Academy in October ( A Look Back) by Ian Watts

 

Academy in October ( A Look Back)by Ian Watts

 

Last month we ended with an imminent FA Youth Cup game. Damien Allen gave an interesting insight in the following day's programme as to how the side prepared for the match at Ewen Fields on Friday 9th October.

 

Sadly the young Hatters had to cope with the disappointment of an injury time goal from the hosts Aidan Butterworth resulting in a 1-2 defeat after leading through Tom Kelly at half time.

As if that was not enough the news came through that the team our senior academy side had beaten 9-1 in a League North game during September, Solihull Moors, had resigned from the league after losing their second game of the season. The result was deleted from the table, but the County soon restored the status quo. The Wednesday after that FA YC defeat they notched their second 9-1 victory of the season (or at least according to the FA's fulltime website they did, although the opposition reported it at 8-1 and only eight scorers appeared on that FA website). This time at the International Stadium in Gateshead.

 

The scorers were Jack Hinchy, Jack Hopkins 2, Tom Kelly, Wessam Al-Abbus 2, and Zack Clarke 2. Max Greenhalgh, who played in this game, followed it up with a debut goal on loan at Cheadle Town three days later as they beat Ellesmere Rangers 4-0 in the North West Counties.

 

 

The missing scorers in last month's piece, from the Rochdale National League U19 Alliance : Division H game That ended the month were Were Mackenzie Cookson and George Neal,  with one scorer not listed so possibly an own goal.

 

The October schedule for the Division H lads has been somewhat hit by postponements. With just one competitive game an away match at a familiar venue, Manor Farm, Timperley, Altrincham's U19 side use this as their home and it was certainly a happy home on this occasion as they beat the young Hatters 3-0.

 

The Academy coaches kept the sides busy despite the lack of competitive games with regular friendlies against a variety of opponents, as outlined in Damien's column in the Solihull Moors programme.

 

The group of players whose matches take place on Sunday in the North West Youth Alliance Premier Division have also been hit by postponements., but they have been the busiest

Early on in the month they also faced an Altrincham side, recording a 2-2 home draw. George Neal Scored after 30 minutes in the match played at TEN ACRES LANE With Nick Sumner adding our second after 85 minutes. The game ended with a rare red card for a County player.

 

Next it was the short trip to face Curzon Ashton, Those wearing the County colours came out on top by the of goal in nine. WESSAM AL-ABBAS scored another brace, and this was backed up with strikes from Toby Green, George Neal And Dan Taylor.

 

They got another game in on the last Sunday of the month with goals from Josh Edwards, ,  Nicholas McDonagh And Daniel Billington in a good 3-0 win at Hyde United. This victory taking then top of the league ladder for now.

 

Despite the postponements and resignations it still looks like a good start for all three sides, and a good base to build on should the latest COVID-19 regulations permit matches at this level to continue.

 

National League Football Acad : North Division

Position as of 31 Oct - 2nd

Next match: Wed 4th at Darlington

 

National League U19 Alliance : Division H

         Position as of 31 Oct - 2nd

Next match: Wed 4th at Rochdale EDS

 

North West Youth Alliance Premier Division

         Position as of 31 Oct - 1st

Next match: Sun 1st November at Altrincham at Ten Acres

(n.b- This match was drawn 1-1, which was sufficient for the young County side
to retain top spot ).

 

Ian Watts

 

 

Comments

Top Posts

Simply Disgraceful !

Wrexham 1 Stockport County 2 ( Vanarama National League) 31 August 2019

Notts County 2 Stockport County 1 ( Vanarama National League) Saturday 23 October 2021