Two steps to Heaven
Kew Association Youth 3-2 Epsom Eagles Youth, 14 Mar, League
With leaders Walton and Hersham losing their final league game, Kew Under 18's moved two steps nearer to the Premier Elite title with a well deserved victory over a very physical Epsom Eagles Youth side . The build up to the game had been terrible with Goalkeeper Jacob Strauss and key midfield player Mark Whiskey picking up injuries during the week

However, as on many occasions, the squad rose to the challenge and were far the better side in this game between second and third in the table. Kew lost the toss and attacked with a strong wind behind them in the first half. It was no surprise when Jon White scored after a loose ball broke to him from a long free kick. Kew continued to play with confidence. However, one lapse in concentration just before half time let an Epsom forward through with a one-on-one with stand in goalkeeper, Sam Dixon. The forward went for a placement kick and Sam pulled off a great reaction save to push the volley around the post and keep the score 1-0 at the break.

The second half started with a Epsom equalising - catching the Kew defence napping from a wind assisted "Rory Delap" throw-in. But within 10 minutes, our top scorer Tom Hyatt had restored the lead with a smart left foot conversion. Kew started to look confident that they would push on a get a third when it all started to go wrong. Firstly, Myles Blenkinsop came off injured then after terrible tackle, Tom Hyatt was stretchered off and taken directly to hospital.

A couple of minutes later, Epsom equalised from a very well taken free kick, that was curled around the wall

Many teams would have folded, but like so many times this year, the Kew squad dug in deep and started to get back on top. With 15 minutes to go, Arni Lucko picked ball up on the edge of the Kew box after a Epsom corner. After running the ball to the half way line, he released a pass to James Wright, who in turned played the ball with the outside of his right foot into the path of new signing, Arron Gaughan. With a quick turn of pace, Arron was through one-on-one with the keeper and, as he had showing in training, clinically finished to slot in what proved to be the winner. After that, unlike last week against Kingstonians, Kew went from strength to strength and the Kew goal was never threatened again. Eventfully Epsom's discipline got the better of them and the player who had injured Tom Hyatt was red carded after another terrible lunge on Arni Lucko. Down to ten men, Epsom were lucky on a number of occasions not to concede a fourth as Kew finished much the stronger, and in the process, making it now mathematically impossible for Epsom to win the title.

Next week 4th place Sheen Lions visit Riverside Drive.

Title Favourites Toppled
Kingstonian Youth 0-1 Kew Association Youth, 7 Mar, League
Ex K's player, Mark Whiskey, sealed the points for Kew half way through the second half with a terrific header from a Myles Blenkinsop corner to secure second place in the U18 premier elite for Kew. They can now take the title with 3 wins out of 3 games - all at home starting with Epsom Eagles Youth next week.

Kew thoroughly deserved this victory against they Surrey Cup favourites. They played all the good football in the first half with Kingstonian reverting to the long ball. Although Kew retained most of the possession and territory, it is fair to say that both sides had chances to open the scoring. Myles hit the bar and had a shot blocked on the line after Tom Hyatt had bought out a brilliant save from the K's keeper.

In the second half, Kew started the stronger and it was only a mater of time until the deadlock was broken. Kew could have extended their lead on number of occasions with Myles and Jack Evens bringing out finger tip saves from the keeper. However, with about twenty minutes to go, the dynamics of the game changed. As the second goal didn't come, Kew started to get nervous and reverted to the long ball and as a result handing the upper hand to the K's. Even though K's peppered the Kew goal with freekicks, corners and long throws, the Kew defence, who have only conceded only 10 goals all season, stood firm and they certainly didn't look like conceding from open play. On the other Kew looked dangerous on the break and could have sealed it with Tom Hyatt and Arni Lucko going close in the last five minutes

Kew Enjoys Conquest
Old Isleworthian Youth 1-3 Kew Association Youth, 21 Feb, League
Kew AFC Youth went joint third in the table after picking up another 3 points by beating Old Isleworthians 3-1 away from home. This stretches their unbeaten league run to 5 months.

A last minute switch by Isleworth, due to ground conditions, meant that the game was played at the dreadful Conquest club. The facilities were attune to a Third World country and the pitch, though playable, wasn't much different. With the dark skies and pouring rain it seemed we were in for a depressing morning .

However the entertainment and quality of football from both sides soon brightened up the day. The first twenty minutes were very even but just as Kew started to get on top, Isleworth scored from a well executed free kick around the wall, after Kew conceded an unnecessary free kick outside the box. Minutes later Kew deservedly equalised when James Wright slotted home his first goal on his first team debut, after an unfortunate slip by the goal keeper. 1-1 at half time.

The second half started with Kew firmly in control, with Mark Whiskey and Jack Evans bossing the midfield. Man of the match, Dylan Merchant, was looking very dangerous and it was he that forced a corner with 20 minutes left. The ball was cleared by Isleworth initially, only to land at the feet of Jack Evans who dispatch at rocket of a volley which ended up in the back of the net after taking a deflection along the way.

The third goal quickly followed as the Isleworth heads dropped. Jon Elimu worked some magic on the right wing setting up Tom Hyatt, who finished off the chance with a sweet right foot shot in the corner.

In fairness Isleworth responded well and went three at the back . However the Kew back four looked invincible with Jon White and Ron Payne giving powerful performances. They even had the confidence to play the offside trap, as Isleworth had a goal ruled out from a long free kick.

Although it was Isleworth who pressed, it was Kew who looked most likely to score again on the break and this could easily have ended in a rout. This would have been an unfair reflection on a very good Isleworth side, a team who beat the-then 2nd placed Epsom Eagles the week before.

Kew now have four games left and if they win them all, they will have a good chance of being crowned Premier Elite Champions at the end of March.

Kew Association Youth 4-0 Brockham Badgers Royals, 7 Feb, League
A good win for Kew. The first time we’ve managed to beat a Brockham Badgers side and we did it in some style.

Kew Association Youth 3-3 Walton & Hersham Juniors, 31 Jan, League
Unbelievable game at Riverside Drive, our first back home in six weeks. Kew Association Youth entertained Walton & Hersham who started the day nine points clear at the top of the table going into this Premier Elite Under 18 clash.

However, in a evenly match tight first half which finished 0-0, there was no doubt that Kew were not going to be outclassed. In a half of few chances it was Kew that looked the most threatening without really testing their keeper. Numerous times Kew got behind the Walton defence in wide positions, with Myles Blenkinsop having a particularly good game, while Walton were limited to long range efforts

From the start of the second half, Kew took firm control with Jack Evans and Mark Whiskey controlling the centre of midfield, and enjoyed the vast majority of the possession and territory, through some breath taking close intricate passing on what was becoming a very difficult pitch. Kew threaten the Walton goal time after time with the final pass or shot just not just going astray

It was against the run of play when, after 20 minutes, Walton's left winger went on a mazy run past three defenders and finished coolly. Five minutes later Walton went two up when Kew got caught over committed going forward. It took Kew ten minutes took get over this and with ten minutes left, summoned the energy for a last ditch assault. From an excellent free kick from Jack Evans, Tom Hyatt finished from close range to bring the score back to 2-1.

Kew sensed Walton were on the rack and went two at the back. Going into the last 5 minutes Kew nearly equalised when Dylan Merchant shot wide from close range . However it looked like the tactics had backfired when Kew got caught 2 v 1 at the back and Walton made it 3-1 in the last minute of normal time.

However, Kew have started to believe they are unbeatable and 2 minutes into injury time Kew's left back, Andy Lowsen, who was now playing as an out and out striker, scored from close range to make it 3 -2

New belief surged through the team and Kew were awarded a free kick 5 minutes into injury time. Reminiscent of a certain European Cup final, Jack Evans floated another free kick into the area and under tremendous pressure from the attacking Kew players, a Walton defender put the ball through his own net with the last kick of the game to make it 3-3!

These two sides will meet in the quarter final of the League cup in a few weeks, so this fascinating encounter will have a sequel. On this display we will be charging admission fees so to get your tickets early!

 Sheen Lions 3-1 aet Kew Association Youth, 24 Jan, Surrey County FA Cup
Two strong teams from the Premier Elite of the Surrey Youth League, fought out a 1-1 result in normal time in this Surrey County Cup quarter final. Sheen Lions progressed with two extra time goals. 

Kew Association Youth 1-1 Epsom Eagles Colts, abandoned due to misconduct, 13 Dec, League Cup
This Surrey Youth League cup tie was abandoned by the referee 10 minutes before half time, due to misconduct, following the sending off of an Epsom Eagles Colts’ player. According to the report to the League from Kew’s manager, Andy Gates, up until then, there had not been any real controversial incidents and both goals were clearcut, although a Kew player had been booked for dissent after the Epsom goal. The game became more competitive after the Kew equaliser. Following a heavy tackle by a Kew player on an Epsom player, the referee awarded a free kick, but both Epsom players and supporters called on the referee to book the Kew player. As the Epsom player continued to argue with the referee, he issued a yellow card. When this Epsom player continued to behave aggressively, the referee issued a red card and asked him to leave the pitch. He refused and also one of the Epsom parents encroached on the pitch and approached the referee, who then abandoned the game. Kew was eventually awarded the tie.

Banstead Town 1-5 Kew Association Youth, 6 Dec, Surrey County FA Cup
by Robert Payne

Kew started this County Cup match with only nine men due to some travelling issues which left their goalkeeper, captain and centre midfielder stranded in the middle of Purley. However, within five minutes of the kickoff they were up to full strength and laying siege to the Banstead goal.

It became immediately apparent that the heavy, sloping, pitch and blustery wind weren’t going to help Kew’s natural passing game. But as the early stages of the game progressed, Jack and Will began controlling the midfield and supplying the two strikers with plenty to chase. Chances began falling quickly to all members of the team with Myles, Andy, Mike and Tom all being foiled by the acrobatic shot-stopping of the Banstead keeper. The best chance of the game fell to Dylan who blazed over from four yards out, and although he didn’t score, it was a sign that he had the Banstead right back in all sorts of trouble.

These early signs of domination were coupled with the odd threat from a pacy Banstead attack. Only sharp defensive covering from Mateo and a timely slide tackle from Robert kept the teams level. Banstead’s chances were few and far between so it was a huge shock to Kew when the home team went one nil up in controversial circumstances. Defending a routine free kick, Kew left back Andy supposedly pulled on the shirt of his attacker and the referee gave a very soft penalty. Andy protested his innocence but got a yellow card for his troubles. The penalty was confidently dispatched and Kew were forced to step it up. This took no more than five minutes when a long ball by Jack was excellently flicked on by Mike Burnett allowing Tom Hyatt an easy finish.

The scores remained 1-1 until half time where some wise words from stand-in coach Bill reminded Kew how much they had controlled the game. From then on only one team was in control. Some very neat work by Myles on the left saw him tripped in the Banstead box and Tom scored his second goal with a confident spot kick. Banstead looked disheartened and Kew quickly added a third. Some excellent work between Will and Dylan in midfield set Tom away for a hat trick which he finished in superb fashion.

A change in formation meant Kew then went three at the back with a five man midfield. This allowed them to reassert their hold on the middle which had slipped slightly allowing Banstead a foothold in the game. This was not established for long when Dylan beat his full back easily before unleashing a superb shot which the excellent opposition keeper could do nothing about. There was still time for Kew to add another when JJ converted about the tenth corner of the game with a superb angled header.

Overall it was a very good team performance with exceptional displays from Andy, Jack and Dylan. The entire team looked very solid and the score line could easily have been in double figures. Mike was unlucky to hit the woodwork twice while Danny and Jack both had headers narrowly over. It was an essentially comfortable victory with plenty of positives to take from the game.

by Andy Gates

Epsom Eagles Colts 0-1 Kew Association Youth, 1 Nov, League
We won 1- 0 against an improving Epsom Eagles Colts side. An evenly contested first half with Kew looking the more threatening. New signing Danny Jenkinson came on in the second half, and with Jack Evans and Dylan Merchant formed a good triangle in midfield. Kew thoroughly took control - creating chance after chance with Jacob in goal little troubled .

With ten minutes to go, Dylan Merchant had a superb free kick tipped onto the bar. It looked as if it would be another one of those days until five minutes later Tom Hiett received the ball in space, and turned a hit a thunder bolt from 20 metres past the keeper to give Kew a well earned three points.

The back four. marshalled by Robert Payne looked very solid all game and Jack Evans and Myles Blenkinsop also put in a good shift.

Kew Association Youth 1-1 Epsom Eagles, 18 Oct, League

Colliers Wood United 1-6 Kew Association Youth, 11 Oct, League
Fast improving Kew Association made an explosive start to this game, scoring twice in the first 15 minutes. The first was through Jordan Guthrie, who finished coolly inside the box and then Dylan Merchant from a long range looping header. Kew completely controlled the half playing  expansive football, with Colliers Wood rarely being able to get out of their own half. Kew spurned many more chances to wrap the game up by half time, before Jordan grabbed a third after using his tight skills in the box to create space to shoot.

The challenge was to get Kew to raise their game again after the break. And they did - controlling much of the play, and after a bit of a set back conceding a goal through a defensive mix up, finished in fine style with three additional goals: Tom Hyatt rounding three, plus headers from Danny Jenkinson making his debut and Jon White from a corner.

Kew Association Youth 1-1 Molesey Juniors, 4 Oct, League
Molesey started much the better and for the first 15 minutes Kew couldn't get out of their half and were lucky not to concede when a 30 metre shot rocketed back off the post, with stand-in goalkeeper Myles Blenkinsop beaten. This narrow escape seemed to spark Kew into action . Midfielders Will Pettigrew and Jack Evans started to put their foot on the ball as Kew began to string passes together . By getting more possession, they started to gain territory and create chances

It was only a matter of time before Kew scored and 10 minutes before half time, Tom Hinckley put Tom Hyatt through to finish in true Roy of the Rovers style by nearly breaking the net from 25 metres

Kew continued to dominate after the break and should have put the game beyond Moseley's reach with Myles and Mike Burnett going close. However, with twenty minutes left, Molesey started to gain the upper hand as Kew legs began to tire in midfield. Kew went five across the middle and defended their half. It was all looking comfortable with Molesey limited to long range shots until 6 minutes into injury time, when Kew gave away possession from a throw in, Molesey pumped a long ball into the box - It rebounded off a Kew defender to a Molesey player who took full advantage . The final whistle was blown directly after the restart.

The Kew Manager and Captain questioned the amount of injury time played with the referee as both thought 6 minutes was excessive, as the trainer had not been on the pitch. His explanation was that he had allowed 30 seconds for each of 5 substitutions and stopped his watch every time the ball went out of play . A complaint has been sent to the league about this and the referee’s overall performance.

Brockham Badgers Athletic 2-1 Kew Association Youth, 27 Sep, League
Brockham Badgers Athletic later folded and this and all its other results were removed from the league table.

Kew Association Youth 1-0 Worcester Park Colts, 20 Sep, League
A close result in the end and at times a hard fought game, but certainly Kew were good for the three points to record our first win of the season. An even first half, but stand-in goalkeeper Myles was hardly troubled, a pattern that continued after the break. 

About a third of the way through the second spell, Kew finally got the lead they deserved.  A quick free kick from Tom, beautifully struck, found the head of Jordan in the six yard box, for him to nod it past the keeper. Worcester Park tried to get back into the game, but Kew’s defence were solid and most of their efforts were high or wide from outside the box. Kew was increasingly dominating the midfield, with Jack wiping up everything that came down the middle. 

Kew nearly doubled the lead with less than 10 minutes to go. A superbly struck corner by Tom caught the keeper unawares as it bent goalwards and he just managed to palm it away. It dropped for Mike who drilled it back in, only to ricochet back off a defender. It was then more like a pinball machine for the next 30 seconds as the ball bounced around, Kew player knocking it into another Kew player in the midst of that, somewhere a suggestion of hand ball but the referee was unsighted. A nervous final few minutes, but the final act of the game was a through ball collected by Mike on half way, but as he ran unchallenged towards the goal, the final whistle blew. 

Barnes Eagles 3-2 Kew Association Youth, 13 Sep, League
The opening game of a new season, away to Barnes Eagles, an opponent we’ve enjoyed close games with over the past few seasons.

Kew opened slightly the sharper and grabbed a lead when the Barnes back four was caught square – leading to a neat chipped finish by Mike that their keeper could do little about. The second goal, a 20 metre effort from Myles which squirmed under the keeper. In between these, a Barnes volley from 25 metres cannoned back off the bar but otherwise, Kew was coasting towards a 2-0 halftime lead when our goalkeeper Jacob’s wrist was broken. Eagles were back in the game just before half time when a long throw was flicked on twice before being headed home from close range. Half time 1-2.

The second half saw an improved defensive effort from Barnes, which they built on to move forward as a unit to creating chances. The equaliser came from another throw and a flurry in the goal mouth. Kew ended up pinned down in their own half and the winning goal came from a short corner, with the ball crossed in and cleared, but again coming in, to be headed in at the far post. A close encounter, with the loss of Jacob probably making the difference between the two sides.

Hersham 1-7 Kew Association Youth, 9 Aug, friendly
by Andy Gates

The under 17/18's kicked off their pre season with a fine performance against fellow Colts league opponents Hersham on Sunday with a fine 7-1 win.

The squad comprised of 50% Youth 50% Colts with debutants from both squads . I think it's fair to say that we wouldn't expect a similar score line with 100% Colts team out but there were some very good individual performances.

The 3 goals before half time came from new striker, Ciaran Scales (one on one with the keeper), Myles Blenkinsop (tap in after some great work from Danny Alderton) and an own goal with a Hersham defender sliding to cut out a cross from Myles who was my man of the match.

After a freak deflected goal from Hersham, further goals were added from Danny Alderton (header from a corner) , Ross Butland (one on one with the keeper - goal of the day) and a second goal from Myles (20 metre shot from narrow angle) and finally from Matthew Gates (one on one with the keeper).

Congratulations to the guys who made their debuts. Goalkeeper Jack Parkin , defenders Leo Thompson and Andrew Lowson, midfield players Jack Dempsey and Danny Alderton and striker Ciaran Scales, all who look great signings by the club.