Under 16s v Hulme Hall (Home)

Drew 2-2

The Under 16’s met the main title contenders in a highly competitive and enjoyable match on their return to ISA league fixtures. Both teams were evenly matched and tackles were keenly contested. The College took the lead after 20 minutes when a fantastic Henry Mathews free kick hit the post and was bundled home by Jonathon Steventon. The opposition always had the outlet of their livewire centre forward, who gave an outstanding display for the opposition, and it was his run and cross that led to their equalizer 5 minutes later. Jack Pearson in goal made a number of crucial saves to keep the college in the game at this point. Half time 1-1.

As both teams continued to press for supremacy it was difficult to predict the winners. The opposition centre forward again danced through our defence to curl the ball past Jack Pearson in goal. The team showed fantastic fighting spirit and soon an excellent cross shot from Ben Handley levelled the scores. Chances were created by both teams and Henry Mathews nearly won the game with a rasping drive that hit the bar in the last minute.

A draw was a fair result in probably the best game I have seen at Abbey Gate College. A real fighting display full of good football and honest endeavor. Well done to all!

Wednesday 18th November 2009

Under 16’s v Hillcrest Grammar School (Home)- ISA League

Won 5-1

Goalscorers: Tom Davies, Max Raynor,Ben Handley, John Boughey and Ben Phillips.
 
The College produced a clinical performance on a perfect pitch despite the recent heavy weather. Although not at their very best the good habits from the Malta tour were apparent. Guy Huxley and Tom Davies passed the ball confidently out of defence and the midfield had the opposition chasing shadows for much of the game.

Unfortunately our shooting was lacklustre with numerous shots from just outside the box not even troubling the goalkeeper. A scramble at a corner resulted in Tom Davies prodding home the opening goal soon followed by a clever finish from the ever willing Max Raynor. A long ball out of defence which the opposition pounced on resulted in the arrears being reduced. Half Time 2-1

The second half witnessed some outstanding flowing passing moves and ball retention but still the College struggled in the vital final third. Ben Handley finally managed to whip a left foot shot across the keeper and then a lovely passing move saw John Boughey pass the ball into the net. The opposition worked hard to get the ball more but the superior movement and confidence in the team could not be shaken. A long Jonathon Steventon free kick was clinically dispatched in the final minute by Ben Phillips to give the final score a more realistic look.

Man of the match: Guy Huxley; Passed the ball with great confidence all game.
 

Mr Cutler

Thursday 8th October 2009

Under 16s v Bridgewater (Home) - ISA League

Won 6-2

Goal scorers: Ben Handley (2), John Boughey, Charles Oakes, Liam Moses & Henry Mathews.
 
Following a positive result last week the Under 16 team was full of confidence going into the game. In the first half a number of chances were created but due to poor heading technique the college forwards were unable to convert. It was however from the aerial route that the College took the lead when John Boughey nodded in at the far post from a deep corner. Further strikes from outside the box from Charles Oakes with the outside of his foot and a rasping finish from Liam Moses saw a comfortable 3-0 half time lead established.

A strong squad allowed for numerous changes in formation in the second half and as soon as Bridgewater pulled a goal back the team stepped up the pace for Henry Mathews to hit a sweet cross shot in for a 4-1 lead. The best goal of the game followed with Ben Handley smashing in a 25 yard shot and then reacting first to pounce on a goalkeeping error. Another scrappy goal for the visitors completed the scoring.

A subdued performance but still an excellent win with Jack Pearson in goal and Warwick Ryan-Beswick the stand out performers on the day.

Man of the match; Ben Handley-an outstanding goal.

Mr Cutler

Tuesday 20th October 2009
Under 16’s v King’s School (Away)- Chester Cup

Lost 4-1
 
A score line that does not tell the full story and flatters the opposition. The College started well and had an early Max Raynor header disallowed before a poor pass across goal in defence allowed King’s to take the lead. The team continued to dominate and another excellent corner from Henry Mathews saw Max Raynor hook home the equalizer. Warwick Ryan-Beswick and John Boughey showed composure in possession and the whole team started to believe more in themselves. Half time 1-1.

The second half saw King’s start to dominate but resilient defending by Jonathon Steventon held them at bay until the referee decided Jack Pearson had taken the ball over his line. Two further errors in defense allowed King’s to stretch the lead in the final five minutes.

In summary a good performance with the fine line between success and defeat decided by a number of vital refereeing decisions.

Mr Cutler

Wednesday 9th September 2009

Under 16s V Mostyn House (Away) - ISA League Match

Won 0-7

Abbey Gate’s Under 16 team travelled to Mostyn House for their opening game of the season. The College started off well, with an early goal from captain Finlay Pilkington, setting the tone for the rest of the first half. The boys went on to score a further five before half time, two of these came from Henry Matthews, a second from the captain, and one each from and Barney Hollingsworth plus John Boughey with a stunning effort from outside the box.

The second half saw the substitutions of recently recovered centre back Guy Huxley and the ever improving Henry Matthews. The College seemed less forceful on the field than the first half, but still managed to get a seventh goal from Jack Pearson to seal victory.

This was a promising start to the season for the Under 16 team, and the score line suggests that retaining the Under 16 league title should be very achievable for the College.

Mr Cutler

Wednesday 16th September 2009

Under 16s v Hulme Hall (Away)

Drew 2-2

The Under 16’s encountered stiffer opposition in their second ISA League game in the long trip to south Manchester. A bright start saw an excellent side foot volley finish from Liam Moses to give the College an early advantage. The opposition dominated the rest of the first half despite the willing efforts of Finlay Pilkington and Jonathon Steventon. It was no surprise when a free kick was missed by everyone for the smallest player on the pitch to slide home; poor marking costing us dear! Half time 1-1.

A much more energetic performance in the second half limited the opposition and the efforts of Charles Oakes in midfield to win tackles and drive the team forward was a major contributor in this. A number of chances were squandered before a Finlay Pilkington shot was parried to allow the ever willing Bart Ryan-Beswick to knock home the rebound from a yard out.

A draw was a fair result and now the team need to play more for each other and play to their full potential in games, rather than leave all their best work on training field. A real bonus was their fighting spirit and a much improved second half.

Mr Cutler

Saturday 19th September 2009

Under 16’s v Shrewsbury School (Away)- Friendly

Lost 9-0
 
The College suffered a heavy defeat against a very strong and talented Shrewsbury outfit. In the first minute the outstanding Shrewsbury centre forward hit a fantastic deep cross to the far post for a bullet header into the roof of the net; which set the tone for the match. Despite the effort expended the lack of sharpness and team work saw Shrewsbury constantly split open the defence and roll goals in at will. A serious mouth injury to Finlay Pilkington hardly helped nor did the recurring ankle injury to Henry Mathews. Half time 5-0.

A significant improvement in the second half saw James McNeil a whisker away from finding the top corner form 25 yards. Charles Oakes and Jon Steventon finally managed to make some telling challenges and Max Raynor produced two outstanding saves. Unfortunately there was no stopping the rampant Shrewsbury forward line as they handed out a footballing lesson in scoring another four goals without reply.

Mr Cutler

Monday 21st September 2009

Under 16  team v Christleton Yr 10 (A)- Friendly

Lost 3-2

Goalscorers: Max Raynor (2)

In the absence of any fit strikers Max Raynor made his debut in open play as the manager gambled on his enthusiastic running up front. The Christleton outfit were quick and skilful and made inroads into the College’s defence and were soon in the lead. However an excellent through ball from the ever improving James McNeil saw Max Raynor hold off a challenge and slot under the advancing goalkeeper. Half time 1-1.

The second half was evenly fought but again Christleton took the lead from the penalty spot and then Aleem Choudhry scythed down an onrushing forward for an obvious penalty; apparently the referee had no other option with both decisions. Cameron Ryalls rallied the defence and Ben Handley made powerful breaks form midfield and from one of these set up Max Raynor for an easy finish.

A poor run of form continues with many players struggling to show enough composure on the ball!

Mr Cutler

Tuesday 29th September 2009

Under 16s v Tower College (Home)- ISA League

Won 3-1

Scorers: Ben Phillips, Ben Handley & an own goal.

An outstanding team performance after a slow start to the season. The team passed and moved fluently from the first whistle with the four Year 10 pupils drafted in being influential throughout which made for a well contested match against a strong Tower team. Indeed Tower took the lead from a scramble in the box and it took to 3 minutes before half time for a long ball forward from Barny Hollingsworth to be gloriously headed in the top corner of the net by the Tower centre back for the college to equalise! Two minutes later persistence from John Boughey on the left allowed Ben Phillips to curl a left foot shot over the keeper. Halt time 2-1.

The second half saw Ben Handley and Finlay Pilkington dominate midfield and Jonathon Steventon constantly drove the team forward. A looping shot from 20 yards for Ben Handley stretched the lead and a number of further chances were squandered as Tower struggled to make any impression in the last quarter.

Everyone deserves a mention for much improved performance. Standards have now been set and returning players may struggle to reclaim their starting spots.

Man of the Match- Jonathon Steventon- an outstanding Captain’s performance.

Mr C Cutler