Crayford Arrows  V  Fastfield United  20.04.08

  After five weeks without a match Fastfield faced a difficult fixture this week against a strong Crayford Arrows team who eventually ran out four nil winners. The boys were on the back foot early in the first period when Crayford took the lead with a long range shot which the keeper was unlucky not to save. Despite this early setback Fastfield never let their heads drop and defensively they held firm for long periods with S Davis in particular having an excellent match at the back. Although Crayford edged the attacking exchanges throughout, Fastfield were unlucky not to get on the score sheet in the 2nd period after a swift break and shot from S Hayes which was just wide of the post. More valuable experience for the team and but for two outstanding goals which would have beaten most teams' defences (one a volley from a corner and the other a fine shot into the corner from the edge of the box), the score would have been much closer. Man of the match: B Wells, never stopped running and tackling.

Teviot Rangers  V  Fastfield United  26.04.08

  A slow start from the boys in this game however they took control midway through the first half when L Milner scored with a good shot following an excellent interception by A Cafferkey. In warm conditions Fastfield continued to press after the break and they went two up when R Moon exchanged passes with L Milner and finished from just outside the area. R Moon was unlucky not to add a third soon after when his shot from B Well's corner was well saved by Teviot's keeper however the win was sealed when L Milner profited from a defensive mix up from a Fastfield free kick to score his second of the match.

Fastfield United  V  Our Lady Youth

  Sunday saw the boys run out 2-1 winners against Our Lady Youth at our home ground Belvedere Sports club after a fantastic end to end match which could have gone either way. Both teams set out to pass the ball and move it forward as quickly as possible and A Cafferkey was unlucky not to score early on for Fastfield after a succession of well struck shots. Eventually the boys broke the deadlock when L Milner latched on to a fine pass from L Quan and shot past the keeper with Our Lady's defence closing in on him. That wasn't the end of the action in the first half however as first Our Lady and then Fastfield's B Wells both hit the post following two swift counter attacks. Another quick break soon after saw Our Lady grab a deserved equaliser to go in level at half time. In the second half Fastfield produced the move of the match - turning defence into attack with four fine passes which nearly led to a goal from B Wells. More Fastfield pressure paid off when a throw from R Moon picked out L Milner in the box who turned and shot well past the keeper from from a tight angle for his second and Fastfield's winner. A thoroughly entertaining match well played both  teams. Man of the Match: S.Davis, outstanding at the back not just against Our Lady but also Teviot Rangers.

 

Orpington Rovers  V  Fastfield United

Definitely a game of two halves this one with each period played on a different pitch! Perhaps this confusion contributed to the boys making a sluggish start from which they eventually recovered to force a draw. From the outset the boys were off the pace and second to the loose ball and it was no surprise when Orpington took the lead midway through the first period. After the break however Fastfield came out of their shell and steadily began to dominate possession creating a number of chances which they were unable to convert. In the end however the boys pressing game paid dividends when S Hayes equalised with a superb first time shot from the edge of the penalty area just as it looked as Orpington might hang on for the win. Man of the Match: T Leahy. Committed and energetic throughout.

 

Leigh Ramblers Tournament

A tough test for the boys in their first tournament with three good quality sides and very hot conditions in which to play. First up was the home team Leigh Ramblers against whom the team battled with commitment and no little skill to earn a well deserved 1-1 draw. Not surprisingly Leigh started brightly but S Davis and R Moon were strong in defence for Fastfield and after weathering an early storm it was Fastfield who took the lead when L Milner pounced on a weak goal kick to shoot low into the corner. Unfortunately the boys were unable to hold on to the lead until half time with Leigh Ramblers equalising almost immediately. The second half was goalless with both defences continuing to performing well, in particular S Hayes in the Fastfield goal.

Fastfield's second opponents were Grays Athletic with the final score 0-0. Despite the score line the game was an entertaining end to end affair with chances at both ends and both teams could consider themselves unfortunate not to win. Fastfield's best chance fell to B Wells in the first period who was unlucky to see his superb shot hit the left hand upright. Special mention in this match for Z Robinson who produced a great display of tackling, running and passing having only joined the team a few days earlier. In the end though defences came out on top once again.

Fatigue and the effects of the hot weather looked to have taken their toll in the last two games against Concord Rangers and Catholic United respectively both of which the boys lost 3-0. Both games were closer than the score lines suggest however with Concord sneaking two late goals towards the end of the first period in game 3 and Catholic two late goals in the second period of game 4. The only difference in these last two games was a lack of cutting edge going forward although this was perhaps understandable given the amount of running and effort that the team had put in up to that point. Overall the boys can be proud of their performances in their first tournament against strong opposition. Fastfield Man of the Tournament: R Moon. A close contest but edged it for his committed tackling and neat passing.

 

  Fastfield United  V  Phoenix Lions

A cracking match at our home ground Belvedere Sports Club  on Sunday afternoon with Fastfield coming from two goals down to eventually run out six three winners. Both teams started well and Fastfield almost took the lead when A Cafferkey had his shot well saved when through one on one with the keeper. It was Phoenix who took the lead however in the first period of four with a great goal from their left and they added a second shortly before the break with another well taken shot. Despite playing up the slope Fastfield pressed for much of the second period and deservedly got back into the match when R Moon turned in a well taken Z Robinson corner. In the third period both teams continued to attack however now playing with the slope it was Fastfield who grabbed the equaliser from another set piece. This time T Leahy converted a corner from R Moon to bring the scores level. The final quarter saw both teams throwing caution to the wind and it was the home team who completed the comeback when A Cafferkey latched on to a long goalkick to put the ball into the net when again one on one. The lead didn't last for long however as Phoenix equalised straight from the kick off after good work down the right. This setback just spurred the boys on to greater efforts and they regained the lead with a poacher’s goal from A Cafferkey after excellent work from S Hayes. The action wasn't over however - R Moon scored his second and Fastfield's fifth with a well taken shot from the left corner of the penalty area and soon after he completed his hat-trick with a strike from inside the area that was deflected past the keeper. A breathless match and a fantastic performance from all the boys - great defending and in particular some excellent passing moves in midfield and up front. Man of the Match: A Cafferkey, excellent industry up front rewarded with two well taken goals.

  

Crayford Arrows Tournament

On Sunday the boys faced a potentially punishing 5 game schedule at Crayford Arrows under 7s tournament however they performed fantastically well throughout coming away with two victories and two narrow defeats before succumbing to possibly the team of the tournament (F.I.F.) in match 5. Fastfield ran out one nil winners in the opening two matches against Teviot Rangers and Crayford Arrows Whites however they were unlucky not to win by a bigger margin in both. The first match was settled by a well taken goal at the far post by A Cafferkey after an R Moon cross from the left whilst in the second match the result was decided by an L Milner goal direct from a corner. Throughout both matches the boys took the game to the opposition but were unable to find a second goal and they almost paid for this in match two when Crayford Arrows were awarded a dubious penalty which S Hayes saved superbly. Next up were Long Lane and Orpington Town both of which the boys lost one nil - against long Lane this was perhaps a fair result however this shouldn't detract from an excellent defensive performance. The defeat against Orpington was a little harder to take as Fastfield enjoyed most of the possession and territorial advantage but were unable to convert this into goals. In the end Orpington snatched a late goal somewhat against the run of play. In the final match the boys lost 5-0 against the excellent F.I.F. - by no means a disgrace given the effort and commitment shown by the whole team throughout the day. Fastfield man of the tournament: J Fearns - a superb Fastfield debut characterized by some mazy runs, excellent passing and shooting and committed tackling.

 

Hayden Youth Tournament 

Another cracking tournament display on Saturday with the boys missing out on a place in the semis by just a point for the second week running. After the previous evening's Trophy Night celebrations the boys started a little slowly however they did come up against two strong teams in Crayford Arrows and FIF, eventually losing both one nil and two nil. In match 3 however they gained revenge for the previous week's unfortunate defeat against Fleetdown Orange with a deserved one nil victory. Both teams were evenly matched but Fastfield kept their shape well and scored the decisive goal when J Fearn shot high into the roof of the net after a defensive lapse by Fleetdown. Victory in match 4 against Junior Reds Valiants would have seen Fastfield in the semis however JRV defended resolutely and despite dominating the match the boys couldn't find a way through. Final score nil nil. Man of the Match: J Fearn, lots of industry and skill capped with a very well taken goal.