Burpham B 1 Guildford Saints Blues 3 (aet)

The build up to this match had been quite intense with most of the players from both teams attending the same school so it was no surprise when the tackles started flying and the passions running high right from the first whistle... unfortunately for the Blues however it was Burpham that had the most fire in their bellies and for long periods of this match we were second best in the centre of the park. That being said we did have a number of chances in both halves and with better finishing we would and should have romped home!!

The first half was a bit of a frustrating affair for the Blues - a difficult surface combined with some poor decision making when in possession made us look particularly average. Chris Smith curled a beautiful shot just over the bar and Scott and Ed both had great chances to score but "fluffed their lines". At the other end Burpham had a lot of possession in our final third but created only one dangerous half chance when Nathan reacted superbly to stop a shot sneaking in at his near post.

In the second half we started poorly again and when Burpham were gifted a lead by an appallingly generous penalty award from the referee, we looked like we could be in trouble. Fortunately the character of the side started to show through and we began the slow battle back. Alex Oldland was massively impressive as we regained the midfield supremacy and Mike Bell began spreading balls all over the park. Ed was particularly lively up front and it looked like this was going to be our best chance of equalising but cometh the hour... cometh the man and it was Scott the looped and inch perfect lob over the goalkeeper to send us towards extra time. There was still time in the 80 minutes though for Nathan to make yet another seemingly impossible save from a speculative Burpham shot and for Tom Oldland to produce the tackle of the day on the big Burpham forward who reacted by pulling Tom to the ground and then storming off the pitch in an almighty temper tantrum leaving the referee's yellow card in his wake!!

In extra time there was only one team in it. Scott added a second with a shot almost identical to his first in the first period and he completed his hat trick shortly before the end to wrap the game up and take us through to the Quarter Finals.

This was a classic cup tie and I won't deny that it was a relief to me when the final whistle went. We've played better this season but credit to Burpham they were really up for it today and for long periods it was their passion rather than ability that caused us problems. I am pleased though that again we have shown great character and a determination to succeed and we've now gone 5 wins in a row which sees us top of the league and through to the Quarter Finals of the League Cup - excellent progress by the squad and I'm very pleased with them all. Well Done!

Man of the Match - Alex Oldland

Oxshott Royals 3 Guildford Saints 1

This year's County Cup run is over after defeat against a strong Oxshott side, but Saints went down giving a good account of themselves. The first half was pretty much even with both sides probing each other's defence and really it was Saints that just about edged it although Josh was in fine form making a couple of really smart saves, but their 'keeper played well too making a couple of outstanding saves from Tom. It was Tom who opened the scoring holding off a couple of defenders before shooting across the 'keeper and the build up was really good before hand too with Julien and Alex involved in some quick interchanges to create the space.

Matt Burton and Mike Donne were having great games and Seb offered width on the right. Unfortunately a couple of minutes after opening the scoring our back four went to sleep after standing firm all half and Josh was left with little chance as Oxshott levelled.

In the second half, and right from the off, we looked sluggish and Oxshott scored again quickly and, although we battled hard, we could not create any real openings. Eventually midway through the half we conceded again when a speculative shot went over Josh's head. Still we poured forward and we suddenly started to create good chances first with Nathan and then Tom who's shots twice the just stuck under the 'keepers body.

This was a game that could have gone either way and it was a good performance overall.

Man of the Match - Josh Betts

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Cup Draw

The Blues have been drawn away to Burpham B in the next round of the SPL League Cup. Match to be played on Sunday 13th December 2009. KO is 9.30am at Sutherland Park. Full draw can be found on the SPL website.

Latest League Table - Division Three

POS		P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
1	Guildford Saints Blues U15	9	5	2	2	19	16	17
2	Grayshott U15	5	5	0	0	20	6	15
3	Perrywood Sports Jets U15	7	5	0	2	22	13	15
4	Claygate Royals U15	5	4	0	1	16	8	12
5	Farncombe Dynamos U15	6	3	1	2	9	12	10
6	Badshot Lea Blades U15	7	1	3	3	11	19	6
7	Staines Town Colts U15	6	1	2	3	15	15	5
8	St Francis Sports U15	7	1	2	4	8	19	5
9	Woking & Maybury	7	0	2	5	13	20	2
10	Guildford City Tigers	3	0	0	3	2	7	0

Guildford Saints Blues 3 Perrywood Sports Jets 2

One fine morning... one great performance... one fantastic result... one delighted manager!!!

The Blues went to the top of Division Three - maybe only for a short while but it still feels good! - with this excellent result. Weakened with the loss of three key players, it was a re-shaped midfield that took to the pitch with the Oldland brothers taking the centre midfield roles and Alex W & Ed on the wings. George returned to right back with Marcus slotting into the centre of defence with Jacob.

Perrywood started strongly attacking with speed and pace but our defence was really solid and any half chances that did get through were mopped up by the ever dependable Nathan. As we started to get a foot hold in the game we started to create some chances of our own but the Perrywood 'keeper was in fine form. The introduction of Ellis midway through the half gave Scott the opportunity to push forward slightly more and just before half time he got his reward when a fine breakaway was initially saved but the small striker followed up the rebound to smash home his first goal of the season.

In the second half we faced the inevitable onslaught but we defended extremely well from front to back. Just when we looked to have turned the tide Perrywood equalised with an extremely well taken goal. Heads didn't drop though and we continued to play some good football winning the ball higher up the pitch and counter attacking quickly. It was one such counter attack that saw Ed break clear and slot home our second, much to the delight of the watching parents. Moments later Chris Smith could have made it three as a superb shot hit the bar. Perrywood inevitably started to throw more players forward as they went in search of the equaliser and this created some more gaps at the back which we worked hard to expose and eventually Chris Clement marked a very assured debut with a well taken goal to give us a 3-1 lead. Minutes before the end however the young midfielder's joy turned to despair as a deep corner caught him on the back of the shoulder and dropped into our net to give Perrywood a glimmer of hope but we professionally closed out the match for a memorable victory over a very strong Perrywood side.

Today's performance made me very proud. We knew we were going to be up against it from the start. Perrywood are always very organised and physically very strong but even missing probably our three most consistent midfielders today we were able to match them and, at times, out play them today. Tom & Alex were magnificent in their commitment and energy (if not always in their decision making!). Jacob, Marcus, Chris & George also had excellent games with possibly our best defensive performance of the season so far. I was pleased also with the tracking back of Alex W and Ed, particularly in the first half and Chris Clement had a debut to remember and should be delighted with his first goal for the club. Special thanks also to Jack & Dominic who were "sacrificed" in the second half so that we could close out the match and so didn't get as much playing time as they should have. And finally well done to Scott for finally getting his first goal since returning to the club. Four wins in a row! Happy Days!!

Man of the Match - impossible to decide when the all round team performance was so good!!