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)

Manorcroft United Celebrate Football Pitch Funding Success

Monday 19th July 2021

£22,400 awarded to Manorcroft United to improve the quality of grass football pitches in Englefield Green

Manorcroft United has been awarded a grant of £22,400 from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation, to improve the grass pitches at Coopers Hill Sports Ground.

The £22,400 six-year tapered grant, part of the Foundation’s Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund, will help Manorcroft United to improve the quality of the grass pitches at Coopers Hill Sports Ground.

The investment was provided following the completion of a pitch inspection using the Football Foundation’s specially developed app, PitchPower, which is a mobile tool used for assessing the quality of grass football pitches. Manorcroft United will now be able to use the grant to complete the maintenance work identified in their PitchPower Assessment Report, which includes applying fertiliser, aeration, seeding and other maintenance practices.

These grants are key to the Foundation’s aim to help create 5,000 more quality pitches before the end of 2024, in line with the FA

’s Grassroots Strategy. Alongside its PitchPower assessment tool, the Football Foundation has also created an online grounds keeping community called The Hive to provide expert support and advice to clubs. Anyone in Runnymede can find out more and sign up at https://footballfoundation.org.uk/grass-pitch-improvement

Leon Turner, Chairman, Manorcroft United said: “This football foundation grant will help us with the immediate improvement and longer-term maintenance of the pitches at Coopers Hill. Our volunteer grounds team have had to learn on the job and as the Club has grown to its current size the challenges of maintaining the high standards, we have always set at Coopers Hill have become more and more challenging. The grant will help with the direct maintenance but the ability to access courses and an online community of people trying to achieve the same results will help hugely with the medium to long term project, provision of high-quality grass roots pitches. The grant will allow children and adults in the community to benefit for years to come.”

Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “This grant award to Manorcroft United towards pitch improvements is vital for the local community in Runnymede they get back to playing football. Our Grass Pitch

Maintenance Fund is supporting clubs across the country, helping them enhance and sustain their pitches to improve access to good quality facilities for grassroots players.”

“This is part of our wider ambition to get more people involved in football, regardless of their background, age or ability. By unlocking the power of pitches, we can help transform the lives of players and strengthen communities through the nation’s favourite game.”

The Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund provides eligible clubs and leagues with a tapered six-year grant to help them sustain pitches already at a 'good' level or higher and enhance pitches that are either considered 'poor' or 'basic'.

The grant comes as part of an investment of more than £16m that has been made available to help clubs prepare for the restart of grassroots football following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Football Foundation is the UK’s largest sports charity and exists to improve the experience of playing football for everyone, by championing fair access to quality facilities.

About the Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund

Opened on 15 March as part of the Football Foundation’s ‘Game On’ campaign, this fund provides eligible leagues and organisations six-year tapered grants to improve the quality of grass pitches. These grants form a key part in the Foundation’s delivery of the FA’s Grassroots Strategy and its commitment to add at least 5000 quality pitches to the current number by 2024.

About the Football Foundation

The Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation is the largest sports charity in the UK. It champions and supports fair access to quality football facilities for everyone, regardless of gender, race, disability or place. The Foundation receives money from the Premier League, The FA and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, through Sport England. This is matched with partnership funding and awarded as grants to create outstanding grassroots facilities that enable better games and attract more players, helping to transform communities. Since 2000, it has awarded more than 17,600 grants to improve facilities worth more than £710m – including 942 artificial grass pitches, 6,426 natural grass pitches and 1,200 changing facilities. This has attracted an additional £940m of partnership funding – totalling over £1.6bn investment in grassroots football so far. Through the Foundation, the Premier League, The FA, DCMS and Sport England have come together to create the National Football Facilities Strategy (NFFS) that will guide work over the next 10 years to transform many more local facilities. Local Football Facility Plans (LFFP) are being created to identify priority projects where demand is greatest, and the impact will be strongest and help stimulate the action required to deliver them.

Visit footballfoundation.org.uk for more information on the Foundation.