Season 25/26


13th December
An exciting afternoon at Harvesters for the Herts 7s tournament.
Teams from St Albans, Stevenage and Dacorum played for the annual shield. 
The results through the afternoon meant that it came down to the final game before the winner was confirmed. 
St Albans Blues were the only team to beat and score against the eventual winners St Albans Yellows. 
St Albans u10s were superb despite playing against teams a year older than them. 
Blues scorers today were Henry Foley and keeper William Rowe, who went forward in the last minute for a corner and stabbed home the equaliser. 
POM has not been announced yet. 
The 10s scorers were Leo Whitlock and Jack Chippington, while POM was Mack Hathaway, who was solid in defence.
The Yellows scorers were Jack Williams, Carter Thomas, Jacob Pytel, Noah Simmons, Frankie Poll and Nathan Noka.
POM was George Roe. 
Well done the Yellows for their first trophy 🏆 of the season

6th December
Home game bonanza against Newbury District PSFA this morning.
First up were the Yellows in the Southern Counties & Cotswold League double header. The Yellows huffed and puffed, created loads of chances but were thwarted by the Newbury defence and keeper. A final score of 0-0 was frustrating but 2 points nonetheless. 
POL was George Roe.
The Blues were in action for Geoff Richards League points and took the spoils, winning 4-0.
Goals came from Alex Shaw, Jake Ashton, Henry Foley and Thomas Wainer. 
POM was Barnaby Parsons.
The girls were last up against  Newbury in the Southern Counties League as well. It was a tight affair which ended 1-1 and the equaliser came via a late Immy Landau goal, who was also POM. 
Well done all.

29th November
Mixed day in the National Cup as the Girls won through thanks to 2 goals from Ruby Corrigan as they beat Slough in round 2. A solid team performance saw them through on a wet windy day as Rianna Rao was POM.
Next up is Gloucester or Newbury away. 
The boys tumbled out at Sandringham Acholl against a strong Sutton side. The scoreline of 1-4 doesn’t represent the game as a whole. More possession and chances but the opposition were clinical. 
POM was Oscar Poole and he was also the goal scorer. 
The u10 Development side went round the M25 with the bare 7 players and no keeper to play against Dartford. An excellent performance saw them score plenty, Leo Whitlock picking up POM, along with his 3 goals, Harry Huddleston and Henry Wood scored 4 each and singles from Aidan Banwaitt and Freddie Hall gave the final score as 13-0.
It will be totally different no doubt, next week as Dartford are the visitors to Colney Heath FC

22nd November
Good day for the young saints as 12 goals were scored and none conceded. 
The Yellows and Girls were involved in the Southern Counties Cup, the boys away in east London against Hackney and the girls in Surrey against Reigate & Banstead. 
The Girls progressed to the next round with a good all round performance and a 4-0 scoreline. Goals from Ruby Corrigan, who got 3 and Immy Landau saw them go through to the next round. POM was Mia Silcox.
The Yellows also went through courtesy of goals from Frankie Poll, Nathan Noka and Theo Callum.
A superb performance against a strong Hackney side means that it’s a home game v Dacorum or Sutton next. POM was David Olariu. 
The Blues scored 5 on their way to a win against Barnet B, also conceding none. 
The goals came via top scorer Jake Ashton, with 3, Thomas Wainer and a stunning drive from Oskar Kurmanbekov. POM was Ben Bailey for his tireless work rate for the whole game.

15th November
Wet day all round as the Blues and u10s went round the M25 to Bexley and Tunbridge Wells.
The Blues travelled back with a decent 2-2 draw, POM was Alex Shaw, who nabbed a goal alongside Arthur Christie’s 2nd of the season. 
The Hub event at Tonbridge wasn’t the best organised but the u10s goals were scored by Ben Brierley, Aidan Banwaitt and George Haslar. POM was Harleigh Enstone. 
The girls lost 3-2 against Havering in the London League, goals scored by Ruby Corrigan and Summer Chau. POM was Summer Chau.
The Yellows lost on penalties against Reigate & Banstead, in a ding ding game which could have gone either way. Despite dominating chances, the final score of 5-5 was very frustrating. 
Goals came from Theo Callum, Carter Thomas, Jacob Pytel, Frankie Poll and Noah Simmons.
POM was Oscar Poole.

8th November
The yellows had a slow start to their Southern Counties League match and found themselves 3 down after 12 minutes and chasing the game.
Jacob Burtt made it 3-1 and a hotly disputed disallowed goal by Carter Thomas would have made it 3-2 but the officials weren’t on our side! Another disputed goal and some debatable defending gave Elmbridge the win. POM was given to Oscar Poole, with special mentions to Jacob Pytel and birthday boy George Roe.
The Blues had a big win on their travels in the Geoff Richards League. A strong performance from Oskar Kurmanbekov gave him the POM, with goals coming through Alby Jolley, Jordan Rapp-Gibbons, Alex Shaw who got 2 apiece, and singles from Jake Ashton, Ellis Andersson-O’Brien and Arthur Christie.

1st November
Good day for the boys today as they recorded 3 wins out of 3. The girls had a weekend off.
First up were the Blues who went up the A1 in the Geoff Richards Cup to play Stevenage District u10s. An early goal from Thomas Wainer was cancelled out quickly but it was Jake Ashton who then took over and by the end of the game had completed his hat trick. POM was Thomas Wainer.
The u10 Development squad went to the isle of Sheppey to play Swale in the Kent League and an impressive performance made sure they came away with a 1-0 win. Goal coming courtesy of Ben Brierley. POM was Ben Brierley. 
The Yellows also travelled away, the other way round the M25 to play Wycombe in the Cotswold League. A superb passing display proved too good for the opposition as goals from Oscar Poole, Jacob Burtt with 2 and a hat trick from Carter Thomas wasn’t enough to get POM which went to Nathan Noka

31st October
Arsenal Academy at Hale End was the destination on Halloween. A short game tournament against London associations. A good performance overall against strong opposition didn't quite count as results didn't go the Yellows way. On another day, it could well have been different.
Goals were score by Theo Callum 2, Nathan Noka and Frankie Poll. POM was given to William Rowe.

25th October
Mixed bag of results today as the Girls lost out by the only goal of the game against Chiltern & South Bucks in the Southern Counties League. It was a close game which could have gone either way. Unfortunately it was Chiltern’s day.
Chloe Day was POM.
The u10s played up a year away against Newbury B and drew 1-1 in a tight game with the goal from POM Reggie Ledger. Neither team looked like getting a winner so the draw was a fair result.
The Yellows were in Cotswold League action away v Bath and had a pleasant return journey after winning 4-1. Goals coming from Jack Williams, George Roe and 2 from Jacob Pytel.
POM was close between the whole team as the opposition manager couldn’t make a decision.

18th October
With all 4 squads playing today, it was an exciting morning.
The Blues once again had the honour of playing at the Aston Villa academy dome in Birmingham in a representative game against Erdington & Saltley and returned down the M1 with a resounding 3-0 win. Goals came from Jake Ashton 2, and Alex Shaw.
POM was Arthur Christie. 

The Girls had a barnstormer against Slough in the Southern Counties League and eventually won 5-4. In a real dingdong battle, goals from Immy Landau who got 2, Hannah Greig, Ruby Corrigan and Lily Smith gave the 3 points to the girls in yellow. POM was Immy Landau.

The u10s played in the Kent u10 Development League against Ashford and despite taking the lead through Harry Huddleston, lost out by a 3-1 scoreline.
POM was Reggie Ledger.

The Yellows played Swindon in the Southern Counties League and in a game with limited chances, won 1-0 with a goal from Noah Simmons. 
POM was Joint between Brody Cavanagh and Oscar Poole.

11th October
Southern Counties League Cup round 1 at Colney Heath FC today.
Our 3 boys teams played in the morning against each other and also Brent, Slough, Dacorum and Stevenage.
The u10s found it hard work against u11 sides physically and despite not scoring, created plenty of chances and played some good football along the way. Players in team of the week were Mack Hathaway and Harry Huddleston.
The Blues were tough to beat and they competed superbly as they always do. Every one of their games could have gone much differently as they were close, either draws or one goal. Their goal was scored by Alex Shaw.
Players in team of the week are Alex Shaw and Henry Foley.
The Yellows didn’t concede a goal and finished top of the group. The whole team worked as one and have really gelled as a unit. There were 2 goals  each for Noah Simmons and Jacob Burtt. Players in team of the week were Theo Callum and George Roe. 
The girls played in the afternoon and hosted 2 teams from Chiltern & South Bucks plus Newbury. 
2 wins and a close defeat against Newbury saw the Girls finish 2nd in the group.
Their goals came from the feet of Lily Smith and Ruby Corrigan.
Players in team of the week are Ruby Corrigan and Ciara Sullivan.
4th October
ESFA National Cup Round 2
St Albans Yellows 2-1 Elmbridge & Runnymede.
Goals from Nathan Noka and Noah Simmons fired the Yellows into the 3rd round of the ESFA National Cup. The wind was a leveller but the Yellows fought hard to see out the game. POM was Carter Thomas.
Shires Cup Round 1
St Albans Blues 1-6 Brent
Theo scoreline doesn’t reflect the game, the Blues were the better side in the first half but the Brent academy boys were the difference. Despite creating numerous chances, it just wasn’t their day. Jordan Rapp-Gibbons with the goal.
Geoff Richards Cup
Woking 0-7 St Albans u10s 
The u10s travelled to Woking for the second week in a row and for the second week, came away with a win. A more dominant performance gave them an impressive 7-0 win. Goals from Jack Chippington, Evan Warren & Reggie Ledger with 2 each and Ben Brierley and Henry Wood. POM was Henry Wood

27th September
A great mornings football for the young saints.
The yellows and girls hosted our friends from Slough in the Southern Counties League (yellows was also Cotswold League).
Good performances from both teams gave them the edge over the visitors.
Yellows goals were scored by Nathan Noka, Carter Thomas, Frankie Poll and Jacob Burtt. 
POM was Nathan Noka.
Goalscorers for the girls were Immy Landau with 2, the first after 10 seconds, Ruby Corrigan, Summer Chau and Violet McGrath. POM was Ruby.
The Blues and U10s travelled round the M25 to both play in Surrey, albeit at different venues. 
The Blues had the longest journey to Reigate & Banstead, narrowly being defeated by the odd goal in 5. Jake Ashton with both goals. POM was Oskar Kurmanbekov. 
The u10s played Woking u10 in the Kent Development League and dominated in winning 3-0. POM was Noel Bertilsson, who also added a goal, the other goals coming from Reggie Ledger & Evan Warren.

20th September
The long journey for all 4 teams to Gloucester proved to have a mixed bag of results, and with the Blues up first, they recorded manager Tom's first victory at Longlevens in the Cotswold Shield/Geoff Richards League double header. Goals from Alex Shaw and Jordan Rapp-Gibbons secured a solid 2-1 win.
The Yellows lost out 4-2, also in a double header for Cotswold and Southern Counties League points. the goals coming from Frankie Poll and Jacob Pytel. 
The u10 Development side had a 4 x 20 minute gamed despite taking the lead early on, lost 6-3 in a representative match. Goals coming from Henry Wood, Jack Chippington and Aidan Banwaitt.
The Girls were last up and secured a solid 2-2 draw in an even game with the right result win the end. The goal from Ruby Corrigan.
13th September
Festival time as the u10 & u11 boys entertained Brent A&B, Newbury A&B, Stevenage A & u10, Wokingham and Dacorum at Colney Heath FC.
The results were superb as the Yellows won1, drew 2 and lost 2, whilst the Blues won 2, drew 2 and the u10s won 1 and drew 3. 
It was a busy morning and a great introduction to District football. The young saints goals were scored by Jacob Burtt, Harry Huddleston, Leo Whitlock and Jordan Rapp-Gibbons, who all got 2 each plus singles from Carter Thomas, Ben Bailey, Ben Brierley, Thomas Wainer, Alex Shaw, Noah Simmons and Jacob Pytel.
Next week is the annual pilgrimage to Gloucester to really find out the hard way how to play district football. All 4 squads are making the 200 mile round trip.
30th August
The season basically started today with the Blues hosting newly set up Oxford Schools.
A good start kicking up the slight slope, the Blues found themselves 1 up with a solid finish from Jake Ashton. 
The game ebbed and flowed end to end and Oxford equalised shortly before half time.
The second half was exactly the same, with each side going for the win.
The Blues took the lead again through Jake Ashton but Oxford came charging back to win a penalty and equalise.
It was an exciting ending as Henry Foley hit the post, Oxford cleared and broke through. A solid challenge came in but the referee gave a harsh penalty for Oxford to take the win in the dying seconds. 
A tough result to take but an encouraging performance.
POm was Thomas Wainer.

The u11 Girls also played in a non competitive game against St Albans City u12 Romans. 
The final score was 3-6 and scorers need to be confirmed but Violet McGrath did score twice.
19th July
An unusual game in July took place on Saturday down in Newbury. 
The weather gods were kind whilst there, although the heavens opened on the way and just as we were leaving!
The football was great as the u11 boys played 2 games and won 4-1 & 4-2 whilst the u10s lost out 6-3.
The u11 teams were mixed so the coaches could see how different players played with others, with good results.
The goals were scored by Ben Bailey, Noah Simmons with a brace, Carter Thomas, Jacob Burtt, Jake Ashton, Jack Williams and Henry Horwood. 
The signs were very bright that there will be 2 strong squads this season.
The u10s played 9v9 for the first time together, against a strong local Newbury side who train and play together. It was another entertaining game although the scoreline went against the young saints. Goals coming from Henry Wood & 2 from Leo Whitlock and the score would have been closer had Leo’s great strike not hit the bar. 
All in all, a positive experience and we thank Newbury District PSFA for hosting us for the morning. 
We look forward to the season starting in September.