CUP

18th April 2004

SUTTON COURTNEY 1
v
WANTAGE TOWN 0

Well the Youth Team's journey finally came to an end with a superb display that deserved better.

Wantage played some lovely flowing football and dominated the match played in terrible conditions, and all that was missing was the finish. It will go down as 'one of those days'. We hit the woodwork 4 times and created a mountain of chances but it just wasn't to be, and Sutton caught us with a sucker punch early in the second half. Even then we had chance after chance to rescue the match.

So the end of the team has arrived, all of us; Steve, Dave and Glyn would like to thank all the players, past and present. We have had our ups and downs and at times we have had to have a go at them, but they have always responded in the right way,

Thank you lads, it has been a pleasure and good luck for the future, one last question: Where is Giles??

Dave Hepple
Assistant Manager
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JOHN BYLES CUP

28th March 2004

ST EDMUNDS 3
v
WANTAGE TOWN 9

A solid display against 10 man St Edmunds as Wantage looked to progress in the John Byles cup.

Wantage pretty much dominated the game with Austin and North running the midfield and the Front two of Clements and Dimberlow always willing runners. It was no surprise that Wantage ran out easy winners, the goals came from O.Dimberlow 3, K.Clements 2, T.North, M.Cramp, S.Lucas and M.Cannings. So, we now go into the last group match needing just a draw to progress.
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JOHN BYLES CUP

21st March 2004

WANTAGE TOWN 5
v
WYCHWOOD 1

A superb performance in dreadful conditions. Wantage Youth probably put in one of their best performances of the season in a game dominated by the gale force wind. It was always going to be a game of 2 halves, and having lost the toss, Wantage played into the strong wind in the first half and what a dogged display they produced, not only holding firm but attacking strongly and causing Wychwood all sorts of problems. In fact it was against the run of play when Wychwood took the lead mid-way through the half when Isaac's make a great save from a free kick but the Wychwood forwards were quickest to react to slot home the rebound. But Wantage didn't drop their heads and stormed back and twice went close before a superb flowing move was finished off by Dimberlow at the far post to make it 1-1 at half time.

The second half got underway in a hail storm with even stronger winds. The half was completely dominated by Wantage, even when the conditions settled down it was just a question of how many they would score. The Wychwood goalie performed heroics to try to keep the score down as Wantage added 4 more goals, 2 more from Dimberlow to complete his hat-trick and Lee 'Sam' Kent and Tom North from the penalty spot completed the scoring.

Now we are off the mark in this Cup lets go on from there and see how far we can go. Well done lads, a great performance which shows exactly what you are capable of especially in those conditions.
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ELSEVIER YOUTH LEAGUE

29th February 2004

WANTAGE TOWN 3
v
ARDLEY UTD 3

A much improved attitude and a hard-working display earned Wantage a deserved point and ensured that the team won't finish bottom of the League.

Wantage started the match well and put early pressure on without really creating any chances, only to fall behind against the run of play. But credit to the team they didn't let their heads drop and stormed back into the match when Liam Revell equalised direct from a corner with a fine inswinging effort.

It was then Tom Austin's turn, after linking up well on the edge of the box Austin drove the ball into the bottom corner to make it 2-1.

Unfortunately before half-time Wantage failed several times to clear their lines and Ardley's striker scored with a well struck accurate drive into the bottom corner.

After half-time it was fairly even, but then Ardley caught the Wantage defence too square and the pacey Ardley striker beat the Wantage defence to the ball to slot home for 3-2.

From then Wantage went on the attack and had Ardley on the back foot and created a series of half chances, and as time was starting to run out Pete Horswell popped up to drive a low cross firmly into the back of the net.

A much improved effort well done lads.
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ELSEVIER YOUTH LEAGUE

22nd February 2004

ARDLEY UTD 5
v
WANTAGE TOWN 1

Wantage Youth crashed to an embarrassing defeat to bottom club Ardley with a very poor and very upsetting performance. A number of players forgot the basic principal of what a team sport is, i.e. there are other players and you can pass to them.

There will be changes for this weekends return fixture, and the more arrogant members of the squad could well find themselves on the bench. I feel very sorry for the honest hard working players in the squad, they are being let down by a few who think it is very funny to lose games like this. As one of the managers I find this attitude very hard to understand or accept!

The Wantage goal-scorer was Kenny Clements.
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ELSEVIER YOUTH LEAGUE

25th January 2004

ABINGDON UTD 3
v
WANTAGE TOWN 0

A disappointing result and performance which sums up our inconsistent season. Wantage never really got going and Abingdon were on top throughout in a fairly one sided affair. It was only once we were 3-0 down that we finally came to life a bit and applied some pressure with Pete Horswell twice going close.
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ELSEVIER YOUTH LEAGUE

18th January 2004

WANTAGE TOWN 3
v
EASINGTON SPORTS 2

Skill wins the Day...

A great win and a fine performance under the most difficult of circumstances, against a surly, vicious and intimidating Easington team.

Despite their respective League positions Wantage were the side playing the better Football and it was no surprise when Wantage took the lead mid-way through the first half with a superb individual goal from Pete Horswell, who beat 2 defenders before slotting the ball neatly in the corner of the net.

Within 2 minutes Wantage were 2 up. This one was a great team goal with Tom Austin driving the ball into the bottom corner to finish off a flowing Wantage move. This seemed to trigger Easington off and they became very aggressive, trying to intimidate the Wantage team and officials. There were some dirty challenges going in, but to Wantage's credit they held their nerve and continued to play some good football. So at half-time it was 2-0.

The Second half started as the first had ended with Wantage playing the Football and Easington once again trying to intimidate, and generally showing a very poor attitude. Wantage increased the lead to 3-0 when Lee 'Sam' Kent delightfully chipped the Easington Goalkeeper.

From there the match completely degenerated as the Easington players, officials and support got more and more frustrated. The tackles and threats were flying in and the Wantage players became nervous and worried as Easington began to push them back. Easington scored two scrappy goals in a 5 minute spell and set up a nervous last 15 minutes. At this point the Wantage team could have buckled, but to their credit they regrouped and started to play football again, creating several more chances with only a superb save from Dimberlow's chip preventing a further Wantage goal.

Wantage held on without much trouble to the end. Unfortunately after the final whistle, the Easington player were ungracious in defeat and were threatening the Wantage player about the return fixture. So all in all a fine performance against a team that lived up to their bad reputation within the league.

Well done boys, now lets do it consistently.
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ELSEVIER YOUTH LEAGUE

11th December 2003

SUMMERTOWN 4
v
WANTAGE TOWN 3

Well the Christmas break did nothing for the Youth Team, as the first half performance was very disappointing indeed and we were very Lucky to be only 3-1 down at the break. The defence deserve praise for keeping the score down whilst under intense pressure, while Wantage as an attacking force was virtually non existent!

After some strong words from the management at half-time things did improve in the second half, but unfortunately we were caught on the break and fell further behind. However, from 4-1 down, Wantage finally came to life and tried to achieve an improbable fight back, and pushed Summertown back, scoring 2 quick goals from Kenny Clements to make it 4-3. Now it was all Wantage and were it not for 2 superb saves from the Summertown Keeper Wantage would have equalised, but unfortunately it was too little too late and overall we deserved nothing from the match.

From the management point of view, the attitude of several of the players left a lot to be desired, and they have to remember it is their
team-mates who are working their socks off that they are letting down!
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YOUTH LEAGUE CUP - SEMI FINAL

14th December 2003

ABINGDON UTD 5
v
WANTAGE TOWN 4
(After Golden Goal Extra-time)

Heartbreak for brave Wantage town Youth

What a game, it had everything! Wantage started the match very well and had Abingdon on the back foot in the Early stages, when Tom Austin picked up a loose ball just out side the box skipped passed a defender and blasted a superb drive into the top corner. 1-0, great goal. Gradually Abingdon worked their way into the Match (they are not unbeaten this Season for nothing) Abingdon's equaliser was a touch lucky with a deflection wrong footing the defence but once in possession their centre forward finished impressively.

So it was 1-1 at half time. The second started with Abingdon in the ascendancy and they fired in 2 quick goals to take the score to 3-1. The game looked over but Wantage dug in and battled back and Tom Austin finished off a neat move with a delightful chip to bring the score back to 3-2 and Wantage were back in it. Then disaster, Wantage failed to clear there lines and several desperate challenges went in and it was no surprise when a Penalty was awarded. Abingdon's centre forward put the Penalty away very confidently to make it 4-2.

To Wantage's credit they stormed forward pushing Abingdon back and from Austin's pin point cross Tom North rose to head powerfully home for 4-3. Just as it seemed time would run out, Austin was fouled just out side the box wide on the right and delivered a superb free kick which was met by a superb driving header from Tom North to Equalise and take the tie into Golden Goal Extra time.

In the first period of Extra time Wantage did all the pressing and created several half chances, but at Half-time there were no goals. As the second half got underway Wantage created a chance and Owen Dimbylow's low drive had goal written all over it, but Abingdon's Goalkeeper performed heroics and somehow kept it out. Then Abingdon broke forward and their impressive Centre Forward turned the defence and blasted an unstoppable drive into the bottom corner to send Abingdon through. On behalf of the Youth team management team I have to say that our Team were magnificent and we are very proud of them. Despite losing they did the club proud.
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UNDER 17's CUP - QUARTER-FINAL REPLAY

7th December 2003

ST EDMUNDS 1
v
WANTAGE TOWN 4

Wantage started the match poorly and looked nothing like the side that appeared so strong in the drawn match last week. It was no surprise when St Edmunds took the lead 15 minutes into the first half. But for some fine Goalkeeping from Danny Isaacs, St Edmunds could have been out of sight in the first half hour of the match, but Wantage hung on and gradually started to come into the game.

The turning point of the match came right on half-time with a piece of individual magic from Mattie Cramp spotting the Goalie off his line Mattie superbly chipped him from 25 yards out to equalize.

The goal seemed to lift Wantage, as once the second half got underway it was all Wantage, driving forward causing St Edmunds all sorts of problems and creating many chances.

Tom North put Wantage in front firing home to finish a powerful run, then Kenny Clements fired Wantage 3-1 in front. As time wore on and St Edmunds threatened to mount an assault, Tom North was on hand to head in Austin's corner to seal the victory and a place in this weekend's Semi-final.

Well done Lads and good luck in the Semi-Final.
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CUP GAME

Sunday 30th November 2003

ST EDMUNDS 1
v
WANTAGE TOWN 1

Despite having a seemingly weaker team than in recent weeks the Youth team produced an outstanding Team performance and were only denied a deserved victory by a lack of luck in front of goal, and considering the state of the pitch produced some very good slick football, St Edmunds took the lead in the first half against the run of play with a well worked goal. Wantage equalized before half time when Nick Rowe headed home from close range. After that Wantage looked the better side and created most of the chances and with a little more luck would have won the match, but all round a very pleasing display. Well done lads keep it up.
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ELSEVIER YOUTH LEAGUE

Sunday 16th November 2003

OXFORD CITY COLTS 6
v
WANTAGE TOWN 1

The result looks like a thrashing, but it doesn't reflect a pretty good overall display from the Defence and Midfield, the teams problem's are stemming from a lightweight under performing Attack which as well as firing blanks are not retaining possession trying stupid flicks instead of getting the ball under control and feeding the midfield consequently the Back line found itself under almost constant pressure with obvious results. It was only when Centre Back Pete Horsewell was pushed up front that we began to look dangerous and he scored the solitary Wantage goal. The Forward line need to up their game and quickly or the season will be gone!
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ELSEVIER YOUTH LEAGUE

Sunday 9th November 2003

ST EDMUNDS 6
v
WANTAGE TOWN 4

The Match was a very physical affair, not helped by the lack of an official referee. (Their Manager doing the honours). Wantage lead twice but the first half finished 2-2. After the break St Edmunds raced into a 4-2 lead, but then Wantage upped their game and stormed back to level at 4-4 and were looking the stronger side. Then the match turned on a controversial refereeing decision, when St Edmunds were awarded a very harsh penalty for handball. The defender would have done very well to avoid blocking the driven ball. Wantage then pushed forward looking for the equalizer. They created several good chances but were caught on the break late on and St Edmunds to make it 6-4.

The result did not accurately reflect a much improved all-round performance, and the team deserve praise for their performance and restraint under difficult circumstances.
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YOUTH TEAM CUP - 1st ROUND

Sunday 2nd November 2003

WYCHWOOD 4
v
WANTAGE TOWN 6

The youth team returned to winning ways with a patchy performance against a gritty Wychwood side that managed to get back to 4-4 at one stage before late goals from Wantage booked a second round spot. Wantage's goal scorers were: Owen Dimbylow(4), Nick Rowe and Pete Horsewell.
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ELSEVIER YOUTH LEAGUE

Sunday 19th October 2003

WANTAGE TOWN 0
v
ABINGDON UTD 1

The Youth team suffered their first League Defeat of the season Falling to a Spirited Abingdon side, Wantage fell behind early in the second half and despite applying late pressure with Nick Rowe Twice hitting the bar and several other good chances going begging Wantage couldn't force the equalizer that they deserved.
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BERKS & BUCKS U18's CUP - 1st ROUND

Sunday 12th October 2003

WANTAGE TOWN 0
v
ALDERMASTON 2

Wantage Town Youth team suffered their first defeat of the season with a lack lustre display in a very forgettable match against an organised hard working Aldermaston team. A match of very few real chances was won with 2 goals both coming due to defensive errors, the first mid-way through the first half and the second in the last minute of the match. In between Wantage worked hard to try and turn the game round without ever really troubling the visitors.