Under 8's
Manager: Brian Valentine & Mike Fitzgerald

Past Match Reports

January

Glossop North End U8’s – Saturday, 29 January 2011
Glossop U8 Piranhas 0 Dukinfield Youth U8 B 6
The Piranhas ran into accomplished opponents on Saturday. Nevertheless, they made a bright start with a good run from Ben Gove and Oliver Parker volleyed narrowly wide shortly afterwards. Good tackling from Teddy Fantom and Alex Friend could not prevent Dukinfield taking the lead from a flowing move and they doubled their lead shortly afterwards.

A frenetic scramble in the Piranhas penalty area led to an award of a penalty which was converted. A great block by Teddy Fantom prevented Dukinfield from scoring again. Oliver Stonehouse nearly reduced the deficit after a fine dribble and shot.

In the second half, Joe Aspden almost released his team-mates a couple of times before Dukinfield increased their lead despite the best efforts of Will Winbow. Oliver Parker prevented a further score with good defending. Overall, the Piranhas left Teddy Fantom isolated at the back too frequently when facing opposition attacks. It was their poorest performance of the season.

Glossop U8 Sharks 1 Dukinfield Youth U8 A 3
The Sharks started their game in determined fashion. Ethan Tomlinson forced the Dukinfield defence to hurry by quickly closing them down. Toby Newton went close with a snap shot while the follow up was blocked. Kieran Coggins headed clear a Dukinfield effort on goal at the other end. The Sharks caught a break when the referee disallowed a goal when the ball rebounded out of the net.

Dukinfield did take the lead before Johnny Gabriel forced a good save from the opposition’s keeper. Will Valentine worked hard in midfield while Max Fitzgerald intercepted a couple of Dukinfield attacks. Kieran Coggins provided Glossop’s highpoint of the day when he fired a low shot into the corner of the net.

Josh Ward maintained his excellent standard with a series of saves but a block from Max Fitzgerald was unable to prevent Dukinfield from scoring again. The Sharks’ hard work was further undone by a defensive slip which allowed Dukinfield to add to their tally. On the whole, the Sharks could be pleased with their efforts against a very good side.

Glossop North End U8’s – Saturday, 22 January 2011
Glossop U8 Piranhas 0 Vipers U8 B 3
The Piranhas began by applying pressure on their opponents through excellent closing down with Oliver Parker working tirelessly in midfield. The Piranhas maintained their blistering start when a Ben Gove shot rebounded off the goalkeeper between Alex Friend and Oliver Stonehouse. The Vipers responded by scoring a fine goal after Will Winbow had previously denied them with a superb save.

A flowing move involving Ben Gove, Alex Friend and Oliver Stonehouse would have led to a goal but for resolute defending by the Vipers. A great tackle from Teddy Fantom prevented the Vipers from extending their lead just before half-time,.

The high quality of the game was maintained in the second half. The Piranhas continued to work hard as a team with Freddie Rimmer making a couple of solid tackles. Will Winbow then produced a save, even better than his first-half effort, to deny the Vipers once again. The Vipers scored twice late on from corners to give a final score-line which did not reflect the Piranhas’ efforts and the quality of their play.

Glossop U8 Sharks 2 Vipers A 8
Apart from the first few minutes, the Sharks really struggled in the first half. They were unlucky to meet opponents on top of their game. Josh Ward produced a couple of saves to deny the Vipers. It only delayed the inevitable, however, as the Viper’s eventually breeched the Sharks’ defence to take the lead their quality football fully merited.

The Sharks then permitted the Vipers to extend their lead with a series of defensive errors so that they were 5-0 down at half-time. It is to the Sharks’ credit that they upped their performance in the second-half with Johnny Gabriel in particular working very hard up front. Max Fitzgerald went narrowly wide and there were shots from Toby Newton and Kieran Coggins. Will Valentine was always willing to take on the opposition players.

A cool finish by Max Fitzgerald and an own goal gave the Sharks some consolation along with the fact they almost matched their opponents in the second half.

Saturday, 15 January 2011
Glossop U8 Piranhas 1 Marple Athletic U8 B 3
The Piranhas six-game unbeaten streak came to an end in miserable weather last23 Saturday. Early on, Marple Athletic forced Will Winbow to make a good save. Glossop responded with a fine run and shot from Oliver Stonehouse. Meanwhile, excellent tackling from Teddy Fantom and Oliver Parker helped to keep Marple at bay.

Towards the end of the first half, the Piranhas increased the pressure on the Marple goal with a four corners in a row. From the last of these, Ben Gove finished smartly at the far post. At the beginning of the second half Marple equalised following a mistake at the back by Glossop.

Joe Aspden nearly regained the lead following brilliant work down the left by Oliver Stonehouse. Shortly afterwards Marple went down the other end and took the lead from a corner. The Piranhas responded with a flowing passing move involving Will Winbow, Alex Friend and Ben Gove before a superb save by the Marple goalkeeper denied Joes Aspden. Marple scored just before the final whistle which was rather harsh on the effort and good football played by the Piranhas.

Glossop U8 Sharks 0 Marple Athletic U8 A 2
The Sharks’ game followed a similar pattern to the first match. Josh Ward was called into action early on before the Sharks settled into the game Toby Newton went close after displaying fine ball control. The Sharks almost scored twice when Kieran Coggins and Will Valentine worked a neat short corner and after Billy Draper made excellent progress down the right wing before driving the ball across the Marple penalty box and just out of Will Valentine’s reach.

Just before half-time, Marple Athletic scored when a defender intercepted a Glossop pass and released a team-mate who fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner. This was slightly unfair on the Sharks’ defence which had played well in rebuffing the opposition’s attacks. Max Fitzgerald, in particular, had stood out in defence.

At the start of the second half, the Sharks attempted to restore parity with shots from Kieran Coggins and Ethan Tomlinson while good block from Toby Newton prevented Marple from extending their lead. As full-time approached, an error at the back allowed the opposition to double their lead so the final score line did not reflect the Sharks’ endeavours.

November

Saturday, 13 November 2010
Glossop U8 Piranhas 1 Denton Youth U8 B 0
The Piranhas dominated their opponents from the kick off and signalled their intent with a sustained bout of early pressure. They took the lead when Oliver Stonehouse deflected in a corner taken by Billy Draper.

Oliver Stonehouse forced a brilliant save from the Denton Youth goalkeeper almost immediately after the goal. Alex Friend had a couple of shots at goal, one of which was almost touched home by Ben Gove. The few Denton Youth attacks fell victim to Teddy Fantom’s strong tackling. At the end of the first half, goalkeeper Will Winbow’s kit was still pristine as he had yet to touch the ball.

At the start of the second half, a Denton Youth breakaway was stopped by a superb covering tackle from Oliver Parker. A flowing passing move involving Oliver Parker, Oliver Stonehouse and Ben Gove was only denied by the Denton keeper. Oliver Stonehouse almost doubled the lead with a mazy dribble and shot. The Piranhas’ superiority was not reflected in the final score.

Glossop U8 Sharks 0 Denton Youth U8 A 1
This was a contest between two evenly matched sides. Toby Newton had a shot blocked following good work by Joe Aspden and Kieran Coggins was wide after a receiving a pass from Toby Newton. In defence, Max Fitzgerald made several important interceptions and Josh Ward cleared anything that got past him.

Denton Youth scored from a well-taken free-kick. The Sharks showed good spirit by responding with more attempts on goal by Will Valentine and Toby Newton. After the restart, the Sharks almost equalised when a Denton Youth defender narrowly avoided heading into his own net from a Will Valentine cross.

The Sharks continued to press forward with Will Valentine going wide after a pass from Max Fitzgerald. At the back, Ethan Tomlinson tackled well and Josh Ward made another great block. There were further attempts on goal by Joe Aspden, Kieran Coggins and Ethan Tomlinson before the final whistle but it was not the Sharks’ day.

Saturday, 6 November 2010
Glossop U8 Piranhas 2 Delamere Rangers U8 B 1
The Piranhas immediately fell behind after a well taken goal by Delamere. They responded by passing the ball well. Joe Aspden was denied by the keeper following a flowing move involving Teddy Fantom, Oliver Stonehouse and Billy Draper. Alex Friend was off target with a flick from a corner.

The equaliser duly came when Billy Draper dribbled down the left wing before crossing for Joe Aspen to score with a well-directed finish. Will Winbow made a couple of fine stops to keep Delamere at bay while Teddy Fantom made several solid tackles.

At the beginning of the second half the Piranhas took control. Ben Gove rounded the last defender but his shot was blocked as was the follow up from Oliver Stonehouse. Further shots from Oliver Stonehouse and Alex Friend were saved by the keeper. The Piranhas got their deserved win when Oliver Stonehouse fed Ben Gove who clinically drove the ball home with his left foot.

Glossop U8 Sharks 2 Delamere Rangers U8 A 2
The Sharks went a goal down in bizarre circumstances when Delamere scored straight from a throw in. They avoided going two down shortly afterwards when Josh Ward just managed to prevent the ball crossing the line. With Ethan Tomlinson always calm at the back, the Sharks stared to dominate with shots from Will Valentine, Toby Newton and Kieran Coggins.

Delamere Rangers went two up totally against the run of play. The Sharks pulled a goal back when Will Valentine scored with a neat finish. They continued to press with shots from Toby Newton, Max Fitzgerald and Kieran Coggins. The Sharks squandered a number of chances they created. At the start of the second half, Toby Newton passed to Johnny Gabriel who dribbled past the last man only to be defeated by the narrow angle.

Whenever Delamere had the ball, they were faced by a school of Sharks pressing the ball while Max Fitzgerald was always alert in defence. An outstanding tackle from Toby Newton prevented Delamere from going further ahead. The Sharks equalised when Toby Newton scored with a fierce shot past a defensive wall direct form a free kick and almost snatched victory at the death with further efforts by Kieran Coggins.

October

Saturday, 23 October 2010
Glossop U8 Piranhas 2 Cheshire Boys U8 B 0
Both teams struggled to pass the ball in a scrappy first half and chances were few and far between. In attack, Billy Draper went wide with a snap shot. At the back, Will Winbow was rarely called into action and had always good distance on his clearances when he was.

In the second half, the Glossop midfield of Oliver Stonehouse and Oliver Parker gradually got on top. The breakthrough came when Joe Aspden made an excellent pass to Oliver Stonehouse who swivelled before expertly finishing. The whole team was excellent in defending the lead as Cheshire Boys pressed for the equaliser.

Teddy Fantom broke up an attack in midfield. He then carried the ball forward before passing to Alex Friend who controlled the ball before calmly slotting it past the on-rushing goalkeeper. The Piranhas continued their good defensive work right to end of the match to ensure a clean sheet.

Glossop U8 Sharks 1 Cheshire Boys U8 A 0
The Sharks were on the defensive right from the off and were indebted to a fantastic save by Josh Ward to avoid going a goal down. In a scrappy game, both sides were struggling to pass the ball.

Toby Newton was fouled as he dribbled round two opponents. From the resultant free kick, Kieran Coggins coolly picked his spot and curled the ball into the corner of the net. Cheshire Boys responded by immediately attacking . They were kept at bay by the excellent Ethan Tomlinson and yet further good saves by Josh Ward.

Cheshire Boys maintained their pressure in the second half. Whenever possible Glossop tried to counter-attack with good passing by Max Fitzgerald. Glossop almost doubled their lead following a good run and cross from Toby Newton which just eluded the waiting Will Valentine. The Sharks defended well right to the end to hold on for a hard-fought victory much the to evident frustration of their opponents.

September

Saturday, 25 September 2010
Glossop U8 Piranhas 2 Marple Athletic U8 B 1
The Piranhas showed their intentions straight from the kick-off by confidently passing the ball. When Marple did break, Oliver Parker and Oliver Stonehouse halted their progress before starting the next move. Teddy Fantom and Ben Gove went close with shots before Marple scored against the run of play from a well-taken corner. The Piranhas responded with yet more attempts on the opposition goal by Alex Friend, Ben Gove twice and Teddy Fantom.

The second half commenced with the Piranhas continuing to be the better side. Oliver Stonehouse impressed on the right wing with his skills and work-rate. Alex Friend appeared to have turned the ball over the line but a goal was not awarded. Eventually the pressure told as Ben Gove dribbled down the left wing before passing to Teddy Fantom who scored with a composed finish.

The Piranhas ensured Marple Athletic were not allowed back in the game. Oliver Parker and Billy Draper made key tackles while Will Winbow maintained his concentration to make a sharp save. The Piranhas won the game after Oliver Stonehouse brilliantly dribbled past two opponents before unleashing a fierce shot which the keeper could only parry. Ben Gove followed up to net the rebound.

Glossop U8 Sharks 2 Marple Athletic U8 A 4
The Sharks started confidently and kept their opponents trapped in their own half. Will Valentine and Max Fitzgerald kept the keeper busy in the early stages. Shortly afterwards Will Valentine and Toby Newton combined to cause panic in the opposition’s defence. Ethan Tomlinson at the back and Josh Ward in goal ensured the Marple forwards were kept at bay.

Kieran Coggins opened the scoring with one of his trademark long-shots. Toby Newton scored a second after closing down Marple’s keeper to force an error. Marple equalised both goals when the best player on either side scored with well struck shots after dribbling past a couple of opponents.

The Sharks struggled to match the level of their performance in the first-half after the concession of an early own goal at the start of the second half. Joe Henniker came on as a forward in an attempt to get the Sharks back in the game. Josh Ward denied Marple with a series of outstanding acrobatic saves. Marple sealed the win with a fourth goal right at the death.

Saturday, 11 September 2010
Glossop U8 Piranhas 3 Fletcher Moss U8 B 4
For the second week in a row the Piranhas displayed tremendous spirit in coming from behind. After 5 minutes they were three down, but the Piranhas always played good football in trying to reduce the arrears. Oliver Stonehouse was impressive in defence, Oliver Parker worked tirelessly and Alex Friend was always looking to pass the ball.

Eventually the Piranhas’ good football was rewarded before half-time. Ben Gove capped an excellent performance with the Piranhas first goal and Teddy Fantom, with a fantastic shot from a narrow angle, reduced the arrears to just one goal.

After half-time with Joe Aspden on as a substitute, the Piranhas maintained the pressure. Will Winbow continued to make fine saves to keep the Piranhas in the game. After sustained pressure, the Piranhas deservedly equalised when Teddy Fantom capped his outstanding performance with a calmly taken second goal.
Unfortunately, Fletcher Moss scored the winner following a goalmouth scramble just before the end of the game.

Glossop U8 Sharks 4 Fletcher Moss U8 A 1
The Sharks took control of their match from the kick-off and never let Fletcher Moss into the game at any point. Their early superiority was rewarded when Kieran Coggins scored with a long-range shot. For the rest of half, the Sharks were on top with Will Valentine working hard on the right wing and Eathan Tomlinson always secure in defence. The Sharks’ good work was rewarded when Max Fitzgerald coolly slotted their second goal.

After half-time, the pattern of the match continued with the Sharks clearly the better side. After forcing the opposition into an error, Toby Newton calmly finished to put the result of the game beyond doubt.

The excellent Josh Ward was unable to keep out a well-taken consolation goal for Fletcher Moss. It only spurred the Sharks to go half way up the pitch before Kieran Coggins scored his second long-range goal of the day. It was perhaps the finest goal of the day as the U8’s scored three or four contenders for goal of the season.

Glossop U8 Piranhas 3 Fletcher Moss U8 B 4
For the second week in a row the Piranhas displayed tremendous spirit in coming from behind. After 5 minutes they were three down, but the Piranhas always played good football in trying to reduce the arrears. Oliver Stonehouse was impressive in defence, Oliver Parker worked tirelessly and Alex Friend was always looking to pass the ball.

Eventually the Piranhas’ good football was rewarded before half-time. Ben Gove capped an excellent performance with the Piranhas first goal and Teddy Fantom, with a fantastic shot from a narrow angle, reduced the arrears to just one goal.

After half-time with Joe Aspden on as a substitute, the Piranhas maintained the pressure. Will Winbow continued to make fine saves to keep the Piranhas in the game. After sustained pressure, the Piranhas deservedly equalised when Teddy Fantom capped his outstanding performance with a calmly taken second goal.
Unfortunately, Fletcher Moss scored the winner following a goalmouth scramble just before the end of the game.

Glossop U8 Sharks 4 Fletcher Moss U8 A 1
The Sharks took control of their match from the kick-off and never let Fletcher Moss into the game at any point. Their early superiority was rewarded when Kieran Coggins scored with a long-range shot. For the rest of half, the Sharks were on top with Will Valentine working hard on the right wing and Eathan Tomlinson always secure in defence. The Sharks’ good work was rewarded when Max Fitzgerald coolly slotted their second goal.

After half-time, the pattern of the match continued with the Sharks clearly the better side. After forcing the opposition into an error, Toby Newton calmly finished to put the result of the game beyond doubt.

The excellent Josh Ward was unable to keep out a well-taken consolation goal for Fletcher Moss. It only spurred the Sharks to go half way up the pitch before Kieran Coggins scored his second long-range goal of the day. It was perhaps the finest go.