match report v Guildford City (spl cup jnr)

Perfect 10 as saints go goal crazy.

Someone pinch me ,i must be dreaming!! Saints marched into the next rd of the cup with a stunning display against near neighbours Guildford City. With key players Toby Holmes,Jake Matravers, Joe Griffiths  & Harrison Caleawart all missing ,this game could have been a potential banana skin , but saints rushed into a three goal lead with the prolific Dennis Foster scoring two , and Andy  Harris the other,Charlie dennis’s lovely through ball setting up the first.

Foster netting his third,and saints fourth just before half time.But city  pounced on a defensive error to pull one back right on half time.

After the break city started quickly and soon added a second . Robbie Orr then raced free to score his second of the season to make it 5-2 ,Andy Harris got his second after some nice football ,then Dennis the menace hit an unstoppable curling drive to make it 7-2. City grabbed another to keep it interesting, but then the champagne moment and the biggest cheer of the day ,as rare as a white christmas, Zach Houghton finished another fine move by prodding the ball in from a few feet. His celebration was straight out of the  Tom Daley book of dives , at least two somersaults  and a treble spin !!!! ER at this stage we began to loose count ,but Dennis Foster was looking for a double hat-trick and added a 9th goal .” We want ten” the crowd sang , but what they got was a 4th for city. Then, with the end in sight ,Foster grabbed his 6th of a most memorable game. Saints now meet Abbey rangers in the next round ,and a repeat of this would be most welcome . Thanks to Adrian for doing the line ,and a big thank you to all the parents and friends for their support . I feel it really does give the boys a massive boost when there’s such good support.

Onwards and upwards .Tim.

Match report u11vs Staines town colts

The under 11s signed off for christmas with a great display of passing football (at last !!). Not only was this our best display of the season as far as the football was concerned,but the determination of the boys was the best we have witnessed in a long time. Keeper Jack Haywood was off his line more often than Peta Check to clear anything  that went long,and looked assured and confident.At the back ,the lads were very solid,left back Matt Price was his usual tenacious self and looked to link up with Jake Matravers on the left of mid to good effect. Ben Wardley looked very confident at right back,and in the centre, Bradley Smith looks more confident with every game. His partner at the back was Charlie Dennis who put in a man of the match performance ,who’s all round game was tremendous.

Dennis Foster was pulling most the strings ,as usual, in the middle of the park and was given some great protection from recent recruit from RSA Braydon Kelly,who’s really finding his feet now. On the right side of midfield , skipper Toby Holmes was finding acres of space which allowed himself  lots of time when receiving the ball.

Saints started the brightest,and after 7 minutes ,striker Jo Griffiths was quickest to react and stroked the ball in for his 1st goal of the season. More was to follow when the lads served up a goal that would have had Arsene Wenger purring. some neat  slick passing which started with the impressive Zac Houghton ,found its way to Dennis Foster to bang into the bottom corner. Both Robbie Orr and Toby Holmes each playing their part in a lovely passage of play.

With half time looming , saints looked comfortable until their failure to clear a corner was given the treatment by a Staines player . Half time .

In  the second half, saints created fewer chances ,but always looked the better team, and midway through , some fine individual skill saw Dennis Foster break free to score his 10th goal of the season in some style.

Staines did reply deep into injury time but the game was over and anything less than a saints win would have been an injustice.

As long as the lads show the same levels of determination and skill ,then the second half of the season should be very enjoyable and rewarding.

So ,thanks to all the boys, and parents  for their support so far .

Merry christmas and c u in the new year .

Tim xx