Author: KYL ADMIN

Applications are welcome from players aged 16–18 years of age and currently studying in Years 11/12.

If you feel that EUFC Academy is the place that you would like to continue developing both as a player and academically from September 2020, then to secure your place at one of our trial dates please complete the online registration form confirming which date you would like to attend.

The club actively seeks to offer players a pathway to first-team senior football together with a full-time education, all under the watchful eye of UEFA-qualified coaches.

Managed by former Fleet, Gillingham and AFC Wimbledon striker Danny Kedwell, our Academy side has opportunities to play in the FA Youth Cup, the U19 National League Alliance and the U19 Tactic League. Numerous members of our current Academy side have played in first-team games in the Kent Senior Cup this season and trained alongside our experienced first-team professionals. The most recent success stories are Zach Dainkeh and Mathew Achuba who have both been part of our first-team squad this season, being handed shirt numbers 17 and 18 respectively.

The trials for the Fleet’s 2020/21 intake will be held in Gravesend, Kent on the dates below.

—————
• Monday 17th February 2020, 10am – 1pm (9.30am Registration)

• Monday 6^th April 2020, 10m – 11pm (9.30am Registration)

• Tuesday 14th April 2020, 10am – 1pm (9.30am Registration)

• Saturday 9^th May 2020, 10am – 1pm (9.30am Registration)

• Candidates MUST register online beforehand at www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk/academy/apply-now and await a confirmation email from the organisers. These follow-up confirmation emails will be sent by our admin team in due course, nearer the trial date. Please await these emails before contacting the Academy team.

• The Gravesend trial takes place at Elite Venue, Dunkirk Close, Gravesend, Kent DA12 5ND.

• An overview of the Academy programme can be found at www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk/academy.

Adrian Swan

Tonbridge Angels football Academy are having an Opening evening for current year 11/12 students on Wednesday 27th November at The Longmead Stadium for next September’s intake.

Tonbridge Angels football academy offer a ride range of A level & BTEC qualifications, alongside a full time football Scholarship at Hugh Christie School. Students are also offered the chance to do their FA level 1 qualification with an option in their 3rd year to do a Level 3 Personal Training Qualification

The scheme is headed up by UEFA A Licence coach & 1st team coach/Captain Tom Parkinson, alongside coaches, Hugo Langton (UEFA A licence & Welling United assistant manager), Jamie Coyle (UEFA A Licence coach), Dom Welsh & Rhys Bartlett. 

In our 15 months of running we have had the following success so far:

• 7 1st team debuts
• 18 different players train with the 1st team
• 1 player on trial with Leicester City 
• 100% BTEC level 3 pass rate 
• 18 FA Level 1 coaches 
• 6 players go to University 

To sign up please use the link: https://eu.jotform.com/form/92911723517357 or email: tafcacademy@outlook.com

Adrian Swan

Adrian Swan

Kent Youth League Committee Member, Charlotte Richardson, ran the Royal Parks Half Marathon on Sunday morning.

The 13.1 miles were run to raise funds and awareness of our charity partner, Redthread.

Charlotte’s endeavours are one example of the kind of fundraising activities we will be undertaking this season to reach our target of £10,000.

If we were to get a pound for every time Charlotte uploads a Players Wanted advert, the soggy Sunday run will have made a huge difference.

Click here to sponsor.

Following on from the recent resignation of Chris Myatt the League is looking to appoint a new Referee Secretary to lead a team responsible for :

1. Taking overall charge of appointments of all League matches.

2. Working with a team of a minimum of 3 so leadership is essential.

3. Working closely with the Referee Development Officer at Kent FA.

4. Helping support new younger referees on the League.

5. Being part of the League Management Committee

6. Dealing with club correspondence and low referee marks

7. Recruiting new Referees for the League

The closing date for this vacancy is Monday 21st October at 5pm.

Please email : office@kentyouthleague.co.uk if you are interested in joining our League.

A vacancy has arisen for an U16 Fixture Secretary to work with our fixture team to help provide fixtures for our Under 16s until the end of the season.

The League now uses Full Time and whilst some knowledge of the system would be advantageous it is not essential as full training will be given.

The role will also give the successful applicant a place on the League Management Committee and the chance to influence decisions made to ensure the League remains one of the best youth league’s around.

The closing date for this is Monday 21st October 2019 at 5pm.

Please send an email to express your interest to :

Steve Rowedder – Senior Fixture Secretary – steve.ref@outlook.com

Copy to office@kentyouthleague.co.uk  

Didn’t get the GCSE’s you wanted or want to change pathway?

Tonbridge Angels Football Academy still have places avaliable for this September start. Don’t miss out on an exciting opportunity to study A Levels &/or BTEC Level 3 sport whilst training daily by UEFA A Licenced coaches. 

If interested please email tafcacademy@outlook.com

He’s back!

Dover Athletic Manager and K Sports Soccer Director Andy Hessenthaler, is celebrating his return to Friday night coaching at the K Sports Soccer Academy, with some free sessions alongside Head Coach Darren Hare.

If you are looking for a high tempo extra training session during the week with the most experienced A Licence coaches in the county, then why not come along for our taster sessions on Friday 30th August?

For players starting next season at Under 12 and Under 13, the free taster starts at 5.30pm finishing at 6.30pm at the FIFA Pro License pitch at K Sports Cobdown.

For Under 14 – Under 16 players, the time of the session is 6.30-7.30pm.

Whether you have been before and would like to revisit or you are keen try us out please ensure you register by Thursday 29th August. You can register by clicking here.

After each session Andy and Darren will outline the objectives for KSports Soccer and how we will try and develop the players’ decision making and skills using our philosophy of game related practice with a high intensity – afterwards the choice is yours!

Come along and see what it’s like!

Location: K Sports Cobdown, Station Road, ME20 6AU

Soccer Elite FA are delighted to announce we will be running a brand new academy at the fantastic new facilities at Chatham Town FC!

SEFA are an independent football academy based in Kent, offering professional training and expert coaching with individual player development at the forefront of our vision. Our sessions run alongside a player’s club commitments, where our aim is to compliment and develop players to improve their performance on the weekend for their club teams.

We will be running a FREE trial session for players aged between U12 – U16 in the 2019/20 season as we look to build elite training groups for the season ahead. We would like to invite all players from the KYL to come and taste what it’s like to participate in a SEFA academy session, and work with some of the leading coaches in the South East.

Coaches on the day will be:

Kieran Culleton (SEFA Head of Academies & current Charlton Athletic coach)

Rich Radbourne (SEFA Managing Director & Crystal Palace)

Jay Saunders (ex Maidstone United manager & current Margate manager)

Carl Laraman (ex Arsenal coach for over 25 years)

Details for the trial session are:

DATE: Friday 30th August 2019

VENUE: Bauvill Stadium, Maidstone Road, Chatham, ME4 6ES

TIME: 10.00am – 12.00pm

SURFACE: 4G

In order to book your place for the trial, please complete the form here.

Going forward, the elite academy sessions will run on a Friday evening at Chatham Town FC during school term time, commencing on the 6th September.

A video of the superb new facilities at Chatham Town FC can be found below:

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

The SEFA Team

Tel: 0345 873 2617

Email: hello@soccerelitefa.com

Website: www.soccerelitefa.com

Social Media: @soccerelitefa

The Kent Youth League is now on Instagram.

We are delighted to add another platform to share photos and action from across our fantastic League.

Follow us by clicking here.

This summer, Stagecoach South East is offering children’s tickets for just £1 on its new coach service. Throughout the school holidays, up to two children aged 15 and under can travel at very low cost when accompanied by one full-paying adult – with children under four able to travel for free.

The new Stagecoach Express coach service, with a route from Canterbury to North Greenwich via Medway, is the ideal way to start the day hassle-free.

The drop-off point for the coach is adjacent to The O2, one of London’s leading entertainment centres, and home to immersive VR experiences, restaurants, bars and a trampoline park.

Historic Greenwich is nearby, where you can visit the Emirates Line Cable Cars, or hop on a MBNA Thames Clipper to get to Central Greenwich and see the Cutty Sark or The Royal Observatory. There’s something for everyone and the rest of the city just a short tube ride away.

Joel Mitchell, Managing Director at Stagecoach South East, said: “We’re really pleased to be able to offer the Kid for a Quid option this summer – we know that travel fares add up and can turn a reasonably priced day out with the family into a financial nightmare.”

Onboard charging and free Wi-Fi make it possible to keep your gadgets fully charged, which is handy for entertaining on the journey, route planning and tourist information.

Barrie Kelly, CEO at Visit Greenwich, said: “The new Canterbury to North Greenwich route is fantastic news and a great boost for domestic tourism. Greenwich is an exciting visitor destination, home to The O2, the Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark. Canterbury and Greenwich have strong cultural and heritage links and Visit Greenwich is delighted to be working with Stagecoach Express to promote the new route and inspire people to enjoy the attractions and experiences in Greenwich and at Greenwich Peninsula. 

“The area is particularly popular with families and the Kid for a Quid offer makes for a very affordable day out.”

Up to two £1 tickets can be added per adult coach ticket. With pre-booked single tickets starting at £6 from Medway and £7.50 from Canterbury, the whole family can enjoy a purse-friendlier day in the capital.

Joel continued: “Pre-booking on the new coach service will mean guaranteed seats for all passengers. All our coaches have air conditioning, an on-board toilet, reclining leather seats and individual reading lights to offer more comfort while travelling.

“Booking in advance via the Megabus website is the cheapest option for most passengers, but you can also buy a ticket on board for those last-minute trips. Let the coach take the strain and give the whole family a rest – avoid the stress of driving and parking in central London and take an environmentally friendly approach to sightseeing this summer.”

The children’s add-on ticket is available anytime, any day and can be purchased on the coach with cash or contactless payment. Children must be accompanied by the adult ticket/pass holder at all times when travelling. The Kid for a Quid offer is valid from day one of the new service until 31 August 2019. 

The Stagecoach Express service runs daily from Sunday 21 July and the M2 route has pick-up points at Hempstead Valley, Chatham Bus Station and Chatham Maritime. 

Fare information and a full timetable is available at www.stagecoachbus.com/StagecoachExpressM2, where passengers will find a link to book tickets on the Megabus website. A £1 booking fee applies.

Check out all the photos from our AGM by clicking here. 

Photos taken by Oakley Photosport.

As a Nike Partner league, we are delighted to provide an exclusive offer for our League and League members.

For 72 hours our official retail partner @DiscountFK is having 35% off Nike Teamwear!

Perfect time to check them out: https://www.discountfootballkits.com/Nike-Football-Kits.

Interested in Becoming a fully qualified Personal trainer for FREE?

Tonbridge Angels football academy will be delivering a new course for 18 year olds (18 from the 1^st September 2019) to have an opportunity to gain a nationally recognised level 2 Fitness Instructor Award & YMCA Level 3 Personal Trainer qualification. 

There will only be 12 places available for the course & it will be based on prior educational achievements (An C or above in A level in PE or a minimum of a merit in BTEC Level 3 in Sport). Alongside the course you have the option to still be a scholar and train daily on our scholarship programme at Hugh Christie school and play for out academy teams on a Wednesday Afternoon.

The Course will be 1 day a week and be run at Tonbridge Angels Football Club. 

For more information sign up via the link below & email tafcacademy@outlook.com

https://form.jotformeu.com/80232498549364

The Kent Youth League is looking to appoint three new fixture secretaries for season 2019 -2020.

The role will be to be part of a team that looks after all fixtures including League and Cup games for all age groups across the League.

You will work under the guidance of Steve Rowedder our Senior Fixture Secretary who will provide the necessary training for the role.

You will also be given a place on the League Management Committee which means you will have a voice on what we believe to be one of the best Youth Leagues in the South East.

The League has three Committee meetings per season plus the AGM in June.

The role will be carried out remotely from home using your PC or laptop.

The League will provide a contribution to your internet and phone costs.

The League uses the FA Full Time programme to manage fixtures.

• Please can you provide a brief written statement if you are interested in the role by Tuesday 11th June 2019 and send to STEVE ROWEDDER

steve.ref@outlook.com

With a copy to the Chief Executive Ken Brooke

kb.mortgages@btconnect.com

We look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks to our friends at Stagecoach who are celebrating 25 years of operating in the South East, our U18s title winners Folkestone Invicta, were taken on a special ride to mark their success.

On Saturday 1 June, an open bus tour began at 12pm from The Fullicks Stadium before embarking around the local area offering players, coaches, parents and volunteers a truly unique and memorable experience.

Click here to check out all of the photos.

Following a recent seminar hosted by the Kent FA, we’d like to share and circulate further information regarding Sin Bins which will be coming into enforcement next season.

We hope the information will be useful to clubs, coaches, volunteers, players and parents.

Temporary Dismissals 2019 Powerpoint.Temporary Dismissals 2019 (1)

Kent FA Sin Bin Tables.Kent FA Sin Bin Table

Kings Hill FC in association with our training partners, Soccer Elite FA are looking to strengthen the current under 12’s squad to play under 13’s Kent Youth League in the 2019/20 season.

Maidstone United produced a stunning display to beat a strong Metrogas side at Priestfield Stadium in the U15s Challenge Cup final.

Find all the photos from the final here.

Highlights from the game will be available soon.

As expected, spectators at Sheppey United got to enjoy a great contest between Cray Wanderers and Welling United.

Find all the photos from the final here.

Highlights from the game can be viewed here.

Whilst the full match is here.

Adrian Swan

1-0 Henry (6), 1-1 Gievson (12), 2-1 Powell (45+1), 2-2 Gievson (50),

3-2 Powel (70) (pen).

On a bitterly cold day at Foxbury Avenue a depleted Glebe side shaded a close fought encounter with lowly Crockenhill, who looked a far better side than their league position would suggest.

This match was played on the rather compact outside pitch which was somewhat uneven but despite that both team’s tried to get the ball down and play attractive football.

The visitors had the first chance of the game on 4 minutes when Lawrence Pennington made a good forward run into the box before his shot was defected out for a corner.

Minutes later Glebe took the lead when Jonas Whitmore’s right wing cross was superbly volleyed home on the turn by Louis Henry giving Crockenhill keeper Nathan Snelgrove no chance as the ball flew low to his right into the bottom corner of the net.

On 10 minutes Glebe’s Oscar Powell made space well on the edge of the box before hitting a low shot that Snelgrove held moving to his left.

Crockenhill then drew level shortly afterwards when Harvey Westgarth’s corner from the left was met at the near post by a powerful towering header from Will Gievson that flashed home high to the right of home keeper Ted McDonald.

Glebe’s Toby Cogswell then drilled in a long range shot that Snelgrove saved diving low to his right before Crockenhill’s Phil Domaradzki did well to win the ball on the half way line and slide a deft pass through onto the run of Charlie Brett on the right side of the area but his shot from an acute angle flew narrowly wide across the face of goal.

Ben James then tried his luck from a direct free kick from the half way line that drifted just wide of the target before Glebe thought they had regained the lead on 27 minutes.

Opeyemi Abiru made a superb mazy run into the visitors box evading several challenges before his close range shot was blocked by Snelgrove with the loose ball falling to Powell whose follow up shot beat the Crockenhill keeper to his right but was cleared off the line by Louis Day.

A minute later Powell went close again when his right wing cross/shot clipped the bar before flying over.

On 33 minutes Glebe would have taken the lead but for a fine double save from Snelgrove.

Abiru made another strong run down the left before cutting across the face of the area where he hit a low shot that the Crockenhill keeper saved down to his right with the rebound falling out to Whitmore on the left edge of the area but his fierce follow up shot was blocked by the legs of Snelgrove for a corner.

Glebe finally regained the lead in stoppage time at the end of the first half when McDonald’s free kick from inside his own half picked out the run into the box of Powell on the left side of the area and his header back across goal beat a stretching Snelgrove high to his left.

The keeper getting a hand to the ball but could not prevent it going into the top corner of the net.

Crockenhill started the second half brightly and equalised on 50 minutes when Westgarth’s right wing corner was cleared out to Gievson on the edge of the box and he showed good control to bring the ball down before smashing a fierce drive home through the crowded box to the left of McDonald.

On 58 minutes another McDonald free kick from within his own half almost led to another Glebe goal as he launched the ball forward where Abiru’s back header found Powell on the right of the box and he hit a hooked volley that beat Snelgrove high to his right bit was cleared off the line by Domaradzki.

Minutes later Max Leeves was knocked down in an off the ball incident falling to ground holding his head before passing out. Play was immediately stopped and an ambulance called shortly thereafter. Whilst waiting the prone player was swaddled in blankets and coats to keep him warm and Referee Dave Evans did a terrific job laying down next to Max talking to him whilst he was down trying to ensure that he did not lose consciousness again and inviting members of the player’s family onto the field to do so as well.

The ambulance then arrived and checked over Max before moving him into the ambulance which drove off the pitch but parked up alongside so they could monitor his progress.

After a delay of some 30 minutes play resumed. Glebe then went close to restoring their lead on 65 minutes when Abiru’s free kick from the edge of the box was well saved by Snelgrove diving low to his left with Whitmore firing the rebound into the side netting from an acute angle.

Minutes later Crockenhill went close to scoring when Westgarth’s deep cross from the right found Pennington on the left of the area and his cushioned volley beat McDonald high to his left but crashed against the bar before rebounding out to Brett whose follow up shot from a tight angle flew into the side netting.

Glebe were then awarded a penalty when Nathan Agyapong was pushed over in the box by Tom Clerkin. Powell took the spot kick firing it home high to the right of Snelgrove.

Crockenhill then went close to levelling again on 76 minutes when a long ball forward saw McDonald race out of his box to head clear under pressure from Pennington, his header sending the ball to Brett whose first time volley from some 30 yards flew just wide of the goal.

Then into the final 10 minutes the visitors thought they had pulled level when Westgarth’s through ball found the forward run of Brett who raced into the box before neatly slotting home to the right of McDonald but he had started his run a fraction too early and was flagged offside.

There were no further chances in this eventful contest with the victory keeping Glebe’s hopes of finishing second alive.

Ebbsfleet United’s youth sides have trials in all age groups from U10s to U16s in May with a view to recruiting for the 2019/20 season.

EUFC Youth, which is an FA Charter Standard club, has won numerous trophies in all age brackets in recent seasons and is seeking talented youngsters to maintain our standards and success.

All trials will take place at Elite Venue, Dunkirk Close, Gravesend, Kent DA12 5ND across three days in May 2019.

A second trial will be held on 1st June for all age groups which will be an invitation-only event featuring players successful from the first trials.

To attend trials, parents/guardians must complete our application form online which can be found here.

TRIAL DATES
4th May 2019
U13s – 10am-12pm

18th May 2019
U12s and U14s – 10am-12pm
U16s – 12.30-2.30pm

25th May 2019
U10s, U11s and U15s – 10am-12pm

Adrian Swan

Cray Valley (PM) Youth 3 v 1 Bearsted Youth

0-1 Heasman (8), 1-1 Nwafor (23), 2-1 Okechukwu (35),

3-1 Okechukwu (91).

This was an entertaining close fought contest with Cray Valley (PM) taking the points against opponents Bearsted.

After an even start on a cold misty day at Middle Park Avenue, it was the visitors who took the lead on 8 minutes when Bradley Allen’s pass down the right wing resulted in a foot race between Bearsted’s Sonny Adshead and Cray Valley’s Max King.

King got to the ball first on the edge of his box just before Adshead and tried to play the ball back to his keeper Tommy Kemp but he left his pass short enabling Adshead to nip in front of him and whip over a low cross that a stretching Connor Heasman touched home at the back post from close range.

The hosts then went close to equalising on 13 minutes when Harry Kemp’s dipping free kick from wide left was caught by Bearsted keeper William Warner diving across to his left but as he landed the ball squirmed out of his hands resulting in a melee in the crowded box with the loose ball finally bouncing up to Eddie Nwafor whose header clipped the bar and flew over.

Cray Valley though did draw level on 23 minutes when the impressive Ethan Okechukwu’s deft pass put Nwafor through on goal on the left side of the area and he raced into the box outpacing his marker before slotting home low to the left of Warner.

Minutes later Cray Valley almost went ahead when Jack Green’s lofted pass was well won by Okechukwu on the edge of the box but his first time lobbed shot under pressure flew just over.

On 28 minutes Cray Valley thought that they had taken the lead when Harry Kemp’s corner from the right saw Warner try to gather at the near post but collide with several players before landing awkwardly.

In the meantime the ball rebounded out to Mohamed Dean who swept the ball home into the empty net but the goal was ruled out as the Referee had already blown for the injury to the keeper.

After a few minutes treatment he was able to continue. On 35 minutes though Cray Valley did take the lead when Oladipo Ogumeakan’s raking crossfield pass found the run down the left of Luca Phillips who got to the bye line before sending over a cross that was met at the near post by a towering header from Okechukwu who got to the ball before Warner to guide it into the net.

It was then nearly three on 42 minutes when Fraser Daniels played the ball back to Warner who took a heavy touch in trying to control it and lost it to Harry Kemp.

His close range shot was then blocked by Warner who also then managed to save his second follow up shot but he was then beaten by his third effort but John Turner saved his keeper’s blushes by getting back and clearing the ball off the line to safety.

The last action of the first half saw Phillips make space well on the left edge of the box before hitting a fierce shot that flew just wide.

It was the visitors who had the first chance of the second half on 50 minutes when Adshead made a  good run down the right before sending over a low cross that Lewis Foreman fired over on the turn.

Minutes later it was the hosts who nearly increased their lead when Ogumeakan’s pass put Okechukwu in on goal and he again showed good strength to hold off his marker before hitting a low shot that was well saved by Warner diving low to his right.

Okechukwu then turned provider when picking the ball up on the half way line he raced forward to the edge of the box before laying the ball off to Nwafor who hit a powerful shot that was superbly saved by Warner diving high to his left turning the ball out for a corner.

The hosts were having a particularly good spell and went close again on 59 minutes when Nwafor’s deep right wing cross found Josiah Jones racing in at the far post but stretching he could only direct his header wide.

On 70 minutes Bearsted’s Jordan Ababio glanced a near post header wide from a Turner left wing cross before Cray’s Okechukwu made another strong run into the box only to be thwarted by another good save from Warner who diving to his left turned his drilled shot out for a corner.

On 78 minutes the personal battle was on again as Okechukwu made space well some 30 yards from goal before hitting a fierce dipping shot that Warner did well to catch moving high to his right.

Into the last ten minutes of the game it was almost constant Bearsted pressure as they went in search of an equaliser.

Ababio fire just wide from a tight angle on the right before the visitors won a series of corners.

These were whipped in from the right by Turner swinging into the goal, the first of which on 85 minutes was met at the near post by a towering header from Joshua Ladlow that flashed narrowly wide across the face of goal.

On 88 minutes following another good corner delivery from Turner that was headed clear by Liam Faribido, the ball fell to Daniels whose close range header brought out a fine reaction save from Tommy Kemp quickly getting his hands up to push the ball over for another corner.

Into stoppage time and with Bearsted pressing for an equaliser they got caught on the break as Ogumeakan fed the ball up to Okechukwu on the half way line and he raced through into the box before calmly slotting home low to the right of Warner.

Welling United won a brilliant contest against Cray Wanderers at Sheppey United in the U16s Challenge Cup final, winning the game 2-0.

Find all the photos from the final here.

Highlights from the game will be available soon.

Due to the outstanding success of our February half term trials, Welling United FC Academy are delighted to announce our second phase of trials.

U7 & U8 play 5 a-side with no results recorded.  All these players will receive a medal.  ​

U9 to U14 play 6 a-side leading to semi-finals and Cup Finals with Shield Finals for the losing semi-finalists. Cup/shield awarded to the winning teams and individual awards for the Cup Winners and Runners Up. ​

Academy sides from U9 upwards will be required to play up a year. ​

Schedule:​

• Saturday 11th May   
  AM: U7 and U9​
• PM: U10 and U13​
• Sunday 12th May  
• AM: U8 and U11​
• PM U12 and U14​

We are again using GoTournamental so during the Fiesta you will be able to view your team’s progress with live scores and tables accessible via phones and tablets.

The cost of entry per team is £40 and the closing date for entries is 20th April 2019.

Full details and rules at www.crowboroughathletic.com/information

BBQ, Refreshments and Licensed Bar

Please email cafcfiesta@outlook.com if you would like to enter and I will send you a private link to GoTournamental where you can then enter your teams online without the need to fill out and return forms in the post.

We have successfully run a Fiesta for the last 20 years and are fortunate to often be oversubscribed in many if not all age groups, therefore please do apply early to avoid disappointment.

Please click to download an APPLICATION FORM 2019 – 2020 and make note of the following:

• We can accept applications for consideration from Community Clubs at Under 13 age group only. 
• For Under 14 – Under 18 teams the senior club at adult level must be playing at Step 7 or above of the National Pyramid – for Kent that is Premier League of the County League.
• Details are on the application form of fees that need to be paid – but will be refunded in full if the application is not accepted.
• All applications to be completed in full and returned please to office@kentyouthleague.co.uk

A triumphant evening for Thamesmead Town who took on Sheppey United at Glebe FC for the U14s Reader & Phillips Challenge Cup final.

Find all the photos from the final here.

Highlights from the game can be viewed here.

It was a fantastic contest between Welling United and Ebbsfleet United at The Gallagher Stadium for the U13s Gates Railings SouthEast Challenge Cup final.

Find all the photos from the final here.

Whilst the highlights can be found here.

The full match here.

It is always a real please to see talent from the Kent Youth League progress and flourish with opportunities at First Team Level.

Down at Stonebridge Road, five Fleet academy youngsters have been secured First Team contracts.

Zach Dainkeh, Zine-Eddine Gaoua, Daniel Rowe, James Magri and Mathew Achuba have all signed on the dotted line at the Kuflink Stadium.

The news builds upon recent success across the club’s Youth structure, most recently with the U13s lifting the Kent Youth League Cup.

You can check out photos and highlights from that game by clicking here. 

Please click here to learn more about joining the Ebbsfleet Academy.

Adrian Swan

0-1 Edorh (51), 0-2 Forster (65), 0-3 Edorh (77).

This was a close fought encounter with Premier North leaders Tunbridge Wells finally overcoming hosts Glebe after a strong second half display in the Semi Final of the KitToFit Challenge Cup.

Tunbridge Wells had an early chance on 3 minutes when their centre half Rory Benham launched a free kick from the half way line into the Glebe box where Zak Bystrup’s close range volley flew straight at home keeper Ted McDonald.

Glebe then went close on 12 minutes when Oscar Powell’s right wing cross found Louis Henry rising highest at the far post but his header flashed wide of the target before they had another opening when a deep Jonas Whitmore corner from the right picked out the run of Tom Anstee to the far post but his stooping header flew wide.

Glebe were certainly having the better of things early on but could not make the vital breakthrough.

On 24 minutes Henry pulled the ball back from the right to Opeyemi Abiru who made space well on the edge of the box before firing narrowly wide.

Zak Emmings then made a strong forward run from the half way line before unleashing a powerful 25 yard shot that forced Wells keeper Timothy Walters into a good full length diving save low to his right to turn the ball out for a corner.

Minutes later it looked as if Glebe would break the deadlock when Abiru’s left wing cross found Jack Porter at the far post and although his looping header back across goal flew over Walters who was covering his near post it was headed clear off the line by Benham covering their right hand post.

After this scare the visitors seemed to raise their game and went close to taking the lead on the half hour when Anstee’s pass found Caleb Edorh some 25 yards from goal and he took a touch before hitting a rasping drive that the well positioned home keeper McDonald caught moving to his right.

Then shortly afterwards Harry Forster hit a long range effort just over before Wells had another good opportunity when Josh Pepper’s ball over the Glebe back line saw the powerful Edorh win the ball off Sam Coston before racing through on goal but McDonald was quickly off his line to make a good close range block.

Edorh then made space well on the edge of the box before firing a low shot just wide and then just before half time Forster hit a long range shot that forced McDonald into a good diving save low to his right. With Wells having the better of the latter part of the first half it was the home side that had a great chance to go ahead in stoppage time.

Whitmore’s right wing corner was headed clear but only as far as Powell whose first time volley deflected off  a Wells defender in the crowded box sending the ball flying across to the far post where a stretching Porter could only turn it wide from close range.

The visitors started the second half strongly and early on Jamie Smith’s through ball put the dangerous Edorh in on goal down the right but his fierce shot was saved by McDonald at his near post.

However Edorh was not to be denied and on 51 minutes he put them ahead. Smith did well to win the ball on the half way line and quickly find the forward run of Edorh racing into the left side of the area and he made space well before firing home low to the right of McDonald, the power of the shot beating him at his near post.

The goal from Edorh was even more impressive as all his other shots had been right footed but this one he smashed home with his left.

Glebe almost hit back immediately as Toby Cogswell made a good run into the Wells box before hitting a rising drive that Walters held moving to his left.

Then a quick throw from Wells full back Smith released Edorh down the right and his whipped in cross was turned narrowly wide by Forster at the far post.

However on 65 minutes the visitors doubled their lead with a fine solo goal from Forster who made a mazy run across the Glebe box from left to right before hitting a low drive from the edge of the box that flew home low to the right of McDonald.

Minutes later Forster made another good forward run before hitting a low shot that flew just wide but in doing so he was injured and had to be helped off the field.

Wells made it three on 77 minutes when Ewen Jeffrey’s pass put Tei Johnson in on goal and although McDonald made a good close range block, the loose ball fell back to Johnson who crossed for Edorh to slot home low to the right of McDonald from close range.

Adrian Swan

Bridon Ropes Youth 1 v 1 Whyteleafe Youth

0-1 Adewole (7) (og), 1-1 Giovagnoli (18).

On a very blustery day Bridon Ropes gave one of the title favourites Whyteleafe a scare as they went close to taking all the points in this tight encounter.

They might  have done so but for a fine performance from visiting keeper Sam Long who made several good saves in the second half to keep his side in the contest.

Despite the difficult conditions both sides tried to keep the ball down and play good passing football.

Whyteleafe kicked off with the strong wing behind them and started the game brightly probing for openings against the well organised Bridon defence.

They took the lead after 7 minutes with goal that was certainly influenced by the elements as Ryan Penton’s inswinging right wing corner caught on the strong wind and deceived home keeper Jack Wilson, who missed his punch as the ball flew over him flicking off the top of the head of home defender Caleb Adewole and into the net for an own goal.

However after this early setback the home side found some rhythm and started to create chances.

On 16 minutes Patrick Giovagnoli’s throughball put Nathan Reid in on goal but his shot from the edge of the box flew straight at Long.

Minutes later though the home side pulled level when tireless William Powell had his shot deflect off a Leafe defender sending the ball flying through to Giovagnoli whose volleyed shot on the turn beat Long low to his left.

The visitors then went close to restoring their lead when Kajubi Kalanzi made a powerful run down the left before cutting into box but his close range shot was well blocked by the legs of Wilson for a corner.

The strong wind then nearly gifted the visitors a goal as Reid’s attempted clearance caught on the wind and blew back to Jack Marney whose 25 yard curling shot flew narrowly over.

On the half hour mark Bridon missed a glorious chance to take the lead when the impressive Giovagnoli got free down the right and raced to the bye line before pulling the ball back to the on rushing Powell who first time shot flew over when well placed.

The visitors dominated possession for the remainder of the half playing the ball around neatly but could not make any inroads as the Bridon defence stood firm.

With the wind behind them it was Bridon who started the second half on the offensive with their strong running midfielder John Adebiyi firing a long range free kick just over before minutes later he did well to win the ball on the edge of the Leafe area and hit a fierce shot that Long saved diving high to his left for a corner.

It was then the turn of Jack Kirby to try his luck from a free kick just outside the box hitting a dipping effort that flew over the visitors defensive wall but was held by Long moving to his right.

Adebyi then had a shot from the edge of the box flash just wide before on 69 minutes the hosts had a great chance to take the lead. Nathan Medley’s crossfield pass sent Joshua Laggah-Adaakwa away down the left and he cut into the box before pulling the ball across to an unmarked Giovagnoli who had his close range shot blocked by Long who had moved quickly off his line to narrow the angle.

Shortly afterwards the lightening pace of Giovagnoli caught out the Leafe central defenders as he outpaced them as he surged through the middle of the defence and into the box but again Long was quickly off his line to make a fine close range save.

On 80 minutes the visitors had their best chance of the second half when Penton fire a long range effort narrowly wide.

On 85 minutes Bridon had another good opportunity to take the points when Medley’s left wing cross found an unmarked Giovagnoli at the far post but Long made another good close range block to thwart the Bridon forward.

The last chance of the game also fell to Bridon as Adebiyi’s ball over the Leafe back line was seized upon by Laggah-Adaakwa but again Long was quickly off his line to snuff out the danger making another good close range block to preserve a point for the visitors.

Adrian Swan

VCD Athletic Youth 0 v 5 Bridon Sports Youth

0-1 Adebiyi (17), 0-2 Giovagnoli (41), 0-3 Laggah-Adaakwa (57),

0-4 Laggah-Adaakwa (71), 0-5 Medley (73).

Third placed VCD Athletic entertained fourth placed Bridon Ropes on a very windy day at Oakwood.

The hosts, with the strong behind them, started the game brightly and had their first effort on goal when their dead ball specialist Liam Spellward hit a long range free kick from the half way line that bounced through to Bridon keeper Jack Wilson.

A neat passing move from the visitors on 7 minutes saw them go close to opening the scoring when the lively Patrick Giovagnoli sent over a left wing cross that the impressive Jack Kirby flicked goalwards, the ball falling to Che Quartey at the far post but his close range shot was well saved by home keeper Harrison Carnell-Davis diving low to his left.

Spellward then tried his luck from another free kick from some 25 yards that curled narrowly over before he had another long range shot that forced Wilson into a good diving save to his right to palm the ball away to safety.

Bridon then took the lead on 17 minutes when a cross into the box was only cleared out to the edge of the area where John Adebiyi hit a low first time shot that flew through the crowded goalmouth and beat Carnell-Davis to his right as the ball found the bottom corner of the net.

VCD then had a chance to equalise almost immediately as Ross Craig’s through ball put George Joyce in on goal but he hit his shot straight at Wilson.

Another excellent Spellward free kick then almost produced a goal for the hosts when he curled a 25 yard effort over the Bridon defensive wall only for Wilson to dive full length to his right and push the ball out to the left side of the box where it fell for Alfie Rhodes whose follow up shot from an acute angle flew into the side netting.

The visitors were then unlucky not to double their lead on 23 minutes when a great defensive splitting pass from William Powell put Giovagnoli through on goal and he raced into the box before hitting a low shot that saw the ball beat a diving Carnell-Davis to his left but rattle the post and fly out to safety.

Spellward then had another powerful long range shot deflect off a Bridon defender and almost wrong foot Wilson who managed to save diving low to his left for a corner.

Another swift counter attack saw Bridon go close to increasing their lead when Kirby played the ball up to Adam Cooke who in turn flicked the ball onto the run of Kirby into the box but he then shot straight at Carnell-Davis.

On the half hour mark VCD almost drew level when Craig made a good run down the right before cutting across the box and hitting a low shot that Wilson initially fumbled but managed to gather diving backwards before the ball crossed the goal line.

Joyce then tried his luck with a dipping long range shot that the busy Wilson saved diving to his left before the visitors made it two on 41 minutes when Giovagnoli showed great pace to burst through the centre of the VCD defence before slotting home low to the left of Carnell-Davis.

The final action of the first half saw VCD go close to reducing the arrears when a Stacey Petrou pass put Kameron Mendez in on goal on the left side of the area but his shot from a tight angle flew over.

It was Mendez who went close again early in the second half when his shot from wide left flashed narrowly wide across the face of goal with Petrou stretching at the far post unable to get a touch.

Bridon then went close to making it three when a neat interchange between half time substitute Joshua Laggah-Adaakwa and Giovagnoli saw the latter’s pass put Laggah-Adaakwa in on goal but his fierce drive was well saved by the home keeper diving low to his right.

However on 57 minutes it was three when Giovagnoli’s right wing cross found Laggah-Adaakwa in the box and he rifled the ball home high to the right of Carnell-Davis.

It was nearly four just after the hour mark when Adebiyi’s long range shot was acrobatically saved by Carnell-Davis diving high to his left tipping the ball onto the bar and out to safety before Nathan Medley curled a shot just over.

Joyce’s through pass then put Mendez in on goal but his close range shot was well blocked by Wilson.

Then VCD almost played themselves into trouble when Rhodes lost the ball to Giovagnoli on the edge of their area and his pass found Laggah-Adaakwa in the box but as he was about to shoot Umar Adeyoola made a great last ditch tackle but his sliced clearance caught on the wind and flew back towards goal where Carnell-Davis made a flying save high to his left to tip the ball over for a corner.

Bridon then nearly gifted VCD a goal on 69 minutes when Wilson’s throw out was intercepted by Petrou but his shot from the edge of the box flew wide. Minutes later it was four when a Rhodes clearance was blocked by Kirby sending the ball flying back through to Laggah-Adaakwa who fired home low to the right of Carnell-Davis.

Worse was to follow for the home side on 73 minutes when Kirby made a strong forward run through on goal before unselfishly laying the ball off to an unmarked Medley who smashed the ball home low to the right of Carnell-Davis.

After this with the wind getting even stronger neither side could fashion any further chances.