SATURDAY 1ST OCTOBER
GIRLS U10
Capital Girls League Football Festival
On Saturday the girls played fantastically with the weather conditions. It was the first time that the girls had really played in hot weather. A special mention to Ashling, who played her first tournament with Venceremos. She had an outstanding game with a clean sheet and to Millie who was my player of the tournament. It was a tough decision as all the girls played really well, but she just pipped the others to the post. Elise had a great game with the first goal of the tournament against Denham and Milie scored the second. Charlotte also opened up her score sheet as did Millie. Charlotte has been so close on numerous occasions, so it was great to see her put one in the back of the net. Taylor and Tia also had outstanding games in defence and midfield. Just unlucky with one goal scored against us for the morning. We played Denham A & B, Old Actonians, Cantelowes and Hampstead. Performance rating 9.5
SUNDAY 2ND OCTOBER
Harrow Youth League Challenge Cup 1st Round
VENCEREMOS 2-14 LONDON ATHLETIC
Our first home game and we welcomed them to our castle. It was the challenge cup against London Athletic who had beaten St Joseph the previous week with double figures. It was hotter than Miami and we felt it from the start. They had been together for a while and their fitness won them the game. We tried to break them down but they were beating us with their runs down the wings and were winning everything in Midfield. They had three players that stood out and I must commend their Centre Back who would not miss anything. But hey he missed two so they are beatable. We will meet again this season and the boys all know the result will be different. Well played all the Vs, and well done Alfie you are our number 1.
Performance Rating 5.5
Harrow Youth League Division 4
HILLINGDON YOUTH 3-5 VENCEREMOS
A slow start could have cost the boys in an end to end encounter but ultimately they got the result they probably deserved. In the first half too often we were left exposed at the back and three times Hillingdon took a one goal lead. We equalised each time through excellent strikes from Lewis D (2) and Alfie. After the break we competed far better and took the lead when Glen's shot came back off the bar, Ryan scoring his trademark "tap in." We then conceded two penalties in quick succession the first superbly saved by Leo and the second crashing against the upright. At the same time we had numerous good situations at the other end with Aaron performing impressively on debut. The game was wrapped up when Glen, mightily impressive in an unfamiliar central midfield role, forced home Lewis D's corner shortly before the end. Special mention for Lewis M who played really well throughout at the back.
Performance Rating 8.0
Harrow Youth League Challenge Cup 1st Round
VENCEREMOS 2-2 PITSHANGER 'A'
PITSHANGER WON 2-1 ON PENALTIES
The Vs were unfortunate to be knocked out of this cup competition on penalties despite another strong performance against a side who are two divisions above them in the league. The Vs started offensively and Niall should have put them into the lead within the first couple of minutes as he ran the length of the pitch to shoot from outside the box just wide of the post. It wasn't long before the Vs took the lead through Remi who tapped the ball into the net after a cross from the left. Venceremos were on top for most of the first half, but were caught napping just before half time when a through ball split the defence for Pitshanger to put the ball past Jordan in goal. Venceremos conceded an early goal in the second half, with Munqudullah having little chance to save. The Vs then attacked continuously and were rewarded with a well worked goal from Sami to make it 2-2. The Vs could have snatched a win in the dying minutes when Alex lobbed the defence only for the keeper to miraculously scoop the ball out. The Vs lost 2-1 on penalties with only Fred managing to convert. The Vs can be proud of this performance and concentrate on the league. Fred was named man of the match. Performance Rating 7.0
Harrow Soccer Sevens Combination Division 4
HEATHROW CLUB 3-4 VENCEREMOS
The Juniors kicked off their League campaign with a fine victory over Heathrow. The V's dominated the first half and with the slope in their favour it wasn't long before their superiority was rewarded. Great work from Krish set up super striker Rikin who finished neatly in the corner. Then more V's pressure saw Krish dispatch a poor clearance into the back of the Heathrow net. A third followed from a rangy Sam P pass that eluded the opposing defenders and goalkeeper and Rikin was rewarded for not giving up the chase with a tap in from a tight angle. Daniel in the V's goal was largely a spectator and Heathrow's only threat came from a free-kick on the edge of the area. V's wrapped up a great first half with another goal from last seasons goal machine Sam K to put the boys in a commanding 4-0 half-time lead. You may think from seeing the scoreline that this was a game of 'two-halves'. It finished tighter than maybe it should have done as the Heathrow keeper put in a brave performance thwarting James three times one-on-one. Although if James had pulled the trigger earlier he may well have been rewarded with a hat-trick. Anyway it wasn't to be and Heathrow who were posing more of a threat got a goal back. A great free kick crashed off the bar and they reacted to the loose ball quicker. V's still kept pressing and Jacob and Ben had worthy strikes on goal. Then V's then conceded a harsh penalty as a bouncing ball struck Kayaans' arm. Sam P could do nothing to stop a powerful spot kick. With Heathrow's tails up V's were now on the back foot but Kayaan put in another great defensive display. Rikin nearly put the game beyond doubt but his left foot shoot went agonisingly wide. With time almost up Heathrow did grab a third but V's held on for a well earned victory. A great performance all round. Performance Rating 8.5