Stoke Hill Juniors Under 11
Whipton Youth 4 v 4 Stoke Hill Juniors
A little classic against the two leading sides from last season. This game proved that Stoke Hill AFC have finally settled after a shaky start to the season. Confidence is building, taking 4 points out of a possible 6 against in my view the best passing side in the league in Whipton Youth. Special mention also to the Whipton Home pitch, beautifully prepared which helped the two sides play some wonderful passing football.
Early on Whipton opened up the Stoke Hill 3 man defence for a clinical finish past Connor Hepburn in Goal, typical of our Goalie this did not deter him and just minutes later he rushed out to clear an advancing ball from Whipton midfield taking a nasty cut just above the eye in a 50/50 challenge, the game was stopped for a few minutes while Connor was taken to A&E, I am pleased to say despite a paper stich or two and massive bruising, he will be back in a couple of weeks hopefully.
This early set back seemed to strive Stoke Hill to play some lovely football pressing high up the pitch with the midfield using Joe Chandler and Michael James well on the wing, the equaliser was deserved with Chandler with a beautiful low cross, held up well by JJ Green who turned his defender and hit a low left foot shot into the right hand corner for 1-1. Whipton continued to play some very good football causing the defence problems and a lovely through pass from the Whipton midfield found Whiptons Lewis Nash who clinically finished into the top corner of the goal. Playing just in front of the defence Ethan Flanagan was then instrumental in playing a one two with Michael James and found JJ Green again clear to coolly place the ball in the net for 2-2.
Then a piece of magic from Harry Taylor, playing again in his left back role where he started at Under 8, he received a pass from Ben Richardson and then single handedly started on a mazy run all the way down the left hand flank passing a number of Whipton players, it looked like he had taken the ball to far, but then found the angle to hit a lovely left foot shot for 2-3 and Stoke were ahead for the first time in the game. Unfortunately just before half time we allowed our focus to drop and a Whipton player was given time and space to drive forward and make it 3-3 at half-time.
We stuck with our formation in the second half, bringing Harry Taylor into goal as he was suffering and allowing Connor McAndrews to move to right back, Tris Howe switching to left back and bringing on James Staves at right midfield. I felt with the slight downhill advantage we would make this half count, but despite some territory domination and pressure high in Whipton half, we missed a number of chances and in one attack committed players up field to allow a Whipton counter attack slightly against the run of play which allowed a break directly down the middle of the park splitting our defence and a superb long range shot to make it 4-3 to Whipton.
Shortly afterwards a key moment happened in the game, with the Whipton Midfielder finding space on the left hand side and hitting a curling bullet of a shot which was without goal bound before somehow Taylor sprung up and got a finger to the ball and tipped it over the bar, an absolutely superb save which kept us in the game.
Finally our pressure got the deserved equaliser in my view when a mis-placed goal kick found Ethan Flanagan in space who from close range calmly hit the equaliser for 4-4.
What a game, I believe we deserved something out of this at times I felt we edged the game with some periods of dominance, but on reflection a draw was a very fair result and proved that despite our stuttering start, we now have got our confidence back against a quality side.
Special mention to all the team, they played with commitment and passion, but special mention to the braveness of Connor Hepburn who we wish a speedy recovery and I also felt Connor McAndrews was superb at right back after a long injury.
Tiverton Town - 12 v 2 - Stoke HIll Juniors
A very impressive Tiverton Town team showed why they are one of the pre-season favourites with a clinical display against Stoke Hill. They did not pull away from us though until the second half with some clinical finishing.
The first 10 minutes were very even, with both teams attacking well and Stoke hill twice using there wingers with Harry Taylor and Joe Chandler creating space for early crosses into Michael James who was tackled well when trying to turn and shoot for goal.
Playing a 4-3-1 formation, we knew we had to soak up some early pressure and Tiverton were superb in splitting our defence and putting in some good crosses, three times Connor Hepburn made 3 brilliant saves to keep the score at 0-0.
Although under pressure with two ball players in the centre of the back four in JJ Green and Connor McAndrews we were clearing the ball well but finally Tiverton made a breakthrough with two quick goals well taken. A third goal followed 5 minutes later after a great Tiverton shot just outside the box which Connor Hepburn was able to tip onto his bar, but Tiverton reacted quicker and from close range made it 3-0.
Stoke HIll kept their heads up and with Ethan Flanagan in midfield creating space for himself, he looked up to put a lovely pass through to Joe Chandler who went past the on coming defender and hit a sweet right foot shot into the corner of the goal for 3-1. This seemed to inspire the boys who had a brilliant last 10 minutes with Daniel Smith growing into his left back role supporting Harry Taylor whose run down the left hand side allowed an early left foot cross which Michael James held up well and saw Ethan Flanagan to hit a first time shot just wide of the left hand post.
Tris Howe was also playing in Connor McAndrews well into space with some good passing and Connor seemed to be thriving in this holding midfield role driving forward, tackling back and supported well by JJ Green.
In fact as the half time whistle came, the boys were really positive thinking they had created as many chances as Tiverton and still had a massive opportunity to get something out of the game.
Whichever team scored the next goal was going to be decisive and Tiverton opened us up beautifully with some one touch football giving us no chance. Despite some brave defending from both Ben Richardson on the left hand side, two further well taken goals followed with some lovely football.
At 6-1 a Stoke HIll move of old followed with JJ Green tackling brilliantly and playing a simple
Pass to McAndrews who skipped past one player, played a one two with Ethan Flanagan and played a superb pass out wide to Joe Chandler who drifted past two defenders and played a low first time cross which Charlie Carr after some superb movement tapped in from close range for 6-2. Shortly afterwards we witnessed a great individual run from Connor McAndrews who went through 4 players and blasted a shot from outside the box which was tipped brilliantly onto the bar after a great Tiverton save.
In the last 15 minutes we seemed to run out of steam, with a small squad, rotation options are limited and despite at least 5 times Connor Hepburn saving brilliantly, the tiredness was showing in the defence in front of him and 6 quick and well taken goals from Tiverton followed.
So a number of positives to take from the game, yes it does hurt to be beaten by this sort of scoreline, something that has never happened to us before as a group in our 3 years together. We will learn lessons from this and need to do the simple things better and work as a unit and get back to winning ways in a tough division one. Tiverton are a class outfit, maintaining their key players and at times playing some brilliant football and were welcoming hosts today.
SEASON REVIEW 2010 - 2011
Our third year together and a superb season, Played 38 games won 34, drawn 1 and lost 3.
Runners up in the league, losing the title to Whipton who we actually beat 4-2 in the league in the last 15 minutes of the season last Saturday. 91 points out of a total of 99, scoring 177 goals in total and conceding only 26, less than a goal a game with 25 clean sheets.
Semi Finalists in the Cup, losing narrowly 2-1. The boys play an expansive game of football using the width we have created and deserve recognition for being top of the league for over 7 months, the longest period for this age group in the Exeter Youth leagues formation at this age group before finally losing out by two points for the title in the final weekend.
We have a great set of boys, who when motivated play in my view the best football in the league, which is highlighted by our consistency throughout the season and wins against the top sides. We are sorry to lose Ollie Evans and Ethan Ampadu now to the ECFC centre of excellence and would like to thank them for their service to Stoke Hill with best wishes for the future.
Lastly a massive thank you to my assistant manager for the last 3 years in Darren Hepburn, a superb coach and motivator, without him we would not have achieved the success we have this year. It now gives me great pleasure to announce that Paul Taylor from a similar football pedigree will take over as my co manager for next season.
COACHES PLAYER OF THE SEASON – A leader by example, our Midfield General with superb defensive and attacking skill, a player that has motivated the team throughout the season, he possesses great close skill, a brilliant right foot, good distribution and brave with the header. Our leading goal scorer for 2010/11 season with 38 goals and the club skipper, it gives me great pleasure to name the coaches player of the season is ETHAN FLANAGAN.
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER OF THE SEASON – A pivotal member of the team, asked two years ago to fill a position and an individual who single-handedly this season has saved the club as the last man in defence at least 4 times. This individual has developed into a very brave goalkeeper and shot stopper producing some amazing saves and vastly improved distribution from goal. Conceding less than a goal per game on average with 25 clean sheets, the most improved player of the season, for the 2nd year running, is without question CONNOR HEPBURN.
EXETER YOUTH LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE SEASON – A player who previously was a clinical goal scorer, at the start of the season was asked to fulfil a defensive role for the club. Able to play on either the right or left back positions, this player spreads positivity throughout the team with his communication and organisational ability. A brilliant tackler and able to attack the wings at pace, while also possessing a great right foot from dead ball free kicks which has led to 8 vital goals. The Exeter Youth League player of the season is OLLIE EVANS.
CLUB PERSON OF THE YEAR – A player that has developed well throughout the season, stronger now on the ball, holding the play up well and distributing brilliantly. Always first to training and first to arrive on match days. An individual who is now respected and a pivotal part of the team, the deserved recipient of the club person of the year awards goes to CHARLIE CARR.
PARENTS PLAYER OF THE YEAR – An finally an award voted for solely by the parents. A player who in my view is brave, committed for the Stoke Hill cause and extremely skilful. An individual who will track back and tackle, win the ball and then use his great close ball controls and blistering pace to turn defence into attack. Our only true left sided player who tirelessly works for the team. The scorer of some absolutely vital goals that have turned games and to score 20 goals from a left wing position is superb. The deserved in my view and Parents player of the season is HARRY TAYLOR.