Guildford City U18 5
Hartley Wintney U18 0
Wed 9th November 2011, Southern Youth League West Division

We turned up to play Guildford at the Spectrum with a slightly depleted team, due mainly to college Open Evening taking place at Farnborough Sixth Form - I probably had as many players attend this as were available for the game (still... shows we are a brainy bunch).

In fact, the game was actually in doubt and ended up being a late kick-off after the pitch markings had not been done by Guildford Borough Council. The officials of Guildford worked tirelessly to mark the lines to the satisfaction of the officials to ensure the game went ahead.

However, the lads did us proud and despite going behind to a soft goal after 2 minutes we played manfully for the remainder of the half, played some excellent football and had some great chances to score. I know we are lacking confidence and need some luck in front of goal - something which seems to evade teams who are on a bad run.

We ended the half 3-0 down (conceding 2 goals in the final 5 minutes of the first half). However, a great team effort all round.

The second half was a similar story. We worked hard and played some good stuff initially, then we conceded a penalty - again one of those that although probably was a penalty, nobody would have argued if the referee hadn't given it, as the Guildford manager actually thought his player had dived.

The final score was Guildford 5 Hartley Wintney 0. I would say the scoreline didn't reflect the gulf between the two teams and I would like to credit Guildford for playing football in the right way, getting it down and passing (rather than just lumping it forward), and I have to say they are probably the best side we have played this season - making it an even better achievement for us.

Well done boys - continue with this progress and results will follow.

Squad - Dan Pearson, Jacob Wright, Ben Butler, Michael Floyd, Seb Huddy, Matt Partlow, Paris Hutt, Sam Meade, Gabriel Cockram, Billy McKay, Ross May
Subs: Ali Perry, James Vint, Austin Kelly.

Feltham 1 - 3 Hartley FC

Hartley travelled to Feltham FC, who came into the game off the back of a 10 game losing streak - against a strong Hartley side who were yet to lose a single league game.

Hartley began the brighter of the sides, camping in their half for the first ten, with a changed front three that saw Daniel Brownlie brought in on the right, Dean Peltohaka as the target man, and the increasingly impressive Ben Dillon on the left hand side.

Hartley saw a few chances go narrowly wide, before, against the run of play, the Feltham right back found himself with the ball at the edge of the box, after the ‘large' Feltham number 9 laid the ball off, and he duly buried the ball past the helpless Lee Allen.

A wake up call for Hartley, but the message from the bench was to continue playing how they were, and to continue playing the brand of football that has rightly earned Hartley their fantastic start to the season.  

Hartley had a couple of chances to pull back the deficit, and the breakthrough finally came when Nathan Stamp, who played at left back for the injured Newcombe, crossed the ball to the on running Dillon who calmly slotted the ball to the left of the keeper.

Hartley were back to playing their free flowing football, with the front three linking up well and the impressive debutant Ross Hogston creating space in the middle of the park. Jack Coventry was showing glimpses of the magic that has earned his promotion from the reserves side, and looked as though his confidence was beginning to build; and it was Jack who laid the ball to Stamp, in what effectively was a carbon copy of the first goal. Stamp crossed the ball, and in one motion Dillon controlled the ball and turned, leaving the bemused defender with a severe case of staple foot. Dillon took two touches and passed the ball into the back of the net.

The Feltham number 8 - I am well aware of his name, but don't even want to give him the air time he seemingly craves with such lunacy. The player wasn't having the best of games as he chased the shadows of the midfield 3 of Coventry, Lee & Hogston. However, I have heard of getting close to your opponents, but not close enough to sink your teeth into your opponents back. As the referee suggested, Michael Lee did well not to react even more so, unfortunately, his reaction did warrant a red card, of which the ref showed some regret displaying. According to reports - this player will never play for Feltham FC again; this could have been for lack of ability - or the incident itself.

Right, that's over.

Half Time:  1 -2

Hartley came out with great spirit and determination and had a reshuffle with the formation. Dean came into the centre of the park, and the hardworking Brownlie partnered the goalscorer Dillon as a front two. Hartley continued to apply pressure to a tiring Feltham side. The game was sealed when Luke Pearson (right back) slotted the ball into the path of hat-trick hunting Dillon, who with the outside of his foot punched the ball past the Feltham keeper.

The organised Hartley side made some changes, bringing on another debutant Foxy (Chris Fox) replacing Dean, and Dillon and Brownlie coming off for Ricky Hogsden & Ryan Stephens. It was great to see Ryan back playing, and it wasn't long before Ryan had the ball in the back of the net, only to be ruled offside.

Hartley finished the game winners and continued their impressive run. Hartley now travel to league leaders Guernsey FC. This will be a fantastic test for our boys who are only one of two teams to take points of the channel islands side.

Good luck lads.

Full time: 1 - 3

Team: Allen, Pearson, Stamp, Paterson, Bloxham, Lee, Hogston, Coventry, Brownlie, Dillon, Peltohaka.

Subs used: Fox, Hogsden, Stephens.

SQUAD : AARON CARTER - JOSH HOLLAND - ALEX JUPP - IAN DANIELS - TOBY GODDARD - JOSH KNIGHT - LUKE FEWTRELL - LLOYD JONES - TOM SLANE - RAFA BARBOSA - ALEX CHARLICK

SUB'S : JAMARL ROSE - MARCUS WATSON - SHAUN TULLETT - MASON SAUNDERS

A good overall performance today and well worth a draw if not a win but again we lost 2 - 3 not sure what my young side has got to do to get another win this season. It was good to see Ian Daniels back playing today but apart from Ian it was still a young team  again they all worked hard for each other in all parts of the pitch looking to play open attacking football, probing the Beaconsfield's defence at every opportunity. they got their 1st goal just after 7 minutes of play but we had more of the ball we kept the tempo up and managed to keep pushing for our 1st goal, some good work down the right side of the pitch from Josh Holland then on to Luke Fewtrell who played it in to Rafa Barbosa who managed to win us a free kick on the edge of their box. Alex Charlick stepped up to take the kick and hit his left footed shot into the bottom left hand corner 1 - 1 game on. We took the game to them passing the ball around and making more chances for ourselves Tom Slane working hard up front played a through ball to Josh Knight who managed to chip their out coming keeper 2 - 1  but by half time Beaconsfield managed to get a goal back 2 -2.

2nd half was much the same both teams pushing for the winning goal we lost our shape at times but the ball was going from end to end which made it hard work for both teams more and more chances came for both teams ,again Aaron Carter kept us in the game with some good saves but the hard work we where putting in did not pay off when they played a ball in to our box and Toby Goddard sliped Ian Daniels made a tackle and collided with our keeper and their striker only to see the ball go in our net should of been a free kick  Aaron our keeper he had the strikers stud marks on his leg to prove it but the ref gave them the goal not happy. but my lads should be proud of themselves because we are trying to play football in the right way. Jamie              

Squad : Aaron Carter - Josh Holland - Elliot Richards - Marcus Watson - Toby Goddard - Tom Slane - Luke Fewtrell - Lloyd Jones - Jamarl Rose - Rafa Barbosa - Alex Jupp.

Sub's : Shaun Tullett - Mason Saunder.

This Saturday saw us travel away to Berkhamsted (a 60 mile trip each way) and still not getting anything for our hard work and effort. We started the game very well with some good movement going forward and our defence working hard when required too, Aaron Carter in goal was outstanding again and kept us in the game pulling off one good save after another. We kept pushing for a goal and managed to come in 1 - 0 up at half time, our midhfield worked so hard for each other playing the ball from one side of the pitch to the other opening their defence when possisble we started to keep the ball and create chances from midfield, new signing Jamarl Rose played his part up front holding the ball up and playing Rafa Barbosa in to score our first goal, some neat work from midfield slotted the ball through to Jamarl who then played it in to the path of Rafa to slot it home. 

2nd half : Berkhamsted stepped up the tempo and started to come back at us the game changed they became more physical and unsettled my young side the ref was unable to take control of this and more and more tackles went flying in but only 2 yellow cards were shown but only to my players which I could not understand and before we knew it we were 3 -1 down and our backs to the wall.

But suddenly my lads seemed to realise they could get something out of this game and throw everything they had at them they worked their socks off for me and my staff, again we started to keep hold of the ball which meant we could create more chances they started to come form both sides of the pitch our hard work paid off in the end when we put in a good cross from right wing for Rafa to step up and head it in the top corner 3 - 2 we kept pushing for the equaliser but were running out of time they hit us on the break and scored their 4th goal in the 47th minute, game over. it was a game of 2 halfs and I think we deserved a point the lads stuck up for each other and should of got a draw for their efforts today Man of the match = Aaron Carter .

Squad : Aaron Carter - Tom Slane - Alex Jupp - Toby Goddard - Elliot Richards - Josh Knight - Luke Fewtrell - Lloyd Jones - Rafa Barbosa - Jordan Eaton - Alex Charlick.

Sub's : Josh Holland - Paul Wade - Craig Mugford - Shaun Tullett

League Challenge Cup 1st Leg V Carshalton Athletic Who play in the Suburban Premier League so we were up against strong Team today, They had 4 first teamers playing for them - Luke Baddialt - Jake Hill - Sonny Ayres - Dean MacDonald who all get paid a lot of money to play their football. Carshalton adopted the total football approach, playing the ball out from the back at every opportunity and at times it was great to watch, even as the opposition manager! but with them playng out from the back it did help us with some opportunities early on with both Jordan Eaton and Rafa Barbosa shutting the ball down well and disposessed the Carshalton defence on a few ocassions creating a couple of shooting opportunities for themselves but both just missed the target.

When our visitors did venture forward they certainly looked dangerous, with the pace and trickery of their forward players. They kept coming at us we held them off as much as we could but after 23 minutes we found ourselves 1 - 0 down. My young side worked very hard for each other but again they found our net on the 42 minute 2 - 0 at half time.

2nd Half The 2nd half was tough, the quaility of our visitors started to show with some slick passing moves and posession of the ball, I also had to make 3 substitutions due to injuries which did not help, Hartley at times were just managing to hang on to the game my young squad continued to dig in and for that alone they deserves a great deal of credit we lost the game 4 - 0 and it sounds like a bit of a drubbing but in all honestly it was not, yes you have to hold your hands up and admit you were playing against better opposition. When you look at it Carshalton Athletic's 1st team play in the Ryman Premier league so our young side deserve a pat on the back for making a game of it and giving the vistors a good work out Well Done Lads.          

Hartley Wintney U18 2 - 4 Farnham Town U18
26 Oct 2011, Southern Youth League West Division

Hartley Wintney gave a strong performance on Wednesday night but the score did not justify how close the game was. In cold conditions, Hartley Wintney began the brightest out of the two teams and had the first real notable chance. Central midfielder Paris Hutt's shot was just over the bar after a few minutes and a free kick from the left hand side caused some trouble for the Farnham defence.

However, a few minutes later Farnham caught the defence off guard and a shot beat keeper Daniel Pearson to the far right hand post to give Farnham the lead.

Hartley Wintney did fight back almost immediately after the set back of an early goal. The equaliser came from a well taken free kick by captain Michael Floyd which was from the edge of the penalty area.

The pace of the game then slowed down with both defences cancelling out the forwards. One of the main battles was down the right hand wing with Hartley Wintney's right winger Jonas Cornando, whose pace caused problems for Farnham's left back all game.

A goal just before and after half time gave Farnham a two goal lead but Hartley Wintney still created some good chances to give themselves a chance of being back in the game. Most noticeably a shot from Jonas Cornando just went over the bar, which would be his last contribution of the game as he unfortunately had to go off injured.

Farnham got themselves a fourth goal of the game just before the hour but yet again, Hartley Wintney found another goal. This time, a half volley from Rob Bradley took a deflection off a crowd of players and ended up in the net.

There would be no comeback in the latter stages of the game for Hartley Wintney though, who may believe that on another day they could have gained the three points.

SQUAD: Dan Pearson, Ben Cave, Robert Bradley, Michael Flloyd, Ben Butler, Dan Hastings, Paris Hutt, Ross May, Ben Brownen, Jonas Cornando, Mark Taylor, Subs: Rob Deans, Sam Meade, Matt Partlow.

[Martyn Pearson]

Squad : Aaron Carter - Marcus Watson - Alex Jupp - Josh Holland - Elliot Richards - Josh Knight -Luke Fewtrell - Lloyd Jones - Jordan Eaton - Tom Slane - Alex Charlick  

Sub's : Rafa Barbosa - Paul Wade - Shaun Tullett  - Mason Saunder - Toby Goddard  

This Saturday saw my young Reserve side take on yet another tough encounter, this time against a very determined Hanworth Villa.

It was very pleasing to field more or less the same squad as the previous few weeks (give or take a couple of players)It was also nice to see Elliot Richards back at Hartley (on loan from Fleet Spurs). The squad is starting to show that they are coming to terms with playing Suburban League Football. The game started at a frantic pace, with both teams struggling to get control of the ball although we didn't create any real openings ourselves we did have a couple of long range efforts that in fairness didn't really test their goalie.

Hanworth started to adopt the long ball game playing over the top of our defenders and running on to it which started to work for them and before we knew it we were 1 - 0 down, Aaron Carter had to make some good saves to keep us in the game, we started to push forward ourselves and looked like getting an equaliser some good work down the right side of the pitch from Josh Holland then onto Luke Fewtrell who put a nice through ball to Jordan Eaton to slot it passed their out coming keeper 1 -1

We upped our tempo and started to take the game to them, but again they hit us on the break Marcus Watson made a good tackle in our box but the ball span up and hit his arm and the Ref gave them a Penalty 2 - 1 down. Again my young lads got on with the game and worked hard for each other and just before half time we got our well deserved equaliser Lloyd Jones hit a rocket shot from the edge of the 18 yard box to see it fly into the top corner 2 -2.

2nd half : this started much the same as the 1st with Hanworth looking to play open attacking football probing our defence at every opportunity. In the end they were to strong for us  and we lost the game 5 - 2, but I must say my young squad wanted to play football and did not give up YES we lost 5 -2 and It sounds like a bit of a drubbing but it was not. The lads are growing with confidence and we are creating chances whoever we are playing against, but as I have mentioned already this season we need to be more clinical infront of goal. If we can cut out our mistakes and convert more of our chances we will do ok in this league. Well done lads.

A very good effort from the lads against a changed but nonetheless strong Basingstoke Town side. The 3-2 scoreline certainly isn't flattering on us and on another day we might have nicked it - 'stoke keeper Chay Morris pulled off some very good saves. Josh Daniels led the line superbly well, particularly first half.

Basingstoke took the lead on 11 mins after an even first 10 minutes, but we stuck to our task and when Josh was put through he took his chance very well, firing strongly passed the onrushing keeper. Another good move ended with Josh responding to Jack Smillie's call, teeing up the recently returned midfielder with a chance he neatly put away. 2-1 up at the half-time whistle and not undeserved from what had been a pretty even half.

'Stoke strikers Delano Sam-Yorke and David Pratt were causing us problems as expected, but it was unfortunate that the equaliser came very early into the second half from the penalty spot - it seemed a soft call from where I was but I didn't have a great view; however, it was given by the assistant rather than the ref and that always throws up a bit of a question mark in my mind. Lee was given little chance with the spot kick.

Basingstoke stole the win with a very neat move finished by David Pratt, but chances fell to the Hartley lads before and after that goal and only some fine saves and the luck against us prevented an equaliser. The game ended with Hartley attacking as Nathan Stamp sent a fierce free-kick over the bar.

Lee Allen had been called on to make several good saves but my personal Man of the Match has to go to Josh Daniels, exceptional on the night - well done Josh.

A terrific effort all round and we go back to the Camrose on Saturday for the next installment and rather more at stake, not least pride in a local derby between two teams 2 leagues and 4 divisions apart. [KOB]

SQUAD: Allen, Stamp, Newcombe, Patterson (c), Bridges, Pearson, Smillie (Dillon), Daniels (Stephens), Peltohaka, Brownlie, Coventry. Subs: Tillson, Stephens, Williams, Hamilton, Dillon.

Hartley needed to get back to focusing on their mundane league programme, following their exploits in the cup in the last three weeks, with a win to keep in touch with Guernsey and Bedfont, which they did with a 6-1 thrashing of Westfield.

Starting as usual brightly, Hartley had one or two chances until in the 15th minute when Jermaine Hamilton turned and swung his big right boot at the ball and it ended up in the net with the 'keeper rooted to the spot.

Hartley were soon two up when good inter-change between Peltoahaka and Dillon saw Dillon side foot home, this after he had missed an easier chance a minute earlier.

Hartley were continuing to dominate, but then some slack passing five minutes before half-time led to a dubious penalty being awarded against them, which was duly dispatched. After that Hartley lost their way a bit in midfield and allowed Westfield to create one or two chances and to end the half on top.

In the second half Hartley began to show their dominance again and played some good football, and after an hour Ryan Stephens added a third after the keeper had saved from Dillon. From then on Hartley relaxed and the best goal of the day was a nice one-two between Ben Dillon and Andy Newcombe before Ben beat the keeper for his second of the match (on another day he could have had four or five).

Martin Williams lobbed the keeper for the fifth after the keeper lost the ball, and then another delightful one-two passing movement right at the end allowed Jack Coventry to slip the ball home. There was even time for a shell-shocked Westfield to miss another penalty.

This performance showed when not even quite at full strength the team can still produce the goods.

One word to say about the ref! They do get much maligned but the ref could have produced a red card for the penalties and also a few yellow cards, but he kept them in his pocket - good for him. [NV]

SQUAD: Allen, Rayhan, Newcombe (Tennant), Paterson, Bridges, Williams, Peltohaka (Smillie), Coventry, Hamilton (Brownlie), Dillon and Stephens. Subs not required: Dan Tillson.

Squad : Aaron Carter - Josh Holland - Alex Jupp - Marcus Watson - Jack Nicholson - Josh Knight - Tom Slane - Lloyd Jones - Rafa Barbosa - Jordan Eaton.

Sub's : Shaun Tullett - Toby Goddard - Mason Saunders - Paul Wade.

Our first win of the season The hard work my young side have put in over the past few weeks is starting to pay off yes we did ride our luck at times and if their striker was on form we may have lost the game but luck was with us today, But I must say Aaron Carter in goal was outstanding making some important saves to keep us in the game. I had 4 new signings in the sqad today 2 started and 2 on the bench My striker Jordan Eaton 19 and centre back Jack Nicholson 18 plus 2 young 16 year olds Toby Goddard & Mason Saunders

So The squad is looking good but still a very young one, We started the game very well with some good movement going forward and our defence working hard when required too. Hartley stuck to the task and battled well for the remainder of the half, with neither team able to break the deadlock Jordan Eaton came close by chipping their keeper only to see his shot hit the post 0-0 at half time. 2nd half started much the same but then Newport started to get the ball down and play some open attacking football probing our defence at every oppotunity but again Aaron Carter pulled off 2 or 3 good saves which kept us in the game. Although chances were at a premium for us we managed to put the ball through to Jordan Eaton on the 74th minute who again chipped their out coming keeper but this time the ball hit the back of the net 1 - 0 from the re-start the game totally changed and my young lads with their nothing to lose attitude began to take the game to Newport Pagnell and we managed to get the result we deserved. Good performances all round including those who came off the bench. We've got next week off so come on lads let get down the Camrose and cheer on the 1st team in the F.A cup.