Our Kent Youth League side’s opening to the season goes from strength to strength as each age group tasted success on Sunday with an abundance of goals to boot!

Our Under-13’s put their opening day defeat at Rochester United behind them as they progressed in the Kent Youth League Cup at the Yeomans Community Stadium with an emphatic 7-2 win over Unique Football Academy. Lenny Craske added a hat-trick to his opening day goal with a brace from Olgun Sehkar and goals from Ollie Harper and Zac Lippett making up the total.

Olly Pantrey looked back at Sunday’s game: “The Under-13’s put in a fantastic Cup performance, running out 7–2 winners against North League opposition, Unique FA. After a slightly nervous start, we grew into the game, defended brilliantly and showed real discipline in midfield, all areas the players have worked on in recent weeks.

“Our combinations through the 9, 10, and wide players gave us wave after wave of attacks with well-timed runs and confident finishing. We still have things to improve, but this was a performance full of attacking intent, defensive organisation and teamwork. Most importantly, we played our football, created chances and looked like a side ready to challenge. A proud first day at home and a big step forward for the team.”

Opening Sunday’s proceedings at Longmead were the Under-15’s who made it two wins from two, easing to a 4-1 victory over Ramsgate with two goals each from Jurgen Pali and Alfie Murray.

James Ward reported: “We were all excited for our first home game of the season, knowing it would be a tough test, but the perfect opportunity to make a strong start and we did exactly that.

“Jurgen Pali opened the scoring early, giving us a well-deserved lead. We built on that momentum with two excellent team goals, both finished by Alfie Murray, to go 3-0 up. A lapse in concentration just before half-time allowed Ramsgate to pull one back, making it 3-1 going into the break. The second half was tight, with both teams creating chances, but we held firm with a great performance by our nominated man of the match Charlie Cox. Pali sealed the win with a composed penalty and we came out 4-1 winners. It was another good test, a hard-fought win and great to secure another three points.”

The Under-14’s travelled to Bromley to face Old Wilsonians, looking to continue their winning start to the season.

"The opening 20 minutes saw, albeit not at our best, a dominant performance from the team without much to show for their effort. A quick corner, on 25 minutes, allowed Harrison Scotter to head the ball home to give the Angels the lead. After the deadlock was broken, we started to put our foot on the gas and quickly followed up with the second and third goals, Jack Barratt scoring his third in two games with a Zola’esc-style flick and Carter Deacon scored with a powerful header into the bottom corner from a well worked set piece. 

“The second half started in similar fashion with the Under-14’s dominant from start to finish, rarely conceding ground. Jack Barratt added to his tally with another well worked set piece, pounding home a header from a Dudley Whittington flick on, taking him to four goals in two games. 

“On the hour mark, Jack Murray grabbed his first of the season after some great work from Max Carrington, who provided a cutting through ball for Murray to latch on to and curl home our fifth of the game. 

“With the last kick of the game, we conceded from a great strike from the Old Wilsonians number 14 to make the final score 5-1. 

“Shout-outs must go to Iden Newman for being heavily involved in four of the five goals; goalkeeper Vinnie Bourne for what might already be save-of-the-season and to Ronnie Tolfrey who is our nominated man of the match for a dominant display,” reported Oliver Stell.

Despite taking the scenic route to Herne Bay’s Crest Stadium, the Under-16’s progressed from their Kent Youth League Cup tie with an emphatic 6-1 win as Dom Welsh reports: “After a bit of a mix up with kick-off times and the boys heading down to the beach before kick off, the Under-16’s put on an absolutely fantastic display which was started off in the second minute with a brilliant set piece goal scored by Lennox Abel. 

“The boys continued to to push on with Abel grabbing a second from another set piece and then a thunderbolt strike to complete a 32 minute hat trick. Following a great start we slightly let our foot off the pedal allowing Herne Bay to take advantage by grabbing one back in the 34th minute. But we regained momentum and restored our three goal lead with a well taken goal from Zak Willis in the 39th minute. 

“We continued to dominate the ball in the second half with Sam Moon scoring in the 41st minute.  The boys kept pushing and created a load more chances until finally we got the sixth in the 64th minute, scored by Zach Massey, with a really nice finish in the bottom corner. 

“All in all the boys played some fantastic football and have now set a standard that they must keep for the coming games. In a superb team display, our nominated man of the match with three goals and two assists was Lennox Abel.”

The Isthmian League Under-18’s completed a wonderful weekend with a 3-1 win in the FA Youth Cup on Monday evening.