistle, with their first real chance of the match the home striker smashed home a superb strike from out side the box to give them a half time lead.

The second half started badly for kennington with the home side scoring their second virtually from the kick off, with this blow kenningtons heads dropped and three further goals quickly followed. But to their credit kennington regrouped and for the last ten minutes were again on top but could not get the goal they deserved for their efforts. Special mentions must go to Liam Bowman, George Fender and Daniel Curry who did everything that had been asked of them. Despite two difficult opening fixtures i`m sure a win will soon come!

EKYL division 2
Kennington 1 Red Arrow 6

Kennington, sporting their new kit kindly donated by Campbells foods, had a very tough start to the season. Red Arrow were on the attack from the very first minute and were soon in front. An excellent through pass from the Red Arrow midfield was clinically finished despite keeper Benny Hoffmans best efforts. Red arrow followed up soon after with another goal from a corner that Kennington really should have cleared. Another goal soon followed and kennington found themselves three down within ten minutes. Despite this start kennington showed some true grit, and for the rest of the half battled really well with captain Joseph Burden and William Fowler tireless in midfield.

The second half started much better with kennington straight on the attack. Three or four corners were forced, but Red arrows were still dangerous on the break. After about ten minutes Joseph Burden was fouled just outside the box, and got up scored an excellent free kick. Unfortunately this only caused an excellent Red Arrow side to go up a gear and despite kennington never giving up they scored three further goals to finish 6-1 winners.

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