Southdown Athletic U14's
Honours
Oakmeeds six a side tournament U10 runners up 2004
U11 Div B runners up 2004/2005
LEAGUE CUP WINNERS 2005/2006
Northchapel U12 six a side Tournament Winners 2006
Northchapel U13 six a side Tournament Winners 2007
Northchapel U14 six a side Tournament Winners and runners up 2008
Squad for the 2007 - 2008
Andy Squibbs - goalkeeper
Joe Trevelyan - goalkeeper
Basil Kowatli - defence
Tom Hebditch - defence
Jacob Lane - defence
Aidan Shaw - defence
Jamie Herbert - defence
Jack Lewis - defence
Alex Beard - midfield
Ryan Booker - midfield
Jack Agate - midfield(captain)
Ben Godfrey - midfield
George Amos - midfield/forward
Michael Lee - midfield
Simon Pitt - forward
Billy Elson Farmer - forward
Managers - Mike Farmer/Simon Godfrey.
Coaches - Martin Lee/Andy Herbert
Team reporter - John Hebditch
Team Mascot - Harley
Training is on a Wednesday at the Triangle - 6.p.m. to 7.p.m. unless otherwise notified
Match Reports
Match Report 27.04.08
Seagulls (1) V Southdown (6)
Rock Solid in defence, mobile and creative in midfield and incisive in attack this was a much better footballing performance by Athletic that saw them take on Seagulls. An early warning saw the home side shoot into the side netting but soon after a free kick over the top found Simon Pitt who had lost his marker and he made no mistake for Athletic to take the lead. Jack Agate, Mike Lee and Alex Beard were bossing the midfield and using and passing the ball well. Pitts pace was causing problems for the home side and he was a perfect foil for the power of Billy Farmer his strike partner. Tom Hebditch pushing up from defence almost made it two but the home keeper smothered the ball at his feet. Jacob Lane, Aidan Shaw and Jamie Herbert, his defensive colleagues were an almost impenetrable barrier although Andy Squibs was also quickly off his line as the need arose. The second goal came after Athletic worked the ball quickly out of defence then Pitt took the ball wide and his cross shot beat the keeper. The third goal came after the ball was nicely laid back for Shaw to power a long range shot in off the post. Lane was well back to snuff out a Seagulls attack then Pitt went close and Farmer slipped on the greasy surface as he was shooting. Agate’s pass picked out Beard and he cleverly beat his marker and his shot went in off the far post. Athletic carried on in the second half as they had in the first. Basil Kowatli replaced Hebditch but he came back on in midfield to replace Ben Goddfrey who was battling hard but had to go off with an injury. A lapse in concentration and the Athletic defence was caught napping with the home side pouncing for their only goal. Joe Trevelyan stood up well following another Seagulls break then Pitt contrived to miss an open goal. Pushing up the Athletic defence was left exposed and Kowatli popped up to block and almost certain goal. Pitt made it five before Agate hit the bar, then a long-range effort from Lane was helped in by Beard for Athletic’s sixth. This was a good all round team performance by Athletic with every player getting involved and contributing to the cause.
Match Report 20.04.08
Southdown Athletic (6) V Crawley Down (4)
From the kick-off the home side made all the running and dominated the early stages. But for some profligate and wayward finishing the early dominance wasn’t translated into goals until a superb pass from Tom Hebditch picked out Billy Farmer in the box whose cross was met by Simon Pitt to open the scoring. Farmer working hard out wide then pulled the ball back for Pitt again but his angled shot went wide past the far post. A goalmouth scramble had the ball pinging about in the visitors box but still the home side couldn’t put it away. The Athletic back four of Jamie Herbert, Alex Beard, Aidan Shaw and Tom Hebditch comfortably dealt with a rare attack by the visitors. The Athletic midfield of Jack Agate, Ryan Booker, George Amos and Mike Lee hardly gave the visitors look in then Pitt scored the second with the keeper almost getting down to a powerful shot only to see it go in off the post. Amos went down with a pulled muscle before a number of other chances went begging. The visitors unpicked the Athletic defence with a ball over the top and a shot that Andy Squibbs in the Athletic goal could do nothing about. Immediately after the halftime break Lee and Agate combined well and set up Booker with an easy chance for Athletic’s third. Even though Athletic had missed a hat-full of chances the visitors seem to sense that they might get something form the match and pulled one back followed by a second to square the match. On level terms for short while Athletic hit back with Booker grabbing a fourth to reclaim the lead. Shortly after Pitt regained his scoring touch with a brace of goals. However, the visitors had the final word and hit a fourth. This was a score line that belied the chances that Athletic had spurned and failed to convert. A more realistic shoreline should have been into double figures if only those chances had been converted this match could have been done and dusted within the first twenty minutes.
Match Report 09.03.08
Southdown Athletic (0) V Crawley Town Devils (5)
The visitors started well putting Athletic under considerable early pressure with strong running and accurate passing. Although the back line worked hard to keep them at bay the early pressure told with Crawley taking the lead past Andy Squibbs in the Athletic goal. The Athletic defence of Basil Kowatli, Alex Beard, Jacob Lane and Tom Hebditch steadied the ship and Athletic began to get back in the match. Ryan Booker, George Amos, Jamie Herbert and Jack Agate started to assert themselves in midfield and opportunities began to open up for Simon Pitt up front. Mike Lee down the right flank was always willing to drop back and support the defence. He also took every chance to get forward and be creative in the opponents half. Pitt as a lone striker was working hard and his pace was always a threat. Hebditch was having a particularly good match at right back against strong opposition and usually made the right choice when deciding to stand off or in timing his tackles. On the ball he was always looking to turn defence into attack and he played some intelligent balls forward. At the break there was still only one goal in it and when Billy Farmer came on he linked well with Pitt up front. Unfortunately, that final ball always seemed to elude Athletic and the Crawley keeper was always confident and quickly off his line to claim any over hit passes. Joe Trevelyan in the Athletic goal was playing well and made some crucial saves but although it was now much more evenly matched Crawley took their chances and hit a second goal. Still Athletic strived hard to get back in the match but in the final quarter Crawley unpicked the Athletic defence and scored a brace in quick succession. Then in the final minutes Crawley extended their lead further with a fifth goal. The final score doesn’t reflect either possession or the openings created. However, Crawley were pushed hard by Athletic and if the home side had taken some of the their chances then the result might have ended a lot closer.
Match Report 02.03.08
League Cup Semi Final Lindfield Juniors (6) AET (2) Southdown Athletic
The score after added time belies a magnificent performance from Southdown Athletic as they pushed Lindfield all the way in this competitive U14 league Cup semi final. For 80 minutes Athletic easily matched this very good Lindfield side but it was an unlucky goal keeping error that let in Lindfield for the first score of the match. Athletic almost pulled it back from a Aidan Shaw half volley but his goal bound shot was acrobatically tipped over for a corner. Jack Agate, Ryan Booker and George Amos were working hard in the Athletic midfield linking the defence and creating opportunities for the strikers up front. Mike Lee patrolling the right wing burst through but was unable to connect with the ball as it bobbled around in the penalty box as the Lindfield keeper dropped on the ball to make it safe. A Booker cross almost picked out the head of Simon Pitt upfront but he was just unable to connect. The pacey Pitt was always a threat but it was at the back with Basil Kowatli, Jacob Lane, Alex Beard and Jamie Herbert where the foundations of the performance lay. In the second half Billy Farmer shot wide then Pitt had another effort just wide. However, it was Lindfield that doubled their lead shortly after. Pressing forward Pitt went close again and then Booker popped up in the box and pulled one back. Agate, Athletic’s captain, was driving his team forward and leading by example working his socks off all over the pitch. Lindfield were clearly rattled and conceded a number of free kicks to try and disrupt the Athletic momentum. Then Athletic were rewarded as an Amos header made the semi-final all square and it was no more than the team deserved. Tom Hebditch in the Athletic defence was having a great second half defending well but also getting forward adding weight to the attack as Athletic went for the winner. At full time it ended all square in no small part to an excellent performance by Joe Trevelyan on for Andy Squibbs in the Athletic goal. The match went into extra time and two Lindfield goals from unstoppable shots in the first period of extra time helped by the blustery conditions saw Athletic with another mountain to climb. Working hard they strived to get back into the match but were always open to the counter attack and Lane conceded a penalty as he tried to make that last ditch tackle. Throwing men forward Athletic were caught short at the back again and Lindfield took advantage to make it six. At the end Hebditch bravely blocked and deflected an almost certain seventh goal but time ran out and it was Lindfield who had booked their place in the final. This was a top class Athletic performance that deserved more and at its heart was the Jack Agate who was Athletics MoM.
Match Report 10/02/08
TD Shipley 4 v Southdown Athletic 5
Grit, determination and team work were the order of the day as an indefatigable Athletic team had to dig deep to twice come back from two goal deficits. A good early showing by Athletic saw them forcing the pace and George Amos had the ball in the net from a clever flick on by Simon Pitt only to be pulled back for an earlier offside. Pitt went close again turning and shooting to the far corner only to see the Shipley keeper make a fine save. The ever-busy Jack Agate hit the side netting with the goal at his mercy. Then a fast TD Shipley counter caught out the Athletic defence and they took the lead. The home team almost doubled their lead shortly after when a shot smacked against the post past the despairing dive of Andy Squibbs in the Athletic goal. Another Shipley attack and this time they did double their lead after a series of missed tackles and sloppy defending. Athletic pulled it back to 2-1 from a superb cross by Billy Farmer was touched in by Pitt. Then the Shipley Keeper dropped the ball and Farmer was there to snap up the equaliser. Just as Athletic had worked hard to get back into the match another silly defensive error let in Shipley for the their third. Just before half time Tom Hebditch won the ball wide right and his pass picked out Ryan Booker who shot narrowly missed. After the break Athletic stood back as the TD Shipley captain scored a superb solo effort after a long jinking dribble that split the Athletic defence wide open. With another two goal deficit to over come Athletic knuckled down with Mike Lee and Basil Kowatli linking well down the right flank. Booker and Agate and Alex Beard were driving the team forward with the defence of Jamie Herbert, Jacob Lane and Aidan Shaw all working hard to eliminate any further defensive lapses. Booker pulled one back after a last ditch tackle by Lane turned defence in to attack. Joe Trevelyan in the Athletic goal was quickly off his line to claim any loose balls and up front Farmer and Pitt were causing problems. Farmer got his reward with a superbly taken fourth Athletic goal to draw the teams level for a second time. Then a Booker cross picked out Farmer and he claimed his hat trick and Athletic took the lead. It seemed that the tide had turned but Athletic were not able to get another goal to cushion their lead and they almost paid the price when near the end a TD Shipley striker shot wide with the goal at his mercy. This was a much-improved performance that saw Athletic deserved winners and for his work rate and superb hat trick Billy Farmer was Athletics’ MoM.
Match report 03/02/08
Southdown Athletic (1) V Cuckfield Cosmos (6)
Close rivals Cuckfield Cosmos had much the better game as they easily ran out 6 – 1 winners. Unusually Athletic put in a lack lustre performance that, apart from one or two flashes of inspiration, largely lacked any control, commitment or vision. Tom Hebditch, Jacob Lane, Jamie Herbert and Basil Kowalti were up against it in the Athletic defence as the Athletic midfield of Jack Agate, George Amos, Ryan Booker, Aidan Shaw, and Alex Beard only operated as a unit sporadically. As a result Simon Pitt up front was denied his usually service and although working hard the Cosmos defence was having an excellent match and gave him few openings. Cosmos were well worth the two-goal lead at half time with the second coming after an Athletic defensive lapse. After the break Pitt went close but shot into the side netting. But then Athletic fell behind further after conceding a penalty. Athletic upped their work rate in a effort to get back into the match but never really created many changes and pressing forward left themselves open to the counter attack. Joe Trevelyan on in the second half in the Athletic goal was having a good game and made some crucial blocks and saves. But he could do nothing as Cosmos knocked in a further three before Athletic replied with a consolation goal for Booker after he skilfully lobbed the keeper. This was a disappointing performance all-round for Athletic and they will need to improve and improve quickly if they want to move up the table.
U14 League Cup Quarter final
Southdown Athletic (4) V Highwood Park (2)
An early goal by Simon Pitt a couple of minutes from kick-off saw Southdown Athletic on their way to a comfortable win. Athletic’s midfield quartet of Jack Agate, Ryan Booker, Alex Beard and Ben Godfrey maintained tight control in the middle of the park and allowed the visitors few opportunities to threaten. Pitt almost turned provider with a teasing cross with several Athletic players closing in then almost got his second from a superb measured pass from Beard that he slid just wide. Billy Farmer worked his was to the by-line and pulled back another defence splitting cross that was just outside the reach of the ever dangerous Pitt. Booker went close with a deft chip and another defensive error let in Pitt for his and Athletic’s second. Pitt hit the post shortly after and then Jacob Lane in the centre of defence was called into action to block a rare Highwood attack. A ball out of defence was collected by Farmer whose shot was palmed out by the keeper only for Pitt to follow up and claim his hat trick. Basil Kowalti, Aidan Shaw and Jamie Herbert along with Lane in defence were solid and offered an almost impenetrable barrier and protected Joe Trevelyan in the Athletic goal who had very little to do. Godfrey was having a tremendous game on the left and was tenacious in the tackle. Tom Hebditch and Mike Lee on in the second half but Athletic carried on where they left off. Hebditch showed good judgement in defence in tracking back then timing his tackle beautifully. From a superb corner from Shaw, Pitt’s shot was parried by the Highwood keeper and Godfrey was there to snap up Athletic’s fourth. Lee shot at the keeper and was heavily involved in Athletic attacks down the right flank. Then from a Highwood free kick outside the box Shaw in trying to clear headed an own goal. Still, Athletic had much the better of the chances with Booker going close and hitting the post then Agate heading just over. But a moment’s rare indecision in the Athletic defence let in Highwood for their second. This was more dominant performance than the score might suggest but even so Athletic rarely needed to get in to top gear. MoM for his terrier like performance on the left wing went to Ben “Godders” Godfrey.
06 January 2008
Seagulls Club (0) V Southdown Athletic (15)
After a long break due to cancelled matches and the Christmas holiday Athletic got back to action with a resounding win against Seagulls Club. This was a totally dominant performance played almost entirely in the home teams half. From the kick off Athletic were straight on the attack and it wasn’t long before George Amos scored the opener quickly followed another where he was set up by a inviting cross to the far post by Tom Hebditch. The Athletic midfield of Jack Agate, Alex Beard, Ryan Booker and Amos hardly gave the opposition a look in and when they did break through the Athletic back four of Jacob Lane, Aiden Shaw, Jamie Herbert and Hebditch easily mopped up and quickly turned defence into attack. In the Athletic goal either Andy Squibbs first half or Jo Trevelyan second half had hardly a touch and up front the Simon Pitt and Billy Farmer were causing the home defence all sorts of problems with Pitt’s pace particularly threatening. Beard down the right had a particularly good game with probing runs and testing crosses with Mike Lee carrying on down the right in the second half. Ben Goddfrey on in the second half also played his part on the left wing. Amos and Farmer both got hat tricks and Pitt went one better with four. Agate, Lane Lee each got one apiece. The remainder of Athletics goal tally consisted of two own goals. But for some fine saves, dogged Seagulls defending the tally could have been a lot higher and even though the match was so one sided the home team never gave up hope trying to get at least a consolation goal but on this occasion Athletic were far too strong.
18 November 2007
Southdown Athletic (0) V Felpham Colts Youth (1)
Early chances fell to Southdown Athletic with Simon Pitt hitting straight at the keeper then George Amos’s overhead kick going over. Felpham bounced back and won a corner but the Athletic defence of Jacob Lane, Jamie Herbert, Alex Beard and Basil Kowatli stood firm and cleared. Pitt and Amos linked up well but the Felpham keeper was well down to smother the shot. Pitt was full of running up front and linked well with his strike partner Billy Farmer. Andy Squibbs in the Athletic goal was well out to claim then made a couple of great saves to keep Athletic in the tie. Pitt went close but hit another shot at the keeper then Farmer racing down the right wing put in a testing effort from a tight angle that was just over. Mike Lee picked out Ryan Booker who’s shot was deflected for a corner. Jack Agate, Booker and Amos were working hard in the Athletic midfield. Amos picked out Farmer but his shot was the wrong side of the post. Felpham took the lead after half an hour as Squibbs called for the ball but was beaten by the Felpham forward who made no mistake. Before half time Agate went close however the Felpham keeper was again in the right place to block. A fairly even first half saw Athletic unlucky be trailing by a goal to nil. In the second half Athletic stepped up a gear and Agate one moment was defending then popped in attack to shoot across the face of the goal. Tom Hebditch was pushing forward and nicely crossed in to the danger zone and then had a decent long-range effort. Jo Trevelyan on for Squibbs made a terrific save from a powerful free kick conceded just outside the box. The busy Agate picked out Beard whose high cross to the far post was met by the lurking Pitt but he headed just over. Athletic were turning the screw and were camped in the Felpham half, surely a goal must come, but the Felpham keeper was in superb form and the visitors defence rode their luck at times. Booker had a shot blocked and Mike Lee following up shot over. Pitt went close and Booker had another shot blocked. Lane was always alert to the occasional Felpham break but this half it was almost all Athletic but they just could not make all that pressure count. At the final whistle Felpham took the tie with that solitary goal in the first half. Athletic were so unlucky to go out and in the second half there was only one team in it. For his tireless work rate, skill, and distribution and as a magnificent example to his team Jack Agate, Athletics’ captain, was the home teams MoM.
Report of U14 A League Match
11 November 2007
Southdown Athletic (2) V TD Shipley Youth (3)
Athletic went close early on but the TD Shipley keeper was quickly down to block. From the early scare TD Shipley countered with a shot smacking against the post and bouncing across the face of the goal then hooked to safety by Jacob Lane. Although creating chances Athletic were being caught out far to often by fast TD Shipley attacks and the usual rock solid Athletic defence was looking shaky at times. Billy Farmer went close from a header and his Strike partner Simon Pitt was demonstrating devastating acceleration so that the visitor’s defence were hard pressed to deal with. Pitt almost scored when he shot the wrong side of the goal post then turned creator but Jack Agate hit over. Tom Hebditch in the Athletic defence was quickly back to cover when TD Shipley threatened to break clear. Alex Beard’s pass picked out Pitt and this time he made no mistake and give Athletic the lead. This combo almost doubled the lead but the TD Shipley keeper was quickly out to claim the ball. Hebditch was again battling hard in defence and having to work hard to clear the Athletic lines. Jamie Herbert and Aidan Shaw were regularly called into action in the Athletic defence but could do nothing as a powerful shot from the edge of the box rocketed past Andy Squibs in the Athletic goal. Then Squibbs pulled off a remarkable save sticking out a foot to deflect the ball for a corner. Athletic were creating chances but they weren’t being taken. After the break a TD Shipley conceded a foul on the edge of the box and Lane smashed his shot through the defensive wall for Athletic to regain the lead. Ben Godfrey and Mike Lea were working well down the flanks. Lea popped up in attack and smashed a shot against the post and Godfrey following up shot wide. Pitt was still causing problems up front but couldn’t make it count. Jo Trevelyan on for Squibbs was well behind the ball to save and was commanding off his line. As the half came to a close the ball wasn’t cleared and Trevelyan had no chance with a shot that screamed into to the top corner. In the dying minutes TD Shipley snatched the lead and all three points and Athletic had paid the price of not converting the chances they created.
Report of U14 League Cup Match
28 October 2007
Southdown Athletic (4) V Ifield Edwards Youth (1)
In difficult bluster showery conditions Athletic made easy work of a game Ifield side. Jack Agate set the example beating two defenders to shoot across the face of the goal then Simon Pitt pounced for the opening goal after the visitors failed to clear their lines. Ryan Booker was tireless, strong in tackle and a driving force in the Athletic midfield. Against the run of play the visitors equalised but Athletic were back on the attack immediately. Billy Farmer partnering Pitt up front was spearheading the Athletic attack and the visitor’s defence had their hands full trying to contain them. A beautiful turn and shot by Pitt claimed Athletics second goal and then a brilliant combination between the strikers almost claimed a third. Farmer again went close and a Booker effort went wide. Up popped Pitt again and after a couple of goes made it 3-1. Alex Beard floated in some testing corners and from one Jacob Lane rose majestically above the crowd and glanced his header wide. Just before half time Lane took an accidental thump on the cheek but carried on with his defensive duties. Jamie Herbert was always solid in the left back position and Aidan Shaw was a rock with Lane in the central defensive partnership that protected Andy Squibbs in the Athletic goal. At right back Tom Hebditch was rarely troubled and his distribution was always excellent. Mike Lee was in good form surging forward and trying to set things up but always aware of his defensive responsibilities. In the second half Jo Trevelyan on for Squibbs in the Athletic gaol was commanding in the box and coped admirably with the tricky conditions. But it was Pitt set up by Lee down the right that really put the tie beyond doubt with a fourth goal after rounding the keeper. Shaw took a turn at surging forward beating a bevy of defenders but saw his shot hit straight at the keeper. Pitt turned provider after he collected a brilliant ball out of defence from Basil Kowatli got to the bye line and pulled it back for Lee to strike a shot that was well saved by the Ifield keeper. Pitt’s pace was causing havoc in the visitors defence and he went close again. He then set up Farmer whose shot looked every inch a goal until the Ifield keeper blocked. This was a game where Athletic were rarely troubled but when they were it was Lane who was there as an almost impenetrable barrier for this and his covering, blocking, tackling and threat at set pieces Lane was Athletics MoM.
Report of Sussex C.P. Mason U14 cup match (Sussex County Cup)
14 October 2007
Chichester City Colts (6) v Southdown Athletic (6) AET
(Southdown win 5-3 on penalties)
A rip-roaring cup-tie saw Southdown Athletic take on Chichester City Colts. Starting well Athletic had Simon Pitt partnering Billy Farmer upfront and the combo always looked dangerous but it was Chichester that took the early lead. It was end-to-end stuff and both teams always looked dangerous in attack. Pitt up front brought the teams level only for Chichester to again take the lead again. From an Athletic corner Jacob Lane shot through a crowd of players to draw the teams level at half time. In the second half both teams were putting they’re all into the match and turning in a footballing spectacle with commitment, drive and no little skill. Ryan Booker, Jack Agate and George Amos were always urging their teammates forward and Pitt was almost unstoppable upfront but we lost count of the times he was denied by the woodwork. In defence Aidan Shaw, Tom Hebditch and Basil Kowatli were steadfast in blocking the dangerous Chichester attack and Andy Squibbs was always alert in the Athletic goal. In the early stages of the second half it was even-stevens with both teams creating chances but it was Chichester that began to pile on the pressure and again took the lead. Joe Trevelyan in the Athletic goal was tested on a number of occasions and always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. Mike Lee on for Kowatli was working hard on the right flank. Athletic throwing caution to the wind pushed up Lane in an effort to stay in the tie and with a few minutes remaining of normal time Farmers left foot volley drew the teams level at 3 all. In the first period of extra time Pitt hit the target 3 times and Athletic thought they had the opposition beat. But Chichester to their credit saw a glimmer of hope following a converted penalty they began to push back Athletic deeper into their own half. Pitt had chances again but in two efforts he again hit the woodwork. With the clock ticking down the Athletic defence was breeched again and now there was only one goal in it. It was all hands to the pumps but the home team drew level at the death and this saw the tie being decided by the dreaded penalty shoot out. Starting first Alex Beard made his count then Trevelyan pulled of a super save to deny Chichester. The remaining Athletic penalty takers Booker, Pit, Lane and Amos all hit unstoppable penalties. But Trevelyan in the Athletic goal was the hero of the hour that saw the team through to the next round. For his work rate and contribution all over the park Jack Agate, the team captain, was Athletics MoM.
Report of 1st Round U14 League Cup Match
07 October 2007
Marle Place Wanderers (0) V Southdown Athletic (7)
A few seconds from kick off a rampant Southdown Athletic almost took the lead when Simon Pitt smashed a shot against the bar. Then a superb flowing move out of defence saw Ryan Booker open the scoring with an unstoppable effort that fizzed into the back of the net. Keeping up the momentum Athletic doubled the score after Pitt neatly swivelled and let fly from just inside the box. Booker almost put in Pitt with an inviting cross but there was no power in the header. Alex Beard was having a good game down the left flank and Mike Lee was doing the same down the right as Athletic varied the point of attack. Once again the Athletic defence were playing as a solid unit and Andy Squibbs in the Athletic goal was always quickly out to deal with any Place breakthroughs. Beard surging into the Place box had his shot parried by the Place keeper and George Amos following up made no mistake for no. 3. Then Jacob Lane conceded a penalty but Squibbs made a terrific save diving to his right to maintain his clean sheet. Jack Agate, industrious as ever, in the Athletic midfield almost caught the Place keeper of his line with a clever lob that slipped just wide. Partnering Lane in central defence Aidan Shaw was a rock and his corners were almost always perfectly flighted into the danger zone. Basil Kowatli was rarely troubled at left back but there was no respite for Place as George Amos made it four with a powerful shot from the edge of the box. Lee’s pass found Pitt who laid it off for Booker to make it 5. Tom Hebditch bringing the ball out of defence flighted a testing ball into the Place box but neither Beard or Pitt could connect. Then a long goal kick from Lane found Beard who slid it in to Pitt to score no. 6. Pitt went close and Booker just failed to reach another superb cross in by Lee. Any attacks by Place were comfortably dealt with and the home team were finding it very difficult to open up the Athletic defence. With Joe Trevelyan, now in the Athletic goal, getting quickly off his line to snap up anything that slipped past the defence. Beard went close then to round off a good days work for Athletic a long-range effort from Booker slipped fortuitously through the hands of the Place keeper for no. 7. This was a superb all round team performance from Athletic and it was impossible to nominated an individual MoM.
Match report 30 September 2007
Southdown Athletic (6) V Seagulls Club (0)
Ryan Booker on the end of an Alex Beard corner gave Athletic an early lead and settled the team. Athletic’s set pieces were causing Seagulls problems and George Amos had a free header from another corner but directed it straight at the keeper. Mike Lee’s pinpoint cross picked out Simon Pitt and with clever interplay almost put in his striking partner Billy Farmer. Jacob Lane went close and then was quickly back in central defence tackling to win the ball and snub out a Seagull’s attack. From a throw in Ryan Booker picked up the ball on the wing and raced into the box were he beat the keeper at the near post to make it 2-0. Tracking back to support the defence Amos collected the ball and threaded a killer pass to Pitt whose first touch was sublime and his shot fizzed passed the keeper. Andy Squibbs in the Athletic goal was called into action with a shot that he easily collected and then was quickly out to save again. Jack Agate was busy in midfield and linked well with Farmer whose unusual left footed attempt was saved. Amos went close from another corner then Pitt noticed the Seagull’s keeper was off his line and lobbed him for no. 4. Just after, a rasping shot from Amos flew wide then Farmer made it 5. Through the centre he beat his markers and rounded the keeper for a nice finish. Pitt went close again but his shot was cleared off the line. Basil Kowalti took a knock in the Athletic defence as Seagulls strived for a consolation goal but he bravely carried on despite being in some discomfort. Lane, Beard, Kowatli and Tom Hebditch had more to do in the final quarter but stood firm with Lane and Hebditch making some well timed tackles to deny Seagulls. Ben Goddfrey was heavily involved down the left flank before Booker’s pass picked out Pitt and he again displayed his deadly finishing skills to make it 6. A comfortable win for Athletic saw a good all-round team performance but for his goal, assists and general work rate Ryan Booker was Athletic’s MoM although he was pushed mightily close for this honour by Lane in defence and Pitt in attack.
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