Under 18 Team Match Reports for Season 2009-2010

Wednesday 28th April 2010 - Ridgeons Youth League Cup - quarter final
Brantham Athletic  1 - 0  Felixstowe & Walton United    (1-0)
An 18th minute goal from Adam Sturman saw Southern Division Champions Brantham Athletic through to the semi-finals where they will visit Norwich United next Thursday 6th May.
Both sides created openings in the first half with Mackenzie and Taylor both going close for the Seasiders and Hewitt cleared Thompson's shot of the Felixstowe goal-line before Sturman volleyed home from the edge of the area for what proved to be the winning goal.
After the interval the home side created a number of opportunities to increase the lead but despite Thompson going close several times and Cooper denied by the alert Noon in the Seasiders goal the second goal could not be found and the visitors with Taylor and Galley providing width and attacking options always looked capable of finding a reply. A good spell for the Seasiders saw Hewitt, Dawson and McCullum all go close as the game drew to a close but Welton in the home goal was not to be beaten and Brantham deservedly progressed to the semi-final where we wish them well.
This was the final game for the Seasiders who have had an excellent season and have been a pleasure to watch. Congratulations to all the players and Management team - well done and enjoy the close season.

Thursday 22nd April 2010 - Ridgeons Youth League Central Division
Debenham LC  2 - 2  Felixstowe & Walton United   (2-1)
The Seasiders finished the game strongly with Josh Hewitt's left foot strike from the edge of the Debenham area 13 minutes from time earning a point for the under 18s as they completed this season's league programme. George McCallum had put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot, given for hand-ball, after ten minutes with Jamie Cole equalising for the home side on the half hour with a low drive from the edge of the area. Paul Cartright found himself in space on the right moments before half time and coolly placed his placed his shot wide of Noon to give Debenham a deserved half time lead.
Noon saved twice from Bultitude as the home side continued to take the game to Felixstowe after the break but failed to extend their lead. The Seasiders upped their game in the last quarter with Chilvers in the home goal saving from the impressive Galley before Hewitt volleyed home the equaliser on 77 minutes. Chilvers was well behind a Galley shot in injury time as the visitors finished strongly with the draw a fair result.

Team: Noon, Wainwright, Boggis, Hewitt, Butcher (capt), Barber (White), Dawson (Curle), Galley, McCallum, Mackenzie, Taylor.

Last game of a long league season and our 5^th away game on the trot, with Debenham this time being our hosts along with a very hard pitch with cracks appearing just like a test match wicket after 4 days, so again another stern test for the boys who have only lost  2 out of the 14 games they have played since the turn of the year which includes the home defeat to Debenham, a last minute killer goal doing us that night.

Within minutes of the start Debenham make a loose pass the ball goes to Barbs out on the right wing he puts a fine ball through to Matt who finds himself through on goal his shot lacks a bit of bite and the keeper dives and saves, a good chance to take a early lead is gone.
Mackenzie is seeing a lot of the ball and gets a good cross in from the right which Galley arrives on just a bit late and  the ball comes off his stretched leg and the danger passes.

Debenham get into their stride and Keifer has a good turn and shot that whistles over our bar. Felixstowe continue to control most of the play on a very difficult surface with the name of the game move the ball quickly and don’t try to do too much. A Butch cross is nicked on by Alex and strikes a Debenham players hand, the Ref awards a penalty (bit harsh) but we take it, George steps up and sends the keeper the wrong way  1-0 .

Weenie gets into the act and a deep high cross causes distress in our opponents box before a home boot finally gets it away. Dan Galley who has been in great form for us since his arrival makes a strong run down the left but his cross goes just behind. We win a series of corners and from the last Matt turns but shoots wide as we strive for the second goal Whizz gets his toe on the end of a Galley pass and steers it past the keeper but also just past the post. Dan and Matt exchange passes before Matt gets a shot off under pressure but it goes straight to the keeper.

We dawdle on the ball in midfield, Adam is disposed the ball is laid out to Debenhams Cole on the left of our area and he steers it into the net to put the home side back into a match we looked to be in control of. The Debenham central midfield begin to dominate as we stand off and let them play once again we are surrounded by much taller players and need to make our presence felt.

Weenie gets in another good cross, Matt is on the end of it but does not make good contact and the ball is cleared. Galley again builds up steam and ends the run with a shot that zips past the post, Adam gets a great ball out to Barbs who produces a good cross that is cleared and Debenham go on the counter attack and win a corner which is fired in and just clears the far post.

It is really back and forth we are not playing well but it still needs a headed clearance off the line to stop a Mackenzie header from putting us back in the lead. Despite all our efforts on goal Debenham take the lead a miscued shot from the edge of our area veers to the right, finds the Debenham right winger totally on his own and he finishes well lifting the ball over Tom’s head.

Ht 1-2  

Clarkeys half time talk is fair but to the point, we are putting the effort in but the Football is not upto recent weeks and everyone needs to start communicating or we are going to end the league season on a sour note.  

Felixstowe start well and Whizz flashes a cross right across the face of the goal, but Debenham are well up for the fight and Keifer produces a good low shot from the edge of our area that Noon does well to dive and push around the post for a corner, The corner comes and a header is cleared off the line by Weenie.

Clarkey changes the format Hewitt moves into midfield leaving 3 at the back and Josh soon creates a chance he lobs a pass into Dan who challenges with the keeper the ball goes loose but also past the post. The 3 at the back all find themselves over on our right and can not stop a pass that finds the Kiefer in acres of space on our left and it takes a great blocking save from Tom to keep us in the match.

Taylor gets away down the right produces a great cross which Dan strikes well and brings a good save out of the Debenham Keeper. Curle replaces the injured Dawson and Butch moves into central midfield, he soon gets in the action and is brought down after a run, he take’s the free kick himself it floats into the area players contest the ball and it falls to Hewitt who smacks it into the net for the equalizer 2-2

With time running out Galley gets in one more shot that is again well saved.

Full Time 2-2

So a much improved 2^nd half performance gives the boys a well earned point in what was a very entertaining match especially in the 2^nd period with a draw a fair result on the night.

MOM must go to Dan Galley for a non stop performance closely followed by Tom Noon who made some very good stops.
So well done to Andy and the two Kevs and all the boys for the work they have put in to provide a very entertaining and successful league season.
And who knows the Ridgeons youth league  cup is still up for grabs. 

Ps don’t always say this but well done to last nights Ref (O Davies) he had a very solid game.

Tuesday 13th April 2010 - Ridgeons Youth League Central Division
Ipswich Wanderers  0 - 2  Felixstowe & Walton United   (0-1)
The Under 18s moved above Wanderers to third in the table on goal difference following a 2-0 win at Humberdoucy Lane. Matt Mackenzie scored the opener three minutes before the interval with Adam Dawson confirming the win seven minutes from time. Tom Noon made a good save on the hour as Wanderers threatened during a good spell for the home side but the Seasiders with a good all round team performance deservedly claimed the points. They will be hoping that injuries to Egerton and Clover, both carried from the field, are not serious.

Team: Noon, Curle, Boggis, Hewitt, Butcher (capt), Taylor, McCallum, Dawson, Galley (Wainwright), Clover (Egerton) (White), Mackenzie. 

After the disappointing performance at Fram despite winning the boys faced a tough fixture at 2^nd in the table Ipswich Wanderers, again a good following of around 30 had made the journey to cheer the team on.
The pitch looked very dry and was to prove a difficult surface to play any sort of passing Football on. 

Matt starts things off he makes a run across of field passes to Dan who find Liam on the overlap he shoots with power but the ball sails over the bar. Noon is soon in the action and handles a difficult cross on his line well that comes in high from our left. Its back and forth with both teams looking capable, Dawson takes a short corner to Liam his cross is cleared to the waiting Maca who volleys over.

As is the norm these days, the steady Hewitt is clearing and covering all the dangers at the back, while going forward Dan sets Kyle away down the left he controls waits his time and gets in a good cross which Mackenzie gets his foot to but spoons the shot past the far post. Although we are having the early strikes on goal Wanderers look sharp on the break with both teams trying to play Footy on a very bumpy surface.
Matt chases a lost cause as the ball goes down the right he pinches it on the by line from the defender and get in a good cross,  MaCallum coming in hits if first time with the goal gaping but again the effort does not test the keeper and flies over.  

The impressive Galley makes a determined run down the left beats off 2 challenges and fires in a good cross that is defended by a very good headed clearance. He follows this with another strong run this time shoots himself but misses the target low past the post. Felixstowe are in control but still have not tested the Wanderers keeper.
Maca and Josh are having some fine moments while Dawson is very busy and gets in a long shot that does find the target but the keeper gets right behind it and takes with ease.

Kyle receives the ball in the middle of the pitch turns and passes then slumps to the ground, concern from the stands and bench, after having a very steady start to the game he is carried from  the pitch, I understand now it is a ligament problem and we will have to see if he takes part in any more action this season. Reg comes on returning himself from a recent injury, straight swop up top.  

A lot of our passes are speeding through off the surface to the Wanderers keeper as all our early pressure does not give us a score advantage. Wanderers strike back a forward twists and turns in our area and gets off a shot but Tom takes well.
Mackenzie has a effort deflected over the bar, before Hewitt makes a good interception he finds Butch with a nice pass who makes ground down the wing he is tackled and the ball falls to Reg who again feeds it out to Liam this time he gets his cross in Matt receives with his back to goal turns and with his left peg slots the ball to the keeper’s left and into the goal. 1-0 just before half time. 

Weenie is on for the injured Dan Galley who had a good first half, Butch goes to left mid  with Weenie in at left back. Boggy is soon in action as Wanderers start well making a good headed block from a dangerous looking cross. Wanderers apply the pressure as we take some time to settle after the break and the changes to our line up. Tom is on top of his game tonight and saves well at his near post following a corner.

We start to settle again and first Liam gets a cross in from the left which provides chances for both Matt and Alex  but the keeper and good defending keep them out, Before Wennie floats in a long high pass Matt knocks on and Whizz has a effort that the keeper saves into his body. Adam Dawson is covering a lot of ground tonight and cracks in a shot from our right from the edge of the area that just clears the bar. The game gets quite physical as both teams put in some solid challenges. Tom is called upon again as he races out to block a good through ball and then makes a top save to keep us in front as he blocks a point blank shot from a Wanderers player who finds himself space in our area. The resulting corner is plucked from the sky by Tom. 

Matt breaks through and is one on one with the keeper going to his right he prods the ball left the keeper makes a great save and the score remains 1-0. The defence with Seb and Boggy are also having good nights defending well against a Wanderers team getting more desperate as time goes by. Reg receives a good ball races into the Wanderers area but has close attention from a defender he goes down with a shriek of pain and becomes our 3^rd injury of the night again I understand ligament problems our best wishes to all 3 and wish them a quick return.

The green booted White comes on and Whizz goes up front. Butch continues to supply crosses from the left the latest is headed wide by Mac, but his next cross is powerfully converted by a  good header from Dawson, everyone thinks it has gone wide due to lack of celebrations but its in and 2-0

Wanderers keep going and flash a shot just wide of our post and the game finishes with Taylor making a strong run that takes the pressure off. Our 3^rd away win on the trot but more important a very good performance from all the squad but at a bit of a price with the injuries we have had.

Many candidates for MOM, Tom Noon had a very good game but my choice is Adam Dawson who worked tirelessly all over the pitch.
Well done to all the team for the work they have put in since the New Year to turn this season around.

Thursday 8th April 2010 - Ridgeons Youth League Central Division
Framlingham Town  1 - 2  Felixstowe & Walton United   (0-1)
Matt Mackenzie's second goal with the last kick of the game saw the Seasiders collect all three points from a close game at Framlingham Town.

Team: Dawson, Wainwright, Hewitt, Boggis, Butcher (Capt ), Taylor, McCallum, Galley, Barber ( Sutton), Mackenzie, Clover (White).
Sub not used Curle. 

Adam Dawson replaced Tom Noon in goal missing due to work commitments but otherwise the squad was mainly the boys who put in such a good performance at Thetford plus Sutton who joined our bench. 

With both Big and little Kev absent,  I joined Clarkey to watch the game from the bench he was very upbeat and stated that he thought with a early goal, we could go on and get double figures  against a Fram team that had held us to a draw at Dellwood but had only the bear 11 players on their team sheet for tonight’s game. 

The pitch looked in very good condition and we started well getting our passing game going early and it was not long before a Weenie cross found Barbs at the back post he managed a shot but it went high and wide when he had time to do better. Fram are more than up for the game and get in the first shot on target, Adam is right behind it and takes with ease.
It’s quite amazing but out of our 11 starters 9 are left footed, this is not ideal as all the early play is down the left with Taylor not getting a look in on the right and the team looking slightly unbalanced.  

The ball is like a hot potato too many boys making passes without looking and lots of 5-10 yard passes going astray. Butch gets down the left wing crosses and Mats effort is deflected over, as we try to get things moving. Barber hits one that comes out from a corner but the shot is easily covered by the keeper, Fram are quicker to the ball and their big no 6 is controlling much of the midfield as well as having a few efforts on our goal, the latest flies over causing Adam no problems.

Weenie and Dan combine and a cross comes over Matt is free 6 yards out, but shoots directly at the keeper who manages to kick the ball clear, a great chance missed and you begin to wonder if it is going to be one of those nights. Whizz finally gets in the game exchanges passes with Mackenzie and is through but his shot cum lob is easily taken by the keeper. He follows this by blazing over when off balance as we start to look a bit more dangerous.

We finally take the lead Dan puts Matt in on the right and he calmly steers the ball past the keeper to give us the lead  1-0. Everyone thinks we should now go on and win this game with ease and we nearly double our lead as Taylor puts Butch in down the left he puts in a good cross but Matt's shot is straight at the keeper, half time comes with the game very much still in the balance.

Clarkey is honest and calmly tells the boys that to many are having their poorest game for a long while and they need to pick it up all round. 

We start the 2^nd period with Maca who has had a quite game giving a good ball to Butch his cross is again met by Mackenzie whose volley is deflected wide. Fram are far from giving up and they win a free kick on our left, the ball is floated in Adam comes the defenders just watch and a Fram player rises and nods in for the equalizer 1-1 no more than they deserve for all the hard work they have put in. Sutton comes on for Kyle who has found it a difficult night, Hewitt moves into midfield with Dan going to his favoured spot on the left and Alex going up front.  

We are not playing well, plenty of effort but no guile and some are beginning to get on the Refs back rather than worry about their own game. Matt heads wide after a Weenie cross, as the Fram players begin to drop with cramp and they have spells with only 9 or 10 men on the pitch. Josh wriggles through and gets off a shot that is well saved as the game heads for a draw.
With the last attack of the game Taylor knocks on down the right Mackenzie holds off a strong challenge and fires across the keeper for the winning goal 2-1.
Heartbreak for the Fram team who have put their all into this game and relief for our boys as they finally secure all 3 points with a hard working performance that lacked a lot of the pass and movement of previous weeks.  

Andy’s MOM was Josh another sound performance, but with the cup game coming up and the possibility of playing the strong Brantham outfit a much better performance from all will be required. Goals win games and my MOM was Matt Mackenzie yes he could have had more but his two strikes where clinical and in the end won the game for us. 

Finally a big thank you to the parents and club officials who made the journey to give us so much support.

Monday 29th March 2010 - Ridgeons Youth League Central Division
Thetford Town  1 - 6  Felixstowe & Walton United   (0-4)
A first half hat-trick from Matt Mackenzie set the Under 18s on their way to three points at a rain soaked Recreation Ground this evening.
The Seasiders opened strongly and when Galley's well struck shot cannoned back of a post in the second minute Mackenzie was on hand to stroke home the rebound. Noon produced a double save from Mills on 14 minutes as the home side created their first clear opening before Clover doubled the visitors lead a minute later turning home Dawson's pass from six  yards. Having forced his way into the Felixstowe area Fisher fired his shot from close range against a post and the home sides best opportunity of the half had gone. Mackenzie controlled the ball on his chest to volley home his second from the edge of the area ten minutes before the break and on the stroke of half-time completed his hat-trick with a shot from outside the area.
Mills pulled a goal back for the home side on 67 minutes as the rain came down even harder but less then a minute later Clover regained the four goal margin and Dawson completed a nine man move and the scoring with 20 minutes remaining. Lewis saw his well struck shot hit the bar and bounce clear as the home side continued to work hard in the poor conditions but on the night the Seasiders were worthy winners.

Team: Noon, Curle (Wainwright), Hewitt, Boggis, Butcher, Taylor (White), MaCallum, Dawson capt ( Barber), Mackenzie, Clover.

Nothing against Norfolk but Thetford on a wet and windy Monday night is about as bad as it gets in U18s Ridgeons fixtures, surely Thetford are not far off being in the northern section and talking to some of their people afterwards they share the same opinion.
Butcher returned for his first start for a while at left back with Weenie having a break while the rest of the team was the same as the last outing at Leiston. 

An early corner is powerfully headed just over by Clover as Felixstowe get away to a quick start unlike the previous couple of weeks, and soon take the lead Galley down the left produces a well struck shot it hits the near post and Mackenzie is on hand to the rebound to finish and give us the lead.

Corners continue to come and a Dawson in swinger is cleared of the line leaving Boggy on the ground with a knock to his head, Little Kev is on for the first time with his first aid, the start of a busy night for him. Thetford are a big strong team and start to win the loose balls, and are using this size to knock our boys off the ball and they come close when the centre forward breaks through our middle but a mix of a Butch challenge and a Noon save keeps him at bay.
Adam has no right to win a ball out on the right but does and his near post cross is tucked away by Kyle to extend our lead 2-0 and give us some breathing space.

Dan and Kyle combine on the left both have chances to shoot and when Dan does his shot cum cross is put away at the far post by Taylor but the flag is up for off side. The big burly Mills from Thetford again barges through our defence but fires over, this game is far from finished as Thetford start to take a grip. We are good on the break and Seb and Adam interchange passes on the right before Sebs cross if headed just wide of the far post by Matt. The play goes back to our end and again we fail to make a challenge the Thetford no 11 finds himself with the goal gaping, from two yards out he smashes a shot that hits the post and somehow rebounds back across our line and goes out for a goal kick on the other side of the six yard box.
It is perhaps the worst miss I have ever seen and could have put Thetford right back in the game. Mills again walks past a couple of our defenders on the right and is pulled down just outside the area the free kick is saved well by Tom.

We attack and  Matt breaks through gets off a half shot under pressure that just goes past the post. Curle has to clear for a corner with a last ditch effort, the resulting corner is lobbed over our bar as we continue to be second  to the ball and not fully committed into the tackle. Seb takes the full force of studs to his chest which results in him having to retire and also a booking for the late challenge by the Thetford player. Weenie replaces the unfortunate Seb who has been showing good form of late.

The rain is now very heavy as Weenies first contribution is a cross that is controlled by Matt under pressure he gets his shot in and it sails past the keeper to give us a rather fortunate 3-0 lead but as a game I think this one is now over. 
Whizz has a effort well saved by the keeper and a Dawson corner is scrambled away. Josh Hewitt is doing his normal covering work and making some good passes while Butch is getting stuck into some solid tackles as we begin to look a lot more in control at the back.

Weenie gets air sick as he fires over before Galley’s hard work down the left wins a corner which Adam flashes across the area. Weenie again combines with Dawson he crosses to Mackenzie who tees himself up and fires home for his hat trick from just inside the area. 4-0
The half finishes with Tom having to deal with a couple of long shots and Kyle shooting just over from 25 yards after a Dawson free kick is charged down.

The 2^nd period starts with torrential rain and with the chance of the referee calling it a day but we get on with it and Hewitt is on hand to make a great stopping tackle as Thetford to their credit start strong. But Felixstowe continue to probe down both wings, Whizz wins a free kick from a good run on the right edge of the area, Dawson’s Free kick is headed wide by Mackenzie.

Thetford strike back as a corner slips from Toms hands not surprising in this weather and a Thetford player is on hand to tuck it in  4-1 but their glimmer of hope is straight away snuffed out when a Dan Galley shot is deflected to Kyle who fires in his second of the night to make it 5-1

Butcher and Galley are combining well down the left and it is credit to the boys that they are trying still to pass the ball in such poor conditions. What follows is a very good passage of play it starts on the left with Butch to Galley, Kyle gets involved before the ball makes its way to the right via Whizz who picks out Weenie his pass finds Adam who gets to the by line before he side foots it into the net from a extreme angle 6-1 and Weenies 3^rd assist ( is that correct Weenie)

Butch does a double bit of trickery inside our own half which comes off and is entertaining as Barbs comes on for Adam and Tom White for Alex, the boys continue to play some good flowing football but the final ball or cross is poor.  

It is Thetford who have the next effort a great shot from outside our area smashes down off the bar and bounces out to safety. Barber wins a corner after a great pass to him from Matt and Thetford flash a shot wide. The game ends on a sour note as Boggy is felled by a very late and dangerous tackle especially on this surface, the Thetford boy is lucky the ref only books him as Boggy is helped from the pitch hopefully not to injured as he has had a great run of games. 

A very impressive performance in poor conditions against a team who where very much up for it at the start. MOM difficult one for me with Matt  getting a few goals and Dan Galley getting through a lot of good work as well as taking some very heavy tackles but I must go for the very impressive Josh Hewitt who continues to impress.

Thursday 25th March 2010 - Ridgeons Youth League Central Division
Leiston  2 - 0  Felixstowe & Walton United   (1-0)
The under 18s were defeated at top of the table Leiston ending an excellent run of eight games unbeaten.

TEAM: Noon, Curle, Hewitt, Boggis, Wainwright ( Butcher ), Taylor, McCallum, Dawson (capt ) ( Sutton ), Galley, Mackenzie, Clover ( Barber)
Subs not used: White  

The second game this week against the league leaders away was always going to be a difficult hurdle to keep the clubs 22 match unbeaten run at  1st  / Res and U18s intact.
As Woodbridge did, the Leiston boys came out of the blocks fast and looked strong and busy putting us on the back foot from the start.
On a greasy pitch Tom soon has to make a stop at the near post, but is given no chance when from a corner the ball comes out to the opposing centre forward who places his shot well to give Leiston a deserved lead. 

We continue to soak up the pressure and prevent Leiston from any clear chances and as in previous weeks start to get a foothold in the game, Matt gets round the defence on our right but puts his shot into the side netting.
Kyle wins a free kick but Mackenzie’s effort lacks power and the keeper takes with ease. Half time comes and we go in just one down in a half that was mainly dominated by our opponents. 

Leiston continue in the same vein and early in the 2^nd period strike our post when a player breaks through clear on our goal. Taylor starts to warm up and a good turn and shot makes the Leiston keeper save at the near post. But Leiston strike again a good floated free kick is met well by the tall midfield player and his header is true and straight and the lead is doubled.
The injured Wainwright makes way for Butcher and Barber replaces Clover with Whizz going up front with Matt.  

Seb Curle makes a great goal line clearance to keep us in the game when a goal looked certain and the game starts to turn. Mackenzie and Whizz start to get going, Alex through ball to Matt, ball just goes away from him as he shoots and the keeper saves. A cracking shot from the edge of the area from Mackenzie is then superbly tipped over the bar as Felixstowe start to find gaps in the Leiston defence.
Sutton comes on for Adam and Josh moves to midfield, Seb is doing some sterling work at the back as the resolute Felixstowe look for a way back into this game.
Taylor and Butch both have good crosses from the left which are cut out or missed by all in the area. Dan Galley puts Alex through but his shot is deflected past the post for a corner.
We are tearing great holes in the right side of the Leiston defence, but the ball is just not falling for us in our opponents area. Josh gets a flicked header to a corner but the ball just evades us as we lunge in for the finishing touch.

With time running out Whizz is again through on the left, finds Matt with a pass who has only to tap in but somehow the keeper gets involved and keeps the ball out before it is cleared.
Final whistle goes and the points go to Leiston, but we have shown grit in the last 30 mins and have given Leiston some uneasy moments and cause for concern. 
Perhaps on the night we went off at the wrong pace and our final ball and cross was not up to the normal standard. 

MOM the fish and chips at Aldeburgh I was treated to before the game by the missus,  Lovely.

Monday 22nd March 2010 - Ridgeons Youth League Central Division
Felixstowe & Walton United   3 - 2  Woodbridge Town   (0-2)
The under 18s came from behind at the interval to extend their unbeaten run to eight games.
The woodpeckers held a comfortable two goal lead at half time with goals from Seaman and Baldry with the Seasiders raising their game in the second half to finish strongly and gain all three points. George McCallum scored from the penalty spot to encourage the home side and after Matt Mackenzie forced his way passed two tackles to stroke home the equaliser George McCallum rifled home his second from the edge of the area to confirm the win.

TEAM: Noon, Sutton ( Butcher), Hewitt, Boggis, Wainwright, Barber ( Mackenzie), Dawson (capt), McCallum, Galley, Taylor, Clover.
Sub not used: Curle

A local derby with Woodbridge is one of those fixtures the boys always look forward to and this game was no exception. Woodbridge go off like a train swift up front and with plenty of movement throughout the midfield and pour on the early pressure and it is no surprise when Seaman receives the ball on the edge and in the middle of our area turns nicely and thumps home the ball to give Woodbridge a very early lead.

It takes some time but the boys work their way back into the game  and get some good possession which wins them a corner. The deft foot of Adam produces a good cross to the near post but the clearance is made. Galley soon gets into his stride down the left and wins another corner, this time Dawson’s cross is not dealt with and the ball is free in the area for a time until scrambled clear, a chance wasted in a half that was to offer very few.

Felixstowe are having a good spell and McCallum fires a free kick wide of the left post from a good position just outside the area. We are beginning to get closer to the Woodbridge players and they look a bit unsettled at the back. But on the attack it is a different story a quick break with some nice passing and a good through ball finds Baldry in our area he turns goes past our last man and fires past Noon who has no chance, Woodbridge go 2 up and it looks very ominous.

We settle and Dawson fires a fee kick again wide without giving the keeper any trouble, Barbs wins another corner after a good through ball is put behind, it comes to nothing and the midfield battle continues with Felixstowe working hard to hold the fast movement and intent of the swift Woodbridge players. Whizz Taylor gets free but is clattered outside the area by the opposing keeper who is booked,  Dawson’s free kick is taken cleanly by the keeper.

The black and whites finish strongly with some good possession and their left back has a good effort from 25yds that just goes over our bar.
HT 0-2

Manager Clarke brings on Mackenzie fresh from county duty and first team appearances Liam Barber makes way for him. Mac make’s a immediate impact winning a corner down the left after a strong run and from the corner George screws his shot wide. The ever willing Galley makes a strong determined run seeing off a number of players and finishes with a great cross but we have no one on hand to give it the finish it deserves.  

It’s a great start by Felixstowe and they now look up for the fight, But Tom nearly gives the advantage back to Woodbridge as his drop kick hits the back of a striker he races back and makes a good catch. Clover gets involved on the edge of the Woodbridge area with a good bit of footwork the ball comes to Matt who loops his shot it strikes the bar and is taken by the keeper on the rebound.
Kyle follows this with a cross cum shot from the left, Boggy at the far post heads the ball back into the danger zone and a Mackenzie header is deflected wide for a corner. 

Felixstowe are on the push, a great ball from Taylor puts Mackenzie through on the left he is ahead of the last man who pulls him down Penalty, up steps George MaCallum and slots home 1-2.

This time Alex finds Dan who produces another great cross which goes low across the 6 yard box with both Matt and Adam sliding in, but both too late to make contact with the ball. Butcher returns after 6 games out with a injury, Weenie goes to right back to replace the tiring Sutton who has done well and Butch to left back. Whizz wins a free kick down the right and Dawson’s sweeping free kick just goes wide of the far post.
Hewitt is having his normal impressive game at the back sweeping up when required and getting forward when the space is offered. Galley finds Dawson with a cross but he fires over from 8 yards a good chance gone. But it is Mackenzie who somehow weaves past three defenders before flicking the ball past the Woodbridge keeper that gives us a deserved equalizer, the game has really changed since his introduction 2-2.

Dawson and Taylor miss good chances when well placed, and again Whizz is put in by Matt but fires wide, it is all Felixstowe with Woodbridge with their backs to the wall.
George McCallum breaks from midfield straight down the centre  and strikes a great shot from 18 yds into the right hand side of the goal giving the keeper no chance. And Felixstowe take the lead  3-2 What a comeback.

Woodbridge are not finished and Boggy has to make some good headed clearances, Alex and Weenie pick up last minute bookings as we get a bit edgy, but the whistle goes to end a very entertaining match, which finishes with 3 more points to the rejuvenated Felixstowe boys. 

MOM everyone played well in a dominant 2^nd half performance but perhaps Matt Mackenzie just shone out and changed the game.
The games come thick and fast with an away fixture at league leaders Leiston on Thursday night - good luck to the lads.

Wednesday 17th March 2010 - Ridgeons Youth League Central Division
Felixstowe & Walton United   2 - 1  Stowmarket Town   (0-1)
An injury time goal from Kyle Clover saw the Seasiders collect all three points from another close game against Stow.
With defences on top in the first half there was little goalmouth action with Stow making the best of their opportunity, Leyton Ankin scoring directly from a corner kick.
After the break the visitors enjoyed the greater possession creating a number of half chances without the cutting edge and Felixstowe looked increasingly dangerous on the break. Dawson's through ball split the Stow defence with fifteen minutes remaining and Alex Taylor produced an excellent left foot shot to bring the sides level.
The Seasiders were now on the front foot and when Taylor ran again into the area he was held back, with Taylor's resulting penalty kick saved low to his right by Punter. With a minute of the ninety remaining Ben Punter produced an excellent save to block Taylor's goal bound strike and in injury time Kyle Clover took advantage of a slip in the visiting defence to claim the ball and fire home the winner.

TEAM: Noon, Curle ( Sutton ), Hewitt, Boggis, Wainwright, Barber, Dawson capt, McCallum, Galley, Taylor, Clover.
Sub not Used Canham.

The return fixture with Stowmarket just a week after a hard earned 1-1 away draw sees Felixstowe without their striking pair of Mackenzie and Egerton both on county duties, congratulations to both of them.

The game starts well for the boys as Dawson has a mazy dribble with the ball before producing  an excellent pass out to Dan Galley who makes ground before seeing his shot deflected wide. Whizz follows this as he is put through on the left  but his resulting shot is just over Felixstowe look the brighter Dan puts over a great cross that is well defended with a good headed clearance.

The game is being contested mainly in midfield with little goalmouth action, Weenie and Dan combine well down the left before Stow show their first attacking intent and it takes a well timed tackle by Adam to whipp the ball of a Stow forward as he lines up a shot. Stow have some tall players and are using the long throw as a weapon but we defend well without Tom seeing much action.

Two well matched teams with  defences winning the battle so far, much of our good work is coming down our left. Stow have a quick break the ball is played  in from their right goes behind their forwards Weenie catches someone's heels and the Ref gives a free kick on the edge of our area. The  kick comes in and Noon’s first action of a game with at least 35 mins gone is a fine save as he pushes the ball over the bar for a corner.
The corner comes in at the near post goes through defender and keeper, Weenie tries to clear does so but the ball is judged to be over the line and after a bit of a flap by the Ref the goal is awarded and Stow take the lead just as half time approaches.

A half with plenty of effort but lacking in any real firepower from either of the teams.

McCallum gets the second half off to a good start but his effort goes wide, and  it is Stow encouraged by their goal that start to control the game with plenty of possession and begin to cause us problems, a long throw is headed on past the diving Noon but clears the far post, before Tom has to race out and clear the ball as a striker bears down.
Stow get behind us on the right a cross comes in, but a limp shot goes past our post. Stow are on top and you wonder if a 2^nd goal will be enough to win this game for them. 

Sutton is introduced for Seb and we go three at the back with five in midfield. Weenie and Barbs combine well down the right but the ball just outpaces Weenie and goes for a goal kick, Barber comes more into the game and is felled on the edge of the area the resulting fee kick comes out to him but his shot is well blocked, overall the game is looking up for the lads.
Stow strike back and a goal-bound shot is deflected for a corner that comes to nothing and it is again the rejuvenated Liam Barber who puts Kyle away with a great through ball but Kyle is bustled off  and Stow have possession again.

Felixstowe start to dominate Adam to Taylor who breaks away, but his shot is deflected just wide. Stow are quick on the break and Josh Hewitt twice breaks up promising looking attacks as he cleans up at the back. Dawson again feeds Whizz after some good midfield play, and this time he makes no mistake and guides the ball into the net for the equalizer 1-1. 

We are a different outfit now and looking dangerous on every attack and a Taylor pass finds the hard working Galley who puts in a great cross that is cleared for a corner. Sam Boggis goes about his work very quietly but is always in the right position at the right time and proves this with another good headed clearance from a dangerous Stow cross.  

Barbs wins another free kick on the edge and Mac steps up but his spot kick just clears the bar.  Galley makes a strong run down the left another good cross into a crowded area a defender blocks and the keeper pounces to grab the ball. Stow are not out of this game and Barber blocks a good shot before a Stow free kick is is met by a flicked header that goes past are far post. Taylor bundles his way into the Stow area closely marked by the tall centre half who is tugging him back the Ref is on the spot and a penalty is awarded  and a booking to the centre half, up steps Whizz but his kick lacks power and the keeper has only to fall to his right to take the ball and keep the scores level. 

Again Barber is brought crashing to the ground and you begin to wonder what has he ever done to Stowmarket, from this kick Adams cross is headed well clear. Dawson then puts Whizz through again and a strong thumping shot produces a good save from the keeper.
It’s the turn of the Stow centre half to have a go, he is put under pressure by Taylor who is having a inspired period and his clearance come lob just misses his own goal and goes for a corner.
Just as the game looks to be finishing as a fair draw Stow gain possession in their own area all the player has to do is clear, he slips the ball comes to Clover who thumps home from six yards to give Felixstowe the three points.

So many times this season have Felixstowe thrown away points in the last minutes of games tonight it was the turn of the opposition to hand the game to us. There is a certain resilience in the squad of boys, that has to admired.  

MOM no one really shone out so it must go to the manager Clarke whose change of tactics turned the game completely around.

Thursday 11th March 2010 - Ridgeons Youth League Central Division
Stowmarket Town  1 - 1  Felixstowe & Walton United   (1-1) 
The Under 18s were happy to return home from Greens Meadow with a well earned point after resisting increasing second half pressure.
The Seasiders started brightly with Stow keeper Langfield producing an excellent save after ten minutes to deny Dawson, but it was the home side who took the lead with Kristian Johnson claiming the final touch from Leighton Atkin's corner kick on the half hour.
The lead was short lived as Matt Mackenzie rifled home the equaliser less than a minute later from Taylor's precise pass after Dawson had switched play in midfield. Noon denied Stow the lead three minutes before the interval saving at the angle of post and bar from Jerome Haynes well struck free kick.
Stow created increasing pressure on the Felixstowe goal in the second half but failed to test the visiting keeper until eight minutes from time when Noon saved well from Davies. Felixstowe looked dangerous on the break, with Langfield holding Taylor's low shot well, but it Stow who finished the game strongly winning a succession of corners with the Seasider's defence holding firm to gain a valuable point.

Seasiders: Noon, Curle, Wainwright (Kemp), Dawson (capt), Boggis, Hewitt, Taylor, McCallum, Mackenzie, Clover (Sutton), Barber

Monday 8th March 2010 - Ridgeons Youth League Central Division
Felixstowe & Walton United   0 - 0  Leiston 
The under 18s entertained top of the table Leiston holding them to a goalless draw in an open game which saw defences in charge. Both keepers had to be alert but were not seriously tested until injury time when Leiston, except for an excellent save at a post, would  have conceded an own-goal. That would have been cruel luck given the closeness of the game over 90 minutes and both sides deservedly earned a point.

Team: Noon, Curle ( Sutton ), Hewitt, Boggis, Wainwright, Taylor,,Dawson (capt), McCallum, Galley, Egerton, Clover'
Sub: Barber not used

After lasts week good away cup win at Wanderers, Felixstowe welcomed league leaders Leiston to Dellwood Avenue on a crisp night. The pitch looked in very good nick with a sizable crowd in attendance. 

Boggy start’s well with a neat cut out he gains control makes a good run and finishes  with a nice pass, a good way to start any match. But it is Leiston who threaten first a good turn and cross on our by line goes right across the face of goal but luckily for us no Leiston players are on hand, a factor that was to dominate this match from both sides. 

The game is end to end with both teams playing a passing game without really creating a threat in either goal areas. The first shot on target comes from Leiston, a quick break and the resulting effort from the edge of the area has to be palmed away by Tom.

Adam takes a deep free kick which is cleared  by one of the very tall Leiston defenders,  crosses from both teams are defended well, as shown by Curle as he clears with his head after a good cross that comes in from the right.
Leiston start to exert a bit of pressure and a long shot is taken with ease by Noon. While  Felixstowe’s build up is more precise, Leiston are getting the ball forward fast and causing us some problems down our right where their left mid is seeing a lot of the ball and it is he that scuffs a shot that Tom has to dive for and push away.

Our best bit of football comes with Mac and the impressive Galley interchanging passes down the left before setting Weenie away who produces a good cross that is well defended and cleared by Leiston. A free kick is just headed wide at our far post as Leiston come close while Dan fires high and wide when well placed, but he is doing some nice stuff on the ball and getting up and down the field showing plenty of energy.

Both defences are on top with Felixstowe just doing enough to clear the ball when under pressure and Leiston clearing all that is throw at them including free kicks and corners well directed and with air from the boot of Adam Dawson. Whizz Taylor produces a good cross from our left but again the keeper takes safely above his head.  Reg is holding up the ball well as Felixstowe continue to press for the opening goal but are unable to get off a clear shot on target.
Half time looms and Leiston get their best chance of the half a cross cum shot comes in from the left, it finds a Leiston striker unmarked but he pokes the ball over the bar at the stretch when he should have done better.

Half time whistle goes a strange half plenty of good football but very little to report of with regards to goalmouth action and any good clean efforts on goal.  

The 2^nd half see Kyle nearly through twice on goal but is just beaten out by our opponents persistence in defence. Boggy ad Josh at the back are one of the main reasons Felixstowe are now looking so steady as a defensive unit and Sam completes a timely tackle to thwart a dangerous looking attack.
The game picks up in pace, but at the moment Noony is only having to deal with the odd long shot Dan Galley makes a determined run down the left and his cross is met by Adam whose shot is blocked the ball goes up the other end and a Leiston player gets behind our left pulls the ball back from the dead ball line and it is the turn of a Leiston striker to shoot over.

Leiston are producing some good balls into our area which are defended well, but you feel the Leiston boys are not really attacking the incoming balls with any urgency. It’s the turn of Hewitt to cover well as the attacks continue down our left side and they come close as a free kick is driven wide of Tom's right post.
Reg produces a strong run that takes him into the right hand side of the Leiston area his cross ‘after a bit of pin ball’  ends up at Whizz’z feet who blasts over the bar from the edge of the area. You really feel one goal will settle this encounter, and it is Reg having a purple patch that wins a corner for Felixstowe but again it is cleared without to much problem.
Leiston take a long high free kick it reaches our 6 yard box, is not dealt with by keeper or defender and it takes a almighty scramble before it is cleared. Again Leiston come, a good through ball puts their no 10 clear on goal but he pulls his shot across and wide of Noon’s right post.

Galley strikes back with another great run and cross down our left but again it is not given the attention it needs by our strikers and the danger is over. Josh Hewitt does well to hold up and then part block a shot as Leiston again look dangerous on the break.
Felixstowe are passing the ball well from one side of the pitch to the other and its nice to watch them being patient in the build up, they just need that cutting edge. Curle goes down with cramp and is soon replaced by Sutton as a 2^nd Leiston boy goes in the book for dissent.

Tom is forced to catch a free kick on his line but does it well as Felixstowe finish the stronger Reg wins a corner, Dawson floats it is and Dan just heads wide. Felixstowe win a free kick out on the right, Adam floats in a good kick the Leiston full back goes up but his header whips back towards his goal and the Leiston keeper paws it away for a corner his first real save of the night.  

The final whistle goes and in a season of games with many goals a rare scoreless draw but I think a fair result in a very entertaining game when both defences stood up well to what was thrown at them and perhaps  both sets of players did not really do justice to some very good balls that where played into the area’s. 

My MOM  Dan Galley one of the youngest on the field but you would never know on this Performance.  

Games coming thick and fast good luck to the boys for their visit to Stowmarket on Thursday Night.

Wednesday 24th February 2010 - Ridgeons Youth League Central Division
Felixstowe & Walton United   3 - 3  Ipswich Wanderers  (1-0)
Wanderers claimed a point with three goals in a final dramatic ten minutes after the Seasiders had looked to have the points securely in the bag. McCallum opened the scoring with a deflected free kick on six minutes for the home side and Knight's made a good save to prevent Mackenzie extending the lead in an open first half which saw the visitors denied an equaliser by an offside flag as half time approached.
Noon saved from Coleman before Egerton doubled the Seasider's lead just before the hour and when McCullum's corner kick was deflected of a defender into the visitors net for the third with fifteen minutes remaining the points appeared secure.
Wanderers had produced good built up play without threatening to score until Trenter turned the ball home for what looked like a consolation with six minutes remaining on the watch. Three minutes later with the rain driving down Trenter scored his second and on the stroke of full time Stephen Smith was awarded a penalty which he fired home for a dramatic equaliser.

Team: Noon, Curle, Hewitt, Boggis, Wainwright, Taylor, Dawson (capt) (Clover), McCallum, Barber (Galley), Mackenzie, Egerton ( Kemp).

The pitch looked in good health after all the rain, big Kev had nothing to quote prior to kick off and Manager Clarke looked like he had just come off the stage after a presentation of Treasure Island.
And it was not raining. 

A much improved Wanderers outfit came to town with Steve Double at the helm a man with much junior success already under his belt. A very even start saw the game flowing from end to end without any major scares for either keeper until Felixstowe are awarded a free kick just outside the box, up steps McCallum and his left foot shot that was already on target takes a deflection off the wall  which pitches the ball up and over the keeper and into the net, a great start 1-0 to the red and whites. 

Felixstowe continue to press and Reg is sent through but is neatly snuffed out by the Wanderers left back who prevents a good scoring chance. Our opponents start to get into the game and  we fail to clear cleanly, they win a series of corners, with one resulting in a shot from close range that is just deflected wide. Matt gets into the game and has a poke from 30 yards but his sights are not yet right and the ball sails over, but it is Felixstowe who are passing the ball around with Taylor very much involved down the right.

Josh Hewitt continues his good form when he cuts out a dangerous through ball, but Wanderers win another corner and this time as the ball drops in our area Noon is forced to make a good blocking save before the ball is cleared. McCallum is prominent in midfield while a Dawson free kick is floated in and just clears the keeper and the far post. Adam follows this up with a super corner which drops into the 6 yard box but no one gets good contact and the keeper collects the ball.

The game is still end to end with both teams winning regular corners but  not making them count. The Wanderers midfield are beginning to run at our defence and from one of these the ball is threaded through and from 6 yards out as Tom comes the Wanderers striker pushes his shot just past our post.
Mackenzie find a bit of space on the edge of the Wanderers area he holds off a couple of challenges but his shot lacks power and the keeper dives and dramatically pushes the ball away.
The rain starts to fall.

The Wanderers no 4 picks up the ball in his own area and by the time he has finished has just missed out on a good pass on the edge of our’s, he was allowed to run a long distance and luckily for us run out of idea’s on the way. Reg and Adam supply crosses that both find Matt but first his shot is deflected for a corner and then a good header is cleared again for a corner.
You get the sense that we need a second goal as Wanderers are looking good in midfield and blaze a couple of long shots wide of Tom’s goal. Again a Wanderers striker is allowed to hold onto the ball for a long time and finally wins a free kick on the right edge of our area, the shot comes in rebounds off Noon's chest and the incoming forward tucks the ball away the flag goes up for off side and we stay in the lead.

The half time whistle come as the rain gets heavier which has resulted in a lot of wayward passing from both teams, a very even half but we just about deserved to be in front.

Weenie starts the half with a strong run down the left but just cant find the cross with players well positioned in the area. Hewitt is booked for a late tackle as Wanderers begin to find more space in the midfield and a poor clearance out of our defence allows a strong shot to come in but Tom has it well covered and takes it chest high. A bit against the run of play Liam Barber wins a tussle on the right hand side of the Wanderers area he produces a good low cross, the shot comes in from Whizz, The linesman’s flag goes up, the ball comes to Reg who taps in the linesman flag goes down the ref gives a goal 2-0

Wanderers are not happy and it does seem strange, a couple of bookings later and they kick off. Sam Boggis is having a great game always in the right place at the right time and it’s nice to see him coming through. Dan Galley enters the arena for his debut and it is hoped a long relationship with the club, Liam Barber after working very hard down the left departs. Adam Dawson soon follows, the pitch is becoming very heavy as the rain continues to fall and Kyle Clover comes on in the middle of the park. Wanderers are pressing hard but Felixstowe are getting numbers back, while The Ipswich boys are playing very deep and not getting amongst our back four.

Alex Taylor is doing some good defending down the right but is moved upfront as Reg finishes his stint for the night and on comes the afro haired George Kemp into the right mid spot. Wanderers come close with a cross from our right hand side that is met by a header at the far post but goes just wide.  The rain is now very heavy and the pitch cutting up, Boggy continues to play well and clears with a good header.

Whizz is away down the left after a good ball from Weenie, he leaves the defence in his wake fires off a shot that is well saved at the near post at the cost of a corner. Mackenzie meets the corner with a overhead kick that the keeper pushes away ‘a good attempt’ 2-0 becomes 3-0 as a McCallum corner is knocked into his own goal at the near post by an unlucky Wanderers player a bit harsh on the Ipswich boys but surely game over. Mac then enters the refs book for dissent as again Sam is called into action blocking a shot.

Josh Hewitt breaks from defence and makes good ground into the Wanderers half he feeds Alex with a good pass but Whizz’s strong shot is well saved. Wanderers centre forward is allowed as much time as is possible in our area to get of a shot It is blocked but the rebound is passed into the net to get Wanderers onto the score sheet 3-1. And a consolation goal with only ten minutes left.  

They come again down our left the winger reaches the by line without to much trouble pulls the ball back and it is smashed home giving Tom no chance 3-2  surely not we get the chance to put the game to bed Matt has a dribble down the left he only has to pull the ball back for Whizz but as strikers do he shoots and the ball is pushed away for a corner by the Wanderers keeper who has made some good stops all night. 

With time ticking away Wanderers have one last attack down our right we are all at sea but Sam is in the right position to hold up the attacker he steps back and the Wanderers player goes over, the Ref who is right on hand points to the spot, Curle is booked for dissent and the penalty Is stroked away 3-3, a very harsh decision by the ref but possible evens up the offside incident in the first half.

We have one last chance to secure victory as we win a fee kick on the edge of our opponents area but the shot is high and the spoils are shared. This squad of boys have a knack of throwing away games and points when they should be in the bag, the amount of goals being conceded in the last 10 mins must be a concern to Manager Clarke.

On the brighter side the squad is  looking  much stronger and for parts of this game they dominated against a team who hold a good position in the league.

We play them again next up in the cup, should be worth watching. My MOM was the impressive Sam Boggis  

Rgds Colin

Tuesday 2nd March 2010 - Ridgeons Youth League Cup 2nd round
Ipswich Wanderers  1 - 3  Felixstowe & Walton United   (0-1)
Goals from George McCallum, Matt Mackenzie and Adam Dawson saw the Seasiders into the the third round draw on a cold but dry evening at Humberdoucy Lane. When Lewis Higgins scored for the Wanderers with 88 minutes on the watch their was a brief sense of de-je-vous but there was to be no repeat of last week's dramatic late come-back.

Wanderers: Knights, Firman, Williams, Coleman, Bowman, Moore (Aitkens 80), Trenter, Bell, Smith (Holmes 63), Higgins, Smith.

Seasiders: Noon, Curle, Wainwright, Dawson, Boggis, Hewitt, Taylor, McCallum, Mackenzie, Egerton (Clover 73), Galley (Barber 75).

Both teams were pleased to see the second round cup tie go ahead after the heavy rain at the week-end, on a cold but dry night.

The visitors started brightly and were ahead after five minutes when George McCallum fired low past Knights in the home goal. Noon comfortably held Williams' shot as the game flowed from end to end and Knights blocked Egerton's shot after he was found by Mackenzie's slide-rule pass.
Wanderers were enjoying their best spell of the game with Bell surging into the area but over running the ball before earning a succession of corners as Hewitt and Boggis stood firm. Coleman's shot from the edge of the area brought a good save from Noon who responded well to pounce on the loose ball.

Noon was quickly off his line to claim the ball at the feet of Stephen Smith on the half hour before a spell of pressure from the Seasiders should have seen the lead increased before the interval. Mackenzie and Egerton linked well with Knights blocking Mackenzie's shot with his legs and pin-ball in the home goal failed to find the final telling touch. Taylor impressed down the right and Egerton pushed his shot wide of the post when well placed.

A long range shot from Coleman nearly deceived Noon as he pushed the ball away for a corner and Bell fired his centrally positioned free kick over the bar as the half drew to a close.

Knights was quickly off his line to deny Dawson as the second half opened and the Felixstowe defence were kept busy as Wanderers went in search of a quick reply with Lewis Smith placing his shot wide on 55 minutes. Galley impressed down the left for Felixstowe and his persistence was rewarded when his cross was headed home by Matt Mackenzie just after the hour mark.
When Adam Dawson added the third from the edge of the area with fifteen minutes remaining there was no feeling of game over, given the experience of last week, and the Seasiders worked hard to ensure their lead was maintained.

Wanderers pressed forward with Holmes' free kick collected by Noon at his near post but when Smith headed over from a corner with seven minutes remaining the chance appeared to have gone. Lewis Higgins scored with two minutes remaining but it proved to be just a consolation and the Seasiders deservedly progressed to the third round.

Wednesday 17th February 2010 - Ridgeons Youth League Central Division
Felixstowe & Walton United  7 - 0  Diss Town  (4-0)
A magnificent seven from the Seasiders with Jordan Egerton and Liam Barber both scoring hat-tricks and Kyle Glover also netting. However, this was far from being a one sided encounter with the Tangerines creating a number of openings with good build up play but lacking a decisive cutting edge.

Seasiders: Noon, Curle, Wainwright, Dawson, Boggis, Hewitt, Taylor, McCallum, Egerton, Clover, Barber.

Diss: Lewis, Phelan, Perry, Broadley, Baker, Morally, McDowell, Nicholls, Lake, Kawa, Carter.

A cold but thankfully dry evening after a sunny day ensured the game was never in doubt, which came as relief to the Seasiders with fixtures building up after the recent bad weather.

Diss enjoyed a good spell of pressure in the opening ten minutes and if Carter's strike against the foot of Noon's left hand post had found the net the final outcome may have been considerably different.
Felixstowe also struck a post before Jordan Egerton pounced on indecision in the Diss defence to claim the ball and score the opening goal.
Diss responded well with Noon in the home goal producing two good saves before Liam Barber scored with a right foot shoot from 12 yards following a flowing move from the Seasiders on 25 minutes. Less than a minute later Egerton scored his second with a sweetly struck shot from the edge of the area .

Noon made a good low save to deny Carter as Diss went in search of a reply with Lake and Kawa linking well but Hewitt and Boggis continued to win the ball well in defence and Taylor was prominent in the home sides attacks. Ten minutes before the interval Barber scored his second from the edge of the area to effectively win the game.

Diss continued to move the ball well after the break but failed to test Noon in the second period with Kyle Clover adding the fifth mid-way through the half. Egerton recorded his hat-trick on 71 minutes with Barber claiming his just before the final whistle from the penalty spot.

Wednesday 3rd February 2010 - Ridgeons Youth League Cup 1st round
Felixstowe & Walton United   3 - 1   Cornard United  aet   (1-1 after 90 mins)
At a rain swept Dellwood Avenue the Seasiders advanced to the second round, where they will entertain Ipswich Wanderers, thanks to extra time goals from Egerton and McCallum.
Kemp gave the visitors the lead with a well struck shot five minutes before the break in normal time after an evenly contested half which saw both sides playing neat expansive football.  Cornard held the upper hand after the interval, with keeper Noon keeping the home side in the tie with a number of fine saves notably to deny the dangerous Whittaker. With less than ten minutes remaining Mackenzie ceased on a half chance to fire the ball past Walker to take the game into extra time.
Two more saves from Noon in the first period of extra time denied Whittaker and Swain saw his shot blocked before the tie suddenly moved in favour of the home side. Egerton forced the ball home from close range following a free kick and McCallum from 20 yards confirmed the win with five minutes remaining.

Seasiders: Dawson (Noon), Wainwright (Barber), Butcher (Sutton), Boggis, Hewitt, McCallum, Clover, Taylor, Mackenzie, Egerton, Kemp. White.

Cornard: Walker, Melia, Renshaw, Barnes, Newman, Swain, Stretch (Roach), Henshaw, Hutchings, Whittaker, Platt (Cripps). Wanmer

Despite the rain this was a good advert for Ridgeons youth football with both teams player football to feet. Taylor fired over the Cornard bar in the early exchanges as the Seasiders built well down the left with Butcher making good ground. Whittaker dangerous throughput for the visitors kept the home back line on their toes and Dawson was quickly off his line and with Wainwright's help cleared the danger as Whittaker closed in on the home goal on 12 minutes.
Cornard keeper Walker was quickly out to claim Taylor's cross with Mackenzie closing in and moments later got two strong fists to Butcher's cross as the game flowed from end to end.

Both sides continued to create openings and Walker produced a good save to deny Butcher with five minutes remaining to the interval. Cornard sprung defence into attack and after Platt's initial shot was blocked he coolly slotted home to give the visitors the lead following an even first half.

The visitors dominated after the break and but for Noon, who replaced Dawson in the home goal at the interval, would have secured the win well before the final whistle. Melia, Swain, Henshaw and Whittaker all had good strikes on goal saved by Moon and with less than ten minutes remaining Mackenzie took his chance to turn home Taylor's cross from the right to take the tie into extra time.

The first period of extra time followed a familiar pattern with Noon denying Swain and producing a spectacular diving save to turn Whittaker's fierce shot away for a corner.
With the Seasiders only one goal behind, belief that they could win did not leave them and with seven minutes remaining Egerton forced the ball home from close range. Two minutes later McCallum steered the ball home from 25 yards.

With Cornard ruing missed chances the Seasiders progressed to the second round, where they will travel to Ipswich Wanderers, thanks to their determination and keeper Noon. 

Wednesday 27th January 2010 - Ridgeons Youth League Central Division
Felixstowe & Walton United   1 - 2   Debenham LC  (0-1)
Martin Kemp scored with three minutes left on the watch to claim the points for the visitors only seconds after Kyle Clover looked to have earned a point for the Seasiders.
Jamie Cole opened the scoring for Debenham on seven minutes with Tom Moon in the home goal producing two good saves to deny the visitors any further advantage in the first half. 
As the second half progressed Felixstowe began to threaten and Sam Chilvers in the Debenham goal denied Butcher from close range to retain the lead before Clover completed a flowing move from the Seasiders to draw level but parity was short lived with Kemp snatching the winner.

TEAM:  NOON, CURLE ( SUTTON), BOGGIS, HEWITT  WAINWRIGHT, BARBER, DAWSON, McCALLUM, BUTCHER (CAPT),  CLOVER, TAYLOR. 

With late call offs the squad is reduced to 12 willing players who take the field against a tall looking Debenham outfit who have recorded some fine results this season.
Felixstowe start well and Butch reaches the by line after a mazy run before pulling the ball back into the area no one is on hand and the ball is cleared. Dawson then feeds Taylor who puts in a good cross which the keeper takes well.  

Then out of the blue a free kick from Weenie does not have the height, it is cut out and a ball is chipped through our defence that is very square, The Debenham striker Jamie Cole roars on and slides the ball past the oncoming Noon 0-1.

Barbs strike’s back but fires his shot over. Butch wins a challenge after a deep cross comes in but shoots wide, Debenham are now much more in the game and they find a spare man from a cross and Tom does well to block the shot the ball is finally cleared and he is called on again soon after with a good save from a strong shot coming again after a quick break down our left.
Debenham then have a header that just goes wide as they have their best spell of the match, Adam Looses the ball just outside our area as our passing game seems to falter the shot comes in and again Tom has to spoon it round the post.
Weenie finds Butch out wide a deep cross comes in Barbs get on the end of it but does not make enough contact and the keeper saves on the line. 

Seb picks up a injury and is replaced by the only sub Darryl Sutton at Right back, The half finishes with Debenham slightly on top, but credit to the boys they are still trying to play Football against the conditions. 

We start the 2^nd half with the rain and slight wind in our favour and George Mac skims the Debenham bar with a cross. A great move down the right sees a cross come in from Barber, Adam controls turns and his shot from close in produces a great save from the keeper. The games turns into a right good battle mainly in midfield with little goalmouth action but we have turned the game and are now on top and this time it is Dawson that supplies the cross after a melee the ball finally comes to Kyle whose shot is just past the  post.

We have two lads now playing with injuries so we swap it around Butch goes back to left back Weenie over to right mid and Barbs to left mid, With time running out Weenie has a couple of efforts which go straight at the Debenham keeper, before Alex lays the ball of to Barbs who makes ground produces a good cross and there is Kyle Clover on hand to knock in the deserved equalizer with 3 minutess to go 1-1

Debenham ko no one picks up their midfield player as he makes his way into the right hand side of our area Tom comes and Martin Kemp coolly pushes the ball past him for the winning goal 1-2, The lads are gutted but must learn from this.
No points but a hard working performance, we perhaps did not get the right balls through to Alex who seemed to always have his back to goal when he received the ball and was not  able to use his speed running at the opponents.
That and our tendency to switch off at vital times in the game, but we will learn and that is what it is all about. 

Colin

Wednesday 20th January 2010 - Ridgeons Youth League Central Division
Felixstowe & Walton United  3 - 3  Thetford Town  (1-1)
Thetford finished the game strongly scoring twice in the final fifteen minutes to earn a point. Alex Taylor opened the scoring for the Seasiders after only three minutes and despite creating a number of openings the home side failed to build on the early lead and the game was all square at the break after Jordan Fisher scored from the penalty spot at the end of the half at the second time of asking, keeper Tom Moon saving his first attempt but adjudged to have come forward off his line.
Captain Liam Butcher netted from close range within two minutes of the restart and when George McCallum added the third from a sweetly struck free kick five minutes later the points looked to be theirs for the taking but Thetford dug deep and on 72 minutes Danny Foster pulled a goal back from the edge of the area to give them hope. With three minutes remaining on the watch Danny Fernandez struck from all of thirty yards to earn the visitors a share of the spoils.

Team: Noon: Curle : Hewitt : Boggis : Wainwright ( Canham) Barber ( White) Dawson (Sutton)  McCallum: Butcher (Capt) : Taylor : Clover. 

After a long lay off the lads where nearly deprived of another fixture as the mystic hands of big Kev failed to illuminate one of the floodlights and despite the noble efforts of Chris Ryan the light would not come on, but the Ref and the Thetford boys where all up for a game so the fixture was on. 

George McCallum on his return to the club from Bury took his place in the middle of the park while Matt Mackenzie was missing due to a evening trial at the mighty Hammers lets hope it all went well for him. A full blooded start from the boys as McCallum’s sweet through ball puts  Whizz Taylor away and he drives his low shot past the advancing keeper to give us a early lead 1-0 and  a very good finish. This move is duplicated soon after, George again supplying the pass, Alex speeding away from his marker, but this time to the left of the goal and his shot is well blocked by the keeper.

We continue to press and a corner comes out to Mac but his resulting shot is wide of the target, Whizz has started like a train and his persistence wins a corner but this one comes to nothing. Thetford are a sizable team and start to get into the game and a quick break results in them having players over in our area and it takes a last ditch sliding tackle from Seb on the 6 yard box to keep us on level terms.   

A fact we have 7 lefties in the team tonight the whole of the midfield and the attack as well as Josh Hewitt who is having a splendid game filling in at centre half. A fine move down the right involving Seb, Barbs and Adam see’s Curle put over a good cross that’s runs right through the area with no one on hand to give it the finish it deserves. 

We are playing some nice stuff down the left with Taylor interchanging with Butch and Weenie, Weenie is getting forward at every chance as well as getting in a couple of efforts on goal never seem him so far forward “ careful Weenie” but we have to be on our guard and Josh makes a great interception to break up a good fast thrust from Thetford. Barb finds Adam and from 30 yards he tries one of his dippers which lands on the top of the bar and behind, You feel we need a 2^nd goal !

So far Tom has only had some long range efforts to deal with as the game becomes a bit Scrappy with neither team getting the ball down. But soon Whizz is away on goal again this time put through by Adam, but at a angle from the left his shot goes high and wide. And we are nearly made to pay as the big Thetford no 9 bustles through on our right and fires a cross right along our 6 yard box with no one luckily getting a touch. 

Thetford begin to buzz and their striker breaks into our area Seb makes a good tackle knocking the ball off for a corner” in my eyes anyway “in the Refs he got the player first and a penalty is awarded, Seb is not happy and gets his name in the book. Up steps Fisher, drives powerfully and Noon produces a great save as he tips the ball over the bar, but it’s not to be, the eagle eyed lino says Tom was off his line, just like every keeper in the country at every level, but that’s that and the penalty is taken again and this time driven into our net 1-1 and the half time whistle is blown.  

The lads should have had the game sown up, but now Thetford are right back in it. We start the half as we did the 1^st brightly down our left and it is from one of these excursions into the Thetford area that the ball falls to Butch who picks his spot and fires across the keeper into the net and  the lead is regained 2-1

Sam Boggis is having a fine game at the back with his partner Hewitt and makes a good tackle to halt a Thetford counter attack as we come under some pressure, this game is far from over. Taylor collects the ball 25yds out weaves into the Thetford defence, his shirt is tugged and it is spotted by the lino Penalty, no it was just outside the area,  McCallum steps up and blasts the free kick into the net giving the keeper no chance 3-1 now the game should be safe.

The ball goes from end to end Thetford have a shot that clears the bar, while Fxt keep good possession in and around their opponents area until Kyle gets a shot off that is taken by the keeper.  Barbs makes a good run across the face of the goal the ball comes in but little contact is made and the ball is cleared. 20 mins to go and Clarkey decides it time for changes Tom White comes on for Liam Barber, and 5 mins later Darryl Sutton for Adam Dawson who has run himself into the ground and Lee Canham for Liam Wainwright with Butch going back to left back and Tom switching to left mid with Lee coming in on the right. Hope you got all that.

Anyway a couple of minutes later The Thetford striker Foster makes his way right to left across the face of our area gets off a good shot, Tom gets a hand to it but it still finds the net 3-2 game on again.

Thetford are now up for it and Mac makes a good clearance as the ball is crossed into our area the ball goes for a throw and for the next few minutes we are under aerial bombardment from some long throw ins one that Tom does well to clutch  low down. The boys are now looking tired and even worse as we fail to deal with a move down our right the Thetford full back Fernandez smashes a great shot from outside our box that goes in just under the bar giving Tom no chance 3-3

Time is running out Thetford get a free kick just outside our area but the ball clear’s our bar just as you started to fear the worse. We attack again down the left Butch reaches the by line pulls the ball back and Sam Boggis shoots only for the Thetford keeper to pull off a great save and earn his team a point as the final whistle goes. 

The lads are downcast but have put in a hard working performance top of the shop goes to Josh Hewitt and Alex Taylor who have had good games and also Boggy and George McCallum not far behind.  Many difficult games to come but the boys can work on this performance it was full of grit and at times good Football.   

I am away for the next few games  so best of luck to Clarkey and the boys

Wednesday 16th December - Ridgeons Youth League Central Division
Felixstowe & Walton United  1 - 8  Walsham le Willows   (1-3)

TEAM: NOON, WAINWRIGHT (CURLE), MURRAY, BOGGIS, BUTCHER (CAPT), WHITE, HEWITT, DAWSON, BARBER ( CLOVER), MACKENZIE, TAYLOR. 

For many reasons the u18s have only played 4 league games, while other teams in their league have notched up 12 this season, so it was with some relief that the wet and cold evening did not persuade the referee to call this one off.

Big Kev was off to the Blue Nan again although it was confirmed that Elvis was not in the house, so I thought I would accompany Clarkey and little Kev in the dugout to watch and learn as well as to keep dry. Clarkey had stressed in the pre match talk be wary of giving away corners and free kicks as we had paid for that in our previous fixture with Walsham. 

As with the first encounter this season which was one of the best I have seen at this level both teams started well playing a nice end to end passing game with the ball on the ground and not even a chance of it going over the fence, but  it was some 10 mins before Barbs tried his luck from 30 yds a shot that the Keeper pushed round the post for a corner, The resulting corner was met by Taylor whose  flick shot sailed over the bar.  

Felixstowe continue to play with the ball being fed to the full backs by the keeper at every chance and it is not long before Mackenzie picks out a defence splitting 25 yard pass that finds Barbs who picks his spot and shoots low into the net 1-0 and a great start.

Walsham strike back and  Adam, Boggy and Al all make good tackles to hold them at bay. It is end to end as Big Al picks out a good pass to Matt who finds Whizz out on the left in space but his cross is cut out with Felixstowe players waiting on hand in the box. 

At this point Tom has only had to deal with some long range efforts and Felixstowe are still moving the ball well from one side of the pitch to the other but just failing to produce a end product .
 Clarkey is happy.

Josh Hewitt has a good run that ends with a dipping shot that the keeper gets well behind. 

Matt loses the ball in our own half, Butch crunches one of the Walsham players, the hopeful free kick is flung into our area, no ones challenges in the air, the ball squirts off the pitch Tom gets a hand to it and a Walsham player is first to the ball 1-1.
We strike back and a Barber cross is fired across the Walsham area with no Felixstowe shirt in sight. Walsham begin to find plenty of space in Midfield and their dangerous no 10 is coming off our defenders far too easily and seeing a lot of the ball.

A dangerous cross is cleared at the back post by Butch as Walsham step up the pace and take the lead a Walsham player picks up a good pass just outside our area he is already in full flight straight through the heart of our defence round the last defender, feints the keeper and strikes home the ball 1-2.

Adam again makes a great challenge to thwart a Walsham attack but they win a corner which looks like it is headed over by a Walsham player but another corner is awarded this time a flick on at the front post finds its way through a huddle of players into our net 1-3, again a header with none of our players getting in a challenge or taking on that responsibility.
We start to knock the ball around again and finish the half that had seen a bright 25 minute start  with some good  passing. 

A cool calm half time talk from Clarkey stresses that we are still in the game Walsham had taken what chances that had come their way and we had played some nice football, but we had to get closer to their players and as said before the game start to challenge in the air.

The next goal was going to be important !  how true that statement was going to become. 

We start brightly and a Mackenzie cross finds Barbs with a one on one with the keeper but he fails to get full control of the ball and the keeper takes.
Josh then finds Alex in space down the left he has plenty of space as he zooms in on goal but a shot cum cross is wide and the chance lost.
A third chance to get back into the game goes begging as a deflected shot from Matt could well have been headed on by Tom White but again we do not get out feet off the ground. 

With half a hour left Walsham take control they tear us apart down the right and it takes a Butch clearance to clear for a corner as the ball heads towards the net.
We do not learn and the corner is tucked away with a unchallenged header 1-4  GAME OVER.  

I said game over and at this point I think Clarkey would have accepted that because now Walsham are in full flow, and as you do when you are out of the game our legs start to flag. Butch breaks through a few tackles but his shot is well wide, and the manager tries to freshen things up with Kyle on for Barbs and Seb for Weenie. But Walsham have full control of the ball and plenty of space to do what they want with it Noon saves well and Josh clears off the line from a corner after Tom’s punched clearance falls kindly to a Walsham Player. 

Butch wins two free kicks down the left after determined runs are brought to a end by fouls that the Ref produces yellow cards for and one should have been a red as a  Walsham player strikes out and makes contact. From one of our free kicks  Walsham break fast again down our right, some good crisp passing  ends with a Fine strike and makes it 1-5 . It is not every week I am lost for words but in the last 15 mins we totally lost it and Walsham cash in with 3 more goals, all good strikes especially the last one but in truth the scorers all had to much time and space to pick their spot. In between Tom makes several good saves and at the other end Matt has a couple of efforts on goal that the Walsham keeper takes with ease. 

We are all put out of our misery as the whistle goes and we record our heaviest defeat at this level in many seasons. The boys know it and that is good but have the chance to put things right as quickly as this coming Monday against Cornard  in the cup. We shall then see what some of them are made of, At this it level it is all about the ones that can make the grade and those that will settle for a lesser level of the game. 

Good luck to Walsham who must have a good chance of taking the title this season. 

See you on Monday
Colin

Wednesday 18th November - Ridgeons Youth League Central Division
Felixstowe & Walton United   3 - 3  Framlingham Town   (2-2)

Team: Noon, Wainwright, Murray, Sutton ( Boggis),  Butcher (capt),  Kemp, Hewitt, Dawson, Barber, Taylor, Clover (Mackenzie)  
Subs not used: Curle, White

First of all full apologies to Alex for not getting his surname correct for the 3^rd goal vs Walsham, I tend to get my Taylors mixed with me Millers with my Whizz’s but after his Mum put me right it will never happen again - Sorry Mum and Alex. 

Kev was back in the dug out fresh from his rock and roll evening and it was good to see manger Clarke on parade so soon after his surgery. Big Al in for the late running Mackenzie who was on school duty collecting all those certificates (hope they where worth it Matt) was the only change from the previous weeks great performance over Walsham and a fair size crowd of 40 plus waited for the entrance of the teams.

We started as we left off last week with some good passing and movement which quickly lead’s to Adam putting a through ball to Whizz Taylor who sprints clear of his marker and fires home across the face of goal into the right hand corner, pure pace and a solid finish  ( is that ok Mum )  1-0
But Framlingham are no pushovers this season and they bounce back, Murray concedes two rash free kicks and from one of these a Fram player heads narrowly over.
We make ground down the left Barbs finds Butch who makes a run and crosses, Barber has also made good ground and receives the cross and is about to unleash a shot when he is felled in the area, Kyle Clover steps up and converts the Penalty 2-0 its all going to plan. 

Taylor’s persistence wins him the ball deep in the Fram area but his shot from a sharp angle is well taken by the keeper. Then someone somewhere turns the tap off and Framlingham take control. Murray makes some good clearances before Noon has to make his first save of the night a great tip over from a edge of the box curler. The resulting corner turns into a bit of a scramble before a shot comes in and again Tom makes a good stop before the ball is cleared he follows this with a good catch from a high dangerous ball into the area as Felixstowe toil hard to keep the Fram team at bay. 

The lads try to respond with quick breaks and Whizz our most dangerous player fires just wide, both teams are looking better going forward than they are defending but it is Fram who are looking the more likely as we struggle to hold onto the ball and are a yard off the Fram midfield and strikers letting them turn and play in acres of space.
Fxt are still getting in some crosses that are not being dealt with by the Fram defence but we have no on one hand to make them pay. We continue to give poor distribution from the back and a poor Weenie pass is intercepted and the resulting shot goes just wide.

It’s the skippers turn next to loose the ball ten yards outside our area, the ball is blasted into the box Noon parries the shot, but it falls to an unmarked Fram player who tucks the ball away, a goal that was always on the cards and puts the visitors right back into the match.
One become two very quickly the ball is played into the area a Fram striker gets between the defence and Tom and confidently nods the ball over Noons head for the equalizer, a poor goal to give away but much deserved by a rampant Fram team.

Adam and Whizz combine well and a high cross is launched into our opponents area but again we have no one on the end of it, and Fram clear their lines. It’s a bit end to end now and Josh Hewitt makes a great tackle on a Fram player in full flight  as he  bears down on our area, not only does he win the ball but distributes well, we need more of this sort of attitude tonight if we are going to get anything from this game.
At the other end Barbs is through on goal courtesy of a Taylor pass but shoots a bit early and the ball goes across the face of goal and wide. Hewitt continues to put in the challenges as Fram push on for the lead and nearly get it from a corner as an unmarked man heads strongly over the bar when he should have done better.
Boggis appears for the injured Sutton who has found it hard to get into the game and just before HT Noon tips a drooping header over the bar that has resulted from another corner.

HT and we need it to regroup unless we get lot better this game is gone. Matt Mackenzie is on for Kyle who is feeling his injury from last year better safe than sorry. And the game explodes into life as a speculative shot strikes our bar, we bounce back a free kick finds Matt he holds off defenders until the ball is then nicked away from him it falls to Butch who fires into the keepers hands.
But it is still the Fram midfield that is running the show and we have to defend desperately at times to keep them out.

We are still having our moments as Butch and Matt combine well with some one touch play and create a shooting chance for Taylor who shoots just wide, Josh then has a effort blocked and wins a corner, unfortunately this leads to 3 chances for a decent cross being wasted. This looks much better from the boys now as Whizz hits the by line pulls back and just as Mackenzie is about to pull the trigger a Fram players clears. But Fram are quick to respond a free kick is met by a strong shot that Weenie slides in and diverts for a corner, the corner is scrambled away but is won by a Fram player who walks through the middle of our defence and gives Tom no chance as he places the ball wide of him and into the net to give Fram the lead 3-2 and it does not look good.

Fram are looking good but we start to get our right hand side working Kempy puts in a good ball to Matt who has to be tackled strongly to stop him shooting. And soon after the move is repeated Kemp into Mackenzie the ball comes back out to George who fires in a cross cum shot it takes a small deflection off a defenders foot and makes its way to the far post where Barbs is on hand to knock in and get us back into the game 3-3.

The tap is turned on again with 15 mins to go, we win free kicks either side of the field but they come to nothing, Kempy makes a great cross field pass finds Barbs but he is tackled and wins a corner, All of a sudden Fram look tired and only one  team look like winning. Mackenzie again receives a pass from George Kemp makes his way into the area but is off balance as his shot goes wide. Barber breaks through his shot is blocked by the keeper but unluckily for us falls to a Fram player and is eventually cleared. Taylor Crosses from the left Mackenzie rises but his header lacks power and is cleared for a corner which again is wasted.
We are rampant now down both flanks but the ball is just not dropping for us and our last chance is a free kick on the edge of the area as Dawson is felled after another good run and cross from Kempy, He takes the F/K  himself but blazes over.

Final whistle goes in a game we could have won in the end but that would have been harsh on a Fram team who controlled the match  for long periods. On the night are distribution from the back was poor and we where outfought in midfield, but credit we found a 2^nd wind and fought back for a draw.
So from a great performance to very a ordinary one as I said before this will be a very much up and down season with plenty of close games. 

MOM no doubt Alex Taylor amazing work rate and a good goal.

Colin Butcher

Thursday 12th November - Ridgeons Youth League Central Division
Walsham le Willows   2 - 4  Felixstowe & Walton United   (1-1)
Playing their first game for five weeks the Seasiders returned from Summer Road with all three points, and the first defeat of the season for Walsham, thanks to goals from Clover 2, Dawson & Taylor

Team: Noon, Wainwright, Sutton, Mackenzie, Butcher ( capt ), Kemp, Hewitt, Dawson, Barber, Clover, Taylor.
Subs Banthorpe, Canhan 

Away to a confident unbeaten Walsham, 5 defenders missing and a number of other players unavailable on a wet and windy night, and to top it all Big Kev had decided an Indian Elvis night was too good an opportunity to miss, had bad vibes lurking about this game in the  back of my mind. 

Not so Manager Clarke, the goal machine Mackenzie to partner new boy Sutton at the heart of our defence, with Barber making his 1^st  start of the season at left Mid and the resurgent Kyle Clover to fit in just behind Whizz up front. A good size crowd with plenty of away support making the journey took to the stands as the game got underway. 

Walsham are quick into their stride and it takes a great tackle form Darryl Sutton to stop a strong Walsham run, and this is followed with a good intercepted clearance from Hewitt as he back tracks into our area. The game settles down and our first attempt on goal comes from a rasping shot from Butch that just clears the bar from 25yds. But on a night that is not made for football the Fxt lads are playing some nice flowing stuff and trying to open the Walsham defence up with some good through balls. Whizz Taylor is next to have a crack but his shot is deflected wide. 

Matt has started well at the back winning everything in the air while Daz is doing the same on the ground, what a football genius this man Clarke is. Both teams are playing good passing football as the game flows from end to end without either of the Keepers getting too much involved.
A free kick is conceded 25 yds out, a two man wall plenty of players behind the ball, no problem the Walsham striker steps up curls with pace and the ball goes into the top left hand corner giving Tom no chance, one of the best free kicks I have ever seen at this level. 1-0 down ! 

We strike back Kyle gets behind the defence pulls the ball back and the ever eager Kemp fires wide. But it is Walsham with their tails up and a corner is met with a lovely volley that is blocked and finally cleared but you fear that if Walsham get a 2^nd the game could go away from us. Possible it is the fact that they have played together a few more times than us this season for their player awareness is good, but we are working hard all through the team to stem  Walsham as they continue to look the more dangerous. And no one more than the Dynamo Hewitt who is working his socks off in central midfield. 

The game is good but tough, competitive tackles coming in from both teams, but we have Maurice Schrivner as the ref and unlike many others he is not blowing up at the first sign of contact and the game is left to flow. Felixstowe start to get a foothold, Butch wins a free kick after a mazy run, Dawson squares the ball to Mackenzie who sends it out wide to Weenie he finds Kemp who crosses the ball it bobbles around before Taylor knocks it back to Clover who picks his spot and passes the ball into the net 1-1 a fine goal and just before HT. 

You only have time to take your seat when Adam Dawson has the ball 35 yds out he cracks one and like an arching arrow it drops just under the bar and into the net a great effort and we take the lead 2-1. This spurs us on and we take the game to Walsham a great through ball from George just has just too much pace on it and it goes through to the keeper. But Walsham are no mugs and they push on a scramble in our area and a bit of indecison leads to a Walsham player having a shot that strikes our bar, and it is not long after when a free kick is won on the right hand side of our box, the ball is floated over and a unmarked Walsham player heads powerfully into our net all square again 2-2. 

Felixstowe do not hold back and produce some good passing moves down our left with Barbs in the thick of things, and Whizz running himself into the ground. While Sutton continues to impress with his no nonsense tackles at the back. Kempy carries the ball inside from the right finds Barber out on the left he hooks in the cross, Adam has a shot blocked the rebound falls to Taylor who stabs home and the lead is restored 3-2  What a game ‘ long live Elvis’. 

A Free kick is given away 25 yds out surely not,  same lad strikes the ball sweetly but this time Noon at full stretch palms away for a corner ‘ good save’ and from the resulting corner the header goes wide, Walsham are not done yet and soon after, Tom makes another stop with his legs as a Walsham player breaks through.
Our turn for a free kick Weenie strikes the ball it does not have much height it is played back out to Kyle who from the edge of the area again just picks his spot inside the right hand post  for his 2^nd  again a very cool finish and the breathing space we need 4-2.

Walsham play right to the end and one mazy run sees a striker go past 4 or 5 of our players before his shot is well stopped by the well positioned Noon. The final whistle goes on what has been a excellent performance by the Felixstowe Boys in a very entertaining game full of good football and overseen by three good officials.
This is going to be a very tough league this season with many of the teams on a par, but manager Clarke can take great heart from this match and from the team performance when down to his last 11 regulars.

From my point of view one of the best performances from our U18s for a long time, no MOM it would be unfair to pick one lad out on a night like this. Unfortunately those vibes came back to haunt me two days later, funny old game !

Colin Butcher

Thursday 8th October - Ridgeons Youth League Central Division
Woodbridge Town   4 - 1   Felixstowe & Walton United  
Liam Butcher scored the Seasiders goal in a 4-1 defeat at Notcutts Park as the Woodpeckers went to the top of the table.

Team: Dawson: Curle, Boggis, Murray, Wainwright, Taylor, Sutton (Hallinan), Clover (Barber), Hewitt, Butcher(capt) Mackenzie.

After spending a hour with Hopalong in Tesco’s it was a relief to get to the ground on time. An enforced change saw Dawson in goal replacing the work tied Noon and start’s for Darryl Sutton  and a welcome comeback for Kyle Clover after his broken leg in January of this year.

A 5 man midfield with Mackenzie the lone runner up top kicked the game off on a very green, lush looking surface so unlike what Dellwood is offering at present. The first 20 minutes of the game are very tight with no team really getting hold of the ball, a Hewitt excursion into the area results in the loose ball being fired into the keeper’s waiting arms after a shot from Mackenzie.
Kyle gets in his first telling pass that puts Butch away but he is well tackled as the game ebbs from end to end, A king Curle throw wins a corner and after action from Taylor, who then plays a good one two with Butch but the resulting shot goes wide as we continue to look dangerous going forward.

Clover is coming into the game and takes a few knocks his Mum and Dad hold their breath but he comes away unhurt and ready to carry on. Woodbridge begin to find space and then as Woodbridge do play some nice passing football, and both big Al and Josh have to make  good clearances from dangerous looking crosses.
A great through ball down our left puts the Woodbridge winger clear and it takes a good diving save by Adam going to his right to keep the scores level, and soon after a another effort from Woodbridge is deflected just over our bar as the pressure begins to mount.

Darryl shows his strength and wins two hard tackles that ends up putting Matt in a shooting position his shot hits the keeper and goes for a corner. Clover who I understand has become a bit of a X box addict in his absence from Football wins a heavy tackle and comes away unscathed which must be a boost to his confidence. We are having a lot of possession in  and around the Woodbridge area without any clean strikes on goal and it is from one of these phases that Woodbridge break with pace down our right, challenges are made but clearances are not and the ball ends up at the feet of a striker 6 yds out and placed into the far corner of our net ‘ a sloppy goal to concede’  0-1  

We respond and Hewitt fires in a shot but the keeper is well positioned and takes with ease, Woodbridge are on top as we seem to lose our shape a bit and  Some of our players are not even facing the right way as a quick free kick comes in Dawson in goal just gets a hand to push out the cross the ball comes back as a shot but goes over our bar, And he is on hand again to make a fine save from a long distance effort as  we let our opponents have the space to play , We need to up our game as we are not  showing the same  energy level as in the past 2 fixtures.

Again the Wide Woodbridge player gets in on our left and Adam produces a good stop as the ball goes for a corner. A high clearance from Josh puts Matt away and hopes are high but the defender does well and he is unable to get off a shot. Whizz Taylor shoots from distance before a good cross from Seb is met with a looping header from Butch the keeper catches but carries the ball over the line it is seen by the watchfull linesman and the goal is given 1-1

Boggy and Murray make good saving tackles that keeps us on level terms as the half time whistle is blown we have had a fair proportion of the play but Woodbridge look to be the more likely team and much more decisive on the attack. 

The 2^nd half starts and I am optimistic if we can get the next goal this game is winnable. Seb Curle is called on early to clear off our line, as at the other end Butch gets round the back of the Woodbridge Defence but shoots into the side netting. Alex Taylor puts Mackenzie in with a great pass but the Woodbridge keeper just gets to the ball first and clears.
Woodbridge win a corner it is slung over and nodded in by a unmarked man easy as that 2-1 down.

We need to score next and Matt has a double chance as he finds space to shoot, keeper saves the ball comes back to Matt and this time his header again finds the keeper you feel he is not having the run of the ball these last few weeks that strikers even with his goal scoring record need i'm sure this will no last long.
Butcher is booked ching ching £ 8.00 one thing is sure he will never follow his brother to Australia he will never be able to afford it.  

Again Sutton shows his strength and what he is capable of once he settles in by winning  a free kick after a good run beating off several opponents. Woodbridge are so fast and direct on the break and Boggy is at his best when stopping one of these attacks with a great tackle and Adam then makes a good stop from a shot after another break down our left. At the other end we are still having half chances but the shooting is lacking power and accuracy as Matt fire wide after a nod on by Kyle. The dynamo Hewitt is trying hard to keep things moving in midfield, as some around him are feeling the pace.

Woodbridge nearly finish the game off as Dawson makes a great save from a 20 yd shot which sees  the resulting corner  deflected onto our bar from a header. Felixstowe begin to give the ball away creating Woodbridge pressure and presenting them corners and it is only Adam again saving a good ground shot at his near post that is keeping us in the game. But still we have one more chance to even things up Hewitt puts Whizz away he shoots across goal  but  the ball just goes past the far post. This spurs the Woodpeckers on and a great solo run that is not closed down when it should  be sees Adam rounded but Weenie is on hand to clear off the line. Hallinan replaces the tiring Sutton as a Josh corner is flicked on by Butch but no one is on hand at the far post.

Woodbridge break fast this time down our right again we do not respond quick enough the striker hits the by line turns pulls the ball back and it is tucked away to give Woodbridge  The decisive 3^rd goal.  1-3
Liam Barber replaces Kyle and everyone must be happy with his performance on return from such a horrid injury ‘ Well done Kyle’
Weenie himself returning after a bout of tonsillitis is caught in possession knocked of the ball and from the resulting cross the impressive Woodbridge no 9 turns and fires in the killer Goal  1-4

Hallinan has time for his shot to be just deflected over from a cross before the whistle goes. Woodbridge have been more direct and decisive up front while their defence have been I step in front of us at the back, saying that we had enough of the ball in and around their area to perhaps have put a few more goals on our debit sheet. Again this game proves the pace of Football at this level and how hard this season will be for the lads but as long as they learn and improve Manager Clarke and the club will be happy.

My MOM no doubt Adam Dawson good in goal but perhaps missed in midfield. 

Wednesday 23rd September - FA Youth Cup
Felixstowe & Walton United  1 -2  Needham Market  (after extra time)
Ellis Barber converted from Henry's cross twelve minutes into extra time to take Needham through to the next round of the FA Youth cup.
Needham started strongly with Guy Dugdale scoring the opening goal for the visitors after 12 minutes and they could have been further ahead but for a number of fine saves from Noon in the home goal. Felixstowe steadily increased their share of possession and chances were created by both teams but failed to be converted until 12 minutes from time when Butcher's shot came back off the far post and Matt Mackenzie was on hand to bundle the ball home from close range. The visiting keeper produced a flying save to deny Mackenzie and ensure extra time where Barber provided the vital goal.

Team: Noon, Curle, Boggis, Murray (Monson ), Wainwright, White ( Kemp), Dawson, Hewitt: Butcher (Capt), Mackenzie, Taylor ( Hallinan )
Subs not used : Barber 

Needham where the visitors for this Youth Cup game with a squad featuring some of the best u17’s in the area, a team that also represents Needham at reserve level so for the 2^nd year running a tough mountain to climb for the Felixstowe lads.
The game starts at a fierce pace with Butch getting in the first cross that is well taken by the Needham keeper, this spurs on Needham and some good strong running and sharp passing see them take a early hold on the game with first Boggy getting in a good headed clearance before Tom Noon starts what was to be a long nights work with a good stop from long range.
The Needham strikers, the big powerful Remi and the smaller Liart Henry need close marking and both fire in strong long shot’s one is taken by Noon the other misses the Target both are warnings we need to take heed off. Tom follows this up with a good clean take from a cross, before Fxt get their first corner which Murray gets his head to but the ball is scrambled away.

We finally get Whizz Taylor into the game down the left but we are finding it hard to keep possession due to a mixture of close marking and the amount of energy Needham are showing at this stage of the game. Just as we seemed to have withstood the  early pressure  the ball is again lost to easily on the half way line, Needham break down our left the ball is pulled back from the touchline for Dugdale who was only sitting in my house having a pizza a hour earlier to tuck away the goal ‘that’s thanks for you ‘Needham take a deserved lead and the task gets harder.
We raise our game but Needham continue to break fast and are looking very dangerous, we manage to scramble away a corner but still can not get any sort of possession and it takes a Noon save as Remi shoots on the turn to keep the deficit at only one.

We begin to win a lot of free kicks on our right they are flighted well by Dawson but too easily cleared by our visitors defence a fact that does not change all night. Slowly we start to get into the game a mazy run down the left and a good cross by Butch is met by Matt but his header does not get the power it normally has and is Cleared off the line. This spurs as on but it still takes a mixture of a good save from Noon and a brave block from Weenie that keeps Remi out as our defence continue to thaught Needham getting that crucial 2^nd goal.  A old saying but the next goal scored is going to be the crucial one in this fast entertaining game. The dynamo called Hewitt send’s a good ball to Butch and his shot cum cross just goes wide of the far post.  The strong Remi again puts in a very heavy challenge that goes unpunished as the game hots up with both benches getting quite vocal.
Matt and Alex combine well down the right the ball is crossed on the deck to Butch and with the goal gaping he somehow fires wide from 6 yards despite all the Needham pressure we should now have been in the lead. Butch puts Alex away down the left he crosses the keeper fumbles and Tom White is unable to touch the ball over the line and after a scramble the ball is cleared.
Half time arrives,  still one down but we have forced ourselves back into the game showing a real fighting spirit.                Ht 0-1 

George Kemp is on for Tom White, And we get a early scare, a up and under puts Liart  beyond our defence but his shot lacks power and Tom takes with comfort. Curle at right back makes a solid tackle, As Taylor has a race to the ball with their keeper, the keeper just wins and the ball is cleared. The same happens again this time Mackenzie runs down the keeper the ball breaks to Alex who shoots wide of the left post ‘ not a easy chance’.
The free kicks keep coming and  the Needham keeper drops the ball in a packed area Butch gets a toe to it but a Needham defender is well positioned to clear off the line.
The play goes back to the other end and Tom is brave to take at the feet of the big centre forward, Alex Taylor then plays a great cross field ball it finds Butch who hits a low shot that hits the post and goes to safety. Taylor then gets in another cross but again there is no one in and around the 6 yd box to punish Needham.

Felixstowe have really turned it on in the opening 25 mins of the 2^nd half and Manager Clarke must be pleased as to how the boys have responded in this game against a very fit and slick Needham outfit who you feel are better going forward then they are in defence. But now its Needhams turn to put the pressure on again Weenie gets in a great stop to concede a corner, before Leart breaks through and fires his shot across and wide of Noons goal, He then supplies the cross that perhaps could have finished the game but the incoming Needham player hits the post with his shot.
Noon punches away a free kick as the game now becomes full blooded , A great  nights Entertainment for the fair sized crowd and Tom in goal is having a blinder again producing a good stop with a Needham striker closing in on the ball. 

Needham are putting on the pressure and Murray clears long a dangerous free kick that Dawson picks up for Fxt but his effort on goal is high. He tries again but this time he fires wide as the game enters the last 15 mins. A move develops down the left Weenie to Butch who crosses the ball it comes off the far post and onto Matt Mackenzie’s chest and into the goal for a very much deserved equalizer 1-1 it’s the 1^st time all night the ball has run kindly for Matt. A Dawson cross if headed well by Mackenzie and brings a good save from the Needham Keeper as Felixstowe strive to find a winner. What a game Needham strike back a cross goes straight across our 6 yd box  no one makes contact, Butch at the other end has a great run and cross Mackenzie as usual is on the end of it but his header goes wide.
Josh Hewitt is showing a amazing work rate as many around him are beginning to die, the pace of the game has been superb. Again Alex  goes for a loose ball with the keeper the ball breaks loose into no mans land and Needham clear.

Tom Noon who has had a tremendous game again bravely makes a block at a forwards feet, Ref gives a corner when all could see it was a goal kick, the minutes are Ticking away a goal now and it will be all over the corner is cleared and the whistle goes, extra time here we come. 

I don’t know if it’s the fitness level as the Needham outfit train 5 days a week but they get on top in extra time, a great headed stop by Weenie leads to a corner which is headed over our bar when it should have been in the net, and from another corner that results from a Noon save the scene is repeated with another header flying over and the warning signs begin to buzz.

Hallinan comes on for Alex. We strike back Weenie puts over a good cross and  Matt shots into side netting. Liart Henry is put away down our left he weaves past two of our defenders to the by line pulls the ball back and there is Needhams Barber to tuck away the ball 1-2.
Monson replaces the cramped Murray who has had a fine game as we enter the the 2^nd period of extra time. There are now a lot of very tired legs on the field and while we continue to defend strongly with Big George clearing a corner well, we do not look like scoring in this period, despite the never say die running of Hewitt and Dawson in central midfield.  

The final whistle end’s a match that is a credit to Youth Football and enjoyed by all who where watching. Despite being very down over the defeat the Felixstowe boys can take a lot of pride from the performance WELL DONE LADS. 

My MOM no doubt was Tom Noon who has been excellent. Followed by many more fine performances. Manager Clarke’s MOM Josh the dynamo Hewitt.

Thursday 17th September - Ridgeons Youth League Central Division
Diss Town  0 - 5  Felixstowe & Walton United   (0-2)
An excellent start to the season for the Under18s as they go Nap at Brewers Green Lane. Goals coming from Adam Dawson, Sam Bogis, Alex Taylor, Oli Hallinan and Matt Mackenzie.
Team : Noon, Curle, Boggis, Munson, Wainwright, White, Dawson (Hallinan), Hewitt, Butcher, (Capt), Taylor (Barber), Mackenzie.

A new look team with many new faces playing in their first Ridgeons league game. So with not really knowing what to expect the boys kicked of the season with all last season’s management team keeping their heads above the recession and again in charge of the goings on with the u18s. 

An early corner was curled in by Butch but was taken well by the keeper as the boys started well with Weenie making some telling passes with his trusty left peg one of these resulting in winning another corner which came to nothing. We did not have long to wait to thrill at the pace of Alex Taylor as he sped down the left, his cross was cleared but found Adam Dawson who joined us from Woodbridge pre season  on the edge of the area who cracked in a shot that just went wide. Diss’s first attack resulted in a good clearance from Boggy also making his Ridgeons League debut after coming through the ranks. 

It is a impressive start with Felixstowe having all the ball, and the Diss players seeming happy to find touch, which suited our new right back Seb who has a wicked long throw and will now be known in the reports as  King Curle. All it needs now is for someone to tell the rest of the team as the ball seemed to sail right over their heads, but I’m sure Manager Clarke refreshed now after his many summer holidays will sort this out.  

14 minutes into the game a Fxt free kick is cleared, again it falls to Adam Dawson this time his shot from distance finds the top right hand corner of the net and the season is up and running 1-0 a great strike.  Taylor now known as Whizz is like a magnet on the ball and he finds his striking partner Mackenzie who has broken into the 1^st team squad this season with a good cross but Matt’s shot is blocked, from the resulting corner taken by Dawson Boggy is on hand to nod in from at least 2 yards, A debut goal 2-0. 

King Curle puts a long ball through to the Green boots who is challenged the ball, breaks to Matt whose shot is pushed away for a corner from which he gets in another strike that again is diverted for a corner. Matt continues to pepper the goal with his latest strike going over, if there is one sure bet in this game the score sheet will have Mackenzie on it before the end. Half hour gone and Tom Noon without a E gets his 1^st touch of the ball, Lol make a comment it’s his first touch in 75 mins after the Res great 2^nd half performance vs Sudbury at the weekend. 

Butch has two good runs down the left both times he is upended by the coppery haired right back, It’s quite nice to see him on the end of a tackle again. He follows this up with a bit of trickery that goes wrong just outside his own area and Diss get their first shot that fly’s over Noon’s bar. Diss stick to their task and make some good saving tackles and the same goes on at the other end as Boggy stops a strong run by the willing Diss no 10 with a strong challenge.
Diss win a corner that is cleared Matt collects the ball turns the defender makes a twenty yard run and from about 20 yards blasts in a shot it strikes the bar rebounds down but does not cross the line, A great bit of personal play.
Butch has the ball in the net following a Matt header but is offside, before Mackenzie is again denied by a save after he bustles into the area. Ht 2-0 

The 2^nd half starts where the 1^st finished Mackenzie breaks through and this time his shot strikes the post with the keeper well beaten. Diss goes straight onto the attack and Tom clears well. We start to get it together on the left Butch crosses and the Whizz shoots just wide but he makes up for it soon after, this time Matt crosses from the left White of the green boots does not control, the ball falls to Taylor who fires into the net 3-0.
Soon after a mazy run from Butch and a good cross and yes it finally happens Mackenzie is on hand to nod home 4-0, on another night he could have had five. And I am sure those nights will come.
The cramped up Taylor who had put so much into the game is replaced with Liam Barber. Diss do not give up and a shot goes wide, They then have a spot of pressure that gives big George Munson who has had a very good game at the back the opportunity to prove himself in the air with two very good headed clearances under pressure. A 2^nd change see’s Martlesham new boy Ollie Hallinan on for Adam Dawson who has had a fine game. 

Diss still continue to battle and a solo run into our area nearly gives them a goal but the shot is wide. The game begins to die as Felixstowe still remain in control and then a 1^st  Matt Mackenzie gets booked, join the club Matt it gets easier the next time. Tom Noon without a E earns his money as he bravely blocks at a forwards feet to keep his goal intact. There is just time for Liam Barber to cross high into the box, Mackenzie strikes keeper saves Hallinan taps in for 5-0. 

So a win to start everyone knows their will be harder tasks ahead but you can do no more than play well and win a game against a team that kept going to the end. No MOM for me but a good all round team performance with the new pairing up front of Mackenzie and  Taylor looking sharp and the young Centre Backs of Boggy and Big George giving some selection problems for Manager Clarke.

Manager Clarkes MOM Whizz Taylor.

Bye for now
Colin Butcher