21 Nov Youth Round-Up

Four games for the Kent Youth League teams today (two league and two cup), which saw two wins and two losses (one cup and one league win). In the East Kent Youth League there were 1 cup and four league games today, which resulted in 1 win, two draws and two losses (one the cup game).

Kent Youth League

The Under 18s were again without a game today, but are at Herne Bay in the rearranged John Ullmann Memorial Cup on Tuesday night.

The Under 16s travelled to northwest Kent to play New Ash Green in the County Youth Cup and progress to the next round after a 6-0 win (2-0 at halftime). Shane Mitchel’s hat-trick was added to by George Stannard, Connor Armstrong and Ollie Sharpe.

The Under 15s played host to Crockenhill from the Central Division in this League Cup fixture at Soutwood. The Rams started strong but following plenty of early pressure and several consecutive corners failed to work the opposing ‘keeper. Crockenhill found a foothold in the game and started to pressure the Rams’ defence, which paid off when a poor clearance was fired home from six yards to put the visitors a goal up just before the break. The Rams came out in the second half strong and played some good possession football and had many chances to level the game with Mason Webb, Jack Grainger and Kane Rowland all going close. But again the Rams gave Crockenhill too much time on the ball and allowed them to play, which took the pace off of the Rams second half fight back. And with ten minutes remaining Crockenhill hit their second, which was enough to send them into the quarter finals of the Cup after Ramsgate tried in vain to find the equaliser to force extra time. The U15’s play host to Tonbridge Angels in the Kent County Youth Cup next week and will be hoping for a return to their winning ways.

The Under 14s completed their first league double of the season over a competitive Lordswood side 1-0 at Pfizer. A pretty even first half ended 0-0 although the majority of the football played was by Ramsgate they just could not beat the impressive Lordswood goalkeeper. Lordswood’s play was much more route 1 but the young Rams’ defence of Mitchell King, Tarek Boumrah and Jake Munday dealt with this comfortably. And with Charlie Hills handling impeccably in goal it was always likely that Ramsgate were going to create and take one of their chances. The second half was Ramsgate’s, with the midfield 5 of Billy Mason, Lloyd Leppard, Adam Turton, Jesse Hitchings and Matt Dolan dominating the play. The breakthrough came with about 15 minutes to play with a good break by the hardworking Scott Nutting down the right who crossed for Mitchell King to get a snap-shot on goal that the Lordswood No1 could only parry, and the quick thinking Sparky Robinson made no mistake from close range. From then on the young Rams continued to press the play and could have made the score-line more comfortable but for some resolute defending from the away side, but 3 much deserved points. 

The Under 13s’ took an injury ravaged team to strong rivals Hollands and Blair, who were eager for revenge after 2 recent loses to the young Rams side. With 4 players out it was always going to be tough and a first half set piece saw the visitors go behind. Despite pegging the home side back for much of the game, the Rams could not get the breakthrough. Mitch Laing came close as did Harris Rodgers and Jack Paxman but the luck was not with the Rams and Hollands hung on to break the Rams 12 game unbeaten run.

East Kent Youth League

The Under 18s visited Herne Bay Harriers in the League Cup, but where knocked out on the wrong end of a 5-0 scoreline.

The Under 16s and Under 15s were both without a game today.

The Under 13s visited Faversham Strike Force today and came back with a singe point after a 2-2 draw. The score was 0-0 at half-time and two super strikes from Harry Belsey and Ross Griffin were cancelled out by instantaneous equalisers from the home side. Man of the Match went to Harry Belsey.

The Under 12s attained a 1-1 draw against a well-organised Canterbury Youth side on Sunday and although there were no goals in the first half, both teams had their chances. It was early in the second half that Canterbury took the lead but the Rams weren’t about to give up. They stayed focused and fought bravely, getting the equalizer from a superb corner from Michael Curtis which found Jacob Eaton-Brown, who after being injured twice in the game following kicks to the head and insisting he could carry on, headed the ball with power and accuracy into the back of the Canterbury net. Eaton Brown earned Player of the Match for his commitment, control and a fabulous team spirit in this tough fixture.

The Under 12 A’s undefeated home record came to an end today losing 3-0 to Deal Town at Clarendon. Even though they had three good chances at goal early on they never really got going and were 1-0 down by half time. The second half continued much as the first with Deal sealing their win with two further goals. Heads up boys and get back on the winning trail next week!

The Under 11s welcomed Kennington Juniors to Clarendon today where both teams started well with Kennington putting on early pressure on stand-in ‘keeper William Herron, forcing him to make some fantastic saves (normal goalie Alex Turner was injured during training and will be out of action for 6-8 weeks). The young Rams soon picked up their game with Finlay McConnell scoring followed quickly by Scott Roddam’s attempt that was stopped by Kennington’s goalie, only for Jack Walton to pick up the pieces and hit the back of the net.  Kennington were quick to reply and caught Ramsgate out by scoring 5mins before the whistle making half-time score 2-1. The second half was much the same with Ramsgate passing well and playing some good football. Declan Walker, Josh Richards; Harry Hargreaves and Billy Walker were all winning their tackles with Callum Piper, Max Wilson and Hal Mutton all working well together at the back. William Herron again made some superb saves, stopping any more Kennington goals being scored. William Price was brought on in the second half to strengthen the team but the young Rams didn’t manage to net any more, leaving the final score 2-1.