Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
The only way is up!
There were stellar performances by Faversham Strike Force’s agegroup sides at the weekend as two teams gained promotion in the Faversham and District Youth League. Under-13 Thunder sealed the Division 3 title with a 5-3 win at second-placed Ramsgate Green. Will Jones’ four goals spurred a rousing comeback from 2-0 down, Jack Wyles added another. Jack Cooper claimed player-of-the-match honours. There were further celebrations for under12 Thunder, who secured promotion to Division 2 with a 2-0 win against Manston Spitfires.
Ethan Hickford and Connor Pritchard netted while goalkeeper Eddie Lambourn claimed an assist and made a superb late save.
But Iwan Davies’ commanding performance in midfield ensured he was named playerof-the-match. Elsewhere, there was a top performance from under-15 Lightning who came from behind to beat Deal Town Rangers 6-4.
Gabriel Smith hit a brace and there was one apiece for Hayden Kelk, Lewis Martain Hall, Derek Olah and Jake Crawley. Charlie Hope and Harry Padfield shared player-of-the-match honours. Player-of-the-match Chris Quenby performed heroics in goal as under-15 Hurricanes claimed a smash-and-grab 2-1 win at Lyminge. Mason Atkins and Jake Steer scored. Under-13 Lightning put in an excellent performance to defeat leaders Margate Youth 2-1. A brilliant, long-range effort put the visitors ahead before Will Jones equalised and Argjend Nimanaj scored the winner. Oliver Jobe was named their top player.
There was a tight win over Margate for under-12 Lightning, who emerged 3-2 victors. The goals came from Theodor Vancea and Albert Biscoe’s double, while Harrison Dowling was named player-of-the-match. Under-11 Thunder enjoyed an entertaining game at Dawes Hernhill Herons, featuring plenty of chances and some great saves from goalkeeper Alfie Brabon.
Samuel Moffett, Robbie Winton and Samuel Hutchings were on the scoresheet, while Frankie Essery’s defensive display saw him named top player.
Goals from Reuben Wilkinson, Ellison Gashi and Mason Mount were the highlight of under-11 Hurricanes’ excellent all-round display against Rising Stars. Zack Ellis was their player-ofthe-match for a fine attacking performance. Player-of-the-game Oliver Mcdonald scored a crucial goal and was a dynamo on the wing for under-10 Hurricanes against Baypoint. In one of his side’s best performances of the season, Charlie Elliott-hare also netted. Under-9 Lionesses put in a strong showing at Aylesford as Ava Cavendish bagged a brace to be named top player on the day. Hamish Allison netted a hattrick for under-9 Lightning against Herne Bay Panthers. Harrison Boulton also struck while Jacob Drieu-brett was awarded player-of-the-match for a brilliant defensive display. There was a further treble for under-7 Thunder’s player-ofthe-match Jenson Brett, who also demonstrated some fine marking against Hernhill. Eddie Machin and Arthur Haigh scored four each, and a brilliant team performance was rounded off by further goals from William Filmer, Freddie Tumber, Olivia Tumber and David Horka.
HERNE BAY HARRIERS
Herne Bay Harriers under10s visited Dover Rangers on Saturday in the East Kent Youth League.
They got their noses in front but Dover caught them on the break, with some smart finishing giving them the lead after the early exchanges. But when the visitors pulled a goal back from midfielder Barnaby Powell-leader, it piled the pressure on and winger Karl O’driscoll splendidly scored for Herne Bay.
The second period consisted of more pressure around the Dover goalmouth with the Harriers creating several chances, including a great opportunity with the last kick of the match. Harry Ellis won Harriers’ player-of-the-match award.