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Northern Counties Youth Competition Semi Final
The East Riding Juniors champions of Division 2 entertained Northumberland, runners up in Division 1 at the Roy West Centre.
EAST RIDING 1
NORTHUMBERLAND 3
The semi final started with both teams taking a cautious tentative approach to the early exchanges. Owen Mountain had the Ridings first effort but his shot was a shade off target. Then Gareth Owen went close. Northumberland started to take advantage of the Ridings inability to keep possession and they started to dominate the proceedings. Celso Anjois raced clear but tenacious defending by Alex Knaggs averted the danger. Then Kris Wilkinson had a powerful shot well saved by keeper Rob Moy. In another Northumberland attack, Anjois was thwarted again, this time by a well timed tackle from Sam Belcher. But moments later, the visitors dominance reaped its reward in the 28th minute when a smart turn by Wilkinson created the opening for a strike into the roof of the net. The Riding were making matters difficult for themselves and with passes going astray they were unable to break down Northumberland’s strong defence.
Manager Andy Foster’s half time pep talk brought immediate dividends as the Riding started playing with more purpose in the 2nd half. The hosts levelled in the 48th minute when James Williams played the ball forward into the danger area and Chris Adams flicked the ball into the path of Owen Mountain who made no mistake with just the keeper to beat. The Riding then started to play with growing confidence and piled on the pressure. Northumberland somehow escaped from an amazing goal mouth scramble when Williams sent Adams on a run and his cross was met by Owen whose shot was blocked, Adams latched on to the rebound and his shot was also blocked, the ball then falling to Matty Holmes who shot wide. Another opportunity went begging when Owen set up Adams but he shot over under pressure from a defender. Then an excellent move involving Gareth Owen, substitute Tom Hunter and Holmes resulted in Holmes slicing his shot wide of the near post. Another chance was created from a Ricky Kemp free kick but Tom Andrews flicked shot was well saved by keeper Matthew Crooks. After spurning all these chances the East Riding were to pay the ultimate price when in a rare counter attack Niall Younger netted for Northumberland in the 88th minute. Two minutes later the visitors scored a third courtesy of
Lee Richardson leaving the East Riding to rue squandered chances and lapses in concentration late in the game. A disappointing end to the season for the East Riding Juniors with just the Divisional Shield to show for their endeavours over a season which promised so much from a talented squad of players.
The East Riding County FA Juniors made it 5 wins from 5 games to gain a maximum 15point haul in Division 2 of the Northern Counties Youth Competition.
EAST RIDING 1
NORTH RIDING 0
The strong cross field wind made playing conditions difficult in an evenly contested first half, chances were at a premium. The East Ridings best chance came when Chris Adams pin point cross found Gareth Owen at the far post but his shot was screwed wide of the target. At the other end, keeper Rob Moy pulled off a fine save to deny Marcos Shephard.
After the interval a tactical change paid dividends as the East Riding changed from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 formation. They gradually got on top playing some excellent possession football which had the North Riding on the back foot for most of the second half. The visitors best chance came early in the half when James Williams cleared the ball off the line from a Jordan Devlin shot which had beaten the keeper. The influential Ricky Kemp began to dictate matters in midfield and he was unlucky to see a long range effort go narrowly wide. Then a Kemp free kick was met at the far post by Tom Andrews who turned the ball into the net only to be denied by an offside flag. The Juniors then went close after great interplay between Jamie Dunlin and Owen Mountain. A swift move then almost brought its rewards when Kemp sent Adams on a run down the right flank but his cross took Dunlin by surprise and a golden opportunity was missed. Kemp then had a deflected shot saved by keeper Toby Wells. But moments later Kemp had the last word when a curled a sublime shot into the net from 20 yards in the 72nd minute. This was another sound performance with the failure take chances being the only down side to the East Ridings game..
In the semi final, the East Riding will be at home to Northumberland who finished 2nd in Division 1. The other semi final is between Lancashire and Liverpool FA.
Northern Counties Youth League
The East Riding County FA Juniors made it four wins from four games in their penultimate Division 2 game. The victory ensures a play off spot in the semi final of the competition against Division 1 opposition.
CUMBERLAND FA 2
EAST RIDING FA 4
The Juniors made the long journey to Penrith and came away with a comfortable 4-2 victory although they took their time to get into their stride and were guilty of squandering several gilt edge chances. Tom Hunter, Ryan Smith and Louis Kirk were making their debuts in a team with seven players eligible for next season’s campaign. The Riding were shocked in the 9th minute when Cumberland took the lead, Levi Johnson heading home Charlie Moore’s pin point cross. Chris Adams was then denied by keeper Lee Jolly and soon after Sam Belcher’s superb diagonal ball released Adams down the right flank and his cross was met by Jason Legge whose powerful headed was a fraction too high. Then a slick interchange between Owen Mountain, Chris Adams and Tom Hunter saw his shot deflected over the bar. The Riding missed the chance to level after Jason Legge had been brought down in the area but keeper Jolly saved Leighton Mathewson’s penalty kick. More chances went begging as Legge had a shot palmed over by Jolly and then from Mathewson’s free kick, Tom Andrews flicked the ball against the near post. Eventually the pressure paid off and the Juniors equalised in the 43rd minute when James Williams set up Tom Hunter to score on his debut.
The Riding took the lead on the hour when Matthew Holmes persistence won the ball on the edge of the area allowing Williams to again set up Hunter to net his second. A huge kick from keeper Gary Mallinson then caught out Cumberland’s centre backs and Legge raced on to the ball but his shot sailed over the bar. From the resulting goal kick,. the hosts went to the other end and Adam Main finished off the move to level the scores in the 63rd minute. Legge then had the chance to restore the Juniors lead but his shot was turned around the post by keeper Jolly. But the Riding did regain the lead in the 76th minute when Williams and Mathewson combined to send Adams down the left wing and he then cut inside the area to lash the ball home from a narrow angle. The impressive Adams made the game safe in the 80th minute when he rounded the keeper before sliding the ball home.
The East Riding Juniors play their last League game on Sunday 21st February when North Riding will visit the Roy West Centre. The game kicks off at 2.00pm and it could decide who wins the Division 2 title. However, if the North Riding fail to win their game with Manchester FA on 13/2/10, the East Riding will secure top spot before this last Division 2 game takes place.
FA County Youth Cup Round 3
The East Riding County FA Juniors cup tie at home to Durham took place at the fourth attempt at the Roy West Centre on Saturday following the winter snow and ice. Despite heavy morning rain , the prestige pitch was in perfect condition to stage the game. The Juniors were looking to maintain their 100% start to the League and cup campaign.
EAST RIDING FA 1
DURHAM FA 3
The East Riding Juniors were put under early pressure by a strong and very physical Durham outfit. As early as the 13th minute Durham’s Anthony Burnell was lucky to escape with just a yellow card following an off the ball incident. Burnell then went on to influence the outcome being involved in most of the visitors attacking play. Robert Briggs set up Burnell but he shot wide of the target. A neat move by the Riding involving Gareth Owen and Chris Adams resulted in Jason Legge having a shot well saved by keeper Adam McHugh. Then Jonathan Wright came to the Juniors rescue with a brave point blank block to deny Burnell of what looked to be a certain goal. Durham’s pressure paid off in the 34th minute when Rhys Jukes through ball split open the defence for Burnwell to latch on to the ball and finish with aplomb. On the stroke of half time Roding were saved by the woodwork when from a Robert Briggs free kick , the ball struck the upright with keeper Moy well beaten.
The second half continued to be a fiery affair and Ross Armstrong went off injured following another dubious challenge which went unpunished. Ricky Kemp came on as substitute but the Riding were losing the midfield battle with Durham winning the ball in the tackle more often than not. In defence, the commanding centre half pairing of Danni Lay and Andrew Kelly were keeping the Riding tamed. Durham were looking the more likely to score and Rob Moy saved well from Kelly after a goalmouth scramble. At the other end Chris Adams squandered a rare opportunity when the ball fell kindly at the edge of the area but his shot was a shade too high. Durham extended their lead in the 74th minute when Briggs put in Burnell who made no mistake with a shot into the bottom corner of the net. The visitors went 3 up when a Briggs corner was met by Kelly but Moy saved at point blank range only for Luke Olabode to net the rebound. The Riding then put Durham under sustained pressure for the first time in the game but it proved to be too little too late. In a swift counter attack Jamie Dunlin crossed for Jason Legge to net in the 84th minute. The Riding continued to press and Adams and Dunlin were both denied in the closing stages by desperate goal line clearances, Durham held on to record a deserved but hard fought victory against a gallant East Riding team.
The East Riding will now turn their attention to winning the Northern Counties League campaign with fixtures at Cumberland on 7th February and at home to the North Riding on 21st February.
SIX GOAL LEGGE HITS THREE MINUTE HAT TRICK
EAST RIDING 8 WESTMORLAND 1
The East Riding Juniors maintained their 100% record to move to the top of the Division. A blistering first half display saw the team net 7 goals with six being scored by the prolific Jason Legge who netted what must be one of quickest ever hat tricks within a period of just 3 minutes. His first strike came in the 10th minute after being set up by Chris Adams. A minute later, James Williams put him through for a clinical finish and then Matty Holmes provided the opportunity to complete a hat trick within 3 minutes. Not satisfied with this remarkable achievement, he then went on to score another hat trick in a whirlwind performance as Westmorland were unable to cope with the speed and accuracy of the Ridings offensive play. Leighton Mathewson having switched to the right flank, had too much pace for the defenders and he put over a pin point cross which was met by Legge to hit the ball into the roof of the net in the 26th minute. Gareth Owen hit the post before Chris Adams broke clear to chip the ball over the keeper to make it 5-0 in the 37th minute. Owen Mountain then provided the opportunity for Legge to score in the 43rd minute and moments later Adams precise ball gave Legge the chance to complete a six goal first half haul.
To Westmorland’s credit, the 2nd half was a much more even affair as the Riding’s formation was disrupted by injuries and as rain and sleet lashed down, the play deteriorated to match the weather. The visitors scored a consolation when Cameron Stewart’s cross found Jordan Knowles unmarked and he made no mistake from 10 metres. The Riding completed the scoring in the 80th minute when Mathewson’s corner went in off defender James Pattison.
The East Riding Juniors are in action on Saturday 19th December , KO 2.00pm when they host Durham in the 3rd Round of the FA County Youth Cup at the Roy West Centre. The winners of this tie will be at home to Kent in the quarter final.
NORTHERN COUNTIES YOUTH COMPETITION
EAST RIDING 4 LIVERPOOL FA 3
In a thrilling encounter, the East Riding Juniors edged home by the odd goal in seven. After Liverpool had taken the lead, an own goal and a Gareth Owen strike within 2 minutes of each other gave the Riding the lead. Liverpool quickly equalised before Owen Mountain restored the hosts lead on the stroke of half time. Chris Adams scored the fourth in the 48th minute before a penalty to Liverpool made the final score 4-3.
FA County Youth Cup Round 2
LINCOLNSHIRE COUNTY FA 2
EAST RIDING COUNTY FA 2
(EAST RIDING WON 4-2 PENALTIES)
The East Riding Juniors squandered a two goal lead and needed penalties to secure a place in the 3rd Round of the FA County Youth Cup.
Lincolnshire dominated the early play and went close when Olly Bradbury’s header was well saved by keeper Rob Moy. Then from Wright’s corner, Tom Waudby’s header was cleared off the line at the near post by James Williams. In the 17th minute, the Riding took the lead against the run of play with their first notable attack. Jason Legge was allowed to take a quickly taken free kick which caught the Lincolnshire defence napping and Chris Adams weaved his way to create a position to unleash an unstoppable shot. Five minutes later, Adams turned provider setting up Gareth Owen to hit a fierce shot into the top of the net. Bradbury was then denied by a last ditch tackle from the impressive Tom Andrews. Lincolnshire pulled a goal back in the 34th minute when hesitancy in defence let in Callum Render.
After the break Owen and Legge had chances and at the other end, Andrews sliced a Render cross over the bar. Bradbury equalised in the 70th minute with a terrific drive from 30 yards. Thereafter, the East Riding dominated proceedings and should have wrapped up the game but for a series of fine saves from keeper Jack Drury to deny Owen, Adams and substitute Ricky Kemp.
Extra time was totally dominated by the fitter East Riding team with chance after chance going begging and keeper Drury coming to Lincolnshire ‘s rescue to thwart Jamie Dunlin and Gareth Owen. Bradbury had Lincolnshire’s best chance but keeper Moy pulled of a great save at the near post. Adams nearly scored with the last kick of the game when his angled drive flashed across the face of the goal.
The tie was decided by penalties with the East Riding holding their nerve to score all 4 required penalties with quality precision. Leighton Mathewson, Gareth Owen, Jason Legge and Ricky Kemp all kept their nerve whilst Lincolnshire missed their first attempt, Josh Nicholls striking the ball against the bar and Moy saved Render’s next penalty. Chris Rodgers and Chris Mahony were successful leaving Kemp to net the winning penalty for the East Riding.
The East Riding will be at home to Durham in Round 3, the tie to be played on 19th December 2009 at the Roy West Centre, KO 2:00pm
FA County Youth Cup Round One
HORNSEA DUO ON THE MARK FOR JUNIORS
Staffordshire FA 0
East Riding FA 4
Hornsea Town’s Leighton Mathewson and Chris Adams each notched a brace in an emphatic victory for the East Riding Juniors against Staffordshire at Chasetown FC. With better finishing the East Riding could have sealed the game within the first 10 minutes when a catalogue of chances were missed. Owen Mountain’s fierce shot was parried by keeper Jordan Money within a minute of the kick off and then a measured pass from Tom Andrews sent Adams on a run but he was unable to make a clean contact and the keeper made a comfortable save. Adams became provider as Jason Legge had an effort saved and following a well worked corner routine, Adams shot wide. After this early pressure, Staffordshire’s first opportunity fell for Lee Wright but keeper Rob Moy did well to block the shot. Then Wright’s cross was headed wide by Ben Lund. The Riding took the lead in the 43rd minute following a generous penalty award when Troy Hemus was adjudged to have brought down Legge. Leighton Mathewson made no mistake with a confidently taken spot kick.
The Juniors started second half in the ascendancy and a slick move between Mathewson, Legge and Kelby Fowler brought out another save from keeper Money. Tom Andrews was then unlucky to see his shot hit the crossbar. Fowler also had an effort hit the post but almost immediately afterwards Mathewson applied a fine finish from the edge of the area. Ricky Kemp’s introduction from the bench had an impact on the game and the Riding were denied by the woodwork for a third time when his cross was headed against the bar by Mountain. The Riding went close again when a fine move culminated in Kemp crossing for Mathewson but he missed the chance of a hat trick by shooting narrowly wide. The Riding did score a third when Adams cross was met by Mountain and his parried shot fell for Adams to hit home from close range. In a rare attack the hosts were denied when keeper Moy tipped over Andrew Aiton’s free kick. From the resulting corner, Moy made a double block to keep a clean sheet. On the stroke of full time the Juniors completed the scoring when Ross Armstrong set up Chris Adams and the ball fell kindly for him to net the fourth goal.
The East Riding visit Lincolnshire in Round Two on 31st October, KO 2pm at Sincil Bank. The winners of this tie will be at home to either Nottinghamshire or Durham in Round Three.
NORTHERN COUNTIES YOUTH COMPETITION
MANCHESTER FA 1 - 3 EAST RIDING FA
The East Riding County FA Juniors made an encouraging start to their Northern Counties campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory at Manchester United’s Academy ground with captain James Williams leading by example. The Riding started strongly and Jason Legge had the ball in the net only to be denied by a close offside decision. The lively Gareth Owen was unlucky after outpacing the defence ,he did well to manage a shot under pressure which just went wide of the far post. He then was denied by a fine save from keeper Joe Grantham who turned his powerful shot around the post. The Ridings pressure paid off on the stroke of half time when Ricky Kemp’s cross was headed home by Owen.
Manchester came out for the 2nd half in a determined mood and Josh Burke had a long range effort tipped over the bar by keeper Rob Moy. But the Juniors extended their lead in the 71st minute when Owen headed the ball into the path of Chris Adams who made no mistake with a clinical finish. 4 minutes later, the hosts pulled a goal back when keeper Moy was put under pressure and ball fell to Ibukun Modupeojo to score from close range. The East Riding’s response was immediate when Owen Mountain headed on for Kelby Fowler to speed towards goal and finish with aplomb. Ashley Marriott then created a great opportunity and having rounded the keeper looked certain to score only for Kyle McDonagh to make an unbelievable last ditch goal line clearance.
After this excellent start, the East Riding are next in action on Saturday 17th October when they travel to Chasetown to meet Staffordshire in the 1st Round of the FA County Youth Cup. The winners of this tie will play Lincolnshire in Round 2 on 31st October at Lincoln City’s Sincil Bank.
PLEASE NOTE:
The match against Westmorland previously arranged for Sunday 11th October has now been postponed. New date to be confirmed.