U16's Squad

Ashford Town FC U11's Under 11's Manager: Paul Sullivan
	Under 11's Sponsors

Team squad - Back Row L/R - Lewis Bagshaw, Reece Lambert,Antonio Roberto Puig - Miguel,Joe Sullivan,Thomas Bates,Joseph Brown,Harry Pearce

Front Row L/R - Ethan Schrapel,Glen Hothersall,Scott Embery,Charlie Jones,Ashley Buckman,Robbie Burn,Will Flockett.

Match Reports:

Ashford Town U11 Vs Folkestone Invicta U11

Ashford Town Under 11's recorded a 5-2 home win in their penultimate game of the season against Folkestone Invicta Colts in Division 1 of the East Kent Youth League, this weekend.

An unconvincing first half display saw town held at 1 apiece following a tap in by Joseph Sullivan after a fumble by Invictas keeper & a leveller on the counter attack by Folkestone.

Town however upped the pace in the second half & a number of close efforts were missed before Glen Hothersall fired Ashford into the lead from just inside the box. Lewis Bagshaw quickly increased Towns lead with atypicall ycool finish.

It was Robbie Burn who scored the goal of the day however with a fantastic turn & shot from outside the box to put the game beyond any doubt. Folkestone did manage to pull back a goal before Scott Embury headed in Towns fifth.

The Man of the match award was again awarded to Glen Hothersall who having shaken off his early season injury problems is having a fantastic end to the season.

Betteshanger 2 - 2 Ashford Town u 11s

Ashford Town under 11's earned a hard fought away draw against Betteshanger this Sunday in Division 1 of the East Kent Youth League.

Playing up hill and against the wind Town had the conditions agianst them in the first half, despite this Town were the better team and were unfortunate to go into the break 2-1 down.

Injuries are proving to be a real problem for the under 11's and having scored a cracking goal on his comeback after being put through one on and with the Betteshanger ‘keeper by a pass from Joseph Sullivan, Ashley Buckman rejoined the growing injury list at half-time.

A great solo goal in the second half from the ever improving Lewis Bagshaw quickly bought Town level and had it not been for a ridiculous offside decision against a late winner from Antonio Puig Miguel, Town would have taken all three points.

Again Betteshanger found the silky skills of Glen Hothersall impossible to deal with and for the second time this season a cynical tackle from behind caused the young lad to be carried off early and probably denied him another Man Of The Match award. In the end it was won by Sullivan’s creativity after being run close by a solid defensive display by Scott Embury.

Betteshanger 2 Ashford Town 5

Ashford Town Under 11's progressed to the quarter finals of this years East Kent Youth Cup competition following a 5-2 away win against Betteshanger this Sunday. In what should have been a tight game with Division 1's 3rd & 4th placed teams competing against each other Ashford took early control with an outstanding 25 yard volley from Robbie Burn. Shortly afterwards Glen Hothersall scored a similar goal from the other side of the pitch.

Town continued to use the wind to their advantage as yet another long range effort from Joe Sullivan was parried by Betteshanger's keeper into the path of Burn who duly picked up his second. Town then went into the break with a commanding 4-0 lead after Harry Pearce converted from 1 of a number of impressive corner kicks from Antonio Puig Miguel.

Knowing that they would have the difficulty of the wind against them in the second half Town got off to the perfect start when Hothersall picked up the ball just outside the area looked up picked his spot & rifled a shot into the top left hand corner of the goal. Betteshanger did rally after this & also took advantage of the wind whenever possible to attempt quick counter attacking moves. They had some success & scored a couple of goals but Hothersall's silky skills were the highlight of the second half as Betteshanger struggled at times to get a touch of the ball. It came as no surprise at the end of the game when Hothersall was awarded the Man Of The Match trophy following one of the seasons outstanding individual performances.

Town now look forward to playing the winner of the Faversham Strike Force/Hugin Vikin's game in the quarter finals.

Folkestone Invicta 2-2 Ashford Town u 11’s

Ashford town under 11's earned a respectable 2-2 draw away against Folkestone Invicta this weekend in Division 1 of the East Kent Youth League.

A heavy pitch and strong winds made conditions very difficult. However, Town were the beneficiaries of conditions in the first-half and went into the break with a 2-0 lead following goals from Reece Lambert and Glen Hothersall.

With the wind against them in the second-half Town at times had to defend for long periods of time but did so admirably with Lambert, Scott Embury, Harry Pearce and Adam Heathcote holding the backline.

However, midway through the second-half Folkestone were back in the game when they were rightly awarded a penalty for an unfair tackle from behind. Town did raise their game and were unlucky not to increase their lead with Robbie Burn's speed creating chances on the break.

The result though was decided by another penalty award which at best could be called dubious just before the end to give Folkestone Invicta a share of the spoils.

The man of the match award went to Antonio Puig Miguel who finished the game somewhat battered and bruised after a workman like performance in central midfield.

Ashford Town U11's 9 Faversham U11's 2

Ashford Town Under 11's got the new year off to a good start with an emphatic 9-2 home win against Faversham Strike Force in Division 1 of the East Kent Youth League this Sunday.

Town however kept up their tradition of making things hard from the start by conceding an early goal. Howeve,r a quick reply was struck from the head of Joseph Sullivan following a perfect cross from Glen Hothersall. Town then gained the lead with a long range contender for goal of the season from Lewis Bagshaw. Antonio Puig Miguel was next to score after intercepting a weak goal kick and placing the ball past Faversham's keeper. Faversham then scored their second, but goals from Glen Hothersall and a penalty coverted by Sullivan gave Town a 5-2 lead at the interval.

In the second half Town continued their dominance with further goals from Ashley Buckman, -Robbie Burn a second from Bagshaw and a fine 25 yard chip of the keeper by Scott Embery. Despite the impressive goal tally it was a defensive display from Joseph Brown which won the years first Man Of the Match award. Brown was not only a defensive rock but also instigated much of Town's attacking play.

Canterbury Youth 2 - 6 Ashford Town under 11’s

Ashford Town under 11's finished the year off with a comprehensive away win at Canterbury Youth this weekend.

The first-half was a scrappy affair with both teams looking as though their game had been affected by the enforced break in recent weeks due to poor weather.

It was Canterbury who took an early lead, however Town hit back straight away when Antonio Puig Miguel picked up a through ball and fired past the Canterbury keeper from distance. The score remained level at the interval.

In the second-half Town started to look the superior side and it was not long before they took the lead. Joseph Sullivan picked up the ball from a corner and chipped the ball into the Canterbury net.

As the half developed Town began to find their passing game and more chances were created. The next goal came from a quality long range strike from Robbie Burn, who was then the instigator of a passing move between himself Sullivan and Glen Hothersall who further increased Town’s lead.

Canterbury got themselves back in the game with their second and could have made a closer run of things had it not been for some brave goalkeeping by Charlie Jones. Town then settled things in the last 5 minutes with late second goals for both Sullivan and Hothersall to leave the final score at 6-2.

The Man Of The Match award was split between Robbie Burn & Charlie Jones.

Ashford Town U 11’s 2 Tyler Hill 6

Ashford Town under 11's suffered a disappointing home loss defeat to Tyler Hill this weekend in Division 1 of the East Kent Youth league.

Town were second best from the start in a game they were expecting to win despite missing several key players. It was no surprise that at half-time the home side were three goals down.

The second-half produced some improvement. A penalty converted by Antonio Puig Miguel and a 25 yard wonder strike from Glen Hothersall looked to have brought some respectability to the score line.

However, two late strikes from Tyler Hill left Town with no way back. This result was a massive disappointment in what has so far been a good campaign.

This was just an off day and Town need to put this result behind them and respond positively. Following his terrific goal and some determined play Hothersall was a contender for man of the match along with Charlie Jones who continues to impress in goal but again both were edged out by Scott Embery who never fails to give 100%.

Ashford Town: Charlie Jones, Lewis Bagshaw, Reece Zeth Lambert, Ethan Luke Schrapel, Antonio Roberto Puig, William Flockett, Joseph Sullivan, Thomas Bates, Scott Embery, Glen Hothersall, Harry George Pearce, Adam Heathcote, Connor Scott.

Ashford Town under 11’s  3  Chartham Sports  0

Ashford Town under 11's won a hard fought game against division 3 side Chartham Sports 3-0 in their opening game of this seasons cup campaign.

Town created many chances to take the lead before the half time interval but Chatham's keeper produced a fine individual performance to keep the scores level going into the break.

The second half continued in the same manner and but began to look as if Town would never break the stalemate.

However, eventually the pressure resulted in two penalties being awarded  to Ashford both of which were expertly dispatched by Antonio Puig Miguel.

The third goal was scored just before full time by Ashley Buckman following a jinking run and a precision pass from Lewis Bagshaw.

Man of the match went to Puig Miguel, who was a threat from the opening whistle and unfortunate not to have grabbed a hat-trick

SQUAD: Charlie Jones, Lewis Bagshaw, Reece Zeth Lambert, Ethan Luke Schrapel, Antonio Roberto Puig Miguel, William Flockett, Joseph Sullivan, Robbie Burn, Scott Paul Embery, Glen Hothersall, Harry George Pearce, William Flockett, Ashley Buckman, Adam Heathcote

Ashford Town under 11’s 0 Trinity 4

Ashford Town under 11's unbeaten start to the season in Division 1 of the East Kent Youth league came to an end on Sunday in this top of the table clash with a 4-0 home loss to Trinity.

The scoreline however does not tell the full story. Town were extremely unlucky to go into the half-time break losing 1-0 following a half in which they were clearly the better team. An early save from a Joseph Sullivan long range volley and a headed chance from Robbie Burn could easily have resulted in goals for Town.

However, it was Trinity who took the lead when an effort that would have easily been collected by Towns keeper Charlie Jones was deflected in by the unfortunate Harry Pearce.

The second half was a close fought battle and the score remained at 1-0 with just just minutes to play. Town's manager at this point decided to sacrifice a midfielder to play an additional forward and this proved to be a costly mistake as Trinity scored three very late goals on the counter attack.

Town’s man of the match for the third time this season was classy defender Scott Embury with Antonio Puig Miguel and Charlie Jones close contenders.

Ramsgate Red Arrow Youth 2 Ashford Town u 11’s 4

Ashford Town under 11's produced their best display of the season with a 4-2 away win against Ramsgate's Red Arrow Youth in Division 1 of the East Kent Youth League this weekend.

Town started Sundays game well with some terrific passing moves creating a number of early chances . However, they were made to pay for not converting any when a long ball was picked up and converted against the run of play to give Red Arrow the lead.

Town responded well and continued to play an effective passing game. It was however a piece of individual skill that brought Town level before half time when Glen Hothersall volleyed in from long range.

Town continued to play superior football in the second half and were only under any real threat from long ball tactics. However, the central defensive partnership of Reece Lambert and Scott Embery seems to get better each week and Red Arrow opportunities were quickly snuffed out.

Hothersall again got on the score sheet to give Town a deserved lead.. Again Town were nearly made to pay for missed chances as Red Arrow bought themselves level at mid point in the second half. Town then added some urgency to their play and quickly restored their lead when Robbie Burn fired in from just inside the box. Shortly afterwards the game was put beyond any doubt when an effort from Joseph Sullivan could only be parried by Arrow's keeper for Ashley Buckman to tap in from close range.

Some wonderful creative play and two goals from Hothersall earned him this weeks man of the match award but was a close run thing with fine displays from Ashley Buckman and Scott Embury.

The club would also like to say congratulations to Joseph Sullivan and Antonio Puig Miguel who have both been selected to play for the Ashford and District Schools team. It is excellent to see young talent being noticed at the club. Well Done boys!

Ashford Town under 11's 2-2 Herne Bay Youth

Ashford under 11's shared the spoils with Herne Bay Youth this weekend following a 2-2 home result in Division 1 of the East Kent Youth League.

Town found themselves one down early in the first half but responded well and rightly pulled level when a through pass from the ever impressive Scott Embery was picked and expertly finished up by Robbie Burn whose lightening pace left the Herne Bay defence in his wake.

Herne Bay did go into the break with the lead as goalkeeper Charlie Jones was only able to parry a powerful shot which feel at the feet of one of their strikers.

Town continued to work hard in the second half of what became a physical battle and rightly drew level before full time when a free kick was lifted into the box by Antonio Puig Miguel which managed to pass through a crowd of players before finishing in the Herne Bay net.

Robbie Burns pace continued to be a threat throughout the game and coupled with a never say die attitude earned him his second Man Of the Match award this season. In the end though a draw was a fair result.

TEAM - Charlie Jones, Lewis Bagshaw, Reece Zeth Lambert, Ethan Luke Schrapel, Antonio Roberto Puig Miguel, Joseph Colin Brown, Joseph Sullivan, Robbie Burn, Scott Paul Embery, Glen Hothersall, Harry George Pearce, William Flockett, Thomas Bates, Adam Heathcote

Folkestone Invicta Colts 0-3 Ashford Town under 11’s

Ashford Town under 11's continued with their unbeaten start to the season in Division 1 of the East Kent Youth League with a 3-0 away victory against Folkestone Invicta Colts this weekend. Folkestone started brightly and could have taken an early lead. But Town responded well and produced their best moments of the game in the first 15 minutes with 2twogoals from Robbie Burn. Lewis Bagshaw also got on the score sheet before half-time to give Town a 3-0 lead. Some below par finishing in the second-half prevented Town from increasing their lead further before the final whistle. Goalkeeper Charlie Jones was given the Man Of The Match award following his first clean sheet of the season.

TEAM - Charlie Jones, Lewis Bagshaw, Reece Zeth Lambert, Ethan Luke Schrapel, Antonio Roberto Puig Miguel, Ashley Buckman, Joseph Sullivan, Robbie Burn, Scott Paul Embery, Glen Hothersall, Harry George Pearce, William Flockett, Thomas Bates, Adam Heathcote

Under 11’s Match report

Sunday 7 October

Ashford Town Under 11's 4 - 3 Folkestone Invicta

Ashford Town Under 11’s produced a sensational second half comeback to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with a 4-3 home win against Folkestone Invicta in Division 1 of the East Kent Youth League this weekend.

Town played uncharacteristically poorly in the first half from the first whistle. It was not long before some poor defensive play resulted in a headed goal from a right wing cross to give Folkestone the lead. Shortly after Town gave away a needless penalty, which was convincingly converted to give Folkestone a 2-goal lead.

Town continued their lacklustre play throughout the first half & were second best in all departments. It came as no surprise when Folkestone increased their lead just before half time with a terrific individual goal to go into the break 3 goals to the good.

Some home truths from Towns manager at half time seemed to have the desired effect as the boys started to challenge for every ball & began to control possession. When a Folkestone clearance was intercepted by Joseph Sullivan & volleyed through to Lewis Bagshaw to fire home in convincing style Town believed they were back in the game.

Confidence grew further shortly afterwards when a jinking run from Glen Hothersall was placed into the bottom right hand corner of Folkestones goal. A trademark long distance volley from midfield battler Antonio Puig Miguel bought Town level ten minutes from time.

Unlike in the first half Towns defence, Tom Bates, Reece Lambert, Scott Embery & Ethan Schrapel was convincing & the few chances Folkestone had to win the game were snuffed out.

It was in fact Ashford who snatched victory just before full time when a defensive clearance was collected by Robbie Burn who ran through to fire an effort at the Folkestone keeper who was only able to parry for Puig Miguel to pick up the rebound & fire in from close range.

This game was won from midfield with Puig Miguel, Hothersall & Harry Pearce contenders for Man Of The Match. However in the end the accolade went to Sullivan for a captains performance covering every blade of grass in the second half.

Sundays Team - Charlie Jones, Lewis Bagshaw, Reece Zeth Lambert, Ethan Luke Schrapel, Antonio Roberto Puig Miguel, Ashley Buckman, Joseph Sullivan, Robbie Burn, Scott Paul Embery,Glen Hothersall, Harry George Pearce, William Flockett, Thomas Bates, Adam Heathcote

Faversham Strike Force U11’s 0

Ashford Town U11’s 1

Sunday 23^rd September

By Paul Sullivan

This was always going to be a tough game and the first half failed to produce any goals largely due to some strong defensive play from both teams.

Town began to look the stronger team in the second half and created a number of good goal scoring opportunities. However it was not until ten minutes from time that victory was sealed with a trademark power drive from
Antonio Puig Miguel who found himself in space just inside the box
following some quick passing from Adam Heathcote and Glen Hothersall.

Town should have gone on to increase the lead before time but a number of good opportunities failed to produce further goals.

The U11's are yet to reach the form that was being produced towards the end of last season but seem to be adapting to the 11 a side game and new players are starting to settle in.

Both Puig Miguel and Hothersall were contenders for Man Of The
Match this week but the award eventually went to Robbie Burn following a
performance of strength and speed holding the front line.

Team: Charlie Jones, Lewis Bagshaw, Reece Lambert, Adam Heathcote, Antonio Puig Miguel, Ashley Buckman, Joseph Sullivan, Robbie Burn, Scott Embery, Glen Hothersall, Joseph Brown, William Flockett, Thomas Bates

Signworx man of the match – Robbie Burn

Ashford Town U11's 5 Betteshanger U11's 3

Ashford Town Under 11's got their season off to a winning start with a 5-3 home victory against Betteshanger in Division 1 of the East Kent Youth League on Sunday.

This was always going to be a difficult opening fixture for Ashford against a team that had not lost a game for over a year. The first half saw some real resilience from the boys who twice came from behind with goals from Glen Hothersall & Joseph Sullivan to keep the scores level at 2 apiece.

However Betteshanger went into the break with a 3-2 lead following a late finish in the first half.

Again Town quickly bounced back with a sweetly struck penalty from Antonio Puig Miguel to level the scores just after half time. Town then went on to grab the lead with the best football of the game as some decisive passing football gave Sullivan the opportunity to set up fellow forward Ashley Buckman who blasted an effort past the Betteshanger keeper. Shortly afterwards Town gave themselves some breathing space as a long range effort from Lewis Bagshaw was hit into the bottom left hand corner.

Town were without doubt worthy winners & were clearly the better team in the second half. However the scoreline could have been very different but for some outstanding saves from Goalkeeper & Man Of The Match Charlie Jones in the first half.

Ashford Town U11’s 3 Canterbury Youth U11’s 3

Sunday 16^th September

By Paul Sullivan

Ashford Town Under 11's kept their unbeaten start to the season intact with an unconvincing 3-3 home draw against Canterbury Youth in Division 1 of the East Kent Youth League.

Early on it looked as if Town were in for an easy game as goals from Antonio Puig Miguel and a Canterbury own goal resulted in a 2-0 lead. However crucial goals either side of half time, against the run of play, bought Canterbury level.

This seemed to have a negative impact on confidence and coupled with some injury problems, Town found themselves in the ascendancy for long periods in the second half and unsurprisingly it was Canterbury who went on to take the lead 15 minutes from time. However this then encouraged some positive play from Ashford who managed to salvage a point with a second goal from Puig Miguel.

Indeed, Ashford nearly grabbed all 3 points with virtually the last kick of the game when a long range effort from Joseph Sullivan was tipped over the bar by Canterbury’s goalkeeper.

Charlie Jones was terrific in goal again for Ashford with a 1st half penalty save amongst his best moments but was beaten to the Man Of The Match award by Scott Embury who gave a faultless 60 minutes at centre back.

Team: Charlie Jones, Lewis Bagshaw, Reece Lambert, Ethan Schrapel, Antonio Puig Miguel, Ashley Buckman, Joseph Sullivan, Robbie Burn, Scott Embery, Glen Hothersall, Joseph Brown, William Flockett, Thomas Bates

Signworx man of the match – Scott Embury

Ashford Town U11's 5 Betteshanger U11's 3

Ashford Town Under 11's got their season off to a winning start with a 5-3 home victory against Betteshanger in Division 1 of the East Kent Youth League on Sunday.

However Betteshanger went into the break with a 3-2 lead following a late finish in the first half.