St Johns Football Club U14's

Match Reports

 

WOODBRIDGE TOWN 1 ST JOHNS 4

Saints travelled to Melton to play Woodbridge in another of their games in hand on the top three clubs and they suffered a nightmare start as Woodbridge took the lead in the first minute with a break through the centre of the Saints defence. Woodbridge continued to cause Saints problems but gradually Saints got to grips with the game and they drew level when Ciaran Goldie shot home after a great Reg Egerton run to the line. Woodbridge then went close again but Saints came back with Charlie King firing over the bar when well placed. Just before the break they went ahead, Charlie King making amends with a great finish after a run down the line from Jack Edwards. H-T 1-2. Matt Stevens made a great save to keep Saints lead intact at the start of the second half. Saints made it 1-3 as Reg Egerton shot home following a corner. Woodbridge almost pulled a goal back but OJ Cutting made a fine headed clearance from under the crossbar and Saints went up the other end to make it 1-4 as Ciaran Goldie fired home his second goal from close range. Saints continued to create chances as Jack Edwards fired a couple of efforts wide but no more goals meant a 1-4 win against a much improved Woodbridge side.

CLAYDON 2 ST JOHNS 8

A waterlogged pitch at Claydon meant a switch of venue for Saints as they returned to old stomping ground Gainsborough Sports Centre and after a fairly even first 15 minutes it was Saints that took the lead when Ryan Titlow scored from inside the box after good work from Reg Egerton. Saints were playing very well with Louis Crisp and Reg Egerton having shots blocked but it was soon 2-0 with another neat finish from Ryan Titlow, Reg Egerton then made it 3-0 after a quick break from Saints. Matt Stevens in the Saints goal then had to make a great save and he was soon in action again coming off his line quickly to smother the ball. It was soon 4-0 as Reg Egerton scored his 2nd goal after a long through ball, Louis Crisp was putting in some great balls into the box from out wide and it was then 5-0 to Saints as Ryan Titlow completed a first half hat trick. Just before the break Ciaran Goldie fired home at the far post from another Louis Crisp cross as Saints went in 6-0 after a very impressive display of attacking football. Saints were soon 7-0 up in the second half as Reg Egerton completed his hat trick with a fine finish. Claydon then replied by pulling a couple of goals back but it was soon 8-2 as Toby Spink ran through to neatly finish off Charlie King’s great through ball. Saints continued to create chances with Charlie King and Jack Garvin going close but no further goals meant a fine 8-2 win for Saints in the push up the table.

 

St Johns 2 Whitton 0

It was a very pleasant morning as Saints hosted Whitton Utd and they were soon on the attack with Louis Crisp putting in a couple of decent crosses, Alex Harris then played a great pass into Ciaran Goldie and Jack Edwards fired wide as the goal beckoned. Saints had penned Whitton back in their own half. More half chances came as Reg Egerton and Ryan Titlow shot wide and Matt Stevens in the Saints goal finally had some work to do as he made a comfortable save, play soon switched back to the other end as from a Kalum Winters cross Reg Egerton's fine header smashed against the bar. Charlie King and Louis Crisp both went close again but somehow half time came with no goals. The first period of the second half saw play being fought out in the midfield area but it was Saints with the first real chance as a great Charlie King pass played Reg Egerton in on goal but his low shot was well saved, Louis Crisp put in a couple of great crosses and Jack Edward’s went close. Saints deservedly broke through with about ten minutes left when Ryan Titlow's cross rebounded off the far post and Reg Egerton fired the rebound into the roof of the net. Just before the end Reg Egerton raced through to shoot past the Whitton keeper, and give Saints a deserved 2-0 win. 

MARTLESHAM 0 ST JOHNS 3

Saints made their first appearance at St Albans High School to face Martlesham in the Quarter Final of the Cup and they made a bright start with Charlie King and Lewis Robinson both going close. However after a neat passing move Saints took the lead with Louis Crisp tapping home at the far post. Reg Egerton then fired just over after a great reverse pass from Charlie King. It was soon 0-2 to Saints as Kalum Winters confidently shot home from the penalty spot after a handball incident. Charlie King then saw his shot saved after Alex Harris's free kick came back off the bar. Just before the break Harvey Deakin's effort clipped the top of the bar as Saints dominated. H-T 0-2. The second half continued the same with Saints on the attack, Ciaran Goldie firing wide after a great through ball from Charlie King, Ryan Wardley went through to shoot wide and Toby Spink saw a couple of efforts saved. Martlesham had an effort go wide before Saints scored a third as Ryan Wardley scored his most difficult chance firing into the top corner, Saints continued to create chances but no further goals meant a safe passage into the semi-final where they face Brantham.

ST JOHNS 2 KESGRAVE KESTRELS 0

Saints hosted Kesgrave Kestrels and on a spring like morning it was the hosts that started brightly with Ryan Wardley seeing a free kick saved and when play switched to the other end it was a Kesgrave free kick that went just over the bar. Reg Egerton then saw a header go wide for Saints and Matt Stevens in the Saints goal then had to make a couple of smart saves. It was Saints who took the lead when Reg Egerton's fine run saw him pull the ball back from the by-line for Ryan Titlow to neatly shoot into the unguarded net and soon after this it was Ryan Titlow again, this time being brought down after a fine run into the area and the resulting penalty was put away by Kalum Winters to give Saints a 2-0 half time lead. Saints continued to dominate the play with Reg Egerton going close on a couple of occasions. Kesgrave never really threatened Saints in the second half apart from Carl Drury making a fine clearance off the line to preserve Saints clean sheet, Saints putting another three points on the board.

FELIXSTOWE AND WALTON 1 ST JOHNS 7

A bright morning greeted Saints as they arrived to play bottom of the table Felixstowe and Walton and they were ahead within a couple of minutes as Ciaran Goldie knocked Harvey Deakin’s header into the net. It was soon 0-2 as Reg Egerton’s fine volley found the corner. Matt Stevens then made a fine save in the Saints goal and it was soon 0-3 as Alex Harris's shot from the touchline beat the Felixstowe keeper all ends up. Felixstowe then pulled a goal back with a freak shot over Matt Stevens, more Saints pressure told as Lewis Robinson shot home to give Saints a 1-4 lead at half time. Saints scored again just after the break when Reg Egerton bundled the ball home for his second goal following a corner and it was soon 1-6 as Lewis Goody shot home after another corner was not cleared. Kalum Winters then saw his header hit the bar, Ciaran Goldie and Harvey Deakin both went close as Saints piled on the pressure. Saints were then awarded a penalty for a foul on Tom Sills and Reg Egerton stepped up looking to complete his hat trick but he fired over the bar. Just before the end Louis Crisp scored a fantastic goal with an overhead kick following a fine cross from Lewis Robinson as Saints ran out comfortable 1-7 winners.

IPSWICH ROYALS 1 ST JOHNS 2

After a two week long lay off due to adverse weather Saints travelled to Copleston School to play Ipswich Royals and they started brightly with Reg Egerton seeing one effort go wide and another well saved, Royals then had an effort go just wide but they went ahead when a Royals forward got through the Saints defence to round Matt Stevens and slot home, a neat flick Maradonna would have been proud of, setting him on his way. Reg Egerton then saw another effort cleared off the line but Saints were soon level when Reg's cross got to Ciaran Goldie at the far post and he slotted home. Royals then saw a header come back off the bar and at half time it was all square. Ryan T was looking lively at the start of the second half with a couple of surging runs and Reg Egerton saw another effort go wide. Saints were dominating the game but they needed a second goal and it came when Harvey Deakin fired home after a corner was not properly cleared, Ryan T then saw another effort cleared off the line and just before the end Lewis Robinson made a fine tackle to keep Saints lead intact as they picked up three more points.

 

 

ST JOHNS 2 WOODBRIDGE TOWN 1

 

Saints resumed after the Christmas break with a home game against Woodbridge Town, and they suffered an early injury with Jack Garvin sustaining a cut knee. The first half chance fell to Saints but Gavin Bloom's 25 yard shot cleared the bar and he then had to go off with a recurring heel injury, Louis Crisp, Jack Garvin and Ryan Wardley all went close as Saints piled on the pressure and Alex Harris saw his free kick saved it was then Ciaran Goldie going close and Ryan Wardley seeing another effort clear the bar. Matt Stevens then had to make his only save of the first half in the Saints goal but it was 0-0 at half time as Saints hoped that missed chances would not come back to haunt them. The second half started the same with Reg Egerton's shot being saved. Woodbridge then had a half chance but the header went wide, Ryan Wardley then shot over the bar for Saints. It was the visitors that took a shock lead against the run of play after a mix up in the Saints defence. This did not stop the Saints from playing football, as Reg Egerton then saw another shot saved, Saints were soon level when Jack Garvin played in Reg again and this time he fired a low shot into the corner. Saints were looking for the three points and Alex Harris saw another free kick saved but just as it was looking like a draw Jack Garvin shot home from the edge of the box after a fine passing move to give Saints maximum points. Well done to Woodbridge, especially the keeper who battled hard and almost kept Saints at bay.

 

 

ST JOHNS 3 BRANTHAM ATHLETIC 1

 

After a two week lay off Saints resumed to host high flying Brantham Athletic looking to avenge a bad defeat earlier in the season and there was early drama as Saints were awarded a penalty in the first minute after James Turner handled Reg Egerton's shot on the line after Ciaran Goldie's shot was well saved and to everybody's amazement referee John Nunn produced a red card to dismiss James Turner this angered the Brantham contingent and there was a delay as the assistant was replaced before Kalum Winters coolly stepped up to shoot low into the corner to give Saints the lead. Brantham then replied but Garrat Turner's effort went wide, it was then Saints again with Ciaran Goldie shooting wide but the game was turning into a niggly affair with lots of fouls as Brantham tried to find a way back into the game, however just before half time Jack Edwards made a great run to pull the ball back for Ciaran Goldie to fire high into the net and give Saints a 2-0 lead at the break. It was a half that lasted a full 45 minutes as the game had been stopped on numerous occasions, the referee having to speak to a Brantham parent being the cause as the players stood in the cold.

The second half saw Saints on the attack looking to add a third goal but it was Brantham that struck with Garrat Turner firing home from the edge of the area, but Saints soon made it 3-1 after great work on the by-line by Jack Garvin who pulled the ball back for Reg Egerton to shoot home, Saints could have added more goals but Charlie King's fine header hit the bar and just before the end Jack Garvin's header came back off the post but no further goals meant three more points for Saints as they footballed their way to another win.

 

 

TRIMLEY RED DEVILS 1 ST JOHNS 1

 

Saints travelled to play away at Trimley Red Devils and on a cold morning it was the visitors who started very well with Ryan Wardley having two early chances, Reg Egerton and Charlie King then both saw shots saved as Saints threatened to overrun Trimley, Ryan Wardley then shot over the bar and OJ Cutting’s cross evaded everybody in the six yard box. Louis Crisp then tidied up Trimley's only real attack of the first half as Saints continued to make chances, two great passes from Alex Harris put Ciaran Goldie away on the wing but the crosses came to nothing and just before the break Kalum Winters fired over the bar and Ciaran Goldie somehow missed from 2 yards! At the break it was 0-0 which Saints could not quite believe. The second half looked likely to continue the same as Charlie King saw his shot well saved but Saints missed chances came back to haunt them as Trimley took the lead from close range, this seemed to stun Saints as they struggled for a while to move the ball around but they came back with Ciaran Goldie firing wide when again well placed. They eventually equalised when a short corner saw Louis Crisp's fine cross met at the far post with a diving header from Ciaran Goldie, the hardest chance he had had all game! Reg Egerton then shot over for Saints from 6 yards out and a Trimley effort went over the bar. No further goals meant a point each in a game that Saints would feel they should have won comfortably

 

 

TRINITY RANGERS 1 ST JOHNS 9

 

Saints travelled to Eastwood Ho for a cup game against Trinity Rangers, which they would hope to win comfortably and they were soon ahead when Lewis Robinson scored at the far post, Trinity were then unlucky with an effort against the bar although it was ruled offside. It was soon 0-2 to Saints when Lewis Robinson scored his second goal after a flowing move, a fine left foot effort from Charlie King made it 0-3, Lewis Goody then had three efforts in quick succession two wide and one saved, but it was soon 0-4 when Charlie King got his second goal. Another fine move saw Ciaran Goldie in on goal and he scored to make it 0-5, Toby Spink then tapped in to make it 0-6 at the end of a first half in which Gavin Bloom at right back and new signing Carl Drury at left back had used the flanks very well and with Louis Crisp organising the back four it was looking very comfortable for Saints. As the game was won Chris King could make numerous changes and it was soon 0-7 as Charlie King completed his hat trick with a fine run and finish, Matt Stevens in the Saints goal then had to make his first save of the game he was then replaced by the lofty frame of OJ Cutting and it was soon 0-8 as Lewis Robinson completed his hat trick, Trinity then scored a consolation goal to give OJ his only action which was to bend down and collect the ball from the back of the net. Saints soon scored again when Reg Egerton shot home to make the final score 1-9.

 

ST JOHNS 3 IPSWICH ROYALS 1

Saints hosted Ipswich Royals on a very wet morning at Rushmere Sports Centre and it was Saints that looked bright early on with Alex Harris seeing a couple of efforts go wide and over the bar, Saints continued to dominate as Lewis Robinson saw his shot well saved after a flowing move and Reg Egerton's close range effort brought another great save from the Royals keeper. The goal finally came when Reg Egerton slotted home after a neat through ball from Jack Garvin. Toby Spink then saw his effort go wide and just before the break Reg Egerton's header also missed the target when it looked easier to score. At half time Saints held a well deserved 1-0 lead. The second half started with Saints pushing for a second goal as Toby Spink’s low cross flashed across the goal. Totally against the run of play they found themselves level as Royals equalised from the penalty spot following a needless foul, Saints felt disappointed by this as it had been Royals 1st shot on target. Jack Garvin then saw an effort go just over the bar and Ryan Wardley's shot from 20 yards came back off the bar but Saints kept pushing and they were rewarded when Alex Harris fired a left foot shot into the corner after his brilliant run saw him beat four players. Matt Stevens in the Saints goal then had to make a great stop to keep the lead intact and just before the end Reg Egerton shot into the corner to give Saints a 3-1 victory in a game that should have been wrapped up earlier than in the last 10 minutes.

ST JOHNS 2 - MARTLESHAM SPITFIRES 1

Saints started very well against Martlesham Spitfires and after a flowing move OJ Cutting saw his shot saved, another fine Saints move ended with Jack Garvin seeing his shot well saved, Martlesham were struggling to get into the game and it was no surprise when Saints went ahead with Alex Harris firing into the top corner after good work from Reg Egerton, just before the break Saints made it 2-0 as Reg Egerton shot home with his left foot after a corner was not cleared. The first goal of the second half was going to be vital and it was Saints that looked the most likely with two great runs from Reg Egerton ending with chances for Saints but the third goal would not come and it was the visitors who pulled a goal back from a fine free kick giving Matt Stevens no chance, although the reasoning behind the free-kick was odd!. Martlesham sensed that they might sneak a point from a game that Saints had dominated but Saints continued to create chances with Reg Egerton having one of those days having shots saved, cleared off the line and go wide. A fine surging run down the line from Gavin Bloom ended with another half chance and Reg Egerton then had what looked a perfect goal disallowed by another odd decision, this time by the assistant. Matt Stevens in the Saints goal didn’t have a shot to save apart from the free-kick, Saints had at least ten shots at goal, we must take our chances to put the game beyond doubt!

KESGRAVE KESTRELS 1  ST JOHNS  5

Saints made a very bright start in their away game against Kesgrave Kestrels with Ciaran Goldie firing over the bar after a fine pass from Alex Harris and it was soon Ciaran Goldie again as he was brought down to give Saints a penalty which was expertly converted by Ryan Wardley. Saints continued to dominate and Reg Egerton scored from a rebound after Ryan Wardley's shot was saved, Kesgrave then failed to clear a corner and when Alex Harris put the ball back into the box Reg Egerton arrived unmarked to fire home and put Saints 0-3 up. Saints were playing some lovely football and it was soon 0-4 when Louis Crisp arrived at the far post to fire home Ciaran Goldie's low cross, just before the break Ryan Wardley shot home for his second and Saints fifth goal.H-T 0-5. The second half turned out to be a strange affair with Saints not being able to convert their numerous chances, the highlight of the half was a fine dribble down the touchline by Jack Garvin and the only goal was a long range effort by a Kesgrave player to make the final score a comfortable 1-5 to Saints.

 

 

WITNESHAM WASPS 0   ST JOHNS 3

 

Saints travelled to Northgate Sports Centre to play Witnesham Wasps looking to build on their two previous results and it was the visitors with the first chances with Toby Spink firing over the bar and Alex Harris heading wide. Witnesham then came close to taking the lead but the ball bounced back off the post from a well taken free kick by Hal Rudkin, play then switched to the other end and Saints took the lead when Toby Spink fired home following an Alex Harris corner. Ciaran Goldie was then unlucky after a fine run but his shot was well saved. Just before the break Saints made it 0-2 when Reg Egerton shot home after a fine pass from Alex Harris. H-T 0-2. Alex Harris was unlucky at the start of the second half as he saw his excellent free kick come back off the underside of the bar, however it was soon 0-3 to Saints after a fine turn and shot from Charlie King, Witnesham almost scored soon after but Saints scrambled the ball clear and Matt Stevens in the Saints goal then produced a great save from a header. No further goals meant that Saints ran out 0-3 winners in an entertaining game.

ST JOHNS 5 WOODBRIDGE TOWN 1

Saints hosted Woodbridge Town in the first round of the Felixstowe & District Knock Out Cup and they made a great start when Jack Garvin swept the ball home after a great run down the right by Ryan Wardley, Toby Spink then saw a fine effort very well saved but it was soon 2-0 as Jack Garvin scored again, this time after a great run by Ciaran Goldie. Saints continued to dominate with Reg Egerton shooting wide and OJ Cutting being halted after a run into the box but at half time Saints held a comfortable 2-0 lead.

Saints were pegged back at the start of the second half when Woodbridge scored with a wonderful effort into the top corner giving Saints keeper Matt Stevens no chance. Saints soon restored their two goal advantage when Toby Spink headed home after Jack Garvin flicked on Ciaran Goldie's cross. Saints then added a fourth goal Charlie King curled a brilliant left footed effort into the top corner from an OJ Cutting pass (or was it a pass to somebody else unless OJ comes clean we might never know), Saints continued to look for goals and Alex Harris saw a couple of shots go over the bar. It was soon 5-1 when Kalum Winters headed home an Alex Harris corner and just before the end Miles Cartey saw his header cleared off the line as Saints finished 5-1 winners and therefore progress to the next round.

WHITTON UTD 0 ST JOHNS 5
A pleasant sunny morning greeted Saints as they arrived at Whitton Utd looking to bounce back after there defeat at Brantham the previous week and manager Chris King was looking for a dramatic improvement, players were back in their normal positions and Saints started well with Reg Egerton firing wide after good work on the wing by Ciaran Goldie. Alex Harris then shot over the bar as Saints piled on the pressure and they took the lead as Ryan Wardley shot into the roof of the net following a corner, he almost added a second goal as his blistering shot hit the underside of the bar and bounced out, but with Whitton struggling to create anything in the final third Saints added a second goal as Ryan Wardley raced onto a fine through ball from Alex Harris and finished with a brilliant lob to put Saints 0-2 up at the interval. Saints continued to dominate the game and they were soon 0-3 up as Reg Egerton headed home a fine cross from Louis Crisp. Matt Stevens in the Saints goal then had to make a couple of well timed interceptions. It was soon 0-4 to Saints as Jack Garvin headed home after unselfish work from Toby Spink, Chris King had made various substitutions but it made no difference to their performance as Saints pushed forward and they make it 0-5 as Louis Crisp shot home, no further goals meant that Saints recorded a comfortable victory to get back on track after last weeks ‘interesting’ defeat.

BRANTHAM 5 ST JOHNS 0

Saints travelled to East Bergholt high school for a tough fixture against table topping Brantham Athletic and it was the home side with the first effort over the bar however early pressure told for the home side as they took the lead with a free header from a corner. Saints almost equalised but Ryan Wardley's free kick hit the bar and apart from this and a Ciaran Goldie effort just wide these were Saints only efforts in a poor first half in which Brantham had totally dominated and they added a second goal with a shot into the corner. Matt Stevens in the Saints goal had made some fine saves to keep the score down and Brantham had also hit the woodwork on a couple of occasions. H-T 2-0. It got no better at the start of the second half as they conceded a penalty to go three down and then another free header made it 4-0, Saints did have a period of play when they passed the ball crisply and effectively but they were struggling to cope with Brantham’s direct style and they conceded again to make the final score 5-0 leaving manager Chris King with a few problems to solve.

ST JOHNS 1 EAST BERGHOLT 2

Saints received a blow during the week when midfielder Jack Garvin broke his wrist following a fall. Saints went into a tough looking fixture against East Bergholt with a reshuffled side and some players being asked to play in different positions, the first action saw Ryan Wardley have a free kick easily saved but it was the visitors who went ahead when a Bergholt forward wriggled past three Saints ‘challengers’ to shoot into the corner past Matt Stevens. Toby Spink was working very hard up front for Saints but they were not able to create any clear chances, just before the break Ryan Wardley fired over the bar but at half time it was the visitors who held the advantage. H-T 0-1. Saints put a couple of crosses into the Bergholt box but these were dealt with and the Bergholt keeper was then called upon to make a save from Kalum Winters shot, Bergholt then saw an effort clear the bar at the other end, but Saints drew level when Reg Egerton timed his run to lob the visitors keeper for a great finish. Saints were now playing their best football of the game and there was a controversial incident when East Bergholt's keeper handled the ball outside the box denying a goal-scoring opportunity, however the referee deemed this only to be a bookable offence as Saints seemed a bit hard done by, he then made a great one handed save from Ryan Wardley’s resulting free-kick and to rub salt into Saints wound East Bergholt nicked a goal in the last two minutes to take all three points when a draw seemed a likely and fair outcome.

Match - St Johns v Felixstowe & Walton 8th  September 2007
 

Saints opened their league campaign with a home game against Felixstowe & Walton. With some of Manager Chris King's championship winning side opting to just play on Sundays this season some new signings were welcomed and were making their debuts. It was Saints that started brightly with Reg Egerton going close, OJ Cutting then had a shot saved and Alex Harris shot over the bar as Saints piled on the pressure, it soon told as Ryan Wardley shot home after being played in by Charlie King after a fine passing move. Saints then added a second goal from a free kick which was planted into the top corner by Ryan Wardley. Just before the break a great cross from Lewis Goody evaded the oncoming Saints forwards. H-T 2-0. Saints added a third goal at the start of the second half when Toby Spink shot home after another fine passing move, and it was soon 4-0 as Charlie King played in Ciaran Goldie who shot home. Ryan Wardley then completed his hat trick to make it 5-0 and Reg Egerton shot home for the sixth goal, a great run from Ciaran Goldie took him to the by-line and he pulled the ball back for Reg Egerton to score his second goal and Saints seventh, Tom Sills had come on up front for Saints and he saw his flick from a corner well saved by the Felixstowe keeper. It was soon 8-0 when Harvey Deakin shot home with his left foot, just before the end OJ Cutting saw his header go wide as Saints started the season with a comfortable victory.