U19s National Alliance League Match Report v Met Police FC
Match Report
Unique FA (Leatherhead FC) (9) vs Metropolitan Police (1)
20th of September 2017
After an impressive 4-0 home win against Staines Town FC on the opening day of the season, Leatherhead prepared for another home game against Met Police. Both teams started the game with high intensity but it was Leatherhead who created the first chance of the game from a corner kick. After good combination play between Silano, Ferrari & Santacroce the ball was worked up to centre forward Wynter who pinned and rolled his defender with ease before showing great pace to run down the line and win Leatherhead their first corner of the game. The ball was swung into the box and the on-rushing Wayne Ridgely found himself 6 yards out with a free header that he managed to head just past the post. The corner was a clear a warning sign for Met Police as Leatherhead took the lead from their following corner. Met felled to clear their lines with a low cross into the box. The ball fell to Wynter who held off his marker and set the ball to Hassell-Ward to smash home the opening goal of the game. After the goal, Leatherhead started to retain possession higher up the pitch with Ferrari & Santacroce finding pockets of space in midfield. On the 15-minute mark, Ferrari slipped a great ball into the path of Hassell- Ward who used the weight of the ball to chop inside his defender before being brought down for a penalty. Hassell- Ward stepped up and converted the penalty.
It took 20 minutes for Met Police to finally test the Leatherhead keeper Ben Coltsell. A free-kick at the edge of box was deflected to allow Coltsell to easily save. As the half went on, the midfield diamond combination of Ridgely, Miller, Ferrari & Santacroce started to run the show for Leatherhead, especially Ridgley dictating the tempo of the game. It was in fact Ridgley who was instrumental in the third goal for Leatherhead. He played a wonderful through ball for Hassell-Ward to race onto and finish for his hat-trick. With 15 minutes left of the half, Leatherhead were forced to make a change as Wynter clashed heads in the box with a Met Police defender. Tyreke Prempah-White came on to replace Wynter and the substitute was quickly involved in the action. Santacroce played a lovely ball down the left hand side of Met Police’s defence for the sub to collect the ball and square it across goal for Hassell-Ward to tap home his 4th goal of the game in 40 minutes. Minutes later the substitute Prempah-White was involved again. Ridgley lofted the ball over to Prempah-White who took a delightful touch to then half volley the ball into the bottom corner from just outside the box. A truly wonderful finish! Just before the stroke of half time, Met Police pulled a goal back. George Taylor fired a shot through the legs of Coltsell to make it 5-1 at the break.
The 2nd half kicked off and Met Police started the half with more determination. Met saw a wayward cross end up hitting cross bar after good play down their left-hand side. Leatherhead made a couple of early changes. Left full-back Joel Fagan was replaced by Joshua Berkeley-Agyepong which meant that right back Dominic Philips moved across to the left-hand side to allow Berkeley-Agyepong to step in at right back. The other change was a like for like swap in midfield, BJ Faboyede came on to replace Tyrese Miller. It wasn’t too soon before Leatherhead picked up the pace again. Captain Luci Silano blazed a free kick over the bar while Ferrari & Santacroce both saw efforts flash past the post.
It appeared to seem that Leatherhead had taken their foot off the gas in the second half but Philippe Ferrari started to become a creative spark in Leatherhead’s attack. He saw his free-kick go just over the bar and a low effort from just outside the box saved by Met Police’s keeper. On the 75-minute mark, Ferrari and Faboyede linked up well to feed in Will Seager to strike a low shot pass the keeper at his near post to make it 6-1. Leatherhead’s pressure continued, a short corner from Leatherhead saw a hand ball given in the penalty box. Ferrari stepped up to convert the penalty, a goal in which he deserved for his brilliant second half performance. Moments later, another short corner resulted in a free-kick being award to Leatherhead out on the left-hand side. Ridgley whipped a brilliant ball into the box to allow Faboyede to rise high and send a bullet header into the top corner, 8-1. In the last moments of the game, Prempah-White showed great skill to twist his defender inside out to create a shooting opportunity for himself. The forward got his shot away, only to see his effort handled by a Met Police defender. The third penalty of the game was awarded and Ferrari slotted home his second penalty of the game. The game finished 9-1 to Leatherhead and demonstrated their impressive start to the season with 2 wins out of 2 at home. Next week Leatherhead travel to Luton for their first away game of the season against Luton Town Cedars.
Tour to Barcelona
The x28 U10/U11 & U12 players who travelled to Barcelona to represent Unique FA over Easter all did us very proud. One of the U12 teams was unbeaten with 2 wins and 2 drawers and with numerous U10s playing up in the other U12 competition because of the birthdate rules in Europe they all performed excellently. The U10s were fantastic and went out to the eventual winners of the Mare Nostrum tournament with over 90 teams participating from all over the world. There were some outstanding individual performances and the players and parents were fantastic throughout. A visit to the Camp Nou, home of FC Barcelona was enjoyed and we look forward to providing another tour experience somewhere else for our players at Unique FA.
Dwayne Campbell Signs for Dons
Dwayne Campbell, a member of our Croydon Futsal programme and elite programme in Beckenham has been signed by AFC Wimbledon. Dwayne will continue training with us at Unique FA as well as his new club....Well done Dwayne!
Philippe Ferrari Trials at Hammers
Unique FA 1st Year Scholar Philippe Ferrari is in his third week on trial at Premier League Club West Ham United. Philippe has had a magnificent season so far and has caught the eye of a host of clubs including his local club West Ham United. Philippe as been training with both the U18 and U23 squads and played v Brighton & Hove Albion U18s.
Scholars win 7-0 v Staines Town FC (Kingston College)
Outstanding performance by the 1st team today v Staines Town FC (Kingston College) winning 7-0. The game was fairly even for the first 10 minutes with the away team set up as a 4-4-2 and fairly direct. Unique dominated possession without creating too many chances early on and at times were slow in their build up play. The partnership between Will Seager and Stefan Ilic looked promising with both taking up good defensive positions from the beginning and dealing with lots of direct balls well. Andrius Lukaucas started the game really brightly and was tormenting the Staines right back. As the first half drifted on Unique started to control the tempo and Kieran Rhule and Noah Vezzu started moving the ball quicker with more penetrating passes. The deadlock was finally broken when the outstanding Philippe Ferrari lived up to his name with a wonderful finish from 20 yards which he bent into the far left hand corner after good forward play by Kristian Wynter. Minutes later Wynter hit the post after receiving the ball well, shifting and driving hard and low. Before HT Noah Vezzu played one of the passes of the game when he found Kristian Wynter who finished well to make it 2-0. The second half was completely dominated by Unique as the home side found their rhythm. Wynter scored to make it 3-0 after positive work by Lukaucas. Wynter then assisted Ferrari who guided the ball wonderfully into the bottom left hand corner from the edge of the box to make it 4-0. Kristian grabbed his hatrick after a good ball from Stefan Ilic and Stefan and Will Seager both added goals before the game finished.
LAUNCH OF SATURDAY MORNING PRE-ACADEMY
We are absolutely delighted to be bringing this new programme to Unique Football Academy and introducing the very youngest players to the Unique experience with our new Saturday Morning Pre-Academy.
The pre-academy will be held in the heart of Croydon at the wonderful state of the art indoor facility at Trinity School, Shirley, Croydon CR97AT.
Training will take place every Saturday Morning during term-time 8.30-9.30am.
Parents will be able to view from the gallery.
First session is FREE.f
The Pre-Academy launches on September 17th 👍⚽️☎️
Elite games v Pro-clubs confirmed for season 2016/17
Our Elite Academy Programme players will face Fulham FC, Reading FC, AFC Wimbledon and Brighton & Hove Albion FC amongst others this season 👌⚽️👍
Good opportnities for our best players to showcase their talents and attract interest just as many others have done before them.
BAILEY GORDON U11 SIGNS FOR AFC WIMBLEDON
Congratulations to long term member of Unique FA Bailey Gordon U11 on gaining a contract with League 1 new boys AFC Wimbledon. Bailey impressed in a showcase game between Unique FA and AFC earlier this season and after a successful trial has signed for the Category 3 club. Bailey started out in the Beckenham Technical Centre, before moving to the Elite academy programme at Unique FA. Well done Bailey, all very proud of you.
Scholars NEW HOME GROUND
We are pleased to announce that the scholarship programme for players aged 16-19 based at Overton Grange School, Sutton has agreed with Cheam Sports Private Sports Ground to play all home games for season 2016/17 at the facility at Peaches Close. With the gallery, pitch surface and clubhouse all positives for the programme we are looking forward to the coming season.
Training for 2016/17 will take place at Sutton Utd's wonderful 4G facility, also in close proximity to the school site.
KAI MCKENZIE U9 SIGNS FOR MILLWALL FC
Congratulations to Kai McKenzie from the Elite Academy who has recently signed for Millwall FC's Cat 2 Academy. Kai started with us at our Croydon Technical Centre, before moving to the Elite programme this season. Well done Kai.
PRE-SEASON CONDITIONING CAMP (FOR AGES 15-23)
All players who play competitively aged 15-23 are welcome to apply for a place on this pre-season camp held by Unique FA. Coaches will include Jamie Waller, Aidan Syers and Tom Rowbotham. £10.00 (Half-day) £15.00 (Full-Day). Players are able to pay on arrival BUT MUST book prior to attending via the booking form on our website.
FEB HALF-TERM UNIQUE FA CIC HOLIDAY CAMP
The Unique FA CIC will be holding a three day holiday camp at GOALS, Copers Cope RD, BR3 1NZ 10am-3pm Wednesday 17th Feb-Friday 19th Feb.
Cost: £20.00 per day/£50 per camp
Book your place now by visiting www.uniquefacic.com Only 30 spaces available
Unique FA Player Trials & Signings This Term Since October!
We'd like to congratulate David Omilabu U13 who has signed for Crystal Palace FC (after being released by them just 1 year ago) he has shown great mental strength and commitment and has another crack at it now having been offered a long term deal by the club.
Well done to Jimi Botton U10 who has attracted interest from Millwall FC and has already been in to train with their academy U10s. Jimi has been magnificent this season so far.
Good luck to Luc Holden U15 who has attracted interest from Reading FC and will go in on trial with the Cat 1 club in January. Luc has been mighty impressive this season and continues to improve upon his natural talents.
Cameron Grant U15 has been signed by Cat 1 Club Brighton & Hove Albion FC on a two year deal less than 12 months after being released by Millwall. Cam has shown great resilience and in our opinion has a bright career ahead of him.
Abdusamme Adedje U12 was excellent against AFC Wimbledon in our showcase game earlier this season and has been on trial ever since, scoring goals and performing well by all accounts.
Evan Sullivan U9 trialed for several weeks at AFC Wimbledon after playing well v the Cat 3 club during our showcase game earlier this season.
Kai McKenzie U9 continues on trial at AFC Wimbledon after scoring some wonderful goals in the showcase game v the club earlier this season.
Kristian Wynter U16 played in a trial game at Everton FC earlier this month and has now been invited in to Preston NE for a 4 day trial this week. All the best to Kristian who has had his fair share of knickknacks but keeps coming back with great mental strength.
Tyreese Miller U15 continues trailing at Dagenham & Redbridge and we all wish him good luck with his decision there.
Unique FA Scholar Andrius Lucaukas U17 has trailed at Cat 1 Clubs West Bromwich Albion FC for a week followed by Brighton & Hove Albion FC and will be going back in to Brighton after Xmas having impressed on his initial trial. Andrius has also been recalled to represent Lithuania U17s in January. Well done!
Luka O'Neil U17 has recently arrived back from Dynamo Zagreb FC after a weeks trial at the Champions League Club and having impressed the clubs staff, looks to go back out sometime in early 2016. Luka has also been trialing at Crystal Palace FC.
Jesse Sentamu U18 trialed at Brighton earlier this month and has been excellent for the scholars so far the season as leading goalscorer.
Scholars Trial at Brighton & Hove Albion FC
Andrius Lucaucas and Jesse Sentamu have both spent a week on trial at high flying championship club Brighton & Hove Albion FC who are also a Cat 1 Academy. Andrius has been invited back in after the Christmas break.
David Omilabu U13 Signs For Crystal Palace FC
David Omilabu has signed for Crystal Palace FC after being released by the clubs just 12 months ago. After scoring a hatrick for Fulham FC whilst on trial at the West London club v his old side Palace, he has now been offered a long term deal with the South London club. Good luck David, you've bounced back even stronger for the experience!
Tyreese Miller starts trial at Dagenham & Redbridge FC
Academy player Tyreese Miller U15 is currently on trial at Dagenham & Redbridge FC and we wish him all the best. The dynamic midfielder who can play in a number of positions has developed really well in the past 18 months.
Scholar Andrius Lucaucas Trials at West Bromwich Albion
U17 Unique FA Scholar spent a week with the scholars of Cat 1 club West Bromwich Albion last month and represented the club in their fixture v Manchester City FC. 'Drew' spent time training with the clubs U21s as well as U18s.
