The Under 14's
Thamesview Youth Rangers 8 - 2 Fulston Zebras (09-09-07)
A very difficult opening game against last years league runners up and cup winners. For the first 20 minutes Zebras held out at 0-0 only to concede a couple of soft goals. Rangers extended their lead with a good goal before the lively Lewis Collins scored a super strike from wide on the right. Back came Rangers to make it 4-1 before Collins got his second. 4-2 at half time and Zebras really got stuck into Rangers in the second half. The Rangers keeper made some fine saves and again Zebras held the score at 4-2 for the first 20 minutes of the second half. By now and with no subs the team were starting to wilt, having played their hearts out. Rangers scored 4 more fortunate goals to give themselves a very flattering scoreline. Player of the match went to Jordan Cox who made several good saves and timely interceptions.
Captain blog:-
- Joshua Hunt - "I thought the cricket would keep me fit, but that was hard work!"
Fulston Zebras 1 - 5 Thamesview Rangers (23-09-07)
The scoreline does not reflect the game. Zebras can be proud of their efforts today and a draw would have reflected the game better. We matched Rangers throughout the first half and indeed probably shaded it. Rangers took the lead and Alex Brown equalised to let the teams turn round all square. In the second half we conceded an early goal to allow Rangers to settle. Zebras continued to ask questions but a sloppy 10 minute spell allowed Rangers to get 3 more goals. Again Zebras had several chances to get back into the game only to find the keeper in fine form, or some poor finishing. Overall the performance of the team is one they can be proud of and they need to take this form into the rest of the season. Player of the match went to Tobias Illingworth for a super game in midfield.
Fulston Zebras 1 - 6 Oak Athletic (30-09-07)
A very disappointing result for Zebras against local rivals. Zebras looked comfortable from the start and were unlucky not to score early on with Collins going close twice. Oak took the lead against the run of play when Cox spilt the ball and Oak pounced. Despite constant pressure Zebras could not find the all important break through and found themselves 3-0 down at half time. The second half was evenly contested with both sides pressing hard. Zebras goal came from an own goal and Oak scored a further 3 goals to take a 6-1 victory. Player of the match for Zebras went to captain Joshua Hunt for an excellent performance.
Fulston Zebras 1 - 8 Spartac (07-10-07)
Zebras were without the influential Josh Hunt and Lewis Collins today, both out with injuries. It took the team a long time to settle and Spartac played some good controlled football. Zebras were 5-1 down at half time, the Zebras goal coming from Alex Brown who curled in a superb corner.
In the second half Zebras started to play the football we know they are capable of and when they passed the ball along the ground they started to ask questions of Spartac. Some fine football was played and Zebras kept Spartac down to 3 in the second half. Player of the match went to Roy Spicer for an excellent game in the heart of defence.
Fulston Zebras 5 - 3 Spartac (14-10-07) (Cup)
Having been thumped by Spartac last week this was a tough test for Zebras. How they responded, Zebras conceded an early goal and were soon 2-0 down. Adam Langford was taken to casualty early in the half with a fractured wrist and Zebras had to totally reorganise. Alex Brown pulled one back, only for Spartac to increase the half time lead to 3-1. In the second half Zebras played some exhilerating football with the whole team playing with total pride. Lewis Collins made it 3-2 before the lively Tibs Illingworth got the equaliser. Zebras were now in full flow and Spartac had no answers, Perry Sharpe scored with a good header from a corner and Tibs got his second. 5-3 victory, an excellent result and the whole team can be proud of the spirit they showed today. Player of the match went to George Butcher for an excellent game in the heart of defence.
Oak Athletic 5 - 0 Fulston Zebras (28-10-07)
Despite trying very hard, Zebras could not find their way through a determined Oak defence. Anthony Thompson impressed on his debut and Illingworth and Spicer both worked very hard. Zebras trailed 2-0 at half time and conceded a further 3 in the second half. Alex Brown went close in the second half, with the Oak keeper making some good saves late on. Player of the match went to Sam Ward for some fine defending.
Fulston Zebras 3 - 7 Pegasus 81 (04-11-07)
Zebras lost a game they deserved to win. Playing with a lot more enthusiasm than of late they strung together some lovely passing football. A few lapses of concentration in the defence cost them dearly which allowed the nippy Pegasus striker to bag a hatful of goals. Zebras goals came from Alex Brown and Lewis Collins 2. They must take the positives from this game and learn from their mistakes, otherwise this will be a long season for some of them. Player of the match went to Perry Sharpe for his continued determination.
Pegasus 81 3 - 4 Fulston Zebras (Cup) (11-11-07)
If only every week was a Cup game. This is a team who beat us convincingly last week in the League 7-3, yet today we went out with a totally different approach and never let Pegasus settle. Perry Sharpe opened the scoring with a cheeky back header which looped over the keeper. Lewis Collins soon doubled the score with a well taken goal. Zebras were now in full flow and Pegasus had no answers for the enthusiasm Zebras showed. An own goal from a corner increased the lead to 3 before Collins finally scored with his LEFT FOOT to give Zebras a 4-0 half time lead. This was one of those games when I did not want a half time break, it gave Pegasus time to regroup and for their Manager to ring the changes. It also allowed Zebras to have a break and think the job was done. Not so!! Pegasus started to play in the second half and suddenly with a couple of goals they were back in the game. Sharpe hit the post and Collins saw the keeper make an excellent save. Pegasus kept asking questions and managed to get it back to 4-3. Despite a rather long second half!!? Zebras managed to hold on for an excellent win which sees them into the quarter finals. Superb performances from Tobias Illingworth, James Martin, Sam Ward and Roy Spicer. Player of the match went to Jack Tickle whose performance today was exceptional.
Bredhurst Juniors 6 - 1 Fulston Zebras (18-11-07)
Zebras went to the league leaders and for long periods of the game, gave as good as they got. Robbed of any substitutes this week, all 11 players worked tremendously hard in difficult conditions. Superb performances all over the park, Alex Brown, Sam Ward, Jack Tickle, Perry Sharpe and Captain Josh Hunt all had excellent games. Roy Spicer took Player of the Match for a super display in defence. The only goal of the game for Zebras came from Tobias (Nighthawk) Illingworth.
Fulston Zebras 3 - 5 Eagles (25-11-07)
A superb performance from Zebras against a strong Eagles side. Zebras took the game to Eagles and turned round at half time 1-1 with Perry Sharpe scoring the equaliser. In the second half Zebras were unlucky to concede 2 quick goals against the run of play and they found themselves 'camped' in the Eagles half. Further goals came from 'Tibs' Illingworth and a first of the season from George Butcher. Whilst Zebras ran out losers 5-3 the Eagles manager commented at the end of the game that he could not believe they had won the game. A fine display, soon we will turn over a team 'big time'. The players must keep believing in what they are doing as some times today the football they played was scintilating. Player of the match went to Alex Brown, show me a better left winger in the league!!
Pegasus 81 4 - 1 Fulston Zebras (02-12-07)
Probably Zebras best peformance of the season saw them robbed of at least a point when decisions went against them late in the second half.
In difficult weather conditions Zebras left off from the football they played against Eagles. Pegasus took the lead only for Perry Sharpe to equalise and it stayed that way until half time.
In the second half Zebras had a big penalty shout turned down when Josh Hunt was taken out on a one on one situation. Pegasus scored a fortunate penalty and then increased the lead against the run of play. With Zebras pushing hard Pegasus scored a fourth to give them a flattering scoreline. Player of the match for Zebras went to Tibs Illingworth for a superb game in the heart of defence.
Cliffe Woods Colts 8 - 2 Fulston Zebras (16-12-07)
A disappointing scoreline in a game which Zebras had several good chances to get a result. Cliffe played their normal expansive football but when they took the lead, Zebras responded positively and Lewis Collins soon equalised. Cliffe soon retook the lead, but Perry Sharpe rounded off the best move of the day with a well taken equaliser. Zebras went further behind before half time to a soft goal. At 3-2 they were always in the game, Cliffe made it 4-2 before Lewis 'Bambi' Collins missed the chance of the game when he miscued in front of an open goal. In the final 10 minutes Cliffe scored 4 more goals without reply to give themselves a flattering scoreline. Player of the Match for Zebras went to Adam Langford for a fine defensive display.
Fulston Zebras 4 - 3 Black Lion (06-01-08)
Zebras finally recorded their first win of the season. They played some excellent football throughout the whole match and should have won by a bigger scoreline. Alex Brown scored twice and Lewis Collins got the other two. Zebras were 3-1 up at half time and squandered several chances in the first half. In the second half they went 4-1 up and then Lion enjoyed a 10 minute spell which saw them score twice to set up an exciting finale. Zebras should have increased their score but missed more chances and finally held on for a 4-3 victory. Player of the match for Zebras went to Alex Brown for an impressive wingers display.
Eagles 2 - 1 Fulston Zebras (13-01-08)
Probably our best performance of the season and nothing to show for the hard work every player put in. Eagles are flying high at the top of the league and must have thought today would be a walk in the park. Zebras competed for every ball, worked extremely hard and really took the game to Eagles. The wind caused problems for both teams and a looping shot beat Jordan Cox midway through the first half. Zebras squandered several chances and turne round 1 down. The second half saw Zebras carry on where they left off and again took the game to Eagles, who scored to increase their lead against the run of play. Knowing we deserved more from the game, the manager pushed Tobias Illingworth up front and played 3 at the back. Tibs soon got one back with a well taken goal. With time running out Zebras were throwing everything but the kitchen sink at Eagles, but could not get the equaliser they deserved. The final corner of the game saw Tibs put the ball inches wide for what would have been a deserved point. Player of the match went to James Martin who had a superb game in defence.
Rainham Kenilworth 0 - 4 Fulston Zebras (20-01-08) (Cup)
Zebras marched into the semi finals of the Cup with a comprehensive victory over Kenilworth. The scoreline could have been considerably more, but the Kenilworth keeper had a superb game. In the first half and against the wind Zebras took a long time to settle, Lewis Collins finally opening the scoring. Zebras turned round 1-0 and in the second half played some controlled football, with the wind behind them. It came to a stage where Zebras were camped in the Kenilworth half, Collins added a second before Captain Josh 'Jonny Wilkinson' Hunt finally broke his duck for the season and added two late goals. A super display from the whole team. Player of the match went to Roy Spicer, who just gets better and better!
Black Lion 1 - 3 Fulston Zebras (03-02-08)
A comfortable win for Zebras against the team above them in the league. The wind caused difficulty and Zebras were happy to turn round at half time 0-0 having had the wind in their faces for the first half. Indeed Lewis (two right feet) Collins had a couple of chances to give them the lead before half time. In the second half Zebras took the lead when Roy Spicer scored from the penalty spot after Joshua Hunt had been brought down by the keeper. Shortly after Lewis Collins ripped through the Lion defence and after some very neat passing with George Butcher, Collins made it 2-0. Lion pulled a goal back against the run of play, when Zebras failed to clear in defence. Just when the spectators, (and the Manager), thought we were in for a nail biting last five minutes Adam Langford produced a moment of pure magic. The ball fell to him about 25 yards out and he hit a right foot screamer which dipped over the head of the Lion keeper to give Zebras a more comfortable and true scoreline.
Player of the match went to Lewis Collins for a super game.
Thamesview Rangers 6 - 1 Fulston Zebras (L.Cup) (24-02-08)
A very flattering scoreline for Thamesview. Zebras knew they were up against it today with the league leaders in fine form. At half time Zebras trailed 1-0 and indeed could and should have been front but for some missed chances by the Zebras frontline. A stern talking to from Craig made the players wake up and realise that they could actually get a result. Soon they were playing sensible football, just like we keep trying to teach them every Saturday. A flowing move down the right saw Lewis Collins cross superbly for Perry Sharpe to beat the keeper with a well taken goal. 1-1 and game on!! NO, we conceded almost straight away with a soft own goal. The players heads dropped, all that effort and we were again behind. Despite huffing and puffing, Zebras could not get back into the game, indeed, several players looked tired! Thamesview took control and scored some fine goals, eventually running out 6-1 winners. Roy Spicer and Alex Brown worked hard all game, Captain Josh Hunt had a tireless game covering the whole pitch. Player of the match went to Jack Tickle, he showed excellent drive and spirit and tried his best to pull the whole team through.
Spartac 5 - 2 Fulston Zebras (02-03-08)
Another disappointing result for Zebras. For the first 15 minutes Zebras took the game to Spartac and were camped in their half, but they could not score. Spartac scored a well taken goal on the counter attack and for some unknown reason Zebras went to sleep for a 10 minute spell, which unfortunately has become all too common this season. As a result and despite Alex Brown scoring a well taken goal, Zebras went in at half time 4-1 down. The second half was a good open game with both sides having plenty of chances. The Zebras strikers had several good chances to get us back in the game but our finishing was not at its best. Roy Spicer tucked away a penalty after Josh Hunt was fouled in the box. Spartac eventually ran out 5-2 winners and several of the Zebras team need to look critically at their performances. Sometimes it is not just a case of pulling on the 'black and white' and turning up, unfortunately pride and passion also comes into the frame. Player of the match today went to Roy Spicer, a shining example of desire and passion when playing for Zebras, a lone star today.
Fulston Zebras 1 - 8 Bredhurst Juniors (09-02-08)
Zebras were outmuscled and outplayed by a well organised Bredhurst team. 0-0 after 20 minutes saw Zebras go into free fall and they conceded 4 by half time. Lewis Collins got one back before Bredhurst continued with their free scoring, eventually running out 8-1 winners. Good performances from Roy Spicer, Sam Ward and player of the match went to James Martin.
Fulston Zebras 0 - 7 Cliffe Woods Colts (16-03-08)
Zebras bowed out of Division 1 with a heavy defeat although the scoreline does not reflect the effort the whole team put in. For a long period of the first half Zebras matched Cliffe in every department. A flurry of late goals in the second half gave Cliffe a flattering scoreline. Excellent defensive work from Adam Langford and Jack Tickle saw them earn joint players of the match. This was the last match for Captain Joshua Hunt, who has decided to concentrate on his other sporting activities. I wish him every success for the future and it has been a pleasure to work with you Josh, many thanks.
