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)
