SQUAD : AARON CARTER - JOSH HOLLAND - ALEX JUPP - TOBY GODDARD - GEORGE PAPHITI - LLOYD JONES - LUKE FEWTRELL - TOM SLANE - OLIVER AMBROSE - RYAN THORPE - ELLIOT HOBDEN

SUB'S : RAFA BARBOSA - JAMARL ROSE - PAUL WADE

This was not a good afternoon for my young squad the pitch was not at its best and very sticky underfoot and awkward to walk on let alone play a football match on. Tring started brightly and began to come into the game with good posession playing neat football and keeping us on the back foot for most of the first half which found us 2 - 0 down and a lot of work to be done.

The 2nd half was always going to be a challenge but we started brighthly and began to come back into the game we upped our work rate and the tempo and kept good posession of the ball we now had them on the back foot the tide was clearly turning more and more chances came our way and if it was not for their keeper pulling off save after save we should and could of been 3 goals to the better but the ball would just not go into the net, some good work by Elliot Hobden down the left wing he cut inside excellently jinked his way passed two players and hit his rocket of a shot into the top left hand corner of the goal 2 - 1 game on. Because we started to look like scoring again the game started to get a bit more physical but I did not think the Ref was helping by letting some of their bigger and stronger players get away with some of their tackles my lads got stuck in but got booked for there efforts and before we knew it we were 3-1 down and out of time yet again, it sounds like a bit of a drubbing but in all honesty a draw would of been a fair result we just need to play for the full 90 minutes not just 45 ? a good 2nd half lads.  

Hartley Wintney U18 - 1
Fleet Spurs U18 - 2
Wed 11th Jan 2012
Southern Youth League - West Div

A good team performance from the lads on Wednesday night was watched by first team manager Neville Roach.

The game started brightly and Hartley Wintney was ahead after just 2 minutes - a mistake from the visiting keeper gifted Mark Taylor with a tap in. For the next 20 minutes we remained on top playing good football - a much better example of keeping possession.

However, with 30 minutes gone Hartley winger Gabriel Cockram was sent off after swearing at the referee. 2 minutes later our coach, Paul Dale, was sent to the stands after an altercation with the assistant referee - after the assistant missed an incident that occurred in front of the dug out as he was too busy talking to the away bench than watching the game.

Just before half time, a mistake from Michael Floyd, giving the ball away on the edge of the Hartley Wintney box, led to the Fleet sloting home an equaliser - which until then looked unlikely.

At half time and a slight reshuffle - going 3 at the back - Hartley came back strong, competing well and working hard. It was difficult to tell that they were a player short.

Fleet Spurs did get a winner with 15 minutes to go, the assistant referee adjudging the Fleet striker to be onside - when everyone else inside the ground were convinced he was well offside - and he was left to slot home from close range.

Watching first team manager, Nev Roach, was pleased with the performance and ear-marked several players who had a good game.

Squad: Dan Pearson, Matt Partlow ( c ), Sam White, Michael Floyd, Jamie Paton, Gabriel Cockram, Paris Hutt, Shaun Spence, Sam Meade, Mark Taylor, Aaron Richardson - Subs - Ben Butler, Paul Roche, Billy McKay, William Parris, Jonas Coronado

Squad : Aaron Carter - Ben Dibbern - Alex Jupp - Ian Daniels - Toby Goddard - Lloyd Jones - Josh Holland - Tom Slane - Oliver Ambrose - Jordan Eaton - Elliot Hobden.

Sub's : Ryan Thorpe - George Paphiti - Rafa Barbosa - Jamarl Rose - Paul Wade.

Monday evening saw Hartley Res involved in yet another tough encounter, this time away against 4th place Beaconsfield SYCOB.

Beaconsfield started the brighter of the two sides, they effectively kept posession and pegged us back for the first 10 minutes or so but were largely limited to speculative long range efforts. But we started to get the upper hand and continued to battle and started to threaten their goal we were playing the better football out of the two sides now keeping hold of the ball, Ian Daniels marshalled the defence superbly as we continued to frustrate Beaconsfield, with the rest of the team sticking to their jobs and limiting Beaconsfield's attacking options.

We did manage to take the lead after about 16 minutes into the game some good work in the centre of midfield we managed to put a through ball to Jordan Eatons feet who pushed it passed one defender and over the out coming keeper great goal 1 - 0.

After that they started to come back at us their two front men who were as quick as lightning running at us when possible last ditch tackles were being made by our back four but on the 40th minute they managed to get one back 1 - 1 at half time.

The 2nd half was a much more even affair with us having more joy keeping posession and beginning to create chances but after about 20 minutes we started to run out of steam so I made some changes it upped the tempo of the game for a bit but Beaconsfield done the same and started to come back at us it was still an end to end game with all my players pushing for that second goal we were running out of time with only 4 minutes to play they hit us on the break playing the ball a cross the box more last ditch tackles were being made but the ball fell to one of their front men who managed to slot the ball through a crowd of players how it went in I do not no, Time up lost 2 - 1 Disappointed doesn't describe the outcome of this game, Altough the result was hard to take the performances of a number of my players was very pleasing my young side continue to impress me and are showing they can play in this high standard of adult football. Next Game Sat 28th Away V Tring Athlectic it would be nice to see some Hartley Wintney away support not just me and my coaching staff !      

Squad : AARON CARTER - ABU RAYHAN - ELLIOT RICHARDS - LUKE PEARSON - TOBY GODDARD - LLOYD JONES - LUKE FEWTRELL - TOM SLANE - DAN BROWNLIE - JERMAINE HAMILTON - ELLIOT HOBDEN

Sub's : BEN DIBBERN - JAMARL ROSE - GEORGE PAPHITI - RAFA BARBOSA - PAUL WADE

I had 4 first teamers playing today - Luke P - Abu H - Dan B - Jermaine H , which upset our normal squad formation but we started the game off very well and within the first minute we were one nil up thanks to Jermaine cutting out a cross field pass and slotting the ball into the net but within the next five minutes Jermaine was sent off for retaliation following a reckless tackle on him their player only getting a yellow ? . So down to ten men now so we had to up our work rate and get suck in, we had a bit of luck for our second goal Dan Brownlie took a free kick from the left side of the pitch just out side the 18 yard box whipped it in and it came off one of their defenders who managed to slice it off his foot and in to his own net 2 - 0.

We managed to win the game 5 - 3 in the end, BUT what I would like to say is that all the team worked their socks off for me today Dan Brownlie and Luke Pearson played out of their skins, Abu was also good some very tired legs at the end but the attitude of the team after going down to 10 men was excellent well done to everyone - (M.O.M -Dan Brownlie great hat trick)  

Southern Youth League West Division
Wed 21 Dec 2011
Hartley Wintney U18 0 v Guildford City U18 2

Our last game before Christmas was a well contested affair played in front of a good crowd. With all the live football on the large TV in the bar, there was also a great atmosphere in the clubhouse after the game.

We started a little slowly (something that is starting to annoy me a little, we seem to not take the warm up seriously and as a result get out of the blocks slowly) - I believe this is a maturity issue, with players not understanding the importance of the warm up and what their attitude needs to be when warming up - this is something I feel we will improve on and have the correct culture in place for next season.

The game itself was mostly evenly contested. Guildford took the lead early on after a mistake from our keeper Dan Pearson, allowing the ball to trickle through his legs. Minutes later Dan made amends for his earlier mistake, making a superb penalty save and demonstrating what a good goalkeeper he is.

Hartley clawed their way back into the game, competed better in midfield and started to create chances. What impressed me most is that we managed to play well for a longer period (70 minutes instead of just 45 minutes or a 20 minute spell in the game) and also that we managed to keep calm in possession of the ball and not always try to score inside 30 seconds of winning the ball back. We need to adopt the culture of resting when we are in possession (using the ball properly and moving our opponents around the pitch) and working hard when we don't have the ball. This is the way top side play now and is the fashionable way to play the game. It is also a style that will suit us as I believe we are the most technically able team in the league.

Guildford did score a second before half time - a well taken header from a corner - an area we have looked a little vulnerable from this season. It was a bullet header to be fair that nestled in the top corner.

Second half was very even - both sides had a few chances but overall I feel the fans witnessed an excellent game played in a good manner.

I would like to go on record and wish Guildford success this season. We have played them twice now and they have tried to play football on both occasions, in a good manner, keeping the ball on the ground. They should be the benchmark for all clubs this year and I hope they can go on to win the division. [Graham]

Squad: Dan Pearson, Ben Cave, Ben Brownen, Matt Partlow (c ), Paul Roche, Paris Hutt, Shaun Spence, ConorCaris, Mark Taylor, Gabriel Cockram, Aaron Richardson subs: Ross May, SebHuddy, Robert Deans, Austin Kelly, Jamie Paton

Squad : Aaron Carter - Jamarl Rose - Dan Dansie - Toby Goddard - Jack Nicholson - Lloyd Jones - Luke Fewtrell - Tom Slane - Rafa Barbosa - Oliver Ambrose - Alex Jupp.

Sub's : Shaun Tullett - Paul Wade - Cobi Judd.

It was a bad day at the office, my young lads were out played today by the top team in our league yet again I had 5 players missing from our regular starting line up. But it was only 2 - 1 at half time and we were still in the game but the 2nd half was just a nightmare they upped the tempo and we just could not cope with it, the boys worked hard but it was just not good enough today. Sometimes your luck run's out and it did today we had a Ref that wanted to take centre stage and have his own one man show and to day was that day only one good thing about this show was he was bad for both teams. lets put this behind us and get on with the next game - away V Harefield Utd.        

SQUAD : Aaron Carter - Josh Holland -  Elliot Richards - Toby Goddard - Alex Charlick - Lloyd Jones - Marcus Watson - Tom Slane - Luke Fewtrell - Jordan Eaton - Alex Jupp.

Sub's : Elliot Hobden - Jamarl Rose - Mason Saunders - Paul Wade.

All I would like to say this week is that we are not getting the results the lads deserve we are trying to play football the way it should be played on the floor using all areas of the pitch my young squad are working very hard for each other but still a bit naive at times which has not helped our cause but the effort they put in to each game deserves more than they are getting, Yesterdays game was played at a very high tempo with both teams working hard to keep hold of the ball, At half time the score was 4 - 2 to Leverstock, Lloyd Jones & Toby Goddard got our goals both Luke Fewtrell & Jordan Eaton would of got 2 more if it was not for their goal keeper pulling off two great saves. 2nd half was much the same this time Alex Charlick & Tom Slane coming close but again could not put the ball in the net, we did manage to get a goal back yet again Lloyd Jones popped up in the box to get our 3rd but as we were pushing for our 4th we conceded to their 5th a draw would of been a fair result even their management staff conngratulated us on the way we play our football lost 5 - 3 = Man of the match Lloyd Jones.              

23rd Nov 2011

Southern Youth League

Improved Performance Gives Under 18's Confidence

A spirited performance from Hartley Wintney was not enough to avoid a 3-2 defeat to Cove. The previous meeting ended in a 3-0 victory for Cove; however Hartley Wintney showed their intentions for tonight straight from the whistle. Straight from kick off, winger Billy McKay broke down the right hand side with ease and skipped into the penalty area, however his drilled cross was not met by any of his team mates.

They didn't have to wait long though for the goal they duly deserved for their efforts, even though it came from an unlikely source. Mark Taylor showed great determination to head the ball past keeper Tom Webb, but there was not enough pace for the ball to cross the line. Fortunately for Hartley Wintney, the attempted clearance from centre back James Kelly was sliced into his own net.

Cove looked unsettled and Hartley Wintney tried to exploit it. The pace of the two wingers and forwards for Hartley Wintney caused problems for the Cove defence, and their persistence paid with a well taken goal to double Hartley Wintney's lead. This time it was Gabriel Cockram who exploited the slow Cove defence by winning the ball back for Mark Taylor. Taylor then managed to tee the ball up for striker Austin Kelly to place a left footed shot into the top right hand corner, which left the keeper rooted to the spot.

Just a few minutes later, Cove got a lifeline with a simple goal which gave the Hartley Wintney keeper Daniel Pearson not much hope to prevent the goal. Reece Wilson just about dribbled past two defenders and delivered the ball into the six yard box where Matt Blackwell couldn't miss.

An equaliser soon followed, courtesy of the defence not being able to clear the ball from a corner ball. Hartley Wintney could not get the ball out of their feet and this created the chance for Kelly to redeem himself and he made no mistake striking the ball through a crowd of players.

Even with the setback of conceding two quick goals, Hartley Wintney still attacked in numbers and kept possession well for the last third of the first half. Patient play from the visitors frustrated Cove and the play eventually led to McKay to shoot in which he would have been disappointed with his attempt.

From the goal kick, Cove managed to get a third and it arguably was against the run of play. Cove created space in the middle and this led to a through ball setting up Matt Beales for a one on one opportunity. Luck was on his side for this opportunity as the ball hit the left hand post and rolled across the goal line which then crossed the line after hitting the opposite post.

The goal would have been a bitter blow for Harltey Wintney just before half time, but from the restart, Hartley Wintney looked a lot more assertive in defence and clearly saw that an equaliser was possible or even more. As the time elapsed, Cove knew that time was on their side and the pace of the game slowed down considerably. There were two notable chances for Hartley Wintney late on. Gabriel Cockram delivered a great cross to Mark Taylor, but his header was just wide even though he adjudged offside. The other fell to substitute Daniel Hastings who couldn't connect well enough with his shot to trouble the Cove keeper.

In the end Hartley Wintney's performance deserved at least a point, however if the team perform well as a team, a victory should soon be on the cards.

[Martyn Pearson]

Guernsey 4 Hartley Wintney 0

SOMETHING HAD TO GIVE: Guernsey had won all their home games whilst Hartley had won all their away games, so something had to give and unfortunately it was Hartley who lost their unbeaten record in dramatic style.

For the first 25 minutes Hartley were a match for the home side and were probably the better side at that stage with keeping the ball, with two or three shots at goal and a couple of low crosses into the six yard area which could have been converted, and at that stage both sets of supporters might have thought that a 0-0 draw could be on the cards, and then disaster struck. Lee Allen gave a needless penalty away which was then duly dispatched, and then over the next ten minutes the team switched off, dropped their heads and lost their composure and, after two ghastly defensive errors, were three goals down. Guernsey were in total control, playing good football and the game was over, although if Hamilton had struck the target in the last minute of the half, at 3-1 it might have put a different gloss on it.

The second half was really a damage limitation exercise for Hartley, and for all their effort Guernsey were in total control and while they only managed to score one further goal they could have had others, whilst Hartley I am afraid did not look like scoring and one could sense their frustration by the number of poor passes they made straight to the opposition.

Guernsey had two superb players on view who should be playing to a much higher standard and they were their No 8 Black and No 6 Mackay. Whether Hartley would have been in with a better shout if all their experienced key midfield players had been available it is hard to say because life is easy in hindsight to predict, but obviously it does leave a huge gap with the best will in the world for those who had to fill it, because being only a village team we do not have their resources. I know the defence say they were to blame for the goals, but the rest of the team have to get back and help them out as quickly as possible, because it is a team game.

I have to say, with their financial resources they have at their disposal Guernsey can only get better and better as the season progresses with players ready to fill in any position that is vacant, and it is hard to see anybody beating them in the league from now on. But on the day Hartley were definitely second best.

After the game the manager, Neville Roach, expressed his disappointment with the result and said he thought for the first 25 minutes we were the better side, caused them problems, kept the ball, but then after the penalty their heads dropped, lost composure and their confidence suffered. But he said although this was their first defeat he thought the players were still upbeat and positive for the clash next week against Bedfont and cannot wait to show it.

But this is not the end of the world, finishing second in the league will still be a bonus and huge achievement and lets hope all the supporters get behind the team and cheer them on next week because there is still a lot to play for. [Nick Vint]

Team Allen, Stamp, Newcombe, Paterson, Bloxham (C), Coventry, Hogston (Pearson), Lee (Fox), Hamilton (Hogsden), Dillon, Brownlie.

Plus 15 vocal supporters.

Squad : PAUL WADE - KIERON FULLER - ELIOTT RICHARDS - TOBY GODDARD - ALEX CHARLICK - LLOYD JONES - JOSH HOLLAND - TOM SLANE - RAFA BARBOSA - JORDAN EATON - ALEX JUPP

Sub's : JAMARL ROSE - COBI JUDD - JAMES TENNANT - MASON SAUNDERS

I had a few players missing today = Luke Fewtrell, Marcus Watson, Aaron Carter, Josh Knight, Shaun Tullett 5 from my normal line up. But I must say the lads that came in to cover their jobs done me proud today, Paul Wade who played his part in goal and was not at fault for any of their goals, Kieron Fuller back from Uni for the weekend worked hard at right back and made some important tackles when needed to, Jordan Eaton back up front to partner Rafa so on paper It still looked quite good. AFC Hayes started the brighter of the two sides, they kept possession and pegged us back for the first 15 minutes, although they were limited to long range efforts from outside our box. But my lads continued to battle and started to get the upper hand briefly threatening their goal when we managed to get to play football in their half. We did manage to take the lead 20 minutes in to the game from a corner, Rafa took it their keeper came for the cross it hit his hands and looped in to the net 1 -0 the half continued to be a battle and Hayes started to come back at us making thing hard for us at times and by the 37th minute had pulled one back 1 - 1 again my lads picked the tempo up and started to play some very good football on both sides of the pitch some good work down the right hand wing from Kieron and Josh who managed to get the ball to Tom Slane who hit his shot with the outside of his right boot to curl it in to the bottom left hand corner of the goal from just outside of the 18 yard box great effort 2 - 1 .

2nd half  This half was a much more of an even affair with us having more joy playing with the wind helping us keep possession and create more chances, the wide players came in to the game giving better support to the front two who were working very hard for the team but as normal we were pushing for another goal they hit us on the break and got their 2nd 2 -2 some how my young lads upped the tempo once again and took the game to Hayes pushing for that 3rd goal we managed to get a corner again their keeper missed the cross and Lloyd Jones headed in for our 3rd goal 3 - 2 this gave us the lift we needed and the lads could see another goal in this game for them but we were running out of time but on the 47th minute their keeper pushed Tom to the floor and the Ref gave us a penalty Rafa put in the net 4 -2 game over. A good days work lads well done my Man of the match Tom Slane.