23 Oct – Youth Round-Up

Very little home action this Sunday and no games at Southwood. Three of the five Kent Youth League teams were away (Under 18s lost at Herne Bay, Under 16s won at Lordswood, and Under 15s drew at Dover), while the Under 14s were without a game (their opponents competing in the London FA Cup). The only home fixture was the Under 13s, who lost to Canterbury City at the Pfizer Sports Club.

In the East Kent Youth League we had two home fixtures, with the Under 14s losing to Betteshanger at Pfizer and the Under 13s drawing with Faversham Town Juniors at St Lukes. The Under 18s’ game was cancelled, the Under 16s were at Eythorne, and the Under 12s were away to Canterbury.

Kent Youth League

The Under 18s travelled to Winches Field to face Herne Bay, with some of the Rams rested after playing in both the 1^st team friendly and Reserves’ League Cup game yesterday. Unfortunately the lads’ unbeaten league run came to an end with a 2-0 defeat, having been trailing 1-0 at half-time.

The Under 16s travelled up the M2 to Lordswood with a very stretched team, with three key players missing due to holiday commitments and illness, but still managed their best League win of the season on the back of their 17-0 win in the cup last week. The team as a whole played some great football scoring four goals either side of the interval with Dominic Crawford netting 4, Man ot the Match Kane Rowland hitting a hat-trick, and Dylan Hawkins scoring superbly with his head, while the Rams defence managed to keep a clean sheet for the sixth week in succession.  

The Under 15s were away to Dover Athletic and drew this close encounter at Tilmanstone. The 1^st half was an edgy affair with both sides failing to stamp their authority on the match – with the Rams’ passing game matched by Dover’s physical approach, there were no clear cut chances, and either side could have felt that the game was there for the taking. The 2^nd half followed the same pattern of the 1^st, both sides having 1 clear cut chance each and neither could apply the clinical finish required to settle this close match. In a game that was dominated by good defending and a midfield battle, honours were even in the end. A good solid squad performance today by everyone involved.

The Under 14s’ League Cup tie against Peckham Town was postponed to next week as their opponents had a re-scheduled London FA Cup match today.

The Under 13s welcomed Canterbury City to Pfizer with a bare 11, but got on the wrong end of a 4-1 score-line, the young Rams goal coming from Ollie Harris.

East Kent Youth League

The Under 18s game against Folkestone Cantera wwas cancelled as their opposition have withdrawn from the league.

The Under 16s visited Eythorne Rovers but came home without any points, despite leading 1-0 at the interval thanks to a great header from birthday boy Niall Turner. A disappointing 2nd half saw a physical Eythorne side get 2 goals with no reply from the Rams.

The Under 14s played Betteshanger at Pfizer but went down 5-1, the Rams’ goal coming from Bradley Welsh.

The Under 13s welcomed Faversham Town Juniors to St Lukes and, although they were training 2-1 at the interval, fought back to level the score at 2-2. The young Rams’ goals came from Charlie Wood and Philipos Stamatiou – Mark Weatherly’s Player of the Match was Sam Morley.

The Under 12s were away to Canterbury – result awaited.