Match Reports

Match Reports

Latest Score

14/02/2010

U12 Fleet Town Panthers 1 Worplesdon Rangers Sharks 1 (SPL Div 2)

A goal in the final minute from the hard working Tom Price earned the Panthers a deserved draw and the team almost snatched a win in the dying seconds. The match had started badly for Fleet with the pacy and strong Worplesdon forwards proving a handful for the defence and scoring after just five minutes of play. Several other chances quickly followed but a combination of good keeping from Kizza and poor finishing meant their lead was not extended. Although Fleet battled hard they were not able to fashion any clear chances and trailed by 0-1 at the break. The second half saw the Panthers start to contain the opposition forwards and even dominate a lot of the play without threatening the Worplesdon keeper and Kizza was dealing well with the counter attacks when Worpledson broke away. A loud penalty appeal when Tom Price was felled having dribbled in to the area was ignored and it finally took a reshuffle of the team to make things happen. With Louis Astle playing well alongside MoM George Keeley in the centre of defence Ozzy was given a job of breaking up play in midfield, Oli Copeland was used as a centre forward with Josh Clarke given a role on the right wing. Chances started to come and Oli went close twice before Tom Price stabbed the ball home as time was running out. There was still time for the Panthers to almost snatch a dramatic win when a final chance fell to Oli who couldn't make it count. At the end of the day a draw was a fair result and a good point won.

07/02/2010

U12 Bedfont Green Juniors 2 Fleet Town Panthers 0 (SPL Div 2)

The Panthers goal famine continued as they failed to convert any of their many chances in to goals and eventually lost out to a overly physical opponent in a difficult match.

30/01/2010

U12 Fleet Town Panthers 1 Walton & Hersham 2 (SPL Div 2)

Fantastic battling performance by the Panthers who were unlucky to lose a closely fought match against table topping Walton & Hersham. Playing a new 4-3-3 formation with Louis starting at right back and Tom Skinner upfront the Panthers looked to take the game to their high flying opponents and the opening exchanges were pretty even. However Kizza was soon called in to action and made some good saves as the fast and skillful forwards started to open up the Panthers defence. As the game went on Tom Price and Monty started to win the midfield battles and it was Fleet that took the lead through an own goal after Andy Ingle had chased a throughball and caused confusion in the Walton goalmouth. Fleet then had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down before Andy was the victim of a nasty two footed lunge from one of the Walton & Hersham players. The opposition were clearly rattled and were becoming agitated. Tom Skinner had a number of shots without really troubling the keeper and the first half ended with the Panthers leading 1-0. The result might have been different had Fleet kept their lead for longer but with 3 minutes gone in the second period the scores were level. Alex Osborne was caught napping from a pass and the forward took the ball away and raced in to the area before slotting it past Kizza in to the goal. The decisive goal was worthy of winning any game as a fine attack down the right saw an excellent cross headed powerfully home giving Kizza no chance. Fleet heads started to drop as Walton & Hersham took control and only good defending from George Keeley and hard working back from Monty and Tom Price kept them at bay along with more superb goalkeeping. Having weathered the storm Fleet attempted to fashion chances of their own but were unable to deliver the decisive pass or a finish which would have earned a deserved draw. Josh 'Monty' Montgomery was awarded MoM for an outstanding effort with Tom Price, George, Louis and the ever impressive Kieran Patel pushing him close.

24/01/2010

U12 Milford Pumas 2 Fleet Town Panthers 1 (SPL Div 2)

Playing their first match for 6 weeks and their first league game since 15th November 2009 the Panthers lost out to a fast and skillful Pumas side who completed the double for the season. After a cagey start Milford took control and only superb goalkeeping from Kizza Patel prevented an early score. Both wingers were quick and skillful and were giving Sam and Timmsy a torrid time with the Milford midfield, who were faster and more aggressive, dominating the play. The breakthrough inevitably came when the Panthers failed to clear their lines and the ball was smashed home to give the Pumas a deserved lead. A second goal shortly after was a poor one from a defensive viewpoint as the forward ran unchallenged on to a cross which ran invitingly across the area without a defender getting close. The introduction of Man of the Match Tom Price livened things up for Fleet as he started to win the ball in the middle but any chances were quickly snuffed out by the efficient Milford defence. The second half saw Fleet come back in to the game and start to create more chances but without ever looking like scoring and Milford always remained a threat on the counter attack. The lifeline came in strange circumstances. Michael Botevyle received a pass in the penalty area where he went down and was hurt under a heavy challenge from two defenders. The referee stopped the game for the injury but surprisingly did not award a penalty. With Michael off injured the game restarted with a dropball which Tom Skinner contested and lifted the ball over the keepers head to make the score 2-1. The final period was end to end with both teams making openings but Milford looking the more likely to score. At the final whistle Fleet had been beaten by the better team on the day and had the superb Kizza to thank for keeping the score down along with improved second half performances from Alex Osborne and Alex Timms. The most telling statistic though was that the Pumas keeper didn't have a single shot to save throughout the game.

13/12/2009

U12 Teddington Athletic Stags 3 Fleet Town Panthers 2 (Cup)

Exciting cup game won in extra time with a superb goal after the match had ended at 2-2. Goals from Tom Skinner and Michael Botevyle and a MoM performance from stand-in keeper Andrew Ingle

22/11/2009

U12 Fleet Town Panthers 3 Claygate Royals Swans 1 (Cup)

This SPL Cup match against Division 1 opponents ended in confusion after being abandoned with 15 minutes left due to freezing rain and high winds. With only 11 players available Fleet were further impacted when Oli Copeland reported that he was unwell but would try and play. With Tom Price returning after being off school for a few days things looked pretty bleak but the lads started brightly, with Pricey running the show, and after a couple of early scares from the nimble Claygate forwards settled in to their game. Playing with the wind behind them some great through balls for Josh Clarke to chase looked like the Panthers key threat and it was Josh who came closest to opening the scoring when his shot just faded past the post having dispossessed the Claygate keeper. The opening goal eventually came from Tom Skinner, scoring his first for the Panthers, who returned a poor clearance from the Claygate keeper back in to the net from a long way out. Within minutes it was 2-0 when Tom Skinner's defence splitting pass was stabbed home by Josh Clarke. With the rain starting to fall harder it was Josh who also netted the third with a superb solo goal and left foot finish to see the Panthers 3-0 up at the interval. Unfortunately Oli was unable to continue playing despite a valiant first half effort so the Panthers played on with 10 men. As the second period started the rain turned to hail and sleet and the wind blew harder lashing in to the Panthers faces. After a frantic few minutes Claygate pulled a goal back when a superb unstoppable shot from way out, assisted by the wind, sailed past Kizza. The lads were visibly impacted by the cold and wet and heads dropped. Discussions between the referee and the managers were inconclusive - Claygate were keen to play on having seen the game starting to turn, Fleet facing the icy rain and wind were less keen. The referee decided the match should continue and the Panthers were reduced to 9 when Tom Price could no longer take any further part. After a team talk and being given the option of leaving, Fleet Panthers (captained by keeper Kieran Patel) decided to bravely play on and packed the defence in an effort to keep their lead. With fifteen minutes to play and the weather no worse the Claygate manager suddenly asked the referee to call the game off ............... which he did ............. with no idea of whether the game is ours or a replay beckons. Either way this was another great effort against higher league opponents. Tom Price had been outstanding in midfield and both Josh Clarke and Tom Skinner threatening going forward. Well done lads - proud Panthers all.

15/11/2009

U12 Teddington Stags 0 Fleet Town Panthers 3 (SPL Div 2)

Fantastic all round team effort from the resurgent Panthers who kick started their season with a very good win away at Teddington. Considering the appalling rain and wind of the previous day the pitch was in remarkable condition and the weather perfect for football. Fleet started well, looked composed and had the better of the opening exchanges but the game remained goalless after twenty minutes. The breakthrough finally came when an attack down the left saw Andy Ingle's pass stabbed in by Josh Clarke. A second goal followed within 5 minutes when Oli Copeland, moved back to the wing, scored with an excellent shot from distance to double the lead. However the Panthers were indebted to a wonderful double save from keeper Kieran Patel just before the break which kept the two goal advantage. The next goal was always going to be crucial and Teddington came out briskly but found the Panthers defence giving nothing away with MoM Sam Tookey imperious at rightback. The decisive goal came seven minutes in to the second half when Tom Skinner won a tackle in midfield and found Oli Copeland who sent a perfect throughball for Michael Botevyle to run on to and strike an excellent shot past the keeper. Michael had an identical chance minutes later but this time didn't make a good connection. The Panthers kept their shape and created further chances whilst restricting Teddington to some long range shots. Another brilliant save from Kizza, leaping high and punching the ball over the bar, from a goalbound effort maintained the deserved cleansheet. With a few minutes to play Fleet had Alex Osborne injured after a tussle with the frustrated Teddington centre forward and he had to leave the field. The Panthers saw out the game to record a very good and well deserved three points. The whole team played well today but special mention to the industrious Tom Skinner who hassled and passed the ball well, Oli Copeland who worked hard and scored a fine goal, Sam Tookey who looked solid at the back and keeper Kizza at his impressive best. Well done lads.

08/11/2009

U12 Fleet Town Panthers 0 Milford Pumas 2 (SPL Div 2)

Despite dominating large passages of play the Panthers were unable to break down a resolute Pumas defence and slipped to another defeat on a cold and grey morning at All Saints school. For the first twenty minutes the Panthers looked comfortable with a new look line up which saw the gutsy Tom Price playing in defence and George Keeley moving in to midfield. Against the general run of play Milford took the lead when a poor clearance was picked up by one of the Pumas who eluded several half challenges, dribbled in to the area and finished with a fine shot. The Panthers responded well but Josh Clarke was unable to take a couple of chances after good work from Louis Astle, Oli Copeland and the enthusiastic Tom Skinner had put him through on goal. After the break the Panthers again looked the more able team but fell further behind when Andy Ingle tripped the Pumas forward in the area and conceded a penalty. Kizza was close to saving the shot but the ball just eluded him to creep in. The Panthers were then denied a free kick when the Pumas keeper clearly carried the ball outside of the area and a penalty of their own when Tom Skinner was pulled back as he broke in to the box. At the end of the day the Panthers did not take their chances and were again reluctant to shoot from distance. On a positive note some of the Panthers looked to have found some form with Timmsy looking solid, Sam Tookey outstanding at right back and Tom Price working hard all over the pitch. MoM was awarded to Tom Skinner who tried desperately hard for the team throughout.

01/11/2009

U12 Mayford Athletic 3 Fleet Town Panthers 1 (SPL Div 2)

Disappointing result as the Panthers put up a brave display in a match played in torrential rain on a surprisingly good pitch at Mayford. The opening period was pretty even with the Panthers defence coping with a lively Mayford attack but the forwards not really threatening a well drilled Mayford defence. A double substitution after twenty minutes saw Alex Bhagat and debutant Tom Skinner replace Louis Astle and Andrew Ingle and soon after the Panthers took the lead. Alex Bhagat won the ball on the left and passed to Tom who in turn found Oli Copeland who finished with a fine shot a lead which the Panthers kept until the break. The second half saw Mayford equalise when a ball played from out wide found their centre forward unmarked and clean through to beat Kizza with a well placed shot. Within minutes it looked as though Tom Skinner had restored the lead when his curling shot narrowly missed the top corner of the goal. With the Mayford defence holding firm and their midfield starting to dominate they took the lead when a long range effort found the top corner beyond Kizza's outstretched arm and soon after secured the win when the Panthers failed to clear the ball allowing another long range shot from the edge of the area to sail in to the net. The Panthers tried gamely to pull a goal back but couldn't break through as Mayford held out for the win. MoM went to Alex Bhagat although Sam Tookey also had a very good match at right back.

18/10/2009

U12 Fleet Town Panthers 2 Knaphill Spartans 4 (SPL Div 2)

After taking a 2-0 lead with fine goals from Tom Price and MoM Michael Botevyle Fleet were outbattled in the second period by the league leaders who converted their chances well.

04/10/2009

U12 Worplesdon Rangers Sharks 3 Fleet Town Panthers 1 (SPL Div 2)

Disappointing performance from the lads against a well organised opponent on a difficult pitch. With Ozzy out through injury and knowing that George was only available for the first half we were down to the bare bones again and some reorganisation was required with Tom Price playing in central defence. Not a preferred position of his but one that he is good at. The Panthers started slowly and were caught out several times in the opening minutes by the long kicks from the Worplesdon keeper and the high bouncing ball which tested our defense. The opening goal was poor with Fleet losing possession too easily in the opponents half and then failing to clear the ball several times before the forward tucked a shot past Kizza. To their credit the Panthers rallied well and the defense looked more organised with Sam Tookey having a solid game and George and tough tackling Tom working well together. The equalising goal when it came was pretty special. With Oli Copeland fouled a few yards outside the area Louis Astle stepped up and planted a superb shot over the wall and in to the top corner of the net. The remainder of the half was evenly contested with the Worplesdon keeper making an excellent save from a goalbound Sam Tookey thunderbolt. Something went wrong after the break and Fleet looked ragged although with ten minutes to play the score remained at 1-1. The defence reshuffled when George finally left with Timmsy and Monty taking the central roles and Andy Ingle moving to left back. Worplesdon started to create the better openings and indecision in the Fleet box from a hopeful cross allowed a forward to lift the ball over Kizza to regain the lead. Heads started to drop and when a penalty was awarded and scored after Kizza brought down a player clearly outside of the area the Panthers fate was sealed. Oli Copeland had a shot well saved shortly before the end but the match was lost by then. Strange game as even though playing poorly Fleet could have grabbed a draw.

27/09/2009

U12 Fleet Town Panthers 2 Bedfont Green 3 (SPL Div 2)

13/09/2009

U12 Fleet Town Panthers 0 Cove Youth 2 (Cup)

Hants County Cup Valiant performance from the Panthers who pushed their Premier League opponents all the way before losing to two goals in the closing minutes. MoM to outstanding keeper Kieran Patel.