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AFC DRONFIELD UNDER 13's
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Sunday March 21st
AFC Dronfield 3 - 4 Handley Wood
So near, but yet so very, very far away ...
AFC Dronfield Under 13's again started with optimism on Sunday morning against a confident Handley Wood side. Not long into the match a simple lack of concentration at the back allowed a Handley Wood striker to break through and slot the first goal home. AFC were under pressure but a break away involving Marcus Wright, playing well on his own up front, allowed Liam Goodall a chance inside the box. Liam's shot was saved by the keeper but still dribbled luckily into the corner of the goal. 1-1. A simple ball over the top then caught AFC out almost immediately, and Handley Wood were back in the lead. Another goal came for Handley Wood after AFC were unable to clear their lines from a corner. Now Dronfield started to get into the game with good work in the defence from Harry Linaker and captain Alex Bartin. The AFC midfield were able to start helping out with the attack as Handley Wood sat back and Sam Brown produced an excellent header for AFC to go into the break 2-3 down but with hope for the second half.
A great start to the half by AFC ensured a rollercoaster ride for the spectators. Harry Huddart, starting the second half after coming second in the Dronfield Fun Run only minutes before, got on the end of a great
effort from Marcus Wright and sent the ball into the net but was ruled offside. Then another excellent strike from Marcus Wright whistled wide of the post. Against the run of play Handley Wood were awarded a penalty and although in from keeper Josh Hawley got a hand to the ball he could not stop it going in. AFC now needed to chase the game. Marcus Wright broke free onto a ball over the top and slotted home but was just adjudged offside. The AFC midfield worked harder now and great work involving Joe Walker enabled Liam Goodall to break though and send a drilled low cross into the box. Pressure from AFC strikers meant the Handley Wood defence helplessly put the ball into their own net. 3-4. AFC then piled the pressure on ending the match with four strikers up front but were unable to produce an equaliser and
again failed to earn any points. A special mention should go to Brandon Knight who played really well in midfield and Arran Butcher for a Man of the Match performance, man marking the dangerous Handley Wood striker and not allowing him a sniff of goal during the match. Disappointing, but AFC now need to turn good football and possession into goals and points.
G Linaker (Ace Reporter)
***
Sunday March 14th
Middlewood Rovers 1 - 0 AFC Dronfield
Only the Lonely ...
.. sang Roy Orbision, and only the hard-hearted and cynical would say AFC Dronfield U13’s deserved to lose this Sunday! The U13’s squad met fourth place Middlewood Rovers for the second occasion this season, on a buckled tea tray of a pitch away. Last time out in September, a cocky Middlewood fairly walked their way to victory against a complacent AFC at home, seemingly oblivious to the threat of the promoted side. This time it was an entirely different story. With three consecutive losses behind the AFC side, fans could be forgiven for thinking that the fight had all but gone out of this promising group of lads. U13’s started however as they meant to go on with sharp and constructive play that gave Middlewood little space to manoeuvre, the physically bigger side clearly outgunned in midfield by Sam Brown and Liam Goodall. Any Middlewood attacking play was dealt with soundly by a pimped AFC defense led by Captain Alex Bartin, clearly upping their game to meet the opposition. With 22 minutes gone, a melee in the box led to a lucky strike by Middlewood, threading through our defensive line and out of the reach of keeper Josh Hawley’s gloves, to claim the one and only goal of the match. AFC piled on the pressure for an answer, forcing Middlewood a few minutes later to almost concede an own goal, in a desperate bid for clearance. Chances and shots on target came and went for the AFC boys who followed through into the second session with a determined attitude that made management and supporters proud. Time and again however shots found the wrong side of the woodwork and a hugely unlucky Sam Brown was not rewarded for a game attempt to head home an equaliser, for what was clearly, the best side on the pitch.
A frustrated, and at times mardy, Middlewood side took out their aggression in a series of badly judged challenges that did them no favours. For AFC’s part, Harry Linaker again showed his worth, making a plain nuisance of himself to Middlewood attacks down the right, and Joe Walker was as good as two lads twice his size on the left, tirelessly chasing down a harrassed opposition.
Management however heaped praise on the whole squad for their efforts, playing some of their best football in weeks that had Middlewood fairly ring-fenced for the entire match; the boys were simply plain unlucky not to come away with the points for their tenacity.
***
Sunday March 7th
AFC Dronfield 2 - 4 Charnock Ridgeway
AFC U13’s made heavy work of their meeting with Charnock Ridgeway at home. Charnock opened the scoring, but AFC struck back with a neat chip from Liam Goodall outwitting the Charnock keeper a minute later. The score remained level until just before half time when a dual blow: an AFC own goal coupled with another from Charnock, culminated in a 3 - 1 deficit. AFC regrouped and at times displayed some fine play, but chances went awry and even a last minute goal from Harry Huddart couldn’t keep the home side from their 3rd straight defeat.
***
Sunday February 28th
AFC Dronfield 2 - 4 Aston Juniors
Despite sustained efforts, AFC Dronfield U13’s couldn’t quite make their chances count against Division high-flyers, Aston Juniors, at home. AFC poached one goal, a fine Liam Goodall dink in the first half, that was otherwise an uphill battle against Aston’s aggressive play. The second session saw a resurgent U13’s pressurize Aston, but all except a late goal from Harry Huddart, numerous efforts fell wide of the mark to leave the homeboys at a loss.
***
Sunday February 14th
Handley Wood 3 - 1 AFC Dronfield
AFC Dronfield U13’s suffered a disappointing loss away to Handley Wood in a match where the boys allowed events to run away from them. After a promising start with an inspired chip from Liam Goodall finding goal after just 3 minutes, AFC failed to grasp the opportunity and fell behind before half time. Diligent refereeing and spate of injuries made for a choppy second session on a difficult pitch, seeing Handley consolidate their lead further.
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Sunday February 7th
AFC Dronfield 5 - 3 Ecclesall Rangers
Dr Jekyll .. and Mr Hyde ...
The first game for U13’s in what seems a long, long time, was certainly a game of of two halves, AFC facing Ecclesall Rangers, the only team they've already met this season, and the boys remembering the shallow victory Rangers claimed against a lacklustre AFC before Christmas.
Clumsy play by Ecclesall fell in AFC’s favour however in the opening minutes, as a handball delivered a gift of a penalty to Scott Havenhand, who never looked like missing, to leave the home boys ahead after 3 minutes. With Ecclesall on the back foot, AFC ploughed forward with some of the best flowing football seen from them this season. Special praise to an on-form Harry Linaker, who despite pressure held the play in AFC’s favour time and again. A barrage of U13’s shots on target, resulted in a second for AFC from a persistent Harry Huddart, with a well judged volley in the 15th minute. As the first half closed, Ecclesall looked a team under siege, Harry Huddart claiming his second and AFC’s third to go into the break, a seemingly unassailable, 3-nil up.
The beginning of the second half however, was an entirely different story with one spectator questioning - “Have we just got worse .. or have they got a whole lot better?” The conclusion was that U13’s were guilty of the ultimate footballing sin: They had taken their eye off the ball. A re-booted Ecclesall pressed forward and, finding a complacent AFC defence, proceeded to score 3 goals back, leaving the match all square again with just 15 minutes to play. On a wave of AFC management ’advice’ from the sidelines, all credit to the boys they regrouped and found their shape. Midfield ironman Liam Goodall, as ever, showing terrier tenacity on the ball and Messers Brown, Butcher & Walker putting in good coverage to get the ball where it needed to be. The boys work paid off a few minutes later with Scott Havenhand being in the right place at the right time, scoring a 4th for AFC and giving the boys a much needed boost. Credit to Alex Willis for again showing his mettle in defence against an aggressive Ranger’s forward and giving as good as he got, stemming any hope of a wind of change for Ecclesall. The visitors, caught in between AFC’s Jekyll and Hyde persona’s, looked baffled and all that was left was for Marcus Wright to slip virtually beneath their defence, and seal the deal with a 5th for AFC in the closing minutes.
All in all a rollercoaster ride for players, management and supporters alike, that happily came good in the end. No doubt the lesson learned for next time: Don’t let the lads drink anything ‘funny’ at half time!
***
Sunday December 13th
AFC Dronfield U13’s Cup dreams came to a nightmare end away to A
Division Milmoor Juniors on Sunday. Despite Milmoor taking a first
half lead, it looked all to play for with AFC’s Scott Havenhand
delivering an equaliser a few minutes into the second session. However
U13’s buckled under sustained pressure from the top division side to
see them bow out in the 4th Round of the Tesco Cup.
***
Sunday November 22nd
Ecclesall Rangers 2 - 1 AFC Dronfield
What should've been ...
A rather disappointing time was had this Sunday with AFC Dronfield U13’s never really hitting their groove away to Ecclesall Rangers. Snippets of good play mingled with indifference as the boys squandered the chance of an easy 3 points against an entirely beatable Ecclesall, on a windy but, wholly playable day.
A lack lustre first half seemed to have been rescued by a fine battle and shot from Scott Havenhand finding goal for AFC after 28 minutes. However the boys failed to seize the impetus and an opportune Rangers knicked back an equaliser two minutes later, leaving the teams all square at half time.
The second half brought a little more spark about U13’s but the team were definitely not firing on all cylinders, most attacking play ending fruitlessly time and again. Ecclesall claimed the winner 10 minutes into the second half despite regular stand-in keeper, Alex Bartin’s, full-stretch effort. AFC’s play gained some momentum in the closing quarter, with renewed and spirited efforts from a number of the lads, however it all seemed a day late and a dollar short and time simply run out for the boys.
All in all, despite some flashes, a dull and inadequate performance from an U13’s we have come to expect better from, that may indeed leave AFC boys kicking themselves later in the season. Hopefully sooner than later we will see a return to the imaginative play of recent weeks and U13’s mojo, once again, fully operational.
***
Sunday November 8th
AFC Dronfield 6 - 3 Heeley Boys
Tesco U13's Cup - 3rd Round
AFC through to the last 16 ....
This weekend saw AFC Dronfield’s U13’s 3rd Round match in the Tesco Cup, with the AFC boys quietly confident of pushing on to the next round against Division F leaders, Heeley Boys, however an early opener by the opposition and a series tit for tat goals meant it was an eventful ride to victory.
AFC boys started as they meant to go on, pressing Heeley’s defences, however a successful strike by Heeley after just ten minutes, upped the boys ante. In response Arran Butcher and Marcus Wright battled hard on the wing to secure a feed to Scott Havenhand, who rewarded their effort with an equaliser three minutes later and Scott doubled the difference, nodding home his second after another eight minutes from a precision cross from Harry Huddart. Indeed it looked like it was heading all the homeboys way when a free kick from Scott Havenhand into the box found Heeley in tatters at the back as they battled to clear; Joe Walker making good the opportunity with a clever pot to put AFC two clear. Heeley Boys still had some attacking left and despite good defensive work by AFC, Heeley claimed another, one minute before the break.
Second half brought renewed attacks from Heeley, the visitors briefly succeeding in leveling the score, however ten minutes into the second half the match sustained a brief halt in play due to an altercation and a visiting player was removed by the Heeley coaches for disrespectful behaviour.
After the restart, AFC turned up the gas and a frustrated Heeley offered a number of badly timed challenges, the resulting free kicks further fueling AFC; one particular challenge in the box, resulting in a Scott Havenhand penalty, saw AFC take the lead once again. Credit in the second half went to Harry Linaker for putting in extra on the wing, Alex Bartin, and Brandon Knight for proficient defense and Alex Willis for remaining professional during difficult play. U13’s were to finish in a more upbeat style however with two further AFC goals; a blinding header by Sam Brown, and a fourth for an on-fire Scott Havenhand, from a Marcus Wright cross, to seal their place in the last 16.
Altogether a worthy and resolute win by AFC Dronfield, amidst at times, difficult play and distractions.
***
Sunday October 25th
AFC Dronfield 3 - 3
Throstles JFC
Six Goals, A Hat trick and One Point ...
AFC Dronfield U13’s met Throstles JFC for their home league game this Sunday, AFC fairly confident having beaten the side at both meetings last season; the AFC boys regrouping after last weeks cup defeat, with virtually a full squad, including the return of keeper Josh Hawley, freeing Alex Bartin back into his vital defensive role.
It took AFC a few minutes to get into their stride, with both teams having to cope with the gusty conditions, often giving the match ball a mind of it’s own. However AFC soon took control of the first half with Messers Brown, Walker, Butcher, Linaker, and the birthday boy, Liam Goodall, providing strong coverage; their diligence paying off with Harry Huddart’s good control and finish in the box, giving AFC the lead at the 15 minute mark. With the wind picking up, Throstles keeper struggled to get much distance on goal kicks and taking advantage of the situation AFC pressed on, Harry Huddart poaching a second off a deflected shot by Sam Brown to give them a comfortable two goal lead going into the break.
A clearly frustrated Throstles management and boys opened the second half, pressing AFC defences, Alex’s Willis and Bartin working well to cover the ground; however keeper Josh was beaten a well-placed Throstles chip to open their score tally. Throstles then pushed on, scoring a further two goals, and it looked as if AFC boys may have peaked too soon, however Huddart’s presence in the box a third time, secured a draw for AFC, Harry pouncing on a loosely defended ball and an open goal, to give him his hat trick 5 minutes from time.
Final result 3 - 3. The boys played good football and one point is certainly better than none, however a little more gambling spirit by the U13’s, some cross goal passes and a few more eager feet in the box, may have resulted in three today.
***
Sunday October 18th
Aston Juniors 6 - 0 AFC Dronfield
Cup Match
A disappointing start, and indeed finish, to the league cup this week for AFC Dronfield U13’s away to Aston Juniors. Although Aston’s figures on the score sheet so far this season didn’t look that foreboding, the team were a physical force to be reckoned with in the flesh.
Despite no small effort on the part of the boys from the start, AFC were fairly outgunned by a bigger Aston team, playing aggressive football on a familiar pitch. The first half saw AFC boys forced to mainly defend as Aston’s imposing team had the gross of the attacking possession. Three or four Aston shots fell wide of the mark before they claimed their first goal after 20 minutes play, AFC’s defender, Alex Bartin, taking on the role of keeper for the second week, and Aston claimed another before the half time blow to leave the visitors 2 - 0 down.
Under 13’s tried to regain composure in the second session, and succeeded with a few chances, however Aston’s defence put paid to much of AFC’s attacking play and the visitors were further thwarted by striker Scott Havenhand being taken off sick. Aston put away a further four goals in the second half, highlighting defensive weaknesses. No doubt, both management and boys would prefer these to be limited to a cup match, and would would not wish to see this repeated when they return to league action.
***
Sunday October 11th
AFC Dronfield 3 - 1 Worksop Boys Club FC
Tesco Cup 2nd Round
AFC U13’s met B Division Worksop Boys Club FC in the second round of the Tesco Cup at home on Sunday, the wasp-shirted opposition looking formidable from a distance, and no smaller close to. AFC’s starting team was a little changed with Alex Bartin taking one step forward (or should that be backwards) into the gloves of absent goal-keeper Josh Hawley.
Both teams started keenly, with some members of Worksop’s burly side dwarfing their AFC opposites and the visitors made their presence felt, despite stand-in Alex’ efforts, with an unreachable loft finding AFC’s net after just 5 minutes. An undaunted U13’s restricted the visitors room to manoeuvre and their work paid off; Arran Butcher snatching a goal to bring the score back level in the 13th minute. Worksop looked for chances but never really pressed the home side; AFC going into the break ahead after Scott Havenhand slotted home a lesson in geometry from far left of the box.
In the second half AFC moved up a gear, giving a fine display of flowing football with a profusion of one-two’s, U13’s sturdy midfield making patterns through Worksop Boys and holding possession with precision team work. AFC boys narrowly missed pushing the tally higher with a number of chances, however the home crowd went home satisfied through Sam Brown’s use his imagination with a beautifully judged dipping shot from the half way line closing a fine team effort: 3 - 1 to AFC.
***
Sunday October 4th
AFC Dronfield 6 - 1 Junior Fox’s
As I was saying ...
AFC U13’s were at home to Junior Fox’s, a team who had already scored 17 goals this season and after last weeks AFC home defeat, were maybe expected to claim a few more against AFC. Thankfully however, the U13’s are not big on statistics!
AFC management thought maybe they had the touch of Midas, having told the strikers to shoot on sight, when AFC opened the scoring after barely 40 seconds play; Liam Goodall delivering a well judged ball to Harry Huddart, who dutifully obeyed instructions. An able Junior Fox’s rallied, but never really found form, with AFC dominating from the start; Arran Butcher and Alex Willis in particular, showing determined and gritty form. Sam Brown notched his first league goal of the season, using his height to head home a corner from Scott Havenhand in the 18th minute. Six minutes later, Scott’s tenacity in the box brought a clumsy challenge from Fox’s, resulting in a consummate penalty, bringing AFC’s lead to 3-0 going into the break.
Despite a very vocal call to arms by Fox’s at the interval and a rally of effort, they never really recovered their composure, any shots falling wide of the mark and keeper Josh Hawley remaining well within his comfort zone. Brandon Knight rewarded management’s confidence, following home a sliding cross by Harry Huddart in the 12th minute and demonstrated a textbook lob of Fox’ keeper in the 26th to bring AFC’s tally to five. In the closing minutes Fox’s grabbed one back, a poor clearance playing pin-ball with the woodwork and finding AFC’s net despite Josh Hawley’s best efforts at close quarters. Fox’s had however all but conceded when Scott Havenhand chipped home a final goal to finish it 6-1 to AFC at full-time; a confident and effective AFC making every shot count, banishing the ghosts of last week and making the spectators think it had just been a bad dream.
***
Sunday September 27th
AFC Dronfield 0 - 4 Middlewood Rovers
No Quarter ...
On paper this Sunday’s U13’s match, seemed a fairly well matched game; an on form AFC pitted against promoted Middlewood Rovers at home. The story, however, did not go as smoothly.
Possession in the first quarter of the game fell fairly evenly, with the home side alert to early breaks by Middlewood; AFC’s defence staying on top of any half chances by the visitors. At 0-0, 25 minutes into play however, AFC seemed to get a little complacent and, leaving the visitors far too much time and space to play with, Middlewood followed home a loft from midfield to claim the game’s first goal. A roused AFC mustered an able response, but failed to stop the visitors putting away another goal a minute before the half-time break, to leave AFC 2 down.
A stiff lecture at half-time, brought AFC out in retaliatory mood, but early chances went wide of the mark and Middlewood further added to AFC woes with a third goal within ten minutes. To the U13’s credit they knuckled down, but despite a strong fight back and a control of the possession, luck was certainly against the homeboys in the last quarter. In spite of half a dozen shots on target, AFC failed to score, a stressed crowd watching an opportune Middlewood put in a fourth goal and further AFC shots find the woodwork or slip agonisingly wide. Final score - 4-0 to Middlewood.
AFC boys should perhaps pay heed to the saying, “No quarter asked - No quarter given” , and leave no room for mercy next time. Nor perhaps, complacency.
AFC took on Barnsley’s Darfield JFC away in their first league game proper today and showed how far a little determination will go.
Darfield opened strongly, taking the lead after just 3 minutes with a cleanly taken goal. AFC scrabbled a little, not helped by the loss of midfield presence Sam Brown to an ankle injury ten minutes in. Allowing the home side a little too much space and failing to retain much constructive possession, the boys looked like the game may run away from them. However U13’s kept up the effort and a rare first half chance was converted to a sound equaliser by Scott Havenhand from a cross in by Marcus Wright at the 20 minute mark. An unbowed Darfield turned up the pressure and kept AFC busy, Ben Agar and Jack O’Shea providing proficient defense, with Alex Willis persistently outgunning his opposite number in a show of strength. Keeper Josh Hawley was not spared conflict either, on several occasions having to take brave action outside his area to stem the challenges at source before the halt-time reprieve.
Darfield came out in the second half with players and management still confident of a home win, however their optimism was short lived as stalwart midfielder Liam Goodall found himself breezing past their defense in the box and scoring to put AFC ahead after just 4 minutes back on the field. Ten minutes later Harry Huddart’s shot found the roof of the net from a generous pass across the box by Scott Havenhand. AFC moved into a higher gear; Arran Butcher, Joe Walker and Liam Goodall cleverly threading balls through a ragged Darfield. Harry Huddart returned Scott’s favour in the 21st minute with a neat cross, Scott cheekily popping home his own keeper-deflected shot second time lucky, to make it an unreachable 4-1 for the visitors. A final penalty, drawn from a frustrated foul by Darfield, gave Scott Havenhand his hat-trick and a 5 - 1 win to AFC.
***
Sunday September 13th
AFC Dronfield 4 - 3 Ward Green
Tesco Cup 1st Round
It’s not over ...
Sunday saw the start of the 2009/10 season for AFC Dronfield U/13’s with a home cup match against Barnsley’s, Ward Green. AFC, much the same squad as last year, barring the signing of new defender, Ben Agar, took an early lead in the first half with an oportunist goal from Joe Walker. Last seasons top goal scorer, Scott Havenhand, added a second for AFC five minutes later, with a fine dipping chip shot, cleverly catching Wards keeper off his line. A keen Ward Green upped their game and, with the wind on their side, got two goals back, one following a defensive mix-up, to leave the score even at half time.
The second half saw Ward Green come out strongly, battling through to take the lead with a third goal. With only ten minutes left to play it looked as if AFC may not continue to the next round. A clever management change of formation, brought in a third centre forward, Brandon Knight and AFC clearly looked like there was fight in them yet. Added pressure on Ward Green, forced a series of clumsy challenges, resulting in a trio of free kicks for the home side, shaking Wards resolve. AFC grabbed the upperhand, Brandon Knight netting a beautiful half volley to equalise with six minutes left to play.
With Ward Green running out of steam and ideas, AFC continued their momentum, avoiding the need for extra time with Scott Havenhand bagging the winner with a last minute screamer off a lovely through ball from Arran Butcher.
Fabulous start and a deserved 4-3 win for a confident and determined AFC Under 13 squad.
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