Academy Launch

Manorcroft United are delighted to announce the launch of 'The Academy' and the 'Foundation Academy' programmes.

The Academy

The Manorcroft Academy is designed to challenge players identified across the age groups as having potential to represent the club at Youth team and Senior levels or who have the potential to progress into the professional club academy system. The purpose of the Academy programme is to aid further technical development using challenging coaching sessions aimed at advancing players further beyond the clubs standard syllabus. The Academy will provide technical training sessions delivered by the Club’s development team and development partner during school holidays. Through additional training sessions and through games organised against academies and the highest ranked local club sides the coaches will look to work with players across double matched age groups to advance their development.

The Academy coaches will look to organise fixtures against independent provider ‘academy’ sides and where possible will look to compete against professional club foundation sides which will also allow professional club scouts to see players perform in a more elite environment.

The Academy is designed to help Manorcroft develop players to their full potential

and we hope the Academy will help challenge and develop players with a view to representing

the club at Semi Professional level.

Foundation Academy

The Foundation Academy will be available to all children between the ages of 4 and 6 years of age. Delivered by our Development partner; Active Soccer Egham, children will have access to coaching from qualified and professional active soccer coaches who will deliver the Club's development syllabus specifically designed to help each individual child progress with individual skill understanding. Using fun activities the Foundation Academy will aim to provide an environment which is fun and enjoyable for those children looking to enjoy their first experiences of the game whilst challenging the children that want to progress into playing for Manorcroft in our under 7's teams.

Children will have access to our Foundation Academy kit bundle through our club shop.

The Foundation Academy will run through the football season and will offer children the chance to take part in two sessions per week on a weekday evening (to be set each season) and on a Saturday morning.

Information on when our Foundation Academy sessions will be released very soon so keep checking our website and social media for more information.

Pre Season Match Day #2

With a number of players enjoying the summer freedom there was just one game this weekend for the senior section as they travelled to Abbey Rangers to face their under 23’s.

Another Young squad reflecting a new era of senior section players were once again lead by the now ‘Senior’ Sonny Huntley.

Abbey started slightly quicker and although neither team created much it was the hosts who slightly dominated territory and would have shown as having the ‘momentum’. The Young Lemons grew into the game however and begun to create opportunities, Jamie Trisnan in particular looked likely to create something as did Jared Fountain whilst Teddy Williams lead the line brilliantly. Perrie Dhesi unfortunately picked up a slight muscle problem and Jake Streeter suffering from the effects of Covid vaccination both came off mid way through the first half meaning Matt Hazell and Shaun Pate’s introductions would lower the average age even further! Abbey were still able to cause some problems finding joy on either flank before a slight change in approach from the young Lemons stopped the Abbey advances and the game finished a very evenly contested affair at Half Time (0-0).

The second half would see the introduction of Jack Phillips & Kalim Hussain and their added experience helped Manorcroft largely control the first 20 minutes of the half. Abbey did however take the lead following a fiercely struck shot from the edge of the box which found its way into the net to put the hosts 1-0 up. At first Manorcroft looked a little panicked and begun to try and force an equaliser but after 5 or so minutes settled back into a rhythm with last years Youth Team Captain; William Smith looking ever more assured in the centre. A fantastic move down the right would see Ryan Porter find a pass into the box from the dead ball line which Jared Fountain controlled and spun his defender before his left footed effort was instinctively saved by the Abbey ‘keeper, Josh Richards was on hand with a diving header on the rebound to equalise the score at 1-1.

Fountain then had a couple of long range efforts that narrowly went over as did Hussain who’s curling effort went just the wrong side of the post. The last 10 minutes were difficult for Manorcroft in their second pre season game and as legs tired Abbey began to find more space, Cam Gurney controlled his box well at the tender age of 16 and with some magnificent defending from all but especially Jack Phillips and Pete Barrett, Abbey couldnt find a winner despite the large crowd now gathered behind the visitors goal.

A solid work out with some excellent football played and another really encouraging display by all involved.

Man of the Match: William Smith

No 1st or Development team games this week (w/c 09) but the Youth Team are in action on Monday night at Bedfont Sports and Wednesday night at Chessington & Hook.

#COYL🍋

Pre Season Begins…..

The 1st and Development Teams opened the 2021/22 season on Saturday. a massive 81.5% of the players involved where ‘Home Grown’ with only 5 players involved over the 2 games having not played at the club as Juniors. William Smith and Pete Barrett made the step up having finished with the Youth team and made appearances with the 1st & Development teams. Louie McLaughlin and Dylan Kitto both ‘2nd year’ Youth Teamer‘s played and scored, McLaughlin for the 1st team and Devs and Kitto for the Devs whilst school boy GK Cam Gurney also made his debut playing in both games.

The 1st team hosted Ripley Village from the Surrey Premier division (formerly Elite) one step above their current league at Royal Holloway Sports Centre 3G. A huge boost was the return of former junior James Goodey wearing the number 9. James has been a regular scorer and performer at Step 5&6 and his return to the club having finished University is a massive lift ahead of the new campaign. With an average age of 21.5 a young side put up an incredible performance, Youth Teamer McLaughlin opened the scoring, cutting in from the left and bending a shot into the far corner, the assist going to Goodey. Skipper Sonny Huntley then played in McLaughlin having brilliantly won the ball in a tackle, he then made an exquisite pass which young McLaughlin took around the goalkeeper before slotting home. The hosts were in complete control but when called upon young Cam Gurney not officially yet a Youth Team 1st Year was excellent in between the sticks. Dan McNab then played a brilliant pass out to Dom Jones who beat his man down the outside before shooting across the goalkeeper, with his first attempt saved Jones followed up with his left foot to make it 3-0 going in to half time. The 2nd Half would see Gurney pull off a couple of excellent saves as the visitors put up a fight early in the half, the hosts having made some half time changes grew back into the game and Matt Elmer was played in by Fountain to make it 4-0. Fountain then added a lob over the advancing ‘keeper after being played through by Goodey. Ripley pulled a goal back late on from a corner but overall it was a totally dominant performance from a side missing some traditional ‘big names’.

Final score:

Manorcroft 5-1 Ripley Village

⚽️⚽️L McLaughlin

⚽️ D Jones

⚽️ M Elmer ⚽️ J Fountain

The Devs started their pre season programme vs Ottershaw Devs and a young side featuring 2 youth team players making their Devs debuts started strongly, a quick move down the left should have seen the opening goal but Jamie Trisnan was denied by the post.

The Lemons looked to build on this and really should have taken the lead when Josh Richards beat 3 men and shot, but was saved by the keeper.

It was Richards again with the games next chance trying an audacious scissor kick, which went narrowly over.

Ottershaw took the lead, slightly against the run of play with a well struck effort from range which young Gurney couldn't quite get to. The Devs then faced a period of pressure and had to dig in to stop 1 becoming 2. A high press from Carl Willis saw a turnover and a quick ball to Sam Tipp saw an excellent cross met by Dylan Kitto which leveled the scores.

The 2nd half started much in the same fashion with Manorcroft looking to dominate the ball and they got their second from a corner which was turned home by Shaun Pate.

With the lead, the lemons were guilty of taking their foot off the gas and got sloppy in possession which saw the Otters level it up through a defensive mix up.

Manorcroft response was immediate. Louie McLaughlin came off the bench, received the ball on the left wing before cutting inside and burying a long range strike into the top corner. It was McLaughlin again causing issues and he won a penalty after being fouled in the box and Jamie Trisnan gave the game its first 2 goal lead. Ottershaw had the last say in the scoring with another edge of the box effort creeping in. Full time Manorcroft Devs 4 - 3 Ottershaw Devs.

An excellent all round performance capped with a win.

Final Score:

Manorcroft 4-3 Ottershaw Reserves

⚽️ D Kitto ⚽️ S Pate

⚽️ L McLaughlin

⚽️ J Trisnan (P)