We're here and ready to play! After a last minute replacement for a passport complication – congratulations to third year Modern Apprentice Mat Hunter for stepping in at the 11th hour to come out with the tour party – all the boys have made it across the Atlantic safe and sound and been delivered into the hands of their host families. This is a major part of the experience for the boys and they’ve all commented on how friendly and hospitable the Texan families are. Unsurprisingly a lot of the boys have gone a bit shy, but we all know that won’t last.
Today saw the lads take on the Dallas Texans Reds in a light practice session to get a taste of the conditions – always windy, always hot – and to shake off the jet lag. Spirits are good, and captain James Golding set the tone with a rousing team speech as the players met to decide their own code of conduct for behaviour during the tournament. Coach Dan Thomas is playing his cards close to his chest with regard to who plays in the opening game and the boys are all keen to impress in practice.
Tomorrow is the big opening ceremony and the even bigger opening game against Solar SC who finished finalists in the group last year. The result will set the tone for the whole group, so everyone is understandably excited and a bit jittery the night before.
Elsewhere in the tournament the big noise is all about the opening game in the Super League between the Mexican National U21s and the US National U21s in advance of next year’s FIFA U20 World Cup, and we're hoping to get a chance to take the boys to watch the game at the main stadium.
Sunday, 28 March 2010
Monday, 9 November 2009
News for November - exciting opportunities for academy players
* Trevor Ajim signed on a two-year scholarship at Colchester United
* Omar Folkes through to the final 36 in England Colleges selection process
* Striker Hayden Ankle and centre back Femi Ishmail have gone to Fulham FC on Monday for a week’s work experience as part of out partnership agreement.
* Prestigious friendly matches arranged against Tottenham Hotspur and Charlton Athletic this month
* Planning for Dallas Cup 2010 started with flights booked and registration for tournament completed
* 3 Players will be in on trial at Dagenham and Redbridge over the next 2 weeks and promise of future friendly matches and trials for 1st year players
* Omar Folkes through to the final 36 in England Colleges selection process
* Striker Hayden Ankle and centre back Femi Ishmail have gone to Fulham FC on Monday for a week’s work experience as part of out partnership agreement.
* Prestigious friendly matches arranged against Tottenham Hotspur and Charlton Athletic this month
* Planning for Dallas Cup 2010 started with flights booked and registration for tournament completed
* 3 Players will be in on trial at Dagenham and Redbridge over the next 2 weeks and promise of future friendly matches and trials for 1st year players
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Charlton Athletic Trust 2 - 0 Welling United
Charlton Athletic Trust (Lewisham College) took on Welling United’s academy side at their Well Hall ground on the 7th October, winning 2-0 away from home. Charlton were without three senior players (Folkes, Golding and Ismail) all trialing for the England Colleges side.
The game kicked off dead on 2 o’clock with the rain pouring down hard, Charlton looked fired up for the game and ready to answer the critics of their poor performance the week before. Right from the whistle, Charlton closed down their opponents and this pressure led to several opportunities to go ahead early on in the game. It wasn’t until the twentieth minute, however, that Ishmael Henry played a through ball to Hayden Ankle which he took around the keeper and slotted into the open goal.
In the second half Welling kicked off and were again immediately put under the cosh by Charlton. Marvin Taylor gained some significant possession and released Ankle, who fed Zak Colaluca to shoot first time. The ball was cleared from the line by a Welling defender, but only fell into the path of Ankle, who calmly slotted home in the bottom left hand corner for the second time.
As the game went on Charlton continued to push for more goals, and were unlucky to have two disallowed – both for off side by a very young linesmen. The second of these would have given Ankle his hatrick, however the scoreline remained at 2-0 to Charlton till the final whistle - a fair result for a more committed and organised performance than the previous week.
Report by Mat Hunter
MOTM: Hadyn Ankle
The game kicked off dead on 2 o’clock with the rain pouring down hard, Charlton looked fired up for the game and ready to answer the critics of their poor performance the week before. Right from the whistle, Charlton closed down their opponents and this pressure led to several opportunities to go ahead early on in the game. It wasn’t until the twentieth minute, however, that Ishmael Henry played a through ball to Hayden Ankle which he took around the keeper and slotted into the open goal.
In the second half Welling kicked off and were again immediately put under the cosh by Charlton. Marvin Taylor gained some significant possession and released Ankle, who fed Zak Colaluca to shoot first time. The ball was cleared from the line by a Welling defender, but only fell into the path of Ankle, who calmly slotted home in the bottom left hand corner for the second time.
As the game went on Charlton continued to push for more goals, and were unlucky to have two disallowed – both for off side by a very young linesmen. The second of these would have given Ankle his hatrick, however the scoreline remained at 2-0 to Charlton till the final whistle - a fair result for a more committed and organised performance than the previous week.
Report by Mat Hunter
MOTM: Hadyn Ankle
First team SPARQ tests at Sparrow's Lane
A tough series of fitness tests included 200m sprint, vertical jumps, yo-yo and arrowheads
Top three rankings for the first team squad, tested at Sparrows Lane in October
1. Ellis Jones, defender, 86.45
2. Marvin Francis, midfielder, 74.43
3. Joseph Stephenson, defender, 73.88
Thursday, 8 October 2009
Charlton Athletic Trust 0 - 2 Cambridge United
Dan Thomas’ Charlton Athletic Trust side suffered a surprising setback to their Conference Youth league campaign at the Sparrows Lane ground on the 30th September, losing 2-0 to Cambridge United.
From the kick–off, Cambridge looked more determined and aggressive than Charlton. While they played some nice passing triangles, dominated the midfield and closed down fast, we were slow to start, lacking in concentration and competitiveness.
Cambridge’s opener came early in the first half. The opposition were allowed to shoot unopposed from the edge of the box and the keeper got down low to the ball but only parried it straight into the opposition’s number 8 who tapped in to an empty goal
In the second half we came out the stronger side after a rousing motivational speech from coach Thomas, in particular demanding more from the midfield. We went into challenges better, winning more of the first and second balls; we passed the ball around fluently and the centre forwards held the ball up well.
As a result we started to develop opportunities to score; Folkes beat Cambridge’s centre backs only to shoot straight at the keeper, and Ismail had a long range effort from a corner denied.
Despite getting back into the game and pressurising Cambridge heavily throughout the second half; Charlton threw the game away with another sloppy mistake, and Cambridge’s second goal effectively finished the match off. It came from a free kick, played down the line – we were caught napping and failed to pick up their movement, the ball was simply passed round the wall, crossed and tapped in.
This was a disappointing result after last week’s strong performance against Romford. Charlton will have to work on their focus and competitiveness if they want to do well in this league.
By Ayodele Olaniyan
MOTM: None named
From the kick–off, Cambridge looked more determined and aggressive than Charlton. While they played some nice passing triangles, dominated the midfield and closed down fast, we were slow to start, lacking in concentration and competitiveness.
Cambridge’s opener came early in the first half. The opposition were allowed to shoot unopposed from the edge of the box and the keeper got down low to the ball but only parried it straight into the opposition’s number 8 who tapped in to an empty goal
In the second half we came out the stronger side after a rousing motivational speech from coach Thomas, in particular demanding more from the midfield. We went into challenges better, winning more of the first and second balls; we passed the ball around fluently and the centre forwards held the ball up well.
As a result we started to develop opportunities to score; Folkes beat Cambridge’s centre backs only to shoot straight at the keeper, and Ismail had a long range effort from a corner denied.
Despite getting back into the game and pressurising Cambridge heavily throughout the second half; Charlton threw the game away with another sloppy mistake, and Cambridge’s second goal effectively finished the match off. It came from a free kick, played down the line – we were caught napping and failed to pick up their movement, the ball was simply passed round the wall, crossed and tapped in.
This was a disappointing result after last week’s strong performance against Romford. Charlton will have to work on their focus and competitiveness if they want to do well in this league.
By Ayodele Olaniyan
MOTM: None named
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
Charlton Athletic Trust 4-0 Romford Gold
Lewisham College (playing as Charlton Athletic Trust) opened their Football Conference Youth Alliance campaign with an emphatic 4-0 victory over visitors Romford Gold at the Sparrows Lane ground. After the disappointment of their early cup exit the previous week, Head Coach Dan Thomas was quick to ring the changes, bringing in several new faces including keeper Robbie Williams and diminutive left wing Zak Colaluca.
Lewisham domintaed the game from the start, and their early pressure forced a goal within 15 minutes, when Haydn Ankle rifled a spectacular long range volley from the edge of the box. The second goal followed almost immediately - good approach play down the left, an accurate cross from Cololuca and a neat turn and finish from striker Mohamed Diakite.
Lewisham domintaed the game from the start, and their early pressure forced a goal within 15 minutes, when Haydn Ankle rifled a spectacular long range volley from the edge of the box. The second goal followed almost immediately - good approach play down the left, an accurate cross from Cololuca and a neat turn and finish from striker Mohamed Diakite.
Shortly after the re-start striker Ishmael Henry had to be substitued after a goalmouth clash of heads left him dazed and thoroughly confused, however Lewisham continued to pile on the pressure despite having to re-organise.
The third goal was a direct free kick curled into the bottom corner by Omar Folkes, and the fourth was a tap in for Marvin Taylor. This was his first touch of the game (after coming on as sub) following some excellent link-up play started by right back James Golding, a cross from Ankle, and a fizzing drive by left wing Zak Coaluca, parried by the keeper.
Lewisham's coach Thomas had stressed the importance of keeping a clean sheet in the second half of the match and this was certainly a much more focussed Lewisham performance overall than the previous week. The result could have been even more one-sided had a few more chances been taken. A promising start to the season, but still plenty to work on.
MOTM: Omar Folkes
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
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