CFY give Richard the perfect send off

Chandlers Ford Youth 3-1 East Lodge 'A'

Mid Solent Under 15 B Division – 25^th April 2009

Line up: Liam Godfrey, Jake Beattie, Josh Harrigan, Michael Sawbridge ©, David Kilcoyne, Ahmed Sfagsi, Tom Ashton, Ryan Chinn, David Bromhead, Michael Wall, Jozef Montigue.

Subs: Zak Pickett, David Smith, Miles Hodge, Kane Kellaway, Kelvin Bagot.

Today was a very sad day for Chandlers Ford Youth - it was the last time the side are likely to play football together again. After thirty-two years of football management, Richard Montigue finally managed his last game and has gone out on top by winning the Championship.

The boys did their coach proud and gave him the perfect send off to add to the fine memories over the years. This was the icing on the cake as his side won six games on the bounce to seal the Mid Solent Under 15 B Division league title to run out champions.

Top goalscorer Michael Wall scored all three goals in a 3-1 win to finish with a fine hattrick and finish the season on 27 goals. His first of the game came as early as the 8th minute when Tom Ashton's stinging shot was too hot to handle. Jozef Montigue made a fair sliding challenge on the keeper when the ball was spilled as he had just one glove on the ball and managed to flick it to his right to provide Michael with the simplest of finishes from close range.

Man of the match Liam Godfrey had little to do, but when called upon as East Lodge looked for the long ball over the top of the defence on the counter attack, Liam did very well as Chandlers Ford controlled the game for the majority.

Unfortunately the 'Warrior' Ahmed Sfagsi, who would run through a brick wall for his team if asked, bravely went up for an aerial ball with an opponent only for the pair to clash heads. Despite battling on for ten minutes, it appeared the tough tackling midfielder came off worse for wear and was unable to continue due to blurred vision and sickness. It was revealed later that Ahmed had to spend hours in hospital as he was checked over for concussion.

Josh Harrigan switched to central midfield whilst David Smith came in at centre half.

Zak Pickett was also struggling through the pain with a bad coccyx and as a result was limited in his participation.

Tom Ashton was a driving force in midfield, as he has been all season and came close with several long range efforts. Wall skipped past three opponents with super skill before driving a 30-yard shot narrowly wide of the upright.

Other than a brief scare wen an East Lodge forward found himself one on one with Godfrey after beating his marker for pace - only to fire over the cross bar with Liam doing just enough to close the angle and put pressure on the shot; the defence led superbly by dominant captain Michael Sawbridge alongside the in-form Jake Beattie (two man of the match awards in a row), Smith and the ever-reliable David Kilcoyne all stood firm to provide a solid base at the back.

Ryan Chinn and Miles Hodge both enjoyed extended run outs for the team and showed nice touches and confidence on the ball when in possession.

HALF TIME: CFY 1-0 East Lodge

During the half time break the visiting keeper verbally abused the referee and threw his gloves at the match official at which point he was promptly shown a straight red card.

His indiscipline meant that East Lodge would have to play out the second half with just ten men. Ironically it was hard to tell that East Lodge were the side with a man down as they piled on the pressure early doors to draw level when a chipped shot slipped through the grasp of second half substitute Kelvin Bagot and into the net.

Thankfully Ford responded and rallied to win the game thanks to two strikes from Wall.

Montigue came so close to making it four as he beat his man before having his shot towards the bottom right hand corner turned away expertly by the goalkeeper for a corner kick, before Michael Sawbridge powered his way through a host of players and into the box only to fire wide of goal.

It's been a great journey and you have all been a pleasure to work with and coach, thanks for the good times and congratulations once again for ending on a high and winning the league - you've all played a phenomenal part and fully deserve your awards.

After the game, the celebrations began with photos taken and trophies being awarded - see the gallery below.

FULL TIME: CFY 3-1 East Lodge

Man of the match: Liam Godfrey

CFY 2-7 Broadway Academy

In this friendly match, CFY took on Broadway Academy and fell behind early on. Finding themselves four goals down midway through the half, Ford finished the half far stronger with more possession and chances. Michael Sawbridge pulled a goal back straight from an in-swinging corner before a hand ball in the penalty area led to Tom Ashton scoring from the spot.

There were no goals for some time after this as the second half saw Chandlers Ford win the physical battle but fail to create much in front of goal. The visitors finished strongly however and scored three goals in quick succession towards the end. Jake Beattie won the man of the match award for the second week in a row after an outstanding performance at right back with a number of important tackles and not putting a foot wrong all game.

Chandlers Ford Youth 2-7 Broadway Academy

Friendly – 18th April 2009

Line up: Kane Kellaway, Jake Beattie, Josh Harrigan, Michael Sawbridge ©, David Kilcoyne, Ahmed Sfagsi, Tom Ashton, Ryan Chinn, David Bromhead, Michael Wall, Miles Hodge.

Subs: Jozef Montigue, Zak Pickett

Man of the Match: Jake Beattie

CHAMPIONS!

Stubbington 6-8 Chandlers Ford Youth

Mid Solent Under 15 B Division – 11^th April 2009

Line up: Kelvin Bagot, Jake Beattie, David Smith, Michael Sawbridge ©, David Kilcoyne, Ahmed Sfagsi, Tom Ashton, David Bromhead, Zak Pickett, Michael Wall, Jozef Montigue.

Subs: Ryan Chinn, Miles Hodge, Kane Kellaway.

Needing just three points to seal the title, Chandlers Ford went to Stubbington full of confidence and made the perfect start to the game inspired by Tom Ashton.

Less than a minute into the game, Tom scored a stunning goal as he beat several players with ease before picking out the top corner with a scorching strike from distance.

Moments later, Michael Wall was brought down in the area and the referee awarded a penalty for the foul. Tom stepped up and made no mistake from the spot to double the lead with a confident strike.

Completing a hattrick within the opening ten minutes of the game, Ashton danced his way past his opponents before nearly breaking the back of the net with another quality strike from range for 3-0.

Stubbington pegged Ford back after this blistering start as they caught CFY out on two separate occasions with quick counter attacking football to twice slot the ball past the unprotected Kelvin.

Michael Wall soon put Ford back on the front foot with a superb left foot volley from an exquisite cross from the right. The technique was perfect as Chandlers Ford’s top goal scorer caught the ball full on the volley to lift the ball over the keeper’s head and find the net in style.

The defence of Michael Sawbridge, Jake Beattie, David Smith and David Kilcoyne stood firm against a spell of pressure from the home side towards the end of the half as Stubbington looked to exploit the pace of their forwards with the ball over the top.

HALF TIME: Stubbington 2-4 CFY

The Blues made a very shaky start to the second half as Stubbington forced an early corner and then won a penalty kick soon after as Jake tripped his marker in the box. Kelvin couldn’t keep the ball out as Stubbington came within one goal of drawing level at 3-4.

Zak Pickett continued his goal scoring run of late with a very important strike just when Stubbington were looking dangerously close to getting right back in the game. Wall combined with Zak to set him up and Pickett did all the rest with a tidy finish to make it 3-5.

In this very topsy-turvy end-to-end game focused very much on two attacking sides, Stubbington came back again to make it 4-5.

Captain Michael Sawbridge made his impact felt with a strong presence in the penalty area to keep Ford’s noses in front with two headed goals from corner kicks, whilst Michael Wall rounded off an excellent team move that saw a fine David Bromhead cross headed home leaving the keeper no chance.

Refusing to give up, Stubbington set up a nervy, tense finish for Chandlers Ford who could practically touch the league title they were that close.

This game went right to the wire as the hosts were awarded a second penalty late on for an alleged foul by Kilcoyne, but with the scores at 6-8, Chandlers Ford were relieved and delighted to have held on to their win – the final whistle music to Richard and his side’s ears which signalled CFY had won the league.

After a fantastic season of football and heading the division for so long, Chandlers Ford Youth did themselves proud by finally making the dream a reality, securing the Mid Solent Under 15B League title. Well done to all you boys, this is an absolute credit to each and everyone of you and fully deserved! Each of you are champions in your own right, congratulations!

Ahmed Sfagsi was just overshadowed for the man of the match award by Jake Beattie, but both had terrific games fighting for every ball and battling all the game long.

FULL TIME: Stubbington 6-8 CFY

Man of the match: Jake Beattie

Goals galore - Ford make win look all so easy in storming second half

Chandlers Ford Youth 11-3 Lee Rangers

Mid Solent Under 15 B Division – 4^th April 2009

Line up: Kane Kellaway, Jake Beattie, David Smith, Liam Godfrey, David Kilcoyne, Ahmed Sfagsi, Tom Ashton, David Bromhead, Zak Pickett, Michael Wall, Jozef Montigue.

Subs: Ryan Chinn.

Richard was down to the bones of his squad for today’s home game against Lee Rangers, with defenders Michael Sawbridge and Josh Harrigan missing along with Miles Hodge, Kelvin Bagot, and the injured Daryl Winter and Ryan Dennis.

David Smith had to be woken up and driven to the game by his manager just fifteen minutes before the game, otherwise Ford would have been struggling for a back four. As it was CFY were left with just the one sub and Liam was drafted into the defence along side Smith to fill Sawbridge’s absence.

Lee Rangers, who held Chandlers Ford to a 4-4 draw when the sides last met, opened the scoring when the referee overlooked a foul on Michael Wall just inside the penalty area and as play continued, Rangers broke away up the pitch at speed and slotted past Kane.

Jozef Montigue hit back with a quick reply for the hosts following a perfectly-weighted lofted pass over the defence from Tom Ashton. Montigue held off his marker before lifting the ball over the keeper’s head and into the net with a fine finish.

The visitors soon restored their lead much to Ford’s surprise, who once again had to dig deep to draw level. David Bromhead provided that second equalising goal with a lovely left foot volley that gave the keeper absolutely no chance.

For a third time, Rangers again went ahead only for CFY to follow the same pattern and go in at the break on a level footing at 3-3. Ashton became Chandlers Ford’s third scorer of the game when he charged down the Rangers defence in the penalty area before winning the ball and smashing home.

HALF TIME: CFY 3-3 Lee Rangers

Zak Pickett got the home side off to the perfect start early in the second half with two goals inside the space of three minutes. His first saw him weave past a handful of players scrambling into the six-yard box and slotting the ball low to the keeper’s right to put Ford ahead for the first time in the game, and from here they never looked back.

Pickett finished from close range to open up the gap and provide a bit of breathing space at 5-3, before Joe grabbed his second of the game finishing well as Lee Rangers found themselves 6-3 down in the blink of an eye and not really knowing what had hit them.

Chandlers Ford just kept coming and piling on the pressure and just kept finding the back of the net, time after time looking so at ease and in control, showing just why they have been top of the table for so long and favourites to win the division this season.

Ashton scored again, before Michael Wall and Liam Godfrey both got in on the act as well in this ‘goal-difference boosting exercise’ that the game had suddenly become for Richard’s side.

Lee Rangers looked a completely different side this half, uninterested with heads going down after the first couple of goals against them after the restart, and Chandlers Ford capitalised on this punishing their opponents in a goal-blitz rampage in a fifteen minute spell. Kane might as well have had the rest of the game off as he didn’t have a save to make, which he can have his defence to thank for who all just got on with their jobs professionally right to the end.

Liam in particular was a commanding force winning everything in the air, and considering he was drafted in at the last minute to play at the back – his performance was faultless.

Another ‘unsung hero’ was Ahmed Sfagsi who battled away in the midfield constantly and kept possession well when he won the ball.

Both Zak and Tom went on to complete their hat tricks in style with superb strikes. Zak’s was probably the pick of the bunch due to the fine team build up play that saw the ball knocked across the front line from right to left before Pickett controlled expertly before picking out the top right hand corner of goal with a volley of the highest quality.

Man of the match Tom Ashton sealed the win with his third goal and Ford’s eleventh to complete the rout and seal CFY's most comprehensive and high scoring win of the season, before Montigue was denied a hat trick late on for an offside decision against him.

FULL TIME: CFY 11-3 Lee Rangers

Man of the match: Tom Ashton

CFY open up gap at top of league after convincing win over Crofton

Crofton Saints 1-5 Chandlers Ford Youth

Mid Solent Under 15 B Division – 28th March 2009

Line up: Kelvin Bagot, Jake Beattie, Michael Sawbridge (c), David Smith, David Kilcoyne, Liam Godfrey, Tom Ashton, Ahmed Sfagsi, Zak Pickett, Michael Wall, Jozef Montigue.

Subs: Kane Kellaway, Ryan Chinn, Miles Hodge.

Chandlers Ford maintained their title challenge with back to back wins after putting five past Crofton this morning to build on last weeks 4-2 home victory over Bridgemary Colts.

Jake Beattie and Liam Godfrey returned to the starting line up in the absence of Josh Harrigan and David Bromhead. Both Jake and Liam were arguably the players who shone the most in the opening stages of the game, with Beattie making himself available to support the midfield and cross from the right back position as well his usual no nonsense tackling at the back. Meanwhile Godfrey was full of energy and commitment down the right flank and had a couple of decent opportunities to get on the score sheet.

Richard’s side in red and black had more than their fair share of possession and perhaps should have found a breakthrough earlier in the game for the amount of pressure they had applied.

When the opening goal finally came, it was certainly well worth waiting for. Fantastic football from the visitors saw intricate passing rounded off by Jozef Montigue holding the ball up well and cleverly back-heeling into the path of Tom Ashton, who did the rest with a fine driven shot that had too much on it be kept out.

Ryan Chinn also came close when the ball was worked over to the far side of the penalty area towards the end of the half as Ford continued to knock the ball around to feet with superb fluidity, but his shot flashed wide of goal.

Crofton did threaten on the counter attack a few times, but when they did have the beating of Kelvin, Jake was back to make a vital stop to keep out an otherwise certain goal.

HALF TIME: Crofton Saints 0-1 CFY

Striking early on in the second half gave CFY the confidence and edge that they perhaps needed to go on and secure a convincing win.

Michael Sawbridge had pushed forward into midfield and skipped past his markers as if they weren’t even there soon after the restart before crashing a thunderous strike against the inside of the post. Montigue followed up and drilled a low shot first time into the bottom corner from 18 yards to double his sides lead.

Zak Pickett soon made it 3-0 when he rounded off a good move by connecting with a cross from the right to control well and find the back of the net with a neat half volley.

A moments lapse in concentration saw the hosts break away and beat Kelvin with a low shot from range, before Pickett was at it again to net his second goal of the game in similar fashion to restore the three goal cushion.

The Crofton keeper came under a lot of pressure towards the end of the game with Tom coming within inches of adding to his tally on numerous occasions.

David Kilcoyne netted his second goal in as many games when coming up for a corner and bundling home from close range to complete the scoring and wrap up another good win.

FULL TIME: Crofton Saints 1-5 CFY

Man of the match: Jozef Montigue