YOUTH FOOTBALL: CITY GIRLS AT THEIR BEST TO AVENGE HEAVY DEFEAT

Canterbury City Girls under15s pulled off a shock win by beating in-form Maidstone United 2-1 at Cobdown. City came out all guns blazing against a Maidstone side who are second in the KGLFL Division 1 and who had beaten City 8-1 in the earlier fixture. Goals were scored by Libby Rowland and Amy Tritton. Player-of-the-match was Daisy Harris. City coach Paul Stevens said: “The first half was the best I have ever seen a girls’ team play in any competition.” City: Vergo, Day, Walker, Tritton, Howard, Pollard, Harris, Jordan, Cain, Cory, Wilson, Rowland, Stevens. Part of Herne Bay’s Community programme, ADFA, has been given a boost by the donation of a new speed cage to help youngsters improve their skills. ADFA, led by Anthony Deer, Bay’s former ladies and reserve Canterbury Eagles Colts have been presented with new kit by Gillingham star Jake Hessenthaler at Priestfield. Thanks to a national

team manager and keeper coach, has delivered football training to boys and girls of abilities and ages for the past four years. Parent Mike Newman helped fund competition by Wickes, the junior team were presented with kit by the manager of the local Wickes along with Hessenthaler and Gills Ladies player Fliss Gibbons.

the speed cage and said: “ADFA has helped my son massively in the last 18 months with his confidence and communication and so I was pleased to be able to help them buy the speed cage. “Anthony Deer and all the team work hard with children of all ages in the local community with not only their football skills but also communication, team work and confidence building.” Deer added: “We are grateful to Mr Newman for helping us purchase the speed cage. “It will help us promote the good work in the local community and show that football is for everyone regardless of ability, age or gender.” ADFA runs girls’ sessions for 5-15-year-olds on Monday evenings, when keeper training also takes place, plus boys and girls’ training for 4-15-year-olds on Fridays and toddler training for 3-5-year-olds on Saturday mornings, while they will hold a tournament at Herne Bay FC in May.