The Under 18's reordered another great win on Thursday, beating Swaffham Town U18's 5 -1 in the FA Youth Cup

Manager Al Harris was well pleased on the team performance, and hopes the lads do not let their performances slip over the coming weeks.

Fixtures tables and results now available in the main menu for the U18s

The draw for the 2nd Round of the Thurlow Nunn Youth Cup is:-



Coplestonians v NewmarketTown

Kirkley & Pakefield v SwaffhamTown

Langford v WivenhoeTown

Peterborough Northern Star v St Neots Town

Stanway Rovers v Ipswich Wanderers

St Ives Town v Deeping Rangers

Walsham Le Willows v WoodbridgeTown

Wroxham v DerehamTown

Matches scheduled for Wednesday November 21st and Thursday November 22nd.

Tonight the U18's lost there away match in the FA Youth Cup going out to Lowestoft Town U18's 2-1

Following results in the Thurlow Nunn Youth Cup Preliminary Round the First Round matches are:-



Deeping Rangers v Blackstones

DerehamTown (holders) v Harford CEYMS

FC Clacton v Stanway Rovers

Gorleston v Kirkley & Pakefield

Holt United v Wroxham

Ipswich Wanderers v Cornard United

Langford v Haverhill Rovers

Newmarket Town v Long Melford

Soham Town Rangers v Peterborough Northern Star

St Neots Town v Histon

StowmarketTown v Coplestonians

SwaffhamTown v Norwich United

Walsham le Willows v Debenham

Wisbech St Mary v St Ives Town

WivenhoeTown v Whitton United

WoodbridgeTown v Leiston



Matches will be scheduled for the week beginning 8th October 2012

YOUTH LEAGUE CUP DRAW 2012-13

Draws for the early rounds of the 2012-13 Youth League Cup are:-

PRELIMINARY ROUND

Soham Town Rangers v Downham Town
Huntingdon Town v Histon
St Neots Town v Wisbech Town
Ramsey Colts v St Ives Town
Chatteris Town v Wisbech St Mary
Great Yarmouth Town v Harford CEYMS
Gorleston v Lowestoft Town
Kirkley & Pakefield v Sheringham
Holt United v Fakenham Town
North Walsham v Wroxham
Royston Town v Haverhill Rovers
Cornard United v Halstead Town
Hadleigh United v Whitton United
Ipswich Wanderers v Brantham Athletic
Stanway Rovers v Witham Town
Woodbridge Town v Felixstowe & Walton United
Newmarket Town v Thetford Town
Bungay Town v Coplestonians
Diss Town v Walsham le Willows
Long Melford v Framlingham Town

FIRST ROUND

Soham Town Rangers or Downham Town v Peterborough Northern Star
Deeping Rangers v Blackstones
Chatteris Town or Wisbech St Mary v Ramsey Colts or St Ives Town
St Neots Town or Wisbech Town v Huntingdon Town or Histon
Gorleston or Lowestoft Town v Kirkley & Pakefield or Sheringham
Holt United or Fakenham Town v North Walsham or Wroxham
Dereham Town (holders) v Great Yarmouth Town or Harford CEYMS
Swaffham Town v Norwich United
FC Clacton v Stanway Rovers or Witham Town
Langford v Royston Town or Haverhill Rovers
Wivenhoe Town v Hadleigh United or Whitton United
Ipswich Wanderers or Brantham Athletic v Cornard United or Halstead Town
Woodbridge Town or Felixstowe & Walton United v Leiston
Newmarket Town or Thetford Town v Long Melford or Framlingham Town
Stowmarket Town v Bungay Town or Coplestonians
Diss Town or Walsham le Willows v Debenham

Dates for the matches are to be advised

Well done to Allan Harris and his Under 18s for finishing Runners up in the Ridgeons Under 18 League, a great effort by all concerned.

The Under 18's are still hanging in there for the title with Woodbridge Town needing to beat bottom team Debenham to win the league.

Great credit to Alan Harris and his team for the effort this season.

Good luck to Debenham.

The FA Youth Cup

Preliminary Round (ties to be played week commencing September 5): Bury Town v Cornard Utd, Kirkley & Pakefield v Diss Town, Brantham Ath v Fakenham Town, Gt Yarmouth Town v Swaffham Town, Leiston v Hadleigh Utd, Hitchin Town v FC Clacton, Hertford Town v Witham Town, Halstead Town v Tilbury, Stanway Rovers v Sawbridgeworth Town.

First Round Qualifying (ties to be played week commencing September 19): Thetford Town v Felixstowe & Walton Utd, Gorleston v Ipswich Wdrs, Needham Market v Gt Yarmouth Town or Swaffham Town, Cambridge Utd v Norwich Utd, Dereham Town v Kirkley & Pakefield or Diss Town, Soham Town Rgs v Stowmarket Town, Woodbridge Town v Bury Town or Cornard Utd, Newmarket Town v Walsham Le Willows, Brantham Ath or Fakenham Town v Lowestoft Town, Leiston or Hadleigh Utd v Histon, Woodford Utd v Rushden & Higham Utd, Halstead Town or Tilbury v Stanway Rovers or Sawbridgeworth Town, Chelmsford City v Southend Manor, Hitchin Town or FC Clacton v Waltham Abbey, Hertford Town or Witham Town v Hullbridge Sports or Maldon & Tiptree

Rob Franksen's Under 18's finished runners up in the League after Leiston beat Stowmarket Town in the final game of the season.
Leiston secured the title with this win.

With this being Rob Franksen's last game as U18's Manger he has took them within touching distance of winning the league.

With one match to play between Leiston and Stowmarket to decide who wins the league, we hold our breath and wait till next week.

Rob and his helpers have nurtured the youngsters through with the likes of Jack Brame Tom Fenner Jonny Lambert Sam Diaper, and others coming through to play for Andy Atkins Reserve side and on to the Chris Soanes First team.

I am sure the club appreciates what the U18's has done for the club over the seasons and will continue to do so in the future under other managers.

We all wish Rob the very best for the future.

A good night for the Under 18's winning this tie 3-1 which leaves them in 2nd place in the League with one game to play which is on Friday 22nd April at Home v Ipswich Wanderers.

Thursday 18th November 2010 – Ridgeons Youth League Central Division
Walsham-le-Willows Under-18s 1 Diss Town Under-18s 0
Walsham-le-Willows Under-18s and Diss Under-18s played out an entertaining match with some fine passing football on a pitch made slippery by heavy pre-match rain and a constant drizzle during the game. Walsham maintained their unbeaten league record against a Diss team which failed to score in a league game for the first time this season. Diss played some of their best football of the season so far but were unable to score a goal to get a share of the points that their efforts deserved.
The first on target effort of the game fell to Walsham following a fine 6th minute move with Lewis Riches doing well to push a shot from Reece Clarke over the bar. The Diss reply saw Ross Shaen-Carter curl a shot just wide after he used his strength to win the ball from a defender inside the home penalty area. A promising Diss attack broke down near the attacking left wing corner flag and resulted in the only goal of the game in the 29th minute. A quick break released Sam Parish to run from his own half and blast a powerful shot from 14 yards out into the corner of the net despite Riches doing well to get his fingers to the ball. Riches made a superb double save to deny Alex Blakely and Parish five minutes before the break.
Diss had more of the possession and pressure in the second half. After a run of five successive games with a goal this was to be the night which saw Shaen-Carter drawing a blank although he came close on so many occasions. He was just high after a fine move down the right between Joe Smith and Ryan Searle, just wide to a great cross from the left by Alex Burlton, curled a shot over after a superb through ball and seemingly brought down a yard inside the penalty area with a free kick awarded outside.
Steve Fenner matched the top quality double save of Riches in the first when he denied Shaen-Carter twice in the 71st minute after George Cole played a perfect pass after controlling a cross from Ed Lake. As play switched from end to end Riches had to be on form to deny Balkely on the break. Fenner produced an excellent save when he dived to his right to turn away an 18 yard shot from Cole in the 84th minute.
Diss Under-18s Manager’s Player of the Match: Joe Smith. Defended well and looked dangerous when attacking from right back.
Diss team: Lewis Riches, Joe Smith, Elliot Jackson, Matty Cobb, George Reeder, Damien Phelan, Ryan Searle, George Cole, Tom Rodd, Alex Burlton, Ross Shaen-Carter.
Diss subs: Ed Lake (for Searle 64 mins), Liam Leverett (for Rodd 79 mins), Kieron Harris, Brendan Head (for Burlton 79 mins) and George Perry.
Attendance: 30.

KINDLY TAKEN FROM THE DISS WEB SITE

An unfit Debenham pitch saw this game cancelled

Walsham U18 move up to 4th in the League after this good win.

Rob Francksen's side came away with 1 1 draw at Leiston tonight, their first game of the Season.

The Under 18's lost the final 2-0, the final was held at Woodbridge Town FC ground against Grundisburgh Res. last Thursday night

Well done to Rob and his team of helpers and of course the lads.

The U18's played Tuesday night 27Th V Wolverston in the Peel Cup, 2 - 2 at full time Walsham winning on penalties Liam Grimwood scoring the winner

A disappointing result last Thursday night

Walsham Scorers J.Boulter J.Brame(3) T.Fenner(2) W.Goulding J.Riding

Bad night for the lads....... cannot be good every week

Walsham U18's go joint top of their League after tonights performance.

A fine win for Rob Francksen's lads

2 - 2 dram Thursday night for Rob Francksen's team

The draw for the 2nd Round of the Ridgeons Youth Cup is:-

Huntingdon Town v Fakenham Town
Wisbech Town v Kings Lynn
Ipswich Wanderers v Felixstowe & Walton United or Cornard United
Brantham Athletic v FC Clacton or Stowmarket Town or Coplestonians
Halstead Town v Newmarket Town
Soham Town Rangers v Royston Town or Haverhill Rovers
Dereham Town or Walsham Le Willows v Great Yarmouth Town or Harford Tornadoes
Diss Town or Kirkley & Pakefield v Norwich United

Tonight a great 2nd half performance from the home side produced 3 point for Rob Francksen's lads in a well fought encounter.

Played tonight, Walsham goals from Sam Diaper and Jack Brame

Under 18’s Don’t Draw 2-2!!!



Having had a number of people lambaste me in recent times for my lengthy literature (everyone’s a sodding critic) my aim was to keep this under 18’s match report short and sweet. Then of course, that wonderful gaggle of boys in our youth team decide to score eleven goals in one match. Good luck condensing that one Mr Match Reporter…

From last weeks draw with Woodbridge only two changes were made, with Jack Buckmaster returning in goal and Jonny Lambert getting a debut at centre half at the expense of fellow school boy Tom Debenham. Alex Blakely, so effective off the bench the week before, was again held back with a view to making a similarly positive impact as a substitute.

The game started off at a far less frenetic pace than the week before, with Walsham keeping the ball to good effect. Will Goulding continued his excellent form wide on the left, driving at the right back at every opportunity and always causing problems. It was Goulding who opened the scoring, squeezing the ball into the near corner from a cute angle.

Soon afterwards it was two when after great work by the tireless Jack Brame his right wing cross was headed home by Sam Diaper. Then, rather against the script, Watton pulled a goal back when an effort from 25 yards took a wicked deflection and looped up over Buckmaster to hit the post and nestle in the corner.

This only seemed to anger the home team though and after creating a number of half chances Walsham made it three, as Matt Miles smashed home a loose ball to open his account for the season. A fourth goal arrived before half time when Brame got his first goal of the year as well, if his goal tally ends up matching his tally of bookings he should have a prolific season.

Just before the break we had a golden chance to make it five only for Tom Flack to show his lack of aerial prowess by missing an incredibly easy header at the back post, open those eyes Flacky and you’ll have more chance of converting! This was the only black mark against the boy though after another great display wide on the right, his guile and flair has been a very welcome addition to the side this year.

4-1 up and cruising, we took the opportunity to make a double change with Matt Evans replacing Flack on the right wing and Blakely coming on to replace Joe Boulter with Joe having had another excellent game in the middle of the midfield.

With such a convincing lead it would have been easy for the boys to get complacent and go through the motions in the second half. To their credit this wasn’t going to be the case, with Diaper bursting into the box and getting his second of the game soon after the restart. Goulding wasn’t far behind in getting his second of the game, as Evans put a cracking cross into the box which Goulding toe poked past the keeper.

Blakely, clearly feeling left out, decided he quite fancied a goal and after Miles put him clear he showed great assurance to lash the ball into the far corner. Minutes later he got his second goal, once again finishing the chance with a cool head. He looked set to get his hat trick only to be chopped down at the last minute. With a penalty awarded, Diaper staked his claim as the regular spot kick taker with a calm finish from twelve yards to get his hat trick.

Blakely was the next to reach three goals for the evening, showing great pace before rifling the ball into the net. Still not satisfied, Walsham managed to score another when after Brame’s free kick was saved Tom Fenner scored a rare goal with his feet rather than his head.

For those of you as bad at Maths as me, that takes the Walsham tally to eleven (I think) for the evening. This equals the biggest winning margin by the under 18’s of ten, but marks a new record for the most goals scored in a game which was also ten. Both these records were set in last year’s freak game away at Hadleigh, where we won 10-0 with all the goals coming in the second half.

Back to this week’s events though and it was yet another great performance by the youngsters. To win 11-1 and not take their foot of the gas shows great spirit and a number of boys had their best ever games in a Walsham shirt, its easy to see that the new boys new this year are starting to adapt to the rigours of Ridgeons Under 18’s football. Everybody had a good game and three games into the season things are looking very promising for the boys at Summer Road.

Next up for us is the start of the F.A. Youth Cup away at Soham Town Rangers who always seem to put out a competitive youth side so a good game should be in store. Saying that, considering Soham beat Watton 4-1 earlier this season in theory we should be expecting a 7-0 win at Julius Martin Lane next week. Hhhhhmmmm…Perhaps my Maths is better than I first thought…



Team: Jack Buckmaster, Rhys Tinson, Liam Grimwood, Jonny Lambert, Tom Fenner, Tom Flack (Matt Evans 46), Will Goulding (Josh Riding 67), Sam Diaper, Joe Boulter (Alex Blakely 46), Jack Brame, Matt Miles. Subs not used: Steve Fenner, Tom Debenham

Under 18’s Get Another Draw



Walsham were once again left ruing missed chances as they managed a 2-2 draw in a highly entertaining game against Woodbridge Town at Summer Road.



With Woodbridge renowned locally for their passing game the gaffer went with a powerful midfield trio of Joe Boulter, Sam Diaper and Jack Brame with a view to stopping Woodbridge’s midfield dictating things. Goalkeeper Steve Fenner came in for a deserved debut whilst his brother Tom returned from injury to take his place at centre half.



It was Walsham who started the brighter, playing good football but also closing down Woodbridge extremely well. Will Goulding wide on the left was seeing a lot of the ball and despite always looking threatening couldn’t quite find that final ball.



We managed to create a few half chances as Boulter drilled a shot just wide from the edge of the area, and Matt Miles also had a few openings but was denied by Woodbridge’s impressive defensive pair of Josh Richie and Curtis Thickett.



These missed opportunities were to prove costly when with the first real chance of the game Woodbridge opened the scoring. A ball between our full back and centre half found the rampaging Jordan Seaman, who was a threat throughout, and he rounded our goalkeeper before slotting the ball away.



This encouraged Woodbridge forward a tad more, and they had a few long range efforts that were comfortably dealt with by Steve Fenner in goal. On the half hour though Woodbridge really should have doubled their lead, when Seaman got in behind us again and squared the ball only for the onrushing midfield player to slide his effort wide of goal with the net at his mercy.



To our credit we managed to regain control of the game with our midfield trio working like Trojans to deny Woodbridge space. Diaper in fact nearly created a great chance for us as his cross field pass put Tom Flack clear on the right wing only for his cross to be intercepted by the keeper.



With ten minutes left before half time we really piled the pressure on and looked set to equalise when Brame, clean through on goal, unselfishly squared the ball to Miles who was denied at the last second by a great challenge by Richie, with the ball looping up on to the bar and away from danger.



After another good half of football we found ourselves undeservedly behind, but we were confident that more of the same could get us back into things. We came out all guns blazing and after Tom Debenham’s strike from thirty yards had flashed over the bar, we drew level.



After Brame won the ball back in midfield it fell to Diaper who managed to jink his was past three challenges before drilling the ball into the far corner from just inside the penalty area. It was a great strike from the big man but was somewhat let down by the goal celebration that followed as he just seemed to fall over.



However, credit to Woodbridge as they went up the other end and almost immediately regained the lead. Despite appeals for offside no flag was forthcoming and Sam Smy was left with plenty of time to pick his spot and lash the ball past Steve Fenner.



Seeking another equaliser, Alex Blakely was thrown on up front for a debut and immediately offered a more direct threat to the Woodbridge back line. He had the ball in the net within five minutes of coming on, only for a tight offside call to deny him.



Brame nearly found himself through on goal after a great run but was denied by a superb last ditch tackle by Thickett, and at this stage there was only going to be one winner with Woodbridge’s attack nullified by the excellent Tom Fenner in defence.



Then, with only twenty minutes remaining we did manage to pull level. After more good work by Brame, Blakely found himself clear of the Woodbridge defence and he took a touch before sliding the ball past the on rushing keeper.



This set the precedent for the closing moments of the game, with Blakely’s extra pace causing the previously assured Woodbridge defence no end of trouble. The introduction of Josh Riding wide on the left also gave us an added attacking impetus, and it was down this flank we got most joy.



Blakely once again got free and, facing an acute angle, squared the ball to Brame who seemed set to side foot the ball home only for a flying tackle from the Woodbridge full back to nick the ball away from him. Brame then had a free kick which was well saved, and Tom Fenner just failed to connect with a header at the back post.



With five minutes left however we had a real chance to win the game. With the tired legs of Woodbridge’s defence struggling, again Blakely was clear one on one with the goalkeeper. The keeper spread himself well to stop the first effort but the rebound fell to Blakely. With two Woodbridge defenders on the line, he tried to lift his shot into the roof of the net only to see it hit the cross bar and come out again.



This really signalled the end of our charge as a few speculative efforts from range failed to trouble the Woodbridge goal. The ref blew his whistle to bring to an end a topsy-turvy game that was brilliant entertainment for everyone and offered a great advert for youth football.



From a Walsham perspective, although we could quite easily have been 2-0 down at half time this was another game that we should have won. We had four really good scoring opportunities beyond the goals we got, compared to Woodbridge’s one, and we also dominated territory for long periods. Furthermore, to come back from a goal down on two occasions against a good side deserves a tremendous amount of credit.



However, we have slipped into a nasty habit of conceding goals and also not taking our chances, two things that at a decent level of football will cost you in the end. Woodbridge, with all the upheaval they’ve had, perhaps don’t play the flowing football they did in seasons gone by although still try to pass the ball wherever possible. However, they seem to have a bit more fight and passion in them than ever before and their two young centre halves were certainly very impressive. On last night’s showing I’ve no doubt that our two clubs should be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.



Next up for the youths is the beginning of our Ridgeons League Cup campaign against Watton Juniors, having been there pre season and won we’re hopeful we can pick up a result and make good progress in the competition this year.



Team: Steve Fenner, Rhys Tinson, Liam Grimwood, Tom Debenham, Tom Fenner, Tom Flack (Josh Riding 72), Will Goulding, Joe Boulter (Matt Evans 80), Sam Diaper, Jack Brame, Matt Miles (Alex Blakely 60). Subs not used: Jack Buckmaster, Jonny Lambert

Youth Team Make Encouraging Start



Despite dominating the game for long spells, Walsham Under 18’s were unable to get anything more than a 2-2 draw against a plucky Ipswich Wanderers side.



After a scrappy opening, Wanderers took the lead when their centre forward looped a speculative volley over goalkeeper and captain Jack Buckmaster from thirty five yards, it was just one of those strikes that you can’t do anything about.



As the half wore on though Walsham began to impose themselves, with the front pairing of Matt Miles and Will Goulding looking very threatening without creating many chances. At the other end, the makeshift central defence of Sam Diaper and 15 year old Tom Debenham were having an excellent game also, and over time gaps began to appear in the Wanderers back line.



Goulding had an excellent chance when well placed but blazed the ball wide, and in another opening Miles flicked the ball over the advancing keeper only to see it run just wide. On the half hour mark though Walsham deservedly pulled level, as Miles played a beautiful cross field pass to Josh Riding who smashed the ball past the keeper first time.



The half played out in much the same way, with Debenham putting a header just over and Jack Brame electing to pass when a shooting opportunity seemed on. Defensively we looked solid, with Buckmaster not called into action beyond general mopping up although his distribution as always was excellent.



At the break Matt Evans was replaced with the more athletic Joe Boulter in central midfield in the hope that we could put the Wanderers midfield under more pressure. The half didn’t start as planned though, and five minutes in a soft free kick was awarded about thirty yards out. To their credit, Ipswich put a great ball into the box and the ball was flicked home from six yards out.



Again up against it, Walsham resumed their controlled passing game looking to get back into it and for the next twenty minutes the chances kept coming. Brame lofted a free kick square against the bar, and in the ensuing scramble Wanderers managed to clear. Goulding had another couple of one on one opportunities, but was denied by a combination of good goalkeeping and last ditch defending.



Riding, always looking a threat wide on the left, crashed shots against the post twice and from one of these efforts Tom Flack put the rebound over the bar from just six yards out. Miles up front had a few half chances where it just wouldn’t fall for him, but then with fifteen minutes left the same player got his second assist of the evening as his free kick was headed home at the back post by young Debenham to draw us level.



With Goulding taking a knock, he was replaced with the frankly still injured Tom Fenner and we launched our final assault. With Brame pushed further forward we certainly put their back four under more pressure, but we ended up losing a bit of shape and composure in the last few minutes as promising opportunities were squandered. In fact Ipswich had a good claim for a penalty turned down in the dying moments as we pushed forward in search of a winner.



A final score of 2-2 isn’t necessarily a bad result against a hard working and dogged Ipswich Wanderers side. However, on the balance of play we have to consider it two points dropped as we had five or six very good chances to make the game safe. The manner of the performance was encouraging, particularly that of our debut making defenders Sam Diaper and Tom Debenham who promise to have good futures at the club if they continue in the same manner.



Next up is a home game against last years runners up Woodbridge, always guaranteed a tough game when you play these but a similar sort of performance should see us pick up the three points.



Team: Jack Buckmaster, Rhys Tinson, Tom Debenham, Sam Diaper, Liam Grimwood, Tom Flack, Matt Evans (Joe Boulter 46), Jack Brame, Josh Riding, Will Goulding (Tom Fenner 78), Matt Miles. Subs not used: Jonny Lambert, Steve Fenner

We are pleased to announce Hannah & Rob Francksen are proud new parents to Rueban James born 3.45am on the 24th August weighing in at 8lb 7oz.

Preliminary Round (w/b Sept 14th)
Coplestonians v Hadleigh United
Dereham Town v Lowestoft Town
Downham Town v Wisbech Town
FC Clacton v Stowmarket Town
Framlingham Town v Long Melford
Gorleston v Norwich United
Haverhill Rovers v Ely City
Kirkley & Pakefield v Cromer Town
Leiston v Brantham Athletic
March Town United v Huntingdon Town
Newmarket Town v Somersham
Royston Town v Mildenhall Town
St Ives Town v Blackstones
Thetford Town v Harford Tornadoes
Walsham-le-Willows v Watton Juniors
Wivenhoe Town v Debenham LC
Woodbridge Town v Cornard United
Wroxham (holders) v Great Yarmouth Town

First Round (w/b Oct 12th)
Bourne Town v Fakenham Town
Dereham Town or Lowestoft Town v Walsham-le-Willows or Watton Juniors
Diss Town v Kirkley & Pakefield or Cromer Town
Felixstowe & Walton United v Woodbridge Town or Cornard United
FC Clacton or Stowmarket Town v Coplestonians or Hadleigh United
Gorleston or Norwich United v Bungay Town
Ipswich Wanderers v Wivenhoe Town or Debenham LC
Leiston or Brantham Athletic v Framlingham Town or Long Melford
March Town United or Huntingdon Town v Deeping Rangers
Royston Town or Mildenhall Town v Haverhill Rovers or Ely City
Soham Town Rangers v Chatteris Town
St Ives Town or Blackstones v King's Lynn
St Neots Town v Halstead Town
Stotfold v Newmarket Town or Somersham
Wisbech St Mary v Downham Town or Wisbech Town
Wroxham or Great Yarmouth Town v Thetford Town or Harford Tornadoes

TAKEN FROM THE RIDGEONS LEAGUE WEB SITE