The young Whites development squad returned to pre-season alongside the 1st team, and like them started their own friendly matches last Saturday with a comfortable 2 v 0 win away to Brockenhurst U18’s.
It has to be said the whites themselves are likely to find themselves the youngest team in the Hampshire combination premier league this season. The squad for the opening fixture did comprise of 3 16 year olds, 7 17 year olds, 4 18 year olds, a 19 and a 20 year old. So the age difference was not vastly different.
A very one sided 1st half saw Seb Duff in the Whites goal not tested at all. Were as his opposite number was putting in a very impressive display to keep the rampaging whites out. Around the 20 minutes Salisbury 18’s leading scorer last season at the grand age of 16 Will Waterson gave the visitors the lead following a typical Waterson goal cutting across defenders from the left hand side and despatching it past the keeper.
The introduction of right wing back Kelvin Lichowe at around 30 minutes really turned the screws on Brock. The lightening quick and powerful Lichowe was too much for players a year below him in age. However, it was the youngster Waterson that earnt his team a penalty following constant pressure when he was caught by the opposition keeper. The old man of the team at 20, Ed Timperley stepped up to convert the spot kick and make it 2 v 0 on his return to a whites shirt. Ed was leading scorer for Rich Rendall’s U18’s in a squad that included our own Josh Sommerton.
It has to be to Brocks complete credit that 2 v 0 is how the score remained until the end, but their job did get a bit easier once 2 of the whites centre backs, Tom Edwards, Tom Feest and the impressive Lichowe had to depart early for the Ray Mac and a 1st team debut for all three of them.
Man of the match was a very tight call between skipper Alfie Hawke and Sam Butt, Sam gets the nod for his sheer engine and work rate, which did not let up for 90 minutes in the searing heat.
The squad is beginning to take shape ahead of our season opener on the 8th Sept in a John Stimpson Memorial cup match due to be played behind closed doors* at the Ray Mac.
There are 21 players currently training with the Whites 2nd team, with four more hopefuls due to join the squad over the coming couple of weeks. We are though always interested in looking at talented young local players.
* subject to government and FA guidelines.
Squad V Brockenhurst 9th August 2020
Seb Duff, Owen Davis, Tom Edwards, Alfie Hawke (c), Tom Feest, Rob Jones, Kelvin Lichowe, Sam Butt, Ed Timperly, Will Waterson, Layton Tulk, Zach Smith, Josh Feltham, Isaac Thomas, Charlie Canty, Harry Boulton.
