Nutfield Youth Under 10's

2003/2004

The under 10's this year will be playing in the Epsom & Ewell Youth League on Saturday mornings.

For further information please contact: nutfieldyouth@nutfieldfc.com

Nutfield Youth 2   Bookham Colts ‘D’ 6   20th March 04 

Going into the last game of the season Nutfield new that a goal feast of seven goals or more would propel them to the dizzy heights of second position. An obvious misunderstanding at the pre-match talk and the wet and windy conditions saw Nuts slump to their worst result of the season in the form of a six goal drubbing. The managers tactics was to attack from the start but in pushing Captain Ben Donovan into midfield but the defence was left exposed which to their credit Colts exploited to the full. Lad of the match Josh Brown kept hopes alive with a fine goal as he tucked the ball away from a Chris Bailey’s cross. Three one down at the break the game was still alive but a melt down on Nutfield’s part and a hungry visiting side, in a rich vein of form meant that Joel Montgomery’s first goal of the season was fruitless. Although a poor performance on the day Nutfield can hold their heads high in attaining fourth position playing in their first year together.

West Ewell ‘B’ 2 Nutfield Youth 4         28th February 04

Another tricky away fixture saw Nuts provide a heart-stopping conclusion to the match. Although one goal up at the break due to a well worked throw in from Henry Pope, flicked on with Jack Bellars tucking away the loose ball with his left foot, West Ewell were let back into the match with a great couple of strikes soon after the interval. An under the weather Ben Donovan then rallied his troops surging forward to assist Joel Montgomery in the midfield. With only ten minutes remaining, Chris Bailey then broke loose to run half the pitch and coolly chip the keeper. Lad of the match Jack Potts then made a dazzling run down the left flank to set up Bellars for another left foot strike. Keeper James Irani stood strong as Ewell mounted a final push for the equaliser but good defending from Matthew Gilbert and a tremendous interception from Potts steadied the ship. Thomas Berry was rewarded with a poacher’s goal from short range in the dying minutes, as he followed up on a shot from Bailey, which was parried by the keeper into his path. 

AFC Ewell 3  Nutfield Youth  3    21st February 04

A stunning come back saw Nutfield share the points, in a highly entertaining match on a cold bright morning. The home team defended the slope in the first half on the maximum size pitch but both sides displayed a feast of flowing football with the abundance of space. Ewell broke the deadlock after ten minutes with a fine headed goal from a corner that left keeper James Irani no chance. Several good chances were then squandered before the interval with Jack Potts missing the easiest chance as he dragged the ball wide in front of a seemingly open goal. After the break Ewell’s advantage was doubled with a wonderfully taken goal as a push for the equaliser left the defensive pairing of Henry Pope and Harry Curren exposed. Chris Bailey then pulled one back at a corner only to see the deficit regained instantly with another finely taken goal. Captain and Lad of the Match, Ben Donovan worked tirelessly with a ‘never say die’ attitude making some great runs from the back supporting Joel Montgomery in the midfield. With only minutes remaining plus time added on, Tom Berry and Jack Bellars came off the bench and instantly changed the match as Berry kept his cool with a tap in from close range. Ewell then conceded a free kick on the edge of their area straight after the restart. Donovan fired a shot at the wall and the resulting deflection gave Bellars the chance to complete the come back with a lovely glancing header. 

Bookham Colts ‘C’ 0  Nutfield Youth 1    7th February 04

On a bright morning and a very heavy pitch Nutfield got back to their winning ways after several weeks off due to the weather. A highly entertaining match saw Nuts defending the slope in the first half. The combination of great goal keeping and poor finishing kept the deficit to one goal at half time after Captain Ben Donovan eventually fired home in the latter stages of the first half, saving the blushes of both Bellars and Bailey whose numerous attempts were to no avail. Both Tom Paul and Harry Curran worked hard at the back defending the flanks and with Henry Pope in his first game commanding the central role, goal keeper James Irani performed very confidently with any attempts on goal. Josh Leigh was bought on to steady the ship when to their credit Colts pushed for the equaliser but a cool head from the midfield maestro and Lad of the Match Joel Montgomery settled play and ensured the visitors left with the points.   

Nutfield Youth 1   AFC Ewell 5   10th January 04 

Nutfield started the New Year by not only ending their unbeaten run but also slumping to their worst defeat of the season so far. The four week Christmas lay off did them no favours as a complacent approach showed after an encouraging first ten minutes. Three nil down at half time Nuts came out fighting after the interval and when Chris Bailey slotted home a great goal Ewell showed signs of crumbling. The plot was now set for another repeat come back like their last game. Unfortunately in their quest for glory gapping holes were left at the back, which the opposition were only too happy to accept. Lad of the match ‘Captain’ Ben Donovan showed great character as he tried in vain to rally his troops. With five minutes to go the visitors had sealed the match with another couple of goals leaving Nutfield shell-shocked.

Nutfield Youth  3   West Ewell  ‘B’ 2    13th December 03

Nutfield staged a stunning come back in the last fifteen minutes of the match to not only win the match but propel themselves to top of the table before the Christmas break. Things started quite well with good initial pressure from the home side. Then a good counter attack from Ewell saw a cruel deflection divert the ball past goalkeeper James Irani. Harry Curran and Josh Leigh both had a great game at the back with Captain Ben Donovan who lead the fight back with some great runs but fantastic saves from Ewell's keeper kept them in the driving seat. Jordan Kohlbeck was having a good game in the midfield in the difficult muddy conditions. A couple of changes at the break saw Tom Berry and Joel Montgomery introduced, this seemed to settle things for a while but then disaster struck as a break away saw a one on one opportunity double the lead. Heads did drop for a while and a couple of chances came and went for Jack Potts but it was the last fifteen minutes when Nutfield's luck changed. Chris Bailey found himself in front of goal to slot home the start of the come back. Five minutes later Jack Bellars was on hand to drive home a penalty after a hand ball in the area. It all seemed to be heading for a share of the points when deep in time added on Lad of the match Bailey picked up the ball on the half way and run the rest of the pitch chipping the goal keeper to not only seal his brace but secure the points for Nutfield.

Fetcham Park United  0  Nutfield Youth  5       6th December 03

Second place in the table was the reward for another fine away performance. Nuts have not lost away from home in the league since the opening game back in September. Jack Potts opened the scoring as usual when he pounced on a loose ball after the keeper spilled an initial shot. The second was also come courtesy of the keeper again. A great save from a long range shot was only parried into the path of Chris Bailey who gladly accepted the tap in from close quarters. Jack Bellars was to be provider for the third as is the case more and more frequently. A Beckham style free kick from outside the area was helped on its way into the back of the net with a glance off the head of Captain ‘Fantastic’ Ben Donovan, who thoroughly deserved a goal after several weeks of outstanding play. The fourth was to be the best, just before half time, Henry Pope made a dazzling run from his own area down the right wing and executed a slide rule pass to Chris Bailey who slotted the ball home with great precision. After the break the visitors took their foot off the pedal and squandered several good chances. Goalkeeper James Irani was only threatened on a couple occasions in the form of two corners but a solid performance by Tom Paul ensured that the ball was quickly cleared. Late on in the half Bailey completed his hatrick after good flowing play. James Chalkly was given lad of the match as he displayed his best performance of the season only making one mistake in the whole game.

Nutfield Youth  4   Woodmansterne 'B'  0    29th November 03   

Nutfield are now unbeaten in seven games, in their league campaign. After a convincing win over the league leaders last week Nutfield had a shaky start to this match. Whilst James Irani’s goal was never really under threat in the first half, any counter attacks were dealt with by the defensive pairing of Josh Leigh and Jordan Kohlbeck, but the ongoing problem of putting the ball in the back of the net was starting to haunt the home side again. Many chances came and went but a combination of good goal keeping and over complicated attacking ensured it would be goal less at the break. The cold and wet conditions didn’t help the cause but it was to be Jack Pott’s left foot to the rescue, as has been the case on numerous occasions, after Jack Bellars set him up. The second came from another Bellars assist, a corner that was met by Ben Donovan who slotted a well deserved goal home. This seemed to settle Nutfield and Harry Curran was introduced in the midfield, and linked up well with Joel Montgomery up front. It was not long before Chris Bailey got in on the action and increased his goal tally of the season to five with a fine brace.  Matthew Gilbert was given the lad of the match, as he pulled off a fine display in his first game of the season.

Nutfield Youth  2   Merstham Youth 'B'  1    22nd November 03

Nutfield secured a well-deserved victory in this local derby against the league leaders. In difficult wet conditions both sides played good football. After absorbing initial pressure the visitors were gifted the lead from a poor clearance at a corner kick. Jack Potts then equaled the score with a run in from the left and drilled the ball past the keeper at the near post. Nuts were now fired up and great play from Tom Paul in the midfield and Ben Donovan in the centre of defence meant the home side dominated possession. The winning goal was a result of the constant pressure, as a poor goal kick saw the ball delivered to the feet of Jack Bellars who skipped one challenge and  thumped the ball in the goal giving an ‘on form’, Merstham keeper, no chance. After the break Tom Berry was introduced and linked up well with Chris Bailey who had a great chance to increase the lead with a fine strike only to see the ball hit the upright. Merstham to their credit were now fighting back and were unlucky with some great chances, hitting the woodwork on one occasion. In the tense final minutes James Chalkly was pushed up front in an effort to seal the game. In his first match Henry Pope had an outstanding game at the back picking up the ‘Lad of the Match’ and maintaining James Irani’s goal as the meanest in the division.

Hook & Southborough  2   Nutfield Youth  2    15th November 03 

At last, Nutfield broke their goal drought, and should have taken all three points from a wonderful display by both sides. A charging Ben Donovan rallied his troops and led by example as he pushed forward to turn the tables on the home side after the defeat of their last encounter. The same old problem of not scoring goals was beginning to haunt Nutfield again and after 15 minutes against the run of play, disaster struck as Hook scored with a fine solo effort down the left. Heads dropped for a while but then just before half time, again after near one way traffic Joel Montgomery paved the way for a goal mouth scramble that resulted in ‘Lad of the Match’ Jack Bellars punishing poor defending with a strike that found its way into the net cleanly through the mass of bodies. 

After the interval Nuts moved up a gear, Harry Curran and Josh Leigh worked hard in supporting the midfield with Jordan Kohlbeck providing a solid and confident display at the back. The home team, to their credit did create chances counter attacking but Nutfield were equal to it. Chris Bailey missed one great chance to take the lead when he struck the upright. It was not long before he made amends in a near carbon copy attempt but this time he made sure by executing a finely placed goal. The lead was then held until two minutes from time when a lapse in concentration and discipline allowed Hook and Southborough to tap in from short range and share the points.

Nutfield Youth  0    Fetcham Park Utd.  0      8th November 03

Although Nutfield continued their unbeaten run to 4 games they will feel that this was two points dropped rather than a point gained. Nuts were rampant in the first half, with Ben Donovan leading from the back, providing great assistance for the midfield of Jack Bellars and Thomas Berry. A feast of accurate passing gave Jack Potts and Joel Montgomery many chances throughout the match but great goal keeping and poor finishing ensured the stalemate. After the break Nutfield looked tired after their relentless barrage, but good defending from James Chalkly and Jordan Kohlbeck kept any real attempts on goal by United to a minimum. Although he had a quiet game, Keeper, James Irani was well able to cope when needed. The last five minutes proved to be a nail biting experience for both teams, Lad of the Match Chris Bailey ran nearly the entire length of the pitch skipping numerous challenges penetrating the area and driving a low shot to the near post only to be denied by another fine save by the Fetcham keeper. Then, with seconds to go Nuts conceded a throw in deep in their own half that was picked up unchallenged on the edge of the area by the visitors and thumped on goal, only to see the ball strike the upright. The points were then shared as the whistle was blown. 

Bookham Colts 'D'  0   Nutfield Youth  0       1st November 03

This was a great game of football played in a good spirit by both teams. On a sloping pitch, Nutfield played their best football kicking up the hill in the first half. They enjoyed most of the possession but were unable to convert numerous chances. Defensively, Nuts were at best with Ben Donovan intercepting any attacks down the middle, meaning keeper James Irani was untroubled for much of the game. In the midfield the Thomas’s, Berry and Paul worked hard to control the ball in a fast game. In the second half Harry Curran was introduced on the left and made good probing runs into Bookham’s half as the visitors looked for the winner but the whole team were struggling to control the ball as it ran down the hill. The best chances came from several corners and Jack Potts had the best attempt with an overhead kick that went just wide. Most encouraging was the performance of the two full backs, James Chalkly and Lad of the Match Josh Leigh. Jack Bellars was given the last five minutes in an attempt to break the deadlock but Nuts maintained a three match unbeaten league record as they settled for a share of the points.  

Nutfield Youth 2  Bookham Colts 'C' 0     25th October 03 

After two weeks of cup ties it was back to league action once more and Nutfield carried on with where they left off with a good win. Jack Potts opened the scoring with a good shot that was initially stopped well by the keeper but seemed to squirt its' way over the keepers body, midway through the first half after several attempts from the home side. Chris Bailey and Joel Montgomery worked hard in the midfield to throw up other opportunities for the front men. Solid performances in defence from Josh Leigh and Tom Berry kept any counter attacks at bay and made it a quiet morning for Keeper James Irani. After the break a tinkering with the side saw Jordan Kohlbeck enter the back line to assist the  tireless Captain and man of the match Ben Donovan. The game was effectively sealed when Jack Bellars nearly broke the back of the net with a left foot follow up strike after Potts attempt was spilt.

West Byfleet Scorpions 5    Nutfield Youth 2   (League Cup)   18th October 03

This is  a first half to a game Nutfield will want too forget. Poor defensive clearances meant that Scorpions were, on too many occasions allowed  a second bite at the cherry. Five nil down at the break the team underwent a few changes. This had immediate effect when strong counter attacking resulted in a run from Jack Bellars down the right wing ending in a shot that hit the far post. Nuts took heart from this and continued the pressure. Jack Potts came close on several occasions but it was Bellars who inflicted the first goal. Chris Bailey had a great game fighting for the ball and was rewarded with the second goal. Nutfield were now dominating the game and forced the opposition to bring back on the goal scorers from the first half. This had only limited effect as James Chalkly and Tom Berry were doing a magnificent job at the back under the command of Ben Donovan. James Irani in goal made some great saves during the match and is growing in confidence every week. West Byfleet should have buried Nutfield in the final minutes of the game when Donovan brought down his opponent in the box but Irani stood firm and the ball was blasted wide. The whole team was awarded lads of the match for a great attitude in the second half leaving the manager with thoughts of what could have been if the boys had played the same way in the first half as they did in the second!

Nutfield Youth 0    Carshalton Athletic  2   (Inter League Cup)   12th October 03 

This was a classic David verses Goliath encounter but without the fairy tale ending. From the kick off Nutfield were put under pressure but a solid defence confined any shots to outside the box. Jordan Kohlbeck did well on the right as a feast of tricks were tried on him. Potts, Bailey and Montgomery linked up well to put in some counter attacks. Facing the wind in the second half things were always going to be hard but Nuts dug in and Lad of the Match Donovan commanded the box well and with Athletic now showing tiredness at numerous thwarted attempts, extra time beckoned. Then with a little under ten minutes remaining Carshalton breached the stubborn defence and toe poked a scrappy goal. Nutfield to their credit did fight back in search of an equalizer but as they threw bodies forward Carshalton counter attacked and when Tom Paul missed a tackle on the edge of the box the only outcome was going to be a goal, which was perfectly struck into the top left corner, leaving goalie James Irani no chance. Nuts can be proud they competed with a team four divisions above them and look forward to another cup tie next week.

Nutfield Youth 0    Hamsey Rangers 6  (Friendly)     11th October

Woodmansterne ‘B’ 1    Nutfield Youth 3     4th October 03

This was the kick-start to the season Nuts needed but by no means a perfect performance. Early pressure was wasted as numerous chances were squandered. After ten minutes the breakthrough came as a goalmouth scramble saw Chris Bailey eventually tuck away the ball. Instead of building on their lead and confidence, Nutfield still looked edgy finding it very hard to string passes together. In the latter stages of the first half their luck ran out when Ben Donovan lost the ball in the middle of the park and a grateful Woodmansterne swept through and finished with a well-taken goal.

Nutfield Youth  0        Hook & Southborough  2       20th September 03  

Merstham Youth 'B'   2        Nutfield Youth 1          13th September 03 

 Fixtures for the season are listed below: