Youth/girls football

Canterbury City’s under16s started the new year by picking up an excellent point against East Kent Youth League Division 1 high flyers Whitstable Town. Canterbury had lost their previous seven league games, but showed glimpses of why they are cup semi-finalists. The home team started strongly, with skipper Ben Malone and Bailey Whitely having to fend off some strong attacks. However, Town took a deserved lead and the omens didn’t look good. But the new found energy in the City side saw them fight back. Dan Newton and Alfie Ashdown showed some midfield steel, while Spencer Lela put in some fine runs. A neat piece of play from Josh Naylor, found Archie Tennant whose accurate pass to Ben Wiebe-williams, saw the striker fend off two defenders and strike a fine left foot shot into the top corner to equalise before half-time. City were now on the up, and Wiebe-williams and Jack Nickolson both went close. Patrick Higbee was looking solid at the back, while Jude King and Jack Cracknell showed some nice touches, but it was left to keeper Joe Danton, to pull off an excellent save at the death, to secure City a share of the spoils.

City: Joe Danton, Patrick Higbee, Ben Malone, Bailey Whitely, Archie Tennant, Josh Naylor, Dan Newton, Alfie Ashdown, Spencer Lela, Jack Nickolson, Ben Wiebe-williams, Jude King, Jack Cracknell n Canterbury City girls under-18s made it 12 wins from 12 on Sunday with a 9-2 victory at Deal Town Rangers in the KGLFL. City stunned Rangers early on with two goals in the first five minutes. Rangers struck back in the first half to make it 2-1 but there was no stopping the visitors who went on to put another seven past their hosts. Player of the match was Ella Wilson with a hat- trick.

Team: Vergo, Walker, Tritton, S Stevens, Jordan, Cory, Cain (1), Harris, T Stevens (2), Wilson (3), Rowland (3).