Under 15s

Reports

Gosport Youth Under 15s v Liphook United Under 15s

Saturday 28^th January 2012

4 - 1 Away Win

The Under 15s continued their fine form with a 4-1 away win at Gosport on Saturday morning. With only 12 players available we didn’t have the luxury of a few subs to help out.  Tiredness through the game and a difficult Gosport team made the game hard from start to finish.

Matt Connor made a good run through the middle of the Gosport defence and slotted the ball into the net (15 mins) to give us the lead and Dan Gregory scored our second (22 mins).

A lapse in defence saw a goal mouth scramble in the 25^th minute when Gosport gained a goal back. This gave them confidence and they brought the game back to us from then, but there were no further goals into half time.

The half time lead didn’t feel comfortable and it wasn’t until Callum Clarke got our 3^rd (48 mins) that we felt the 3 points would be ours. Joe Gilbertson got us our 4^th (54 mins) and with Gosport’s heads down we had a few chances to add to the score line but failed to do so. Strong defending also kept Gosport away from our goal.

So, 3 more points get us back on top of the Mid Solent league, albeit by goal difference.

A good performance all round – with several midfield and forward players moving from their usual positions through the game to give us different options and the 3 points. The win was a reward for their efforts, along with strong defending and a solid performance from Ollie in goal.

Well done lads, can’t ask for much more at the moment as we’re top of the league so let’s continue this form – into the League Cup semi-final next Saturday and let's get to the final!

Warsash Wasps Under 15s v Liphook Under 15s

Saturday 5^th November 2011

5 – 0 Away Win

Liphook Under 15s continued their fine form in the Mid Solent League with a 5-0 away win against Warsash Wasps. The team’s confidence was high going into today’s game as we beat the opposition 10-0 at home two weeks earlier. However, Warsash gave us a much harder game this week but the scoreline should have been a lot higher for us had it not been for some good and also fortunate goalkeeping for the opposition and several chances being shot high, hitting the post and even a missed penalty from us.

Harry Tremlett put us one up after 7 minutes with a goal scored at close range from a corner. Warsash brought the game back to us following this and the score remained at 1-0 until Callum Clarke doubled the lead (31 mins) with a fine header from a Riccardo Sellitto shot that was heading wide of the goal.

3-0 shortly followed when Harry Tremlett (33 mins) broke through the opposition’s defence and after the goalkeeper saved his initial effort the ball rebounded back off Harry and into the net.

Callum Clarke then scored his second (35 mins) to take Liphook into a 4-0 lead at half time.

Callum made his hat-trick (43 mins) shortly into the second half and the game then remained goalless until the end. Liphook had a number of chances to add to the score through the remainder of the game with good chances from Jordan Allen, Matt Connor, Dan Gregory (who actually ended up in the net himself despite the ball not staying with him), Riccardo Sellitto and James Liddiard (a missed penalty following a hand ball in the box by a Warsash defender).

Another 3 points and a third consecutive clean sheet see us now level at the top of the league on points, but second on goal difference by just one goal.

Today was an excellent performance – we only had 12 players available for our squad today and all 12 played very well. Strong defending again, so credit should also be given to Joe Gilbertson, James Liddiard, Dan Blank, Charlie Bennett and Joe Pearce who kept the visitors away and helped Ollie to add another clean sheet to his record as the season continues.

Liphook Under 15s v Whiteley Wanderers Under 15s

Saturday 12th November 2011

1 - 1 Home Draw

A 1-1 draw takes Liphook top of the league by one point. Today was a hard fought game and although the points were shared, I think we can look at the end result as two points lost rather than one gained.

A very strong Whiteley team travelled up to Liphook and started the game very well. Liphook unfortunately had 4 players missing today including our goalkeeper, so with several changes to the line up and Charlie Bennett covering in goal we had 3 regular defenders missing from the starting line up.

Nine minutes into the game Whiteley won a free kick from a defensive handball just outside the area and they took the lead with the free kick shot through the defence straight into the net. Unfortunately none of our players managed to block the shot and our goalie couldn’t do anything as the ball travelled through the players into the net obstructing his view of the ball.

The game remained at 1-0 to the visitors for the rest of the first half and we were fortunate with a goal line clearance from Joe Pearce two minutes before the break to go into half time just one goal behind. We had several chances in the first half but didn’t manage to trouble the Whiteley keeper enough to equalise.

The second half started and within less than a minute Harry Tremlett ran the ball through the visitor’s defence and neatly slotted the ball into the net to equalise (must have been an inspired half time team talk from the manager!). Immediately from the restart, we re-gained possession and Matt Connor picked up the ball and ran through at least 5 of the opposition’s midfield and defence, then challenged by their goalie, shot just passed him and only the post denied us a quick second and the lead. To be very honest, this would have been one of the goals of the season if the ball had found it’s way into the net, so unlucky Matt.

The game then remained at 1-1 until the end despite several chances for both teams and some very fortunate defending and goalkeeping from Whiteley denying us the lead. Even at the end we could have taken the 3 points following a brilliant run from Dan Gregory down the right.  He kept the ball and ran round the defence wide on the right and crossed brilliantly into the area where our forwards were just short (no pun intended Riccardo) by only inches to connect and put the ball into the net.

I guess we can’t complain at being top of the league at the moment but with games in hand for the teams just below us I doubt this will remain for long. We have an away league game next Saturday against today’s opposition so we know we’ll have a tough time again next week but I’m confident we can go down to Whiteley and bring back the points following today’s performance.

A massive thank you today from myself and the rest of the team and coaches goes to Charlie Bennett for playing in goal following Ollie William’s injury in training last week. Strong hands and good kicking from Charlie definitely kept the opposition from scoring more and with the other 11 players today we had a strong defensive performance. We played a few out of their regular positions and well done to Ben Oakland, Dan Gregory, Joe Gilbertson, Joe Pearce and Harry Bicknell covering the defence.

Matt Connor, Harry Tremlett, Riccardo Sellitto and Louie Hurd were solid in midfield and Callum Clarke and Adam Whitehead were strong up front for us as usual.

Several of the team will feel they had missed chances today but if we’re a little bit luckier next week, I’m confident we will be rewarded against Whiteley away.

This was a hard and fairly played physical game today and looking back I would say we were unlucky not to take 3 points, but the Whiteley team certainly gave us our hardest game so far this season. Their manager mentioned to me after the final whistle that this had been the hardest game they had played so far this season - a big compliment to us all.

Well done to all players today and injury free.  Let’s try to take today’s performance down to Whiteley next week and see if we can come home with the points.

Thanks to all.

Clive Blank Under 15s Manager

Liphook Under 15s v Locks Heath Lions Under 15s

Saturday 26th November 2011

12 - 1 Home Win

Liphook Under 15s secured another 3 points in the league with a home win against Locks Heath Lions which keeps us in the chase just behind the league leaders.

Goals were shared around the team with a hat-trick for both Harry Tremlett and Matt Connor. Further goals were scored by Joe Gilbertson (2), Joe Pearce (2), Ben Oakland and Louie Hurd.

A good performance helps keep us well in contention in the league.

Liphook United Under 15s v Fareham Town Youth Under 15s

Saturday 3^rd December 2011

4 - 2 Home Win

A tough game was expected today and a tough game was what was played at home to Fareham today. Our only defeat in the league prior to this game was a 5-3 away defeat to them so we knew the opposition would give us a hard time today.

Liphook started the game well and it was quite a surprise to concede a goal straight through the middle of defence in the 13^th minute. This boosted Fareham’s confidence and they increased their lead with a fine goal scored in the 21^st minute. At 2-0 this looked to be a repeat of the away game but in the 30^th minute Matt Connor got one back for us and we then took the game to Fareham for the rest of the first half.

A couple of defensive substitutions at half time gave the defence some fresher legs and the second half started again with both teams believing they could take the 3 points today, us playing with a little more confidence.

9 minutes into the second half and Joe Gilbertson, moved from midfield to the front line, equalised for us with a great shot from the right hand side.

Liphook’s heads were definitely up for the remainder of the second half and the team’s passing play got better and better.  Defensively we held Fareham away from our goal and in the midfield, Matt Connor and Harry Tremlett took command in the middle and Dan Gregory and Ben Oakland playing on each side gave us width to work around the opposition’s defensive line.

Fareham went down to 10 players in the 53^rd minute when a red card was shown to one of their players. Although the loss of this player didn’t greatly impact the game Fareham obviously had lost a key player and combined with some brilliant passing from the back line, into midfield and then up front, Matt Connor scored two further goals (68 & 77 minutes) to gain his hat-trick and secure the 3 points for us.

With a full fit squad today, we were able to play every one of our 15 players and I have to admit (and parents will hopefully agree) that each player did not disappoint and assisted with another great performance to keep us in the run for the league.

Jordan Allan was unlucky not to add to our tally today with some fine footwork in the second half playing up front and but for the Fareham keeper (their player of the match) he would have registered his first goal of the season.

Defensively, after the 2-0 deficit in the first half, every one of the 6 players who played there through the match were strong as usual keeping trouble away from Ollie in goal.

Midfield – well done, again we played the game we know we are capable of and turned this one around. Great passing and wide work, we probably deserved more chances closer to the goal but due to more than a few off-side decisions against us, we were often stopped in our tracks by the ref's whistle.

Well done boys, this was a great effort against a tough and physical team. We kept our temperament well and didn’t let a lot of the decisions against us stop us from playing as we know we can and did.

Locks Heath Lions Under 15s v Liphook United Under 15s

Saturday 17^th December 2011

10 - 0 Away Win

Liphook travelled down to Locks Heath this morning and brought back 3 points plus another clean sheet with a 10-0 win.

Having won the reverse fixture at home to Locks Heath 3 weeks ago 12-1, the Under 15s were confident we could win the game and the end result was exactly what the manager wanted: 3 points, goals shared around the team and a clean sheet.

Liphook started well with Jordan Allen tapping-in the ball in front of the goal from a cross on the left hand side in the 3^rd minute. This was Jordan’s first goal for Liphook this season.

The pitch appeared smaller than ones we have been playing on this season so we were unable to play wide around Locks Heath.  The game remained at 1-0 until the 20^th minute when Riccardo Sellitto, playing at center forward, ran the ball through the middle of Locks Heath’s defence and shot into the net. This was also Riccardo’s first goal this season for Liphook.

Matt Connor scored our third (28 minutes) with a low drilled shot from the right which caught the inside of the post before hitting the net.

Changes were made in the midfield towards the end of the 1^st half and Jordan Allen scored his 2^nd of the game (33 minutes) to take us 4-0 into half time.

A goal from Joe Pearce (57 minutes) made the lead 5-0 and James Liddiard scored his first of the game (61 minutes) with a headed goal from a corner from Joe Gilbertson for 6-0. Harry Tremlett added our 7^th (68 minutes) with a fierce shot from outside of the penalty area that hit the under side of the bar to make it 7-0.

Callum Clarke added his name to the scoresheet (74 minutes) with a close shot and Harry Bicknell (moved up to center forward from defence) scored his first of the season (76 minutes) with a headed goal from a corner for 9-0.

James Liddiard then got us into double figures in added time (80 minutes) after some fine footwork from Dan Blank (also moved up to center forward from defence) who managed to take the ball off the Locks Heath goalkeeper, passed the ball across the goalmouth and James Liddiard tapped it in.

So overall, 3 points and a good team performance. Especially pleasing to see Jordan Allen, Riccardo Sellitto and Harry Bicknell add their names to this season’s goalscorers. Good defensive work, Ollie in goal wasn’t really troubled and some good passing today.

Well done boys – this takes us into the Christmas holiday with confidence for the second part of the season and ever hopeful we may be able to continue this form and be rewarded at the end of the season.

Happy Christmas to the team and parents and see you all in the New year!

Crofton Saints Under 15s v Liphook United Under 15s

Saturday 21st January 2012

4 - 0 Away Win

Liphook Under 15s played their first game for over a month today following the Christmas break and a couple of match postponements. A tough game down on the Solent waterfront against opposition and windy weather made the game additionally difficult but we came away with the 3 points and a deserved 4-0 win.

In the first minute we were 1 up with Matt Connor scoring from close range. Ricardo Sellitto doubled the lead in the 15^th minute with a close shot after several shots from our attack and good saves from the Crofton keeper.

Liphook applied the pressure with the wind behind them through the remainder of the first half but failed to score again despite a couple of efforts rebounding off the woodwork.

After half time we faced into the strong wind and for the first 20 minutes of the second half couldn’t reward our possession with a third goal. Many shots from our midfield and front line were caught by the wind sending the ball away from goal - maybe on another day we would have been closer to the net and had more luck.

Crofton also had a few chances but our defence held strong but it wasn’t until the 64^th minute when Matt Connor scored his second and our third with a fine run and low shot from the edge of the area into the opposition net that we felt we would take the 3 points.

Although 3-0 should have been a comfortable lead to take us to the end of the game, Crofton brought the game back to us and with 5 minutes to go almost scored themselves but for a magnificent goal line clearance from Charlie Bennett. Crofton attacked straight down the middle bringing our goalie Ollie out off his line, the ball was lobbed over him and everyone thought 3-1 but for Charlie who somehow managed to clear the ball just in front of the goal line to frustrate Crofton’s attack. Nice one Charlie!

Straight from the corner, the Liphook defence gained possession and with a couple of quick one touch passes the ball was played out to Ben Oakland on the left wing who crossed straight into Harry Tremlett’s path and Harry slotted in off the post to give us the 4-0 lead and win.

Overall, a good restart after the break and 3 points to keep us in contention at the top of the league. Ollie Williams played well in goal in especially difficult weather conditions, the defence remained strong throughout, midfield also and good performances from the front line.

We looked tired, which was expected, but hopefully now we’re back playing we can achieve what we know we’re capable of. Well done lads – we needed this game after the break and nobody disappointed on the pitch.

Lets keep this form running for the rest of the season – who knows, we may get something at the end of it!

Liphook Under 15s v AFC Dynamo Under 15s

Mid Solent League Cup Quarter Final

Saturday 15^th October 2011

6 - 2 Home Win

The end result was what we wanted but from kick-off the game started with a wake-up call for Liphook. Sixty seconds in and we were 1-0 down - a goal scored very early, straight through our defence and gave AFC Dynamos a great start.

We knew the opposition would be difficult as despite a 4-1 win against them in the league two weeks ago, the previous game wasn’t easy and they obviously came up to Liphook with revenge on their minds.

After 10 minutes of play and still a goal down, we switched a couple of midfielders around.  Dan Gregory and Ben Oakland then combined well together on the left wing and through their play enabled us to equalise with a Matt Connor goal (12 mins) and then again with Callum Clarke (21 mins). Nice passing from the defence line through to the front line from everyone involved.

The first half continued with opportunities for both teams and approaching half time Harry Tremlett ran the ball through the opposition’s defence with a skillful run, through and around about 4 players, and despite losing the ball close to goal, he managed to regain possession and scored from close range for a 3-1 lead. The last minute of the first half was played and Callum Clarke fired in for a 4-1 lead into half time.

In the second half AFC Dynamo came back to us early and were hungry for a goal but great defending from James Liddiard, Charlie Bennett, Joe Pearce and Dan Blank held us strong on the back line and kept the opposition away.

Matt Connor scored his second (64 mins) and a sixth goal was scored by Ben Oakland (67 mins) with a cross that found it’s way into the net. Apologies Ben if it was a shot but it surprised everyone watching and the opposition when it landed in the net!

AFC Dynamo scored their second goal 2 minutes from time (I guess we were tired) to bring the game to a 6-2 win for us.

Again, a solid and overall good team performance from everyone today. Ollie Williams didn’t have too many shots to trouble him in goal but there were a lot of corners and chances that kept him on his toes through the game. The defence and midfield combined well and what was especially pleasing to watch for myself as manager, and hopefully spectators too, was the back passing from the midfielders when they ran into trouble. Looking forward they were often blocked from running the ball or passing forward but with the support of the defence they passed the ball back to the defence line enabling us to re-start our attack rather than losing possession.

A good start to our cup run and we find ourselves already in the semi finals. Not bad for a one game cup run!

Well done boys, let’s keep the momentum going and take this form through the next (and possibly every) game we have this season.

Liphook Under 15s v Warsash Wasps Under 15s

Saturday 8^th October 2011

10 – 0 Home Win

Double figures for the Under 15s this week with a 10-0 home win against Warsash Wasps. Following on from last week, we were again down to only 12 players available for this game.

After a goal-less first 18 minutes which saw Liphook ruling the possession but often under pressure, we were rewarded with a first goal scored by Adam Whitehead quickly followed by a Harry Tremlett goal in the 20^th minute.

Liphook applied more pressure to the opposition and further goals from Matt Connor (27 mins), an own goal headed into the net from a Ben Oakland free kick (31 mins) which Ben will claim, another from Matt Connor (36 mins) and Harry Tremlett (39 mins) saw Liphook lead 6-0 at half time.

The second half started with Liphook playing just as strong and Callum Clarke finished a long run with a great low shot 3 minutes into the half. Harry Tremlett then completed his hat-trick (65 mins) with a rare right foot goal.

Warsash conceded a penalty in the 69^th minute after what appeared to be a push on Harry Bicknell in the area. Unfortunately Harry wasn’t able to find the net with his penalty but the goalkeeper should be rewarded for a fine low save.

Matt Conner made it 7-0 in the 70^th minute to complete his hat-trick and with the last 10 minutes of play, both full backs (Harry Bicknell & Dan Blank) played up front and Dan was rewarded with his first league goal in the 75^th minute for Liphook to reach double figures.

Although this was a very good scoring day for us, it should also be noted that when called upon, the defence and goalkeeper remained strong when required enabling us to keep a clean sheet so overall this was a very good team win today.

Well done lads!

Clive Blank
Under 15s Manager

Fareham Town Under 15s vs Liphook Under 15s

Saturday 17^th September 2011

5 - 3 Away Defeat

Following on from last week’s great performance in our first game together, unfortunately we were unable to carry this into yesterday’s game against a very good and strong Fareham team. A very windy morning troubled us in the first half and after a well fought first 25 minutes we then conceded two goals within 3 minutes and heads were down through to half time.

After 8 minutes of the second half Matt Connor scored and pulled us back into the game. Unfortunately, 5 minutes later Fareham then scored their 3^rd and then a 4^th three minutes later to go 4-1 up. We brought back the play to the opposition and Fareham conceded a penalty which Matt Connor blasted into the net with 20 minutes remaining. This gave us a little more confidence as we then believed despite 2 goals down, we could still produce a result.

Almost straight from the kick off though we conceded for 5-2 but Harry Tremlett immediately replied back for us when he shot in for 5-3 and our deficit was again only 2. The game however remained goalless from that point so the game ended in defeat.

Liphook Under 15s v Gosport Youth FC Under 15s

Saturday 29th October 2011

6 – 0 Home Win

A 6-0 win against our Gosport opposition today puts us joint level at the top of the League.

Adam Whitehead scored in the first 60 seconds and the opposition were a little shell-shocked when Harry Tremlett added a second in the 3^rd minute. Liphook kept the momentum going with most of the possession through the first half and were rewarded with Adam scoring his 2^nd goal after 22 mins. 3-0 became 4-0 with Callum Clarke scoring (28 mins) and a goal from Matt Connor (35 mins) took us into half time with a 5-0 lead.

Gosport started the second half strongly but despite their efforts were unable to break through our back line. An evenly matched second half kept the score at 5-0 until Matt Connor scored his second goal (64 mins) to make it 6-0. No further goals were then added despite several good chances and no goals were conceded.

Another strong defensive performance for Liphook today making this two clean sheets in a row in the League.

Well done to all 15 who played today.

Clive Blank
Under 15s Manager

AFC Dynamos Under 15s vs Liphook Under 15s

Saturday 1^st October 2011

4 - 1 Away Win

A good team performance saw the Under 15s pick up their 1^st points of the season away at AFC Dynamos in Gosport. The game was played on a very hot Saturday morning and the temperature made playing conditions difficult for both teams. (Even the parents were complaining it was too hot!)

Liphook went into this game with 3 regular players missing so only had the one substitute to help out. We started well and Matt Connor scored after 5 minutes but we let the home team bring the game straight back to us and they equalised 5 minutes later. 2 further goals from Joe Gilbertson (26 mins) and Dan Gregory (36 mins) gave us a 3-1 lead into half time.

Ben Oakland scored early in the second half (46 mins) with an unusual goal. AFC’s keeper was out of his area and Ben ran at him and managed to tackle the ball from the keeper’s feet and run into an empty penalty area and walked the ball into the net unchallenged. I think Ben may even have scored this with his right foot, very rare!  (I’m sure he’ll correct me if I’m wrong.)

At 4-1, there were still plenty of scoring opportunities for both sides but the heat was definitely a factor as many close shots failed to find the back of either net.

So 3 points away from home was an excellent result.

A very big thank you must be added to both Tina Liddiard and Sara Allen who very kindly went to a local supermarket just before the game and stocked up the supplies of water and Lucozade for the team at half time. The boys definitely needed this extra fluid.

Next week sees us start a run of 4 consecutive home games, firstly a league game against Warsash Wasps, followed by a cup game against yesterday’s opponents then two further league games. All games are scheduled to be played at Bohunt.

Clive
Under 15s Manager

Liphook Under 15s v Liphook Under 16s Friendly Match

The Under 15s first match was held Wednesday evening against the Liphook Under 16s at the Rec. This was an excellent opportunity for the squad to play together for the first time. As team Manager I would like to thank Dave Thurgood and his Under 16s team for agreeing to play us at fairly short notice and also for helping us out with team kit.

Due to the evenings drawing in now, we were still able to play two very good and competitive 40 minute halves, although the last 10 minutes were a little gloomy.

The game ended as a 5-1 win to the Under 15s. Goals were scored with a hat-trick from Adam Whitehead (8, 44 & 46 mins) with a fourth from Matthew Connor (65 mins). A goal was conceded to the Under 16s in the 72^nd minute but a show-stopper free kick from Dan Gregory finished the game on the 77^th minute. From 30 yards out he struck a direct free kick straight in the net.

This was a great effort across the team. Every player was committed and gave their all, each taking time on the subs bench to ensure we managed to get all 15 of the boys on the pitch during the game. The defence were strong throughout and were well backed up by our goalkeeper Ollie who made several saves for us.

This result and performance will give us the confidence to start our season in the Mid Solent League and hopefully we will be successful. Only time will tell.

Our first League game starts on Saturday at Bohunt, home to Solent Youth – kick off is 10:30. Please can all of the squad be there by 10:00 at the latest.

Thanks

Clive Blank
Liphook Under 15s Manager

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