This morning the U17 played their toughest fixture of the season, even with 6 games unbeaten we were still the underdogs against the top of the Premier division Chipstead Kent FC.
After making it to the shield final consecutively for the past 3 years, the boys knew what was at stake, and only a top performance would break down this Chipstead side. The boys warmed up well and you could tell we were up for the game as Chipstead didn’t get into our half for the first 9 minutes.
Based on the first 30 minutes, mutual fans would struggle to decipher who was top of the A division and who was top of the B division. After running rings through their midfield and defense, Jamie Mander called their keeper into making a fantastic one-on-one save to prevent Seymour going 1 up. In the 32nd minutes, after a goalmouth scramble Chipstead found themselves 1-0 up.
5 minutes later and Seymour are down to 10 men due to a sin bin. 2 minutes before half time, Chipstead make it 2-0 from a corner. So despite the run of play and domination, we find ourselves 2-0 down at the half.
At half time, we reminded the boys that due to the level of opposition, everything needs to be done 2 seconds quicker as we don’t have as much time on the ball as we think. We encouraged the lads to keep the faith and continue playing the way we were as we knew the chances would come.
The domination continued and the chances flowed in. Seymour found the back of the net within the first 15 minutes through Junior. The game was well and truly back on. Anyone from our parents to the opposition manager would tell you that we should have gone on to score 3 or 4 more goals and even had a penalty.
However, it was not to be as multiple chances went begging. We kept pushing and didn’t give up but Chipstead’s 84th-minute goal sealed our fate and we were knocked out of the cup.
I can’t fault the teams' performance today, we gave it our best shot and the boys can hold their heads up high. The better team on the pitch didn’t come away with a victory. Massive thanks to the parents for coming down and supporting and to Peter and Gavin for running the line.
Another thank you to Mo for coming down even though he had a fixture of his own. I know the boys appreciated you being there, so thanks mate.
Our undivided attention now turns to the league, where we know we have a real chance. After tasting defeat today, I’m confident the boys will be determined for that not to happen again.
Coach Sam and Vince
Chipstead Kent FC 3- 1 SVFC U17s
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