and sometimes it is lonely as the Countess Wear keeper found out with this penalty that goes in,
Central Under 8s started their season with a match against a spirited Countess Wear Dynamos. Central
gave debuts to several players but didn't show any rustiness creating a series of good chances and looking solid in defence.
Thomas Roome converted an early goal and hard working striker Harry Saunders scored a second to see Central go in at 2-0 at
half-time.
First half goalie Thomas McShane scored a confident penalty mid way through the second
half but Countess Wear continued to press and only a good defensive performance by Jordan Howlett and Edward Taylor in goal
kept them at bay.
Central found this match a little harder against a very well organised Beacon Knights. Things started
brightly with Harry Saunders working the Knight's defence on several occasions. Knights began to camp in the central half
though and only Thomas McShane's heroics in goal kept them at bay. Eventually though the pressure told and one shot too many
got through.
The second half was different though and playing down the slope Central spent long periods
in the Beacon Knight's half, creating a series of chances but nothing good enough to beat their goalie. On one of their
rare attacks a long-shot just beat an unlucky Thomas McShane via the underside of the bar. Though Beacon Knights deserved
the result, Central took a lot of positives from a fine battling team performance.
A different story against a well marshalled Westexe team and despite excellent
performances from firstly Thomas McShane and then Edward Taylor in goal Westexe
scored regularly and mostly from long range as well.
Harry Saunders & Luke Crocker toiled hard up front without much luck. Central probably had
too many changes to give their large squad a game and lost some vital continuity in the process.
A very even game that saw Central spurn quite a few chances and look quite confident
in defence with Thomas McShane in goal and Jordan Howlett & Daniel Ley especially good.
0-0 at half-time and things heading for a stalemate before a bit of bad luck
in defense gave Alphington an Own Goal. Immediately though Edward Taylor burst
through the Alphington defence to earn a deserved equaliser.
A stunning goal by Harry Saunders after a perfect cross from Jo Chamberlain early in the first
half paved the way for a well deserved away win. The team managed to use the width of the pitch well with the combination of
Edward Taylor and Harry Saunders up front working a treat.
A pass from Edward intended to reach Harry early in the second half surprised everyone by
ending up in the goal! West Hill scored a goal soon after and it could have been more had Thomas McShane in goal not saved
several times and Jordan Howlett defended brilliantly. However, Central hung on to secure victory.
Against Culm United the team started slowly but, against the run of play, a superb goal from Jordan
Howlett from quite far out gained an early advantage. However, persistance from Culm and a relatively weak defence mean't that
Culm soon had an equaliser.
Soon after, our defence was further exposed and Culm scored taking them into the lead by
half time. Ben Fisk, Harlem Baro and Adam Cotgrove played much better after the break and Edward Taylor was unlucky not to
equalise with only seconds to spare.
Piers Eggleton was brought on in the match against Hemyock, allowing Jordan and Edward Taylor to move up.
This resulted in better team work between these two and a sharp attack led to a goal from Edward Taylor. However, we tired in
the second half and Thomas McShane needed to make several fine saves. In the end, we were unlucky when a free-kick from just
outside the area resulted in an equaliser.
Central celebrate!
Brixington Utd 1 Central 8
Two fantastic peformances by Central against both Brixington United and Blues teams. Against United
the passing was amazing. Oliver Johnson and Edward Taylor showed how it was done – one had the ball, the other
quickly moved into a space and goals just flowed. Jo Chamberlain and Jordan Howlett provided the necessary support for our
two strikers while the defence - Ben Fisk was rock solid.
Brixington Blues 0 Central 2
Against the Blues things were tougher but eventually hard work prevailed.
Oliver’s quick pass through midfield found Edward who slotted it home. In the second half, Central scored an almost
identical goal. This time it was Jo who found Edward in space and his quick strike found the back of the net. Two really
enjoyable games played with great spirit.
Results Page Top of page
Brixington Blues 0 Central Reds 0
Central reds looked solid against Brixington Blues. Thomas McShane kept Central in the
game in the first half with a magnificent save diving to his left a full stretch.. Thomas Roome and Piers Eggleton had to
do a lot of running in midfiled as Brixington kept up the early pressure but the defensive partnership of Harlan Baro and
Danilel Ley kept a useful looking Brixington strike force at bay. Harry Saunders came close for Central minutes from the end
but his shot hit the side netting
Brixington Utd 0 Central Reds 3
Ben Haigh played well making his debut in a 3-0 win over Brixington Utd, quickly making
his mark with a series of long throws. After a stalemate first half Central gave regular goalkeeper Thomas McShane a rare
chance to play up front which he quickly rewarded with a well taken goal shot from range near the right wing. Adam Cotgrove
put on a very creditable display as replacemnet keeper with Harlan Baro once again proving himself to be the most solid of
defenders. Two long range goals from Harry Saunders sealed a well deserved victory for the Reds.
Results Page Top of page
Central Reds 0 Cullompton 0
Two closely fought games. Central Reds had the run of play in the first game against Cullompton A-side
with goalie Thomas McShane touching the ball only two or three times! However, despite having no less than three strikers
(Oliver, Harry and Edward), no goals came. The team passed well, especially in the opposition’s half, although our
backs (Daniel, Oscar and Piers) could have pushed up more to support the midfield.
Central 0 Cullompton B 0
Against Cullompton B-side, Central played surprisingly well – displaying better
teamwork than in the previous Reds game. The match was very even and Central needed to defend strongly - particularly
towards the end of the game. As in the Reds game, Central were unable to make the most of the few goal scoring opportunities
- an area we will need to concentrate on before the two quarter-final Cup matches in a fortnight’s time.
Action from the game
Results Page Top of page
Westexe 2 Central 1 Q/Final Cup
Above a great free kick: below what a save!!
What an exciting quarter-final against West Exe. Last October, Central lost 6-0 to this strong side. From
the word go, West Exe applied the pressure forcing Thomas McShane to make several fine saves. Our defence seemed to get
better and better, especially the valiant Daniel Ley, and it was unfortunate that a West Exe shot took a deflection to make
it one-nil just before half-time.
After the break, what a transformation! With Adam Cotgrove now in goal, and Thomas moved
up front, our whole team was inspired and amazingly we had the upper hand. Central soon won a free kick just outside the
area and Harry Saunders floated a glorious kick on target only to be brilliantly saved by their keeper. A moment later we
had another free kick from virtually the same spot. Again, a superb shot from Harry and it flew into the top right hand of
the net to make it one-all.
Having had the run of play throughout the second half, West Exe, to their credit, re-applied the pressure
and soon managed a shot on goal only to hit our post, but then scored on the rebound.
Central really played well. In the end the better side won – but Central had given
West Exe a run for their money in a keenly fought, enjoyable match.
Myles
Results Page Top of page
Stoke Hill 2 Central Reds 1
On a bitterly cold morning, Central Reds found themselves up against it with many key players absent.
Against Stoke Hill, the Reds battled hard and for the first time this season, Aidan Pring kept Reds hopes alive when he
equalised in the first half. Hopes were soon dashed however, when Stoke pressed home their natural advantage to win 2-1.
St Martins 8 Central Reds 0
It was a different story against St Martins. Despite valiant efforts by both Jim Shepherd
and Adam Cotgrove in goal, St Martins, who have progressed to the semi-final in the cup, were just too strong and a stream
of goals against the Reds kept coming. To the Reds credit, they battled on and never lost heart. Harlan Baro deserves a
mention for some outstanding defending.
Results Page Top of page
St Martins 2 Central 1
Central soaked up first half pressure from St Martins with Thomas McShane once again keeping us in the
game and surely staking a calim for the best goalie in the league. A Tactical change at half time soon bought results with
Thomas, playing as an attacking modfielder now, scoring a fine goal after an impressive run from his own half.
Unfortunately concentration lapsed and St martins equalised within 2 minutes. Thomas Roome
made a number of fine saves as stand in Keeper in second half but St Martins eventually beat the resolute defence of Harlan
baro and Ben Fisk to score the winner with 5 minutes to go.
Stoke Hill 3 Central 0
Stoke Hill provided a challenge that was too tough for central. Oscar Pethrick lead the charge for central and came close
on a number of occasions. Joe Chamberlin made some surging runs from midfield and Reece Allen came close to convering a
free kick when he was brought down about 10 yards from goal. But on a bitterly cold day the game ended in disappointment
for Central.Myles
Results Page Top of page
Q/Finals Culm Utd 0 Central Reds 3
Central Reds celebrate
A hat-trick from Oliver Johnson was one of many highlights in a magnificent quarter-final in which all
team members played well. Jim Shepherd was solid in goal. Oscar Petherick, Reece Allen and Bradley Down (2 nd half) kept
our defence secure and were also able to push up safely into the opponents half.
In midfield, Jordan Howlettt , Joe Chamberlain and Ben Haigh (2nd half) worked tirelessly
allowing Edward Taylor and Oliver to create many chances up front. Two superb goals from Oliver in the first half meant that
Central were able to relax and enjoy the second half.
It was great to see lots of passing and most of all huge determination, never allowing the opposition any
time or space. The third goal was, as usual a Taylor/Johnson combination with Oliver providing the finishing touch.
Myles
Results Page Top of page
Cup Semi-Final
Westexe 2 Central 1
This was always going to be a challenging match and for a few moments Central almost believed they might
overcome West Exe’s considerable talents. With an attacking formation, Central surprised West Exe in the first half by
driving forward and passing well. The run of play was Central’s way and just before the break Oliver Johnson unleashed
a powerful shot from outside the area to take the lead.
In the second half, West Exe moved up a gear, cleverly back-passing to their talented
number 8 to allow him to strike some fearsome shots. Soon there was an equaliser knocking Central’s confidence.
Central’s lack of composure allowed West Exe to mount many an attack. Eventually, the number 8 struck home a superb
winner from way out and Central’s hopes for a place in the final were dashed.
