8/5. After two long years spent building towards this final encounter, a depleted United side failed in their bid to be crowned County League champions this evening, as their Southwick counterparts retained the title they had won twelve months ago, after a fractious contest, hardly aided by some bemusing officiating, played at Ringmer Football Club. United were without the suspended defensive duo of Ben Radley and Jamie Andrews, and injured striker Liam Miles, with Milton Miltiadou and goalkeeper Paul Nessling forming a makeshift centre back partnership that was ultimately unable to cope with Southwick's incisive attacking play, especially after left back Calvin Foster had been harshly sent off for a second bookable offence shortly after half time.
Southwick made a bright start, and received the boost of an early goal, as United initially struggled to find their rhythm, but the contest had become far more even by the time a speculative long range effort sailed over the head of keeper Scott Thomson around the half hour mark to leave United with a mountain to climb at the interval.
Within moments of the restart though, United were awarded a dubious penalty for a handball offence seen only by the referee, but Matt Maclean placed the spot kick just the wrong side of the upright, and Calvin's dismissal for an innocuous looking challenge followed in Southwick's very next attack. Despite that double setback, United proceeded to reduce the deficit when Matt headed in from close range, and they briefly looked more than capable of grabbing an equaliser, only for two pieces of calamitous defending in rapid succession to suddenly gift Southwick a commanding advantage once again. Jack Franklin went desperately close to claiming a second goal for United, but was hugely unfortunate to see a twenty-five yard effort superbly tipped onto the underside of the crossbar by the Southwick keeper, after which the match ambled towards its inevitable conclusion, with Southwick sealing a handsome win by adding a soft fifth goal in the last couple of minutes.
Emotions were running high on both sides after the final whistle, and United's frustrations were sadly epitomised by Scott receiving a straight red card for offering the referee a pointlessly forthright opinion of his performance on the night. It was undoubtedly an unfortunate way for the class of 2008 to bring down the curtain on their United Youth careers, but the good times have far outweighed the bad for this crop of talented youngsters, several of whom should be pressing for regular places amongst the senior ranks before too long.
United line-up: 1 Scott Thomson, 2 Sam Hesmer, 3 Calvin Foster, 4 Milton Miltiadou, 5 Paul Nessling, 6 Jack Franklin, 7 Gregg Berry, 8 Matt Darby, 9 Martin Denny, 10 Matt Maclean, 11 Greg Palmer. Sub used: Ollie Cox.
___________________________________________________________________________
27/4. United will face Central Division runners-up Southwick in the final of the County League Play-Offs, after a stunning performance took them past a Hassocks side that had finished as champions of the same division, won the League Cup after eliminating United in the semi-finals, and won all fifteen of their home fixtures this season heading into today's contest. United were well on top throughout the first half, playing some delightful passing football and going close to an early goal when a lob from Sam Hesmer went just wide. The home keeper then made a good save to deny Martin Denny, and twice kept out headed attempts from Calvin Foster, before producing an outstanding stop from a beautifully struck Paul Nessling free kick. Matt Maclean and Ben Radley also went close, before the almost relentless pressure eventually told in the fortieth minute, when Sam and Matt set up Milton Miltiadou for an excellent finish from an acute angle. Barely two minutes later, Matt danced through the home defence and rolled a simple pass inside for Matt Darby to double United's lead, although Hassocks suddenly snatched a goal back completely against the run of play, when Milton deflected a shot past the helplessly wrongfooted Scott Thomson. The second half was a more even affair, with United finding chances harder to come by, Ben and Paul going closest with headers that just cleared the crossbar. The home side seldom troubled the United defence either though, at least not until the final few minutes, when Scott made a couple of excellent saves to keep the one goal lead intact, and to deservedly send United through to next month's final.
United line-up: 1 Scott Thomson, 2 Calvin Foster, 3 Jamie Andrews, 4 Ben Radley, 5 Paul Nessling, 6 Jack Franklin, 7 Sam Hesmer, 8 Matt Darby, 9 Martin Denny, 10 Matt Maclean, 11 Milton Miltiadou. Subs used: Gregg Berry, Greg Palmer.
___________________________________________________________________________
6/4. With the league title already won, United suffered a heavy defeat in their final regular season game away to last season's champions at Priory Lane. It was truly an afternoon to forget for a United side still beset by injury problems, with Ben Radley sent off for serious foul play, and Jamie Andrews for dissent, as Borough ran up four goals in the first half, and added two more after the interval, before the game was brought to a premature halt by a blizzard with around twenty minutes remaining. Given the fact that the outcome of the contest would have had no bearing on either side's final league placing, with Borough already having sealed third place, it seems unlikely that the County League will order a rematch, giving United a clear three weeks in which to prepare for a play-off semi-final visit to Hassocks, the scene of their League Cup semi-final exit at the beginning of March.
United line-up: 1 Scott Thomson, 2 Sam Hesmer, 3 Jamie Andrews, 4 Ben Radley, 5 Calvin Foster, 6 Jack Franklin, 7 Matt Maclean, 8 Matt Darby, 9 Martin Denny, 10 Milton Miltiadou, 11 Liam Miles. Subs used: Greg Palmer, Ollie Cox.
___________________________________________________________________________
9/3. United clinched the East Division title, and can now look ahead to the County Youth League play-offs, despite being held to a draw in their final home game at a rain sodden Pilot Field this morning. For the second match running, United were only able to name an eleven man squad, with Matt Darby and Ollie Cox replacing the injured Milton Miltiadou and the unavailable Paul Nessling, and there were clearly some heavy legs on display in an uncharacteristically lacklustre performance. United were on top throughout the first half, and looked particularly dangerous from set pieces, with Ben Radley twice going close with headers from Jack Franklin corners, and Matt denied by a superb save just before the interval. Sam Hesmer fired just over from long range, while Matt Maclean had a goal ruled out by a dubious offside flag. At the other end, Hailsham only really looked lively on the break, with Scott Thomson pushing one long range effort around the post, and Calvin Foster producing a brave defensive header to clear a menacing cross from the left. United continued to probe after the restart, and eventually took a fifty-eighth minute lead, when Martin Denny's near post header from an Ollie Cox corner was blocked on the goalline, only for Calvin to follow up and prod home the rebound. Calvin then went close to a second, and Greg Palmer was also denied, before the visitors levelled in the seventy-fourth minute, as Scott fumbled an inswinging free kick from the right and presented Hailsham with a gift of a goal. United tried to raise themselves for a late effort in search of a winner, and Matt Maclean's sublime trickery set up a chance for Sam that was superbly blocked by a defender, while Matt himself and Greg both missed the target when well placed. Hailsham almost snatched the points themselves, as United escaped after an almighty scramble in their own six yard box, but defeat would have been extremely harsh on United, who will bring the curtain down on their regular season fixtures with a trip to Eastbourne Borough next weekend.
United line-up: 1 Scott Thomson, 2 Sam Hesmer, 3 Jamie Andrews, 4 Jack Franklin, 5 Ben Radley, 6 Matt Maclean, 7 Ollie Cox, 8 Matt Darby, 9 Martin Denny, 10 Greg Palmer, 11 Calvin Foster.
___________________________________________________________________________
6/3. In a rare midweek encounter, United became the first side to win at Crowborough since their opening game of the season, to move within a point of clinching the East Division title. Martin Denny, Matt Maclean, and Paul Nessling, again deployed as an emergency outfield player, all went close in a frantic opening quarter of an hour, but it was the home side that took an eighteenth minute lead, completely against the run of play, when an excellent low cross was converted from close range. Scott Thomson then produced a superb double save to prevent Crowborough from going further ahead, but Jack Franklin and Greg Palmer launched the United revival, both coming close to an equaliser, before Martin finally levelled the scores in the thirty-second minute, slotting home from Matt's precise pass. Two minutes before the interval, Jack and Ben Radley combined to set up Greg for a headed finish to put United in front, and they never looked back, producing an exquisite display of passing football throughout the second half, scoring a further three goals along the way. Jack, Paul, Matt and Martin all missed chances after the restart, Ben crashed a header against the crossbar, and the home side twice scrambled efforts off their own goalline, as United began to dominate. The pressure finally told in the sixty-eighth minute, when Milton Miltiadou fired home after a well timed run into the area, and Matt then tucked away a penalty for number four, after having been fouled in the area himself. Crowborough tried to battle their way back into the contest, and Scott was forced to push a long range effort against the post, while Calvin Foster made a couple of timely interventions to deny the home side any further sight of goal. Matt then capped a fine evening's work by adding his second goal, and United's fifth, with five minutes remaining, chasing down a long ball to slot between defender and keeper, a goal that epitomised the spirit that has existed in the Youth Team camp this year, which will be suitably rewarded if United avoid defeat in their penultimate fixture, at home to Hailsham Town on Sunday morning.
United line-up: 1 Scott Thomson, 2 Sam Hesmer, 3 Jamie Andrews, 4 Jack Franklin, 5 Ben Radley, 6 Matt Maclean, 7 Calvin Foster, 8 Paul Nessling, 9 Martin Denny, 10 Greg Palmer, 11 Milton Miltiadou.
___________________________________________________________________________
2/3. United missed out on a place in the County Youth League Cup final after conceding an agonising injury time winner at Hassocks this morning. United were grateful to have skipper Jack Franklin back after a knee injury, and gave a Youth Team debut to striker Martin Denny, enabling them to name a twelve man squad for the contest, albeit that keeper Paul Nessling was again employed in an outfield role. In a game affected by a strong wind blowing down the ground, United were well on top throughout the first half, with Milton Miltiadou going close in the early stages, and Ben Radley producing a fine headed clearance to avert a rare Hassocks counter-attack. United then forced a succession of corners, after efforts from Greg Palmer, Calvin Foster and Paul had all been deflected behind, with Matt Maclean and Paul then denied by good saves from the home keeper. Finally, the pressure told, as United went in front in the fortieth minute, when Matt's strike found the target, following good build-up play from Greg and Martin, the latter, and Paul again, going close to doubling the lead in the last few minutes of the half. Playing into the wind in the second half, United lost their cutting edge, and play was much more even for the twenty-five minutes, with few clearcut opportunities at either end. However, in the seventy-third minute, Hassocks suddenly equalised with a well placed shot into the top corner past the helpless Scott Thomson, and although United engineered further efforts from Greg and Jack, it was the home side who looked the more likely to grab a winner. It duly arrived three minutes into stoppage time, and with an unwelcome extra half an hour looming, to signal a cruel end for a United team struggling with injuries and holiday commitments, but which must now raise itself for an important league game at Crowborough on Thursday evening.
United line-up: 1 Scott Thomson, 2 Sam Hesmer, 3 Jamie Andrews, 4 Ben Radley, 5 Calvin Foster, 6 Jack Franklin, 7 Paul Nessling, 8 Matt Maclean, 9 Martin Denny, 10 Greg Palmer, 11 Milton Miltiadou. Sub used: Ollie Cox.
___________________________________________________________________________
United bounced back from losing their unbeaten record last week, producing what coach Scott Price described as a "very professional performance" to gain an emphatic victory over local rivals Eastbourne Borough, one which enabled them to return to the top of the Eastern Division table. Already plagued with injury concerns, skipper Jack Franklin amongst those to miss out, United proceeded to lose striker Liam Miles to a knee injury after only twelve minutes, with keeper Paul Nessling called upon to replace him as a makeshift forward. United understandably struggled to come to terms with the various adjustments to their line-up, and Borough went on to enjoy the better of the first half, Scott Thomson making three smart saves to keep the scoreline blank at the interval, while Paul, Matt Maclean and Calvin Foster all went close for United. A tremendous second half effort carried United to victory though, with Matt producing a fine strike after dispossessing a Borough defender to open the scoring in the fifty-fifth minute, and Calvin slotting home from an Ollie Cox free kick to double the lead five minutes later. Matt was then denied another by an outstanding save from the visiting keeper, but United grabbed a well deserved third goal after being awarded a penalty with a quarter of an hour remaining, Sam Hesmer's spot kick being superbly saved, only for Calvin to knock home the rebound, a sixth goal in three games for the attack-minded defender. United's day ended on a sour note, as Matt was harshly sent off for a foul in the closing stages, but the three points were never in doubt, and United were able to leapfrog Eastbourne Town on goal difference once again, while still retaining two games in hand.
United line-up: Team: 1 Scott Thomson, 2 Sam Hesmer, 3 Jamie Andrews, 4 Ben Radley, 5 Calvin Foster, 6 Ollie Cox, 7 Matt Maclean, 8 Matt Darby, 9 Milton Miltiadou, 10 Liam Miles, 11 Greg Palmer. Subs used: Paul Nessling, Brian Caetano.
___________________________________________________________________________
17/2. A United side showing signs of weariness, with several players having featured in the Reserves' extra time victory the previous day, and restricted in numbers due to injury and unavailability, suffered their first league defeat since 15 October 2006, as Eastbourne fought back to win this top of the table clash. United's cause was made all the harder after they had a man sent off midway through the first half, but having twice led by two clear goals, the defeat was still a shock to the system. United had made a typically strong start, and Ollie Cox's first goal of the season gave them an eighth minute lead, with Liam Miles then diverting a Calvin Foster shot past the visiting keeper to double the advantage just three minutes later. Eastbourne pulled a goal back against the run of play just past the quarter of an hour mark, and the sending off seemed to have turned things in their favour, only for Liam to restore United's two goal lead on the half hour. A controversial penalty for a questionable handball offence allowed Eastbourne to reduce the deficit once again just before the interval, and United's problems really began to mount after the restart, with lone substitute Brian Caetano quickly forced into the action in place of Calvin, and a couple of other players having to battle through the pain barrier after picking up injuries. Even so, United were able to keep the visitors at bay until the final quarter of an hour, when three goals in a devastating seven minute spell finally took Eastbourne to victory and enabled them to reclaim top spot in the league, three points ahead of United, who do still have three games in hand, but face to tough trip to Eastbourne Borough next weekend.
United line-up: 1 Scott Thomson, 2 Calvin Foster, 3 Jamie Andrews, 4 Dean Phillips, 5 Ben Radley, 6 Ollie Cox, 7 Matt Maclean, 8 Matt Darby, 9 Sam Hesmer, 10 Liam Miles, 11 Milton Miltiadou. Sub used: Brian Caetano.
___________________________________________________________________________
10/2. A week after needing extra time to see off a dogged Hailsham side in the League Cup quarter finals, United travelled to The Beaconsfield to face the same opponents in a league encounter, with central defender Calvin Foster scoring an unlikely hattrick to take United to the top of the table. United made a typically strong start, and took a third minute lead, when Calvin placed a strong header into the top of the net, from Ollie Cox's pinpoint corner. For the second week running, the Hailsham keeper put in a heroic performance to keep United at bay for the next half an hour, pulling off a series of stunning saves to deny Liam Miles on no fewer than four occasions, as well as keeping out efforts from Gregg Berry and Jack Franklin. However, the overwhelming pressure eventually told in the thirty-second minute, when Calvin diverted a Matt Darby shot into the roof of the net to double United's lead at the interval. The second half saw United quickly extend their lead further, when Liam's shot was parried into the path of Sam Hesmer, who slotted home from close range. The home side did their best to get back into the game, but United were seldom troubled, with Jack and Greg Palmer both going close, before Jack added the fourth goal, following an excellent move involving Gregg and Matt Maclean. Five minutes later, Calvin completed his hattrick after good work from Jack and Liam, to wrap up an extraordinary morning's work and a convincing victory for the new league leaders. Next week, still unbeaten United are at home to an Eastbourne Town side that they have just deposed at the East Division summit, with Town heading into the match on the back of two consecutive defeats.
United line-up: 1 Scott Thomson, 2 Sam Hesmer, 3 Jamie Andrews, 4 Jack Franklin, 5 Calvin Foster, 6 Ollie Cox, 7 Matt Darby, 8 Matt Maclean, 9 Gregg Berry, 10 Greg Palmer, 11 Liam Miles. Sub used: Brian Caetano.
___________________________________________________________________________
3/2. United were taken to extra time for the second round running, but eventually managed to overcome a spirited Hailsham Town side to progress to the semi-finals of the County League Cup. Although United had the lion's share of the goalscoring chances in the game, forcing twenty efforts on target compared to only three for their opponents, a combination of excellent goalkeeping and uncharacteristically poor finishing meant that they needed the additional half an hour in which to seal their eighth successive win in all competitions. The game started in a rather quiet fashion, with a long range effort from Jack Franklin the only attempt on goal in the early stages. However, United suddenly found themselves a goal behind in the twelfth minute, when a twenty-five yard strike caught keeper Scott Thomson by surprise and soared in to the top of the net. For much of the first half, United found it difficult to impose their usual free-flowing passing game, and chances were limited to efforts from Sam Hesmer and Gregg Berry, while Ben Radley was forced to make a superb defensive tackle to avert danger at the other end. In the five minutes before the interval though, United began to take control, having a penalty claim turned down for a challenge on Jack, and following up with efforts from Gregg, Liam Miles and Matt Maclean. The pressure continued to mount on the Hailsham defence after the restart, with Matt Maclean, Liam, Matt Darby, Ben and Jamie Andrews all being denied by the visiting keeper's increasingly heroic display. But finally, in the sixty-seventh minute, United drew level, when Sam converted from close range after a Matt Darby shot had been spectacularly pushed away. United surged forward for the winner, but the Hailsham keeper continued to repel all of their best efforts, and when he was beaten, Ben's header came crashing out off the crossbar. Nine minutes into extra time, United's dominance was finally rewarded when, with Liam and Milton Miltiadou having both gone close, the irrepressible Matt Maclean managed to slot home what proved to be the winner, after Liam’s header had rebounded off the crossbar. In the last four, United will be away to Hassocks of the Central Division on 2 March, while in the East Division today, Eastbourne Town lost for the second week running, leaving United three points off top spot and now with four games in hand.
United line-up: 1 Scott Thomson, 2 Calvin Foster, 3 Jamie Andrews, 4 Jack Franklin, 5 Ben Radley, 6 Sam Hesmer, 7 Milton Miltiadou, 8 Matt Darby, 9 Gregg Berry, 10 Matt Maclean, 11 Liam Miles. Subs used: Greg Palmer, Brian Caetano.
___________________________________________________________________________
27/1. After a six week Christmas and bad weather enforced break, United returned to action with a mauling of Rye at the Pilot Field this morning, with Matt Maclean scoring five of United's eight goals without reply. It was Matt who gave United the lead in only the eighth minute, but the team's first half performance looked generally rather rusty and lacklustre. Greg Palmer and Gregg Berry both went close to extending the lead, while at the other end, Scott Thomson did well to tip a misplaced defensive header over his own crossbar to preserve the single goal advantage at the interval. However, the second half was a different story, with United doubling their lead seven minutes after the restart, when Liam Miles was fouled in the Rye penalty area, allowing Matt to confidently convert from the spot. Within sixty seconds, Jack Franklin scored the third after good build-up play from Sam Hesmer and Liam, and United simply never looked back. Gregg and Sam both went close, and Greg had an effort ruled out for offside, all before Matt Darby headed goal number four on the hour mark. Barely four minutes later, Matt Maclean completed his hattrick, converting his second penalty of the game, this one awarded for handball, and he went on to score twice more in a three minute spell, first applying the finishing touch to a cross from Liam, and then completing a fine move involving Milton Miltiadou, Sam and Liam. United added one further goal in the eighteen minutes that remained, Gregg scoring from close range, while there was also time for substitute Ollie Cox to have an effort ruled out for offside, and for a shot from Gregg to rebound off an upright. United's comprehensive victory saw them move to within three points of league leaders Eastbourne Town, who have played three games more, and who surprisingly slumped to a 4-1 home defeat against Eastbourne Borough today.
United line-up: 1 Scott Thomson, 2 Sam Hesmer, 3 Calvin Foster, 4 Jack Franklin, 5 Ben Radley, 6 Milton Miltiadou, 7 Matt Darby, 8 Gregg Berry, 9 Greg Palmer, 10 Matt Maclean, 11 Liam Miles. Sub used: Ollie Cox.
___________________________________________________________________________
16/12. United were made to battle back from a goal down before emerging victorious after extra time against their Western Division opponents in this hastily arranged League Cup second round tie. Pagham took the lead in only the seventh minute, when a low cross was slotted past Scott Thomson in the United goal, but the home side came roaring back, with efforts from Gregg Berry and Matt Maclean just missing the target, and Liam Miles being denied by the visiting keeper. Reece Johnson saw a header kicked off the line at the mid-point of the half, a fine example of the resolute defending that kept United at bay in a largely disjointed first half display. The second half also started quite slowly and it was not until around the hour mark that United began to really threaten to score again, with Gregg having a shot pushed around the post. Matt Darby then had a header acrobatically cleared off the line, but the pressure finally told, as Gregg lashed home from a Calvin Foster flick in the sixty-eighth minute. Pagham were then kept in the game by some heroic goalkeeping, with Liam, Matt Maclean and Jack Franklin all denied by tremendous saves, while the visitors almost snatched a second goal from a swift counter-attack with a quarter of an hour remaining. The desperation of Pagham's defending was becoming increasingly apparent, with their skipper collecting a second yellow card as the game entered stoppage time to leave the visitors a man short for the additional half an hour, which United went on to dominate. Even then, yet more outstanding goalkeeping meant that it took until the second period of extra time before United edged in front through Matt Maclean, latching onto Greg Palmer's pass and expertly slotting home, with Matt Darby finally making the game safe and booking a quarter final berth with an excellent low shot with five minutes left, and Greg driving a shot against the post in the dying moments.
United line-up: 1 Scott Thomson, 2 Jamie Andrews, 3 Sam Hesmer, 4 Calvin Foster, 5 Jack Franklin, 6 Milton Miltiadou, 7 Matt Darby, 8 Gregg Berry, 9 Reece Johnson, 10 Matt Maclean, 11 Liam Miles. Subs used Greg Palmer, Ollie Cox.
___________________________________________________________________________
25/11. The gap between United and league leaders Eastbourne Town remains at three points after United came out on top in a physical encounter at Rye this morning. United got off to a great start, when Liam Miles slotted home in the first minute after good build-up play involving Greg Palmer and Brian Caetano. The home side fought back and put in a battling performance, using their offside trap to good effect, and restricting United to very few clearcut chances in the rest of the first half. Calvin Foster headed just wide from a corner, Liam went close with another couple of efforts, and a Matt Maclean free kick produced a good save from the home keeper. However, Rye suddenly went close to a thirty-seventh minute equaliser, when a superb long range shot rebounded to safety off Scott Thomson's crossbar. After withstanding a brief spell of Rye pressure at the start of the second half, United began to regain control once again, with Liam twice denied by excellent saves and then by an upright, while Greg also hit the bar with a well struck volley. With twelve minutes remaining, United finally added a second goal to make the game safe, Matt running onto Greg's through ball and confidently slipping the ball into the net, while Gregg Berry and Jack Franklin went close to scoring a late third goal, as United comfortably maintained their unbeaten league record in the end.
United line-up: 1 Scott Thomson, 2 Jamie Andrews, 3 Sam Hesmer, 4 Calvin Foster, 5 Jack Franklin, 6 Ben Radley, 7 Greg Palmer, 8 Gregg Berry, 9 Matt Maclean, 10 Brian Caetano, 11 Liam Miles. Sub used: Ollie Cox.
___________________________________________________________________________
18/11. United maintained their unbeaten start to the County League East season with a battling display to see of a Wealden side that had ended the similar record of leaders Eastbourne Town seven days previously. United made a confident start, taking the lead in the eighth minute, when Calvin Foster fired a low shot into the corner after good build-up play by Jack Franklin and Gregg Berry. Liam Miles had already gone close to doubling the lead, before applying the finishing touch after Gregg's excellent run and pass in the twentieth minute, but the visitors were not in the mood to capitulate in the way that United's last two Pilot Field opponents had, and they pulled a goal back eight minutes later and went on to cause United a few anxious moments in a bright spell of play. However, United soon regained their composure, with Jack having an effort disallowed for offside, and Reece Johnson, Jack again, Ben Radley, Liam and Matt Maclean all going close to restoring the two goal advantage before the interval. The second half started rather quietly with neither side able to create any clearcut chances, until the Wealden keeper made three great saves in quick succession, twice denying substitute Greg Palmer and then keeping out Liam's headed effort. At the mid-point of the half, Greg produced a fine finish to deservedly extend United's lead at last, but the game was then somewhat marred by a staggering decision by the referee in the seventy-eighth minute, first denying treatment to a Wealden defender, who had been bloodied by an accidental kick in the face, and then sending the player off after taking exception to his protests. The contest proceeded to drift towards its inevitable conclusion, although Matt managed to get his name on the scoresheet by slotting home goal number four two minutes into stoppage time, as United closed to within three points of Eastbourne, still with two games in hand.
United line-up: 1 Scott Thomson, 2 Jamie Andrews, 3 Calvin Foster, 4 Jack Franklin, 5 Ben Radley, 6 Milton Miltiadou, 7 Matt Darby, 8 Gregg Berry, 9 Reece Johnson, 10 Matt Maclean, 11 Liam Miles. Sub used: Greg Palmer.
___________________________________________________________________________
11/11. A couple of weeks after putting nine goals past Eastbourne at the Pilot Field, the two sides met for the return fixture at The Oval in what proved to be a considerably tighter affair. In a game of very few clearcut chances, Gregg Berry, Matt Maclean and Liam Miles went closest to breaking the deadlock for United, but the contest entered stoppage time at the end of the ninety minutes with the scoreline still blank. Indeed, the clock was showing ninety-five minutes when Liam was felled by the home keeper for a dramatic last gasp penalty, which Liam took himself, remarkably seeing his shot saved, although he was quickest to the rebound and slotted home the winning goal with the last kick of the match. As hapless Seaford Town have withdrawn from the league, United's staggering victory over them at the Pilot Field has now been removed from their playing record, but with league leaders Eastbourne Town suffering a surprise defeat at Wealden today, United find themselves ideally placed to mount a title challenge, six points behind with three games in hand, and they are now unbeaten in the league for more than twelve months.
United line-up: 1 Scott Thomson, 2 Jamie Andrews, 3 Calvin Foster, 4 Jack Franklin, 5 Sam Hesmer, 6 Milton Miltiadou, 7 Matt Darby, 8 Ollie Cox, 9 Reece Johnson, 10 Matt Maclean, 11 Liam Miles. Subs used: Ben Radley, Gregg Berry, Brain Caetano.
___________________________________________________________________________
28/10. United followed up their mauling of Seaford last Sunday with another tremendous performance at the Pilot Field this morning, running in another nine goals against Eastbourne United Association. Matt Darby and Reece Johnson both went close to an early goal for United, although there were still less than ten minutes on the clock when Sam Hesmer did give United the lead, scoring from a narrow angle after good build-up play from Matt Maclean, himself fresh from a week of First Team duty. Matt Darby then went close again, before the visitors' defence was breached for the second time in the sixteenth minute, when a low cross from Liam Miles was fumbled by the Eastbourne keeper, allowing Matt Maclean a simple tap-in. United continued to dominate, going close with Calvin Foster's glancing header, but it was the irrepressible Matt Maclean who added the third in the thirty-eighth minute, slotting home after Matt Darby's initial strike had been parried, and United were unlucky not to further extend their lead before half time, with Jack Franklin and Reece both going close. The visitors surprisingly pulled a goal back a couple of minutes into the second half, when a well struck free came back off the crossbar, with the rebound being slotted past the helpless Scott Thomson. The goal only served to rally United to greater efforts though, and they played some excellent passing football throughout the remainder of the contest. After Liam had a goal ruled out for offside, Matt Maclean completed his second hattrick in a row after some terrific, individual skill, while Reece was unfortunate enough to have a goalbound shot blocked on the line by one of his own teammates, and then had another effort disallowed for offside. United's incessant pressure eventually began to tell, with Matt Maclean scoring his fourth from close range after great play from Liam, who then got on the scoresheet himself, before Sam added his second with a low shot into the corner. Not to be outdone, second half substitute Brian Caetano then scored a late brace of well taken goals to cap another superb team performance, as United enjoyed another day improving their goal difference, and edged ever closer to league leaders Eastbourne Town as a result.
United line-up: 1 Scott Thomson, 2 Jamie Andrews, 3 Calvin Foster, 4 Jack Franklin, 5 Ben Radley, 6 Milton Miltiadou, 7 Matt Darby, 8 Liam Miles, 9 Sam Hesmer, 10 Reece Johnson, 11 Matt Maclean. Subs used: Brian Caetano, Gregg Berry, Greg Palmer.
___________________________________________________________________________
21/10. On a glorious Sunday morning at the Pilot Field, United went goal crazy against bottom of the table Seaford, incredibly surpassing by seven their astonishing seventeen goal performance at home to Crowborough last season in what turned out to be a complete mismatch. United took the lead in the seventh minute, when Gregg Berry set up Liam Miles for the first of his personal eight goal salvo, just twenty-four hours after he hit a hattrick for the Reserves. Five minutes later, Liam scored again, this time heading in a Matt Maclean cross, before Matt scored twice in sixty seconds himself, first slotting home from Matt Darby's great pass, and then converting Gregg's low cross. Liam then dribbled around the keeper to complete an eleven minute treble, with Matt Darby then firing United into a six goal lead inside the opening twenty minutes. Having already assumed total control, United then allowed the visitors fifteen minutes of respite, during which time Liam struck a shot against the underside of the crossbar, but the onslaught resumed in the thirty-sixth minute, when Matt Maclean, Liam and skipper Jack Franklin all netted in the space of barely ninety seconds, with Jack scoring again to put the scoreline into double figures at the interval. The second half was less than a minute old when Greg Palmer got in on the goalscoring act, with half time substitute Ollie Cox then setting up another goal apiece for Liam and Matt Maclean. United continued to outclass Seaford and were at their clinical best in front of goal, Greg and Matt Maclean both scoring again, before keeper Scott Thomson ventured forward to slot home a penalty after Liam had been brought down. Liam and Matt Maclean both scored again to make it eighteen heading into the final ten minutes, with Ollie then getting his first goal for the Club, and fellow substitute Brian Caetano scoring United's twentieth with just three minutes remaining. If Seaford thought that their misery was complete, they hadn't banked upon conceding four more goals in the dying stages, Matt Maclean scoring his seventh, a feat matched by Liam sixty seconds later, with Jack completing his hattrick in stoppage time, and Liam winning his personal battle with Matt Maclean by hitting United's twenty-fourth and final goal with virtually the last kick of a horribly one-sided contest.
United line-up: 1 Scott Thomson, 2 Sam Hesmer, 3 Jamie Andrews, 4 Jack Franklin, 5 Ben Radley, 6 Milton Miltiadou, 7 Matt Darby, 8 Liam Miles, 9 Reece Johnson, 10 Gregg Berry, 11 Matt Maclean. Subs used: Ollie Cox, Greg Palmer, Brian Caetano.
___________________________________________________________________________
10/10. United's progress in the FA Youth Cup was disappointingly halted at the second qualifying round stage by Southern Youth League Eastern Division leaders Whyteleafe at the Pilot Field this evening. The visitors defended tenaciously all evening, denying United time on the ball and space to develop their usual passing game, and Whyteleafe deserved the little bit of fortune in stoppage time that prevented United from scoring for the first time this season. A generally quiet opening forty-five minutes saw Matt Maclean strike the outside of an upright with a long range free kick, and Whyteleafe's Daniel Donegan do likewise from the penalty spot, following a harsh handball decision. The second half was less than four minutes old when Whyteleafe scored the decisive goal, United failing to deal with a Joe Longworth corner, allowing Luke Harmsworth to hook the ball home from inside the six yard box. Both sides had decent penalty appeals waved away, but United were awarded a host of free kicks by an unnecessarily officious referee, substitute Gregg Berry flashing a far post header across the face of goal from one accurate Matt Darby delivery. United went desperately close to an equaliser in added time, but Liam Miles shot inches wide when well placed, and Whyteleafe keeper Vikrant Shah made two outstanding saves to deny Matt Maclean and Ben Radley. At the other end, Paul Nessling kept United in the game with a fine save from Jake Wickham, with skipper Jack Franklin clearing the follow-up effort off the line, but United's late efforts were all in vain, as Whyteleafe hung on to book a third qualifying round tie at home to Tonbridge Angels.
United line-up: 1 Paul Nessling, 2 Calvin Foster, 3 Jamie Andrews, 4 Jack Franklin, 5 Ben Radley, 17 Milton Miltiadou, 7 Sam Hesmer, 8 Matt Darby, 9 Liam Miles, 10 Matt Maclean, 11 Reece Johnson. Sub used: Gregg Berry.
___________________________________________________________________________
7/10. United turned in another exceptional away performance to earn a convincing victory in the first round of the Sussex County League Cup against high flying Western Division side Broadbridge Heath. After a rather quiet start to the game, United took a thirteenth minute lead, when Scott Thomson's long goal kick caused problems for the home defence and Liam Miles pounced to score with a clever lob over the Heath keeper. United began to pile on the pressure, with further efforts from Liam, Jack Franklin and Reece Johnson all repelled, and it took until beyond the half hour mark for the home team to register their first shot on target. United continued to dominate and were unfortunate to be limited to a one goal lead at the interval, although they eventually put that right with a scintillating display in the second period. Liam, Reece and Matt Darby all went close to doubling the lead in the early stages, before the relentless pressure finally told in the sixty-first minute, with Liam once again lobbing the keeper to put United two goals up. Matt Maclean headed home the third at the second attempt twelve minutes later, and Liam completed a well deserved hattrick with a close range finish in the eightieth minute. A superb all-round performance was then capped off by an exquisite strike from substitute Gregg Berry in the last couple of minutes, to wrap up a five goal victory, the perfect build-up to this week's FA Youth Cup tie at home to Whyteleafe.
United line-up: 1 Scott Thomson, 2 Calvin Foster, 3 Jamie Andrews, 4 Jack Franklin, 5 Ben Radley, 6 Milton Miltiadou, 7 Sam Hesmer, 8 Matt Darby, 9 Liam Miles, 10 Reece Johnson, 11 Matt Maclean. Subs used: Greg Palmer, Gregg Berry, Ollie Cox.
___________________________________________________________________________
30/9. After Thursday's heroics in the FA Youth Cup, United returned to league action against a Crowborough side that had conceded seventeen goals on their last visit to the Pilot Field back in January. Perhaps that fact led to United making a rather complacent start to this contest, although by the end of the game, normal service had been resumed, with United ultimately turning in another commanding performance to maintain their unbeaten record in the Eastern Division. Within the first minute, the visitors almost took a shock lead, with a shot dribbling just wide of Scott Thomson's near post. United then created and missed several chances, partly due to some excellent goalkeeping, notably a tremendous tip-over from a wonderful Matt Darby strike, and on one occasion thanks to the woodwork, when a Matt Maclean effort hit an upright. By contrast, Crowborough took their opportunity when scoring from just outside the area in the twenty-eighth minute, although United responded strongly with another Matt Darby shot hitting the post, and Sam Hesmer forcing another excellent save out of the visiting keeper. The second half began in dramatic fashion, when a great cross from Reece Johnson was headed in to his own goal by a defender to level the scores, and United scarcely looked back, swarming forward at every opportunity and playing some superb passing football. The pressure finally told in the fifty-eighth minute, when Ben Radley was brought down in the area and Liam Miles slotted home the resulting penalty kick to put United in front. They continued to dominate and extended their lead when Reece scored from close range with twenty minutes remaining and, just six minutes later, a Matt Maclean strike from long range was deflected past the keeper to put United in complete control. Several more chances to extend the lead still further were spurned, before, against the run of play, the visitors pulled a consolation goal back to complete the scoring three minutes from time. The win kept United in fifth place in the league table, still nine points behind leaders Eastbourne Town, who have already played three games more than United.
United line-up: 1 Scott Thomson, 2 Milton Miltiadou, 3 Calvin Foster, 4 Jack Franklin, 5 Ben Radley, 6 Matt Darby, 7 Dean Phillips, 8 Matt Maclean, 9 Liam Miles, 10 Reece Johnson, 11 Sam Hesmer. Subs used: Jamie Andrews, Ollie Cox, Gregg Berry.
___________________________________________________________________________
27/9. A tremendous all-round performance saw United cruise through an awkward looking FA Youth Cup first qualifying round tie this evening, as they cantered to a big win away against Reigate based side South Park. Playing some exquisite flowing football, United outclassed their opponents right from the start, with Sam Hesmer opening the scoring in the very first minute, while their further dominance was rewarded by Matt Darby's sweetly struck volley just past the mid-point of the first half. Within two minutes, United went three up, with Matt Maclean slotting home after an excellent run and cross from Sam, giving United an almost unassailable advantage with barely a quarter of the game gone. South Park continued to struggle with the quality of United’s build-up play and then conceded a penalty in the thirty-sixth minute, when Matt Maclean was brought down by the keeper after being put through by Reece Johnson, but Jack Franklin's spot kick was well saved. However, the home team’s plight became yet more desperate just before the break, when they were reduced to ten men after having a player sent off for dangerous play. United quickly sought to make the advantage in numbers count after the restart, and Sam had already seen an effort rebound off the post, before Liam Miles scored twice in a five minute spell to put United out of sight. Liam was then denied a hattrick, having an effort ruled out for offside after an excellent run from Matt Darby, but United did make it six on the hour mark through a Calvin Foster shot from the edge of the area. The final goal of the night was provided by substitute Greg Palmer, a low shot into the bottom corner with ten minutes remaining, as United set up a home second qualifying round meeting with Whyteleafe in two weeks time.
United line-up: 1 Paul Nessling, 2 Milton Miltiadou, 3 Calvin Foster, 4 Jack Franklin, 5 Ben Radley, 6 Matt Darby, 7 Dean Phillips, 8 Matt Maclean, 9 Liam Miles, 10 Reece Johnson, 11 Sam Hesmer. Subs used: Greg Palmer, Ollie Cox, Brian Caetano.
___________________________________________________________________________
20/9. United were denied all three points by a late equaliser for unbeaten league leaders Eastbourne Town at The Saffrons this evening. An even first half saw both sides create chances and both keepers perform well to keep the scoreline blank. After the interval though, United raised their game and deservedly took the lead with only fifteen minutes remaining, when Liam Miles' thunderous twenty yard strike rebounded off the crossbar for Matt Maclean to convert the loose ball. United retained their advantage against a mounting wave of pressure from the home side in the closing stages, with Eastbourne snatching a last gasp equaliser from a corner three minutes into stoppage time.
United line-up: 1 Paul Nessling, 2 Milton Miltiadou, 3 Calvin Foster, 4 Jack Franklin, 5 Ben Radley, 6 Matt Darby, 7 Dean Phillips, 8 Matt Maclean, 9 Liam Miles, 10 Reece Johnson, 11 Sam Hesmer. Subs used: Jamie Andrews, Gregg Berry.
___________________________________________________________________________
16/9. United made an early exit from the County Cup against Western Division opposition, after a disappointing first half performance left them with too much to do at Rustington this morning. The home side took the lead within two minutes, but United should have equalised ten minutes later, when Reece Johnson was fouled in the area for a penalty, but Dean Phillips' spot kick was superbly saved. The miss was punished yet further when Rustington doubled their advantage in the sixteenth minute, but United quickly got back into the game, when good work from Sam Hesmer set up Liam Miles for an excellent strike. Just past the half hour mark though, United conceded two more goals in a five minute spell to go in at the interval with the game seemingly beyond them, but they emerged for the second half in a determined mood, dominating for long periods. The pressure finally told, with Liam scoring his and United's second with another excellent strike in the sixty-eighth minute, while Matt Maclean and Ben Radley both went close to reducing the deficit to one. With twelve minutes remaining, United were awarded their second penalty of the game, this time for a foul on Matt, and Jack Franklin converted, leading to a frenetic final ten minutes, during which time Jack and Sam both went close, and the home keeper pulled off fine saves to deny Brian Caetano, Dean and Liam, as United came up agonisingly short of completing a glorious comeback.
United line-up: 1 Scott Thomson, 2 Milton Miltiadou, 3 Jamie Andrews, 4 Jack Franklin, 5 Calvin Foster, 6 Ben Radley, 7 Dean Phillips, 8 Matt Maclean, 9 Liam Miles, 10 Sam Hesmer, 11 Reece Johnson. Subs used: Brian Caetano, Ollie Cox.
___________________________________________________________________________
12/9. Two late goals saw United safely through the preliminary round of the FA Youth Cup at the Pilot Field this evening, as Dover's brave and dogged resistance was finally broken in the closing sixteen minutes of an absorbing contest. United were in front within six minutes, as Liam Miles' right wing cross reached the unmarked Dean Phillips at the far post for a simple headed finish. But less than three minutes later, Dover levelled from the penalty spot and, after chances had been wasted at either end, they took advantage of poor marking at a corner to take a twenty-third minute lead. Straight from the kick off, Liam burst clean through to score at the second attempt and bring the scores level once again, after which United dominated the remainder of the half, only denied an interval advantage by their own profligate finishing. The early stages of the second period were somewhat quieter in terms of goalscoring opportunities, but United's superior fitness began to tell as the match wore on, although a further glut of chances came and went and the possibility of extra time began to loom. With sixteen minutes left though, Matt Maclean applied the finishing touch to Liam's driven cross to put United back in front, and when Liam was brought down just inside the area by the visiting keeper with a couple of minutes to go, Dean stepped up to convert from the spot for his second goal of the game, sealing the win and clinching an away tie against Surrey side South Park in the first qualifying round.
United line-up: 1 Paul Nessling, 2 Sam Hesmer, 3 Jamie Andrews, 4 Jack Franklin, 5 Calvin Foster, 6 Ben Radley, 7 Dean Phillips, 8 Matt Maclean, 9 Reece Johnson, 10 Liam Miles, 11 Milton Miltiadou. Subs used: Brian Caetano, Ollie Cox, Greg Palmer.
___________________________________________________________________________
2/9. United got their new Sussex County Youth League East season off to a flying start today with a comprehensive victory away to newcomers Wealden. Matt Maclean struck the opener inside the first minute, converting a Liam Miles cross, with Dean Phillips adding a second with an excellent strike from outside the box, and Liam netting the third, all within the opening seven minutes. Dean thumped a header against the bar, as United continued to dominate, and Reece Johnson then finished off a fine move to score the fourth in the nineteenth minute. The home side instantly pulled one back courtesy of an own goal, but Reece, Matt, Dean and Liam all missed good chances to further extend United's lead, and Milton Miltiadou went closest of all, as United hit the woodwork for a second time. Milton made up for that disappointment by scoring United's fifth less than a minute into the second half, after which Wealden enjoyed a decent spell and forced Scott Thomson into a couple of good saves. Ben Radley became the third United player to hit the crossbar, before Wealden scored their second goal with five minutes remaining, and still had time to test Scott one final time in the dying moments.
United line-up: 1 Scott Thomson, 2 Sam Hesmer, 3 Jamie Andrews, 4 Milton Miltiadou, 5 Calvin Foster, 6 Ben Radley, 7 Dean Phillips, 8 Matt Maclean, 9 Liam Miles, 10 Jack Franklin, 11 Reece Johnson. Subs used: Greg Palmer, Ollie Cox.