REGAN LASHENKO SIGNS
Bristol Manor Farm AFC is thrilled to announce the signing of U18 forward Regan Lashenko.
Bristol Manor Farm AFC is thrilled to announce the signing of U18 forward Regan Lashenko.
A masterful performance from dynamo magician, Drew Thomas, helped propel his team into the latter stages of the Roger Stone Memorial Cup earlier this week writes Aaron Brennan.*
It was a cold evening at The Creek, but this didn’t stop the Young Farmers from putting on a show, despite having to be patient and well-organised in the opening third of the game.
In the first 25 minutes, Chard Town pressed high up the field, in attempt to create attacking opportunities. Their forwards looked to drive with the ball, with the midfield providing a supporting role. As they have done so often this season, though, Bristol Manor Farm Captain, Stenner, and centre backs Courtier and Pickering, defended diligently and simply refused to allow Chard Town through. They were well supported by Williams, who linked up impeccably with Jenkins out wide and also looked to transition the ball into midfield to push his side onto the front foot.
Having remained composed under early pressure, as time moved on, the Young Farmers started to dictate the terms of the game. In the 31st minute, Pollinger, who is in the form of his career, did well to cut out a Chard Town through ball and subsequently played in talisman, Jenkins, who fired at goal. To the Chard Town goalkeeper’s credit, he made an excellent save, but couldn’t keep out Jenkins for a second time, as he smashed the ball into the roof of the net. 1-0 Manor Farm.
In the 41st minute, McCarthy made an overlapping run and Turner did exceptionally well to find him, curling the ball into McCarthy’s path with a well-weighted pass. McCarthy was ruthless, squaring the ball immediately to Jenkins, as he clinched his second of the game. 2-0.
In the 45th minute, Thomas lit up the pitch, when he evaded his marker to play a one-two with the dangerous Mead, before playing a reverse pass to find Jenkins, who showed his class with a magnificent strike from 25 yards to leave the Chard Town goalkeeper with absolutely no chance. 3-0.
There was no let up from the Young Farmers and in the 58th minute, Turner and Cummings did incredibly well to win back the ball, making two strong challenges in succession to hold off the Chard Town counter. Having recovered shape, Cummings then showed great poise to send the Chard Town midfielder the wrong way, before releasing the ball to the versatile Jenkins, who scored his first goal of the game when he fired the ball across outstretched visiting goalkeeper.
As the game progressed, devastating forward, Mead, moved into top gear as he scored two goals in three minutes. The Chard Town back line simply had no answer to his pace and and close ball control. His first goal came as he outmanoeuvred the Chard Town full back, before cutting inside and slotting the ball past the Chard Town goalkeeper.
Mead’s second goal was spectacular. Thomas, who was dictating the pace of the game in midfield saw Mead curve his run and so floated the ball into his path. On-side, and having beaten the Chard Town centre back for pace, Mead half-volleyed the ball into the top corner. 5-0.
Another two goals followed quickly, with Jenkins securing his third and fourth, as the Young Farmers extended the lead further. Ponsillo needed just eight minutes to bag a brace, have entered the game late from the bench, helping to secure an emphatic victory for the Home side.
Bristol Manor Farm U18 produced one of their greatest performances in recent memory this week, as they blew away a game Clevedon Town U18 side in emphatic fashion to move top of the league, writes Aaron Brennan.
Having fallen to their first league defeat at the hands of Clevedon Town at The Creek last week, the Young Farmers were keen to strike back and from the opening whistle, there was a very different feel about this Manor Farm side. Hungry. Focused. Motivated.
The Young Farmers came storming out of the blocks and produced a devastating early spell of relentless attacking football to push Clevedon Town onto the back foot. In the 1st minute of the game, Lucas played in Jenkins, who’s strike forced a fine stop from the Clevedon Town goalkeeper. From the resulting corner, Turner evaded his marker and attempted a flick towards goal, but again, this was well saved. In the 3rd minute, the Young Farmers were awarded another corner when Lucas’ shot was well blocked. This time, from the in-swinging delivery, the Clevedon Town goalkeeper could only parry and Manor Farm made no mistake, when Ponsillo was quickest to react, firing the ball into the roof of the net to give his team the lead. 1-0 Manor Farm.
In the 24th minute, having weathered sustained pressure from Manor Farm, Clevedon Town had their opening chance of the game, when the oncoming full back whipped the ball into the box and when Allen’s 10-yard punch clearance fell to the Clevedon forward, he struck without hesitation and must have thought he had scored, but for Captain, Stenner, who made the crucial block to deny the hosts levelling. Following this opportunity, Turner led the Manor Farm counter and opted to strike, forcing another solid stop from the Home side’s goalkeeper.
For the next few minutes, the Clevedon Town midfield appeared to develop a foothold in the game, switching play and recycling the ball when necessary. On three separate occasions, the advancing Clevedon midfielder attempted to play in his team mate, seeking to exploit small pockets of space in between the Manor Farm centre back and full back. However, Jenkins and McCarthy were more than equal to this and did an outstanding job of staying tight to the opposition runners, neutralising the threat.
In the 30th minute, heavy pressure from the Young Farmers earned them a free kick, approximately 30 yards from the Clevedon Town goal. Jenkins delivered a deadly curling ball which Courtier got his foot on the end of, placing it beyond the Clevedon Town goalkeeper to double his team’s lead. The Young Farmers pumped up. Soper and Ponsillo rocking. That was big big goal, and as he has done so often in his young career, once again, Courtier delivered. 2-0.
Lucas was proving hugely influential for the Young Farmers. Out of possession, he was working incredibly hard to limit the time and space the opposition had on the ball and in possession, he was transitioning the ball quickly and effectively into his forward team mates. In the 34th minute, following a rebound from Turner’s free kick, Lucas opted to strike and with the ball rising, the Clevedon Town goalkeeper did exceptionally well to save.
For the next 10 minutes of the match, Jenkins and Ponsillo were on fire. They linked together exceptionally, reaping havoc in the final third, as they took the Clevedon back line into the deepest of waters. Phase after phase, the pair continually punched holes in the Clevedon Town defence and despite a Herculean effort from the home side to hold the pair off, they simply couldn’t withstand the pressure being applied and in the 45th minute, the Clevedon Town resistance was broken when Pollinger, who had been as dogged as ever, released the ball to the irrepressible Ponsillo, who weaved his way in between both Clevedon Town centre backs, before being brought down in the box. Penalty Manor Farm. Ponsillo made no mistake, hammering the ball into the top corner. The goalkeeper didn’t move. The Young Farmers rose as one. 3-0 Manor Farm at the break.
The beginning of the second half was much like the first. The Young Farmers moving the ball with a high tempo and committing to each phase of play intensely. The ever-dependable Tierney was very much in the mood and combined play along the flanks with some clever link play with his team mates in midfield to create overloads going forwards. He also did an excellent job of providing cover defensively when required. In the 51st minute, Manor Farm extended the lead further when a corner was turned home at the near post by Captain, Stenner. 4-0.
Just four minutes later, Andrews, who had been magnificent defensively and electric when moving the ball forwards too, used his pace to devastating effect, as he glided past the Clevedon Town full back, before squaring to Ponsillo. Ponsillo’s shot rattled the post, with Jenkins the quickest to react, as he headed home to increase his team’s lead further. 5-0.
For the next 20 minutes, Clevedon Town increased in numbers behind the ball and with the Young Farmers now seeking to break through a 9-man wall, it was going to take a little bit of magic to unlock the door. Right on cue, enter flamboyant baller, Thomas, who in the 68th minute, picked up the ball centrally and sent the Clevedon Town midfielder the wrong way with a dummy, before finding Mead through the narrowest of gaps between Clevedon Town full back and centre back. With Thomas’ pass completely outmanoeuvring the Clevedon Town players in front of him, Mead drove into space and crossed the ball to the unmarked Andrews, who tapped in to make it 6-0 and round off an absolutely sensational performance from the Young Farmers.
Manager, Soper, commented, “The boys were outstanding in all areas tonight. They were absolutely devastating going forwards and they also performed their defensive duties incredibly well too. Giulio and I believe the lads have got every chance of having a hugely successful season if they continue to work hard both in and out of possession and take the chances they create in matches. They’re a top, top squad to work with and we will both continue to support them as best we can and are also looking forwards to working with the players who will be stepping into the age group in the seasons to come too.”
The Young Farmers secured another three points on the road on Tuesday evening, as they cruised past Winscombe U18 to make it four league wins in a row, writes Warwick Carlisle.
Following their victory against Weston-super-Mare U18 last week, the Young Farmers made the trip to the Recreation Ground determined to keep up the momentum.
The Young Farmers were rewarded for their efforts in the 5th minute, when Cummings played a stunning one-two with Andrews to flummox the Winscombe centre backs and having beat the offside trap, hammered the ball past the Winscombe goalkeeper to give his side an early lead. 1-0 Manor Farm.
Winscombe responded strongly, though, pushing their full backs high, in attempt to create overloads in the attacking third. Fortunately, Stenner, Widger, and Williams, showed discipline and diligence in their play to thwart the Winscombe front line. Pollinger, who has been in sensational form lately, was also key during this period.
In the 19th minute, the Winscombe forward did well to control the long ball and produced a great piece of individual skill to outmanoeuvre Widger. With only Allen to beat, the Winscombe faithful made themselves heard, confident their forward was going to level the game, but Allen had other ideas, as he made an absolutely magnificent save at close range to deny the hosts their first goal of the evening.
From the resulting corner, Allen collected safely and then found McCarthy out-wide, who beat the Winscombe full back for pace, before squaring to Andrews. Andrews’ shot was well blocked, but as ever, his work rate and determination was unrivalled, and so it came as no surprise when he refused to give up on the loose ball, robbing it from the Winscombe midfielder and driving it goal-wards, forcing a fine stop from the Winscombe goalkeeper.
For the next 20 minutes, dynamite Number 10, Thomas, was unstoppable and produced a scintillating display of skill which left the Winscombe midfield watching poetry in motion.
In the 28th minute, showing his pedigree, Thomas played a one-two with two different team mates, before gliding past the deepest Winscombe midfielder and opting to play in Cummings, who forced another great stop from the host’s goalkeeper.
In the 35th minute, the ever-reliable Pollinger excellently intercepted the Winscombe winger’s intended pass and found Thomas, who purposely drew the Winscombe central midfielder out-wide to create space for Turner, who fired a rocket at goal, which rattled the woodwork.
The Young Farmers continued to knock on the door and in the 38th minute, Turner, who had showed superb poise and composure in the first half, saw Butler’s run along the channel and timed the pass to him brilliantly. From here, Butler found Cummings, who evaded his marker and drilled the ball home to extend his team’s lead. 2-0.
The Young Farmers made a promising start to the second half too and in the 47th minute, Turner turned the screw, when he found the gap between the Winscombe centre back and full back to play in Cummings, who was shoved in the box. Penalty Manor Farm. Thomas stepped up and made no mistake, smashing the ball past the host’s goalkeeper. 3-0.
As the game moved past the hour mark, Andrews started to exploit more space to devastating effect and in the 68th minute, unselfishly squared to Thomas on the edge of the box, who guided the ball home to score his second of the game. 4-0.
In the 74th minute, White cleverly anticipated the Winscombe midfielder’s intended target, winning back possession to begin a great move with the influential Selwood, who sent the Winscombe centre back the wrong way, before absolutely drilling the ball into the top corner. It was a slam dunk. A gorilla dunk.
Another brilliant performance from the Young Farmers, who continue to build momentum.
STAR MAN: Alfie Cummings
The Young Farmers turned in arguably their best performance of the season earlier this week, as they demolished Weston-super-Mare U18 to make it three league wins on the bounce, writes Richard Lloyd
Following their victory against Street U18 last week, the Young Farmers returned to The Creek in-form, with an explosive front line very much in the mood.
They had to withstand early pressure from the visitors though, as Weston-super-Mare threw players forward, in attempt to breach the Young Farmers’ defensive line.
In the second minute, Weston-super-Mare secured a free-kick on the edge of the Manor Farm box. Struck with venom and moving in the air, Allen saved superbly to deny the Weston-super-Mare skipper from opening the scoring.
In the fifth minute, Courtier, who has been in magnificent form lately, read the Weston-super-Mare through ball and released to Butler in midfield to counter. Butler transitioned quickly, slotting through to Jenkins, who, from 15 yards out made no mistake. One touch. Bang. 1-0 Manor Farm.
In the 30th minute, following some clever build up play, the Weston-super-Mare midfielder played an excellent one-two with his full-back, before squaring to the arriving winger, who thumped the ball towards Allen’s far post, only for Courtier to make an unbelievable block to deny the visitors from levelling the game.
From the resulting block, the Young Farmers moved the ball forwards with frightening pace, testing the Weston-super-Mare goalkeeper twice, before earning themselves a corner. From the set play, Manor Farm doubled their lead, as a vicious, in-swinging cross was met by centre back Jenkins, who headed home. 2-0.
For the remainder of the half, the Young Farmers blew away the visitors in what must have been on a par with some of the most devastating attacking football seen at The Creek. The Weston-super-Mare box was under siege repeatedly, as their defensive line was completely dismantled.
In the 34th minute, Andrews beat two Weston-super-Mare players and fired low to force another Manor Farm corner. From the resulting corner kick, Tierney wrong-footed the Weston-super-Mare fullback and opted to switch play to the advancing McCarthy, who riffled the ball at goal, rattling the woodwork.
In the 36th minute, Cummings produced a fantastic piece of individual skill on the edge of the Weston-super-Mare box to evade the midfielder, before forcing another fine stop from the visiting goalkeeper.
The Young Farmers turned the screw in the 38th minute, when Pollinger found Jenkins out-wide. Seeing the Weston-super-Mare goalkeeper was off of his line, Jenkins chipped the ball over his head in what was the finish of the night so far. 3-0.
In the 43rd minute, McCarthy beat the Weston-super-Mare fullback for pace, but was brought down a few yards from the touchline and a free-kick was awarded. Cummings found centre back, Jenkins, at the back post, who headed home for the second time in the game to increase his team’s lead. 4-0.
In the 64th minute, Weston-super-Mare rolled the dice, pushing their fullbacks high in an attempt to overload the Manor Farm defensive third. Once again, however, Allen and Courtier were equal to this, and having dealt with the danger, played the ball to Tierney. Tierney, imperious as ever, was absolutely lethal on the counter attack and slotted through to Andrews, who cleverly lost his man. One-on-one, Andrews sent the remaining Weston-super-Mare centre back the wrong way, before calmly placing the ball past the Weston-super-Mare goalkeeper. 5-0.
The introduction of Selwood and Mead proved electric. Mead started taking players on at will, linking up with his team mates and was proving a real handful. Selwood, bolstered by his recent form, oozed confidence in possession and transitioned the ball into the attacking third incredibly well.
In the 68th minute, Mead carried the ball out wide, before delivering into the box to find Jenkins, who volleyed the ball into the top corner to complete a superb hat-trick. 6-0.
In the 75th minute, debutant, Lewis, started a move with McCarthy which resulted in him being given the ball back on the edge of the visitors’ box. With Weston-super-Mare players failing to press, Lewis opted to strike towards goal, forcing a brilliant save from the visiting goalkeeper.
In the 88th minute, centre back, Jenkins, also secured his third goal of the game, when he was the first player to react to a partial Weston-super-Mare clearance, thumping the ball high above the goalkeeper to round off a stunning performance from the Young Farmers.
STAR MAN: Alfie Andrews
The Young Farmers continued their brilliant start to the new league season, as they vanquished Street U18 to secure maximum points at The Tannery Ground, writes Richard Lloyd.
The Young Farmers started the new league season in fine form, as they cruised past Odd Down U18 to secure all three points at The Creek, writes Richard Lloyd.
Following their FA Youth Cup exit last week, the Young Farmers were keen to make an impression in their opening league game and it was evident from the opening exchanges, they were going to take the game to the opposition.
In the 16th minute, following some clever wide play, the Odd Down forward attempted to strike from range, but this was well blocked by the returning Allen. From the resulting loose ball, Pollinger played in Jenkins, who glided past the the Odd Down full back and curled the ball into the top corner. 1-0 Manor Farm.
For the next 20 minutes, the Odd Down players did an excellent job of congesting the midfield and attempted to breach the Manor Farm defensive line with the long ball, but Courtier and Captain, Stenner, were diligent and consistently neutralised the threat.
With around 10 minutes to play before half-time, Ponsillo moved into top gear and linked up with the proficient Cummings to play some exceptional football and the Odd Down defence had to work overtime to stop him from scoring.
At the beginning of the second half, Odd Down earned themselves a free kick around 30 yards from goal. The Odd Down midfielder opted to square the ball to his team mate, who produced a wonder strike from range to level the game. 1-1.
The Young Farmers responded immediately, lifting the tempo of their play to completely outmanoeuvre the opposition. In the 52nd minute, devastating Number 10, Thomas, sailed past the first Odd Down centre back and sent the second the wrong way, before drilling the ball home to restore the lead. 2-1 Manor Farm.
The Odd Down penalty box was now under siege, with Tierney and McCarthy peppering the flanks and Thomas very much in the mood, as the Young Farmers searched to add another.
In the 56th minute, a move started by McCarthy was completed when Ponsillo squared to Jenkins to increase the lead. 3-1.
Odd Down threw players forward almost straight away, in attempt to get back into the game, but Turner did an excellent job of regulating play and transitioned the ball into the attacking third with pace.
In the 70th minute, Odd Down cleared the danger, only to lose possession to Selwood, who’s perseverance would be rewarded, when he drove the ball into space and hammered the ball past the Odd Down goalkeeper. 4-1.
A flurry of opportunities followed, but Odd Down resisted well and continued to play some good football. However, in the 80th minute, an attempt to switch play was intercepted by Jenkins, who beat his opposite number for pace and fired home to complete his hat-trick.
Mangotsfield United withstand Manor Farm fightback in stunning contest
On Monday evening, the U18’s travelled to Cossham Street to take on David Hockaday’s Mangotsfield United in what proved to be an extraordinary tie.
Keen to dictate the pace of the game, Hockaday’s side quickly looked to establish themselves on the front foot, with a well drilled Manor Farm seeking to counter.
In the 17th minute, a well-timed overlapping run from the Mangotsfield fullback breached the Manor Farm back line, but the resulting shot was well blocked by Captain, Stenner. Further pressure led to a flurry of corners for Mangotsfield, but to their credit, Manor Farm remained compact to neutralise the threat.
In the 38th minute, having intercepted a rare loose ball played by the Mangotsfield midfield, dangerous Manor Farm Number 10, Thomas, drove past the oncoming runner, before ripping the ball through to the advancing Tierney, who tested the Mangotsfield goalkeeper.
On the stroke of half-time, a great move by Mangotsfield led to the ball being hurtled across the face of goal and into the path of the oncoming runner, who smashed the ball past goalkeeper, Russell. 1-0 Mangotsfield at the break.
The next 20 minutes to follow was breathtaking. In top gear and refusing to wilt, Manor Farm attacked Mangotsfield relentlessly. The game was now completely in the balance, as both teams moved the ball rapidly in transition.
In the 62nd minute, having linked well with Pollinger, Thomas played in Manor Farm Number 9, Jenkins, who was brought down in the box. Penalty Manor Farm. Jenkins buried the ball from the spot. 1-1.
In the 65th minute, and against the run of play, a mix up between centre back and goalkeeper resulted in a headed own goal. 2-1 Mangotsfield. Just seconds later, Tierney, who had been devastating during this period, played Jenkins in again, who forced an outstanding save from the Mangotsfield goalkeeper.
As Manor Farm pushed to get level, to their credit, Mangotsfield exploited the space and played some scintillating football to stretch the back line, scoring from a set play on 74 minutes.
The club could not have asked for more – the boys are a credit to the club.
On Monday evening, the U18’s travelled to South Marston to take on Swindon Supermarine in what turned out to be an absolute barnstormer of a contest.
The match was played at a frantic pace, with both teams looking to be positive from the offset. In the 12th minute, Manor Farm Goalkeeper, Allen, saved superbly to deny the Supermarine forwards’ bending strike. From the resulting corner, Captain, Stenner, was judged to have impeded the Supermarine players’ run and so the referee awarded a penalty. The Supermarine forward fired home. 1-0 Supermarine.
In response, the young farmers continued to play some excellent football, with Tierney and Ponsillo creating a flurry of opportunities, only to be denied by the Supermarine Goalkeeper on several occasions and the woodwork too.
In the 43rd minute, the Supermarine back line was breached when Turner’s reverse pass played in Ponsillo, who was brought down in the box, resulting in a second penalty of the game. Ponsillo made no mistake. 1-1. Game on.
Both teams continued to play with intent in the second half, seeking to use width to craft further opportunities. As the game passed the hour mark, the young farmers took control and began to pepper the Supermarine goal.
In the 71st minute, the pressure applied was rewarded when Jones’ superb delivery from out wide found Stenner, who headed home to put his team in front. 2-1 Manor Farm.
With the clock ticking, Supermarine threw the kitchen sink to get level and must have thought they had scored when their dangerous forward beat the offside trap and riffled the ball from 6 yards out, only to be denied by Manor Farm’s Allen, who made an extraordinary save to his right from close range.
It was a great evening for Junior Soper’s Bristol Manor Farm U18 side who defeated Chipping Sodbury U18’s 9-0 at Locklees.