Kew Association Youth 3-2 Hampton Manor, 8 Mar, League
by Stuart Whitwell
This was a fantastic game played out by two evenly matched teams. Kew who have been playing very well all year had the bare 11 players available for the match. Having said that it was a strong 11 that took to the field and every player held the collective belief that they could win the match.

Hampton started the match strongly, attacking from the off and winning numerous corners from strong attacking positions in the first 15 minute period. Kew defended strongly and Eddie in goal pulled off a miraculous save.

Gradually Kew started to push forward with real intent and on about the 20 minute mark, Matt McLoughlin unleashed a powerful shot from outside the penalty area that was partially misjudged by the keeper who could only parry the shot further into the net. Kew was one up, even though the play had mostly been in our half.

Ten minutes later Kew created one of the finest moments of the match with a skillful interchange of passing between Matt McLoughlin who slid an incisive pass through to Grant who turned to beat his man in the box and glided a pass on to Matt Self who calmly stroked the ball home. A clinical move that sliced open the Hampton defence. Half time 2 goals to nil to Kew. 

Hampton were a strong team who continued to attack with skill and precision and the Kew defence had to dig deep to keep them out. However, after about 65 minutes, Hampton cut through the Kew defence and scored a fine goal with a low shot into the bottom right corner.

Kew came back again and with a fine interchange of attacking play down the left hand side Danny Mitchell had an excellent shot well saved by the Hampton goalkeeper. That could have sealed it. Then with 5 minutes to go, Hampton from outside the area, drove a fierce shot into the top right hand corner of the net to make it 2 goals each. We all wondered if the guys had the will and energy reserves to hang on.

But to their great credit, they did more than that. Kew carved open the Hampton defence once again and, after a series of passes, Grant Archibald drove the ball home into the top right of the net. 3 goals to 2 with a minute to go.  Hampton came back again and Edward Charlton in goal dived bravely at the feet of the Hampton attacker to thwart any attempt on goal. It took a couple of minutes for Eddie to recover and after kicking the goal kick over the goal line, the referee blew for final time, a fine 3 goals to 2 win for Kew.

Every player contributed hugely to the result and every one to a man stood up to the job, you could tangibly feel a collective sense of believe and a visible sign of a better use of the ball with fine passing play down both left and right flanks that spread the play and created opportunity for our midfield and strikers. The central defensive partnership of Richard and David was impressive as was the work rate and determination of the full backs Harry and Alex and a strong display from Ed Lovern in central midfield.

Epsom & Ewell Colts 5-1 Kew Association Youth, 1 Mar, League

Kew Association Youth 1-2 Bedfont Green, 22 Feb, League

Barnes Eagles walkover to Kew Association Youth, 15 Feb, League

Meadow Sports 4-3 Kew Association Youth, 1 Feb, League

Links FC 4-4 Kew Association Youth, 18 Jan, League
by Stuart Whitwell
A great start to the New Year after such a long lay off since December. Kew played some really good football in a 4:4:2 formation against a very good Links side. Kew got off to a great start and took an early lead inside 10 minutes. Links were down to 9 men for a short time early on and it really started to show. However, Links responded with two goals of their own to go up by 2 goals to 1 before Kew equalised five minutes before half time. Kew also scored what looked to be a very good goal but was given offside by lino decision, which many regarded as dodgy - it was hard to believe but the guys to their credit did not let this get to them.

The second half saw Kew really take the game by the scruff of the neck, playing some excellent flowing football which was duly rewarded by an excellent goal that gave Kew a 3-2 lead early in the second half. However, Links were not finished and equalised soon after with a header at the far post to make it 3-all. Kew responded with another fine goal to go 4-3 up, but with five minutes left and numerous chances going begging to Kew, somehow Links managed to equalise in amongst a crowd of players.

We came off feeling we should have won and I think everyone involved on the pitch and watching from the sidelines had the same sentiments. Great partnerships between Matt Self and Grant Archibald up-front who bagged a goal a piece, also in central midfield from Matt McLoughlin and Louis Hebbs, another of our goalscorers and from David Bracey and Richard Gibson in central defense; and not forgetting Charlie Grady, who scored the other goal. Our spine was very strong. Things to work on, those defensive lapses, to make us a tighter defensive unit to break down.

Old Isleworthians White 3-0 Kew Association Youth, 21 Dec, League

Kew Association Youth 0-9 AFC Wimbledon Youth, 30 Nov, Surrey FA Cup

Bedfont Green 5-0 Kew Association Youth, 23 Nov, League

Kew Association Youth 2-5 Junior Bees, 16 Nov, Invitation Cup

Worplesdon Phoenix 0-21 Kew Association Youth, 2 Nov, Surrey FA Cup

Kew Association Youth 3-4 Meadow Sports, 19 Oct, League

Kew Association Youth 3-5 Links, 12 Oct, League
by Chris Self
On a fine sunny day, Kew welcomed Links in a league fixture in which Kew Association were hoping to build on their good start to the season. We had been lying third in the league, on goal difference, having previously won two before this fixture.

Unfortunately, within 20 seconds Kew were a goal down due to some sloppy passing. Links dominated the next 25 minutes and should have scored on at least two occasions but with Kew's only attack of the first half, we scored following some good work from Ed Lovern on the left ending with Jack Bailey slotting home from close range. Kew were now playing some good football and Grant went close on a few occasions. Near to half time all the good work was undone when Links crossed from the right, and with the Kew defence caught ball-watching, they scored from close range. Links then went further ahead following another defensive mix up from a corner, going into the half time break 3-1 up.

In the second half Kew played a lot better but Links were awarded a penalty when George Bradley brought down their striker. However he made amends by making a great save and this seemed to spur on the team. Matt McLoughlin coolly volleyed into the net following a poor clearance by their keeper to make it 3-2. Links again scored but Kew didn't give up and Matt McLoughlin scored a fine header to bring it back to 4-3. With 5 minutes to go Kew played three up front in an attempt to salvage something from the game and Links made some fine clearances. Jake Precious had a goal ruled offside but with virtually the last kick of the game and with Kew pressing for the equaliser, Links broke away and scored a fifth. Man of the Match went to Matt McLoughlin for a fine second half midfield performance.

Kew Association Youth 3-2 Ashford Town, 5 Oct, League
by Chris Self
In the pouring rain Kew entertained Ashford Town in a league fixture with much expected as the two teams provided entertaining games when they met last year.

In the first half, Kew played a 4-5-1 formation and deservedly took the lead when, in the slippery conditions, Ashford's keeper couldn't handle a shot and Jack Bailey slotted home from close range. Within minutes Ashford were level when it was our keeper’s turn to be hampered by the wet conditions, allowing Ashford to tap in the ball for the teams to go in level at half time.

After the break, Kew reverted to a 4-4-2 formation and Jake Precious made an instant impact when he coolly headed in from a free kick. Kew were now playing some great football in the increasingly worse conditions and Grant came close on a few occasions. The points appeared secure when Jake added his second and Kew went 3-1 up. But in a mad last 5 minutes Ashford scored and then, with the last play of the game, Ashford's keeper came up for a corner and George Bradley made a crucial save tipping the ball onto the bar, so the points deservedly went to Kew. Man of the match was Jake Precious for a fine second half performance.

NPL 2-3 Kew Association Youth, 28 Sept, Surrey FA Cup

Kingstonian Youth Colts 5-1 Kew Association Youth, 21 Sept, League

Kew Association Youth 10-1 Old Isleworthians White, 14 Sept, League
by Stuart Whitwell
I do not believe there was a more anticipated match than this season’s opener at home against Old Isleworthians on Sunday. The full squad was there and the starting 11 tore into the opposition from the first whistle. 

Kew dominated the early exchanges and was deservedly 2 goals up within 20 minutes. We then conceded a goal due to complacency more than anything, which was against the run of play. After that it was one-way traffic, finishing the half 4 goals to one up. Superb goals from Jack and Grant capped off a scintillating half of wonderful flowing passing football, where control, possession and movement frustrated our opposition. It was the perfect start.

At half time we switched the game plan around to a more attacking format but retained the backbone of the side to maintain shape. Kew Association were simply unstoppable and scored 6 more goals to no reply. The football was superb and every player gets the accolade they all deserve. The back four and goalie were fantastic, the central midfield combinations dominated the game and our flank play through George and Jack opened up so many opportunities.

Grant was on brilliant form in front of goal, scoring 4; Jack got 2, while it was one apiece for Jake, Matt McLoughlin, Matt Self and an own goal. Man of the match was Louis Hebbs, for a dominant and inspiring central midfield performance, pulling the strings for the whole 80 minutes.  This fantastic opener takes us top of the division.