youth

Romford F.C. Under 18's Team

Manager's Update
Its been an interesting start to the new season with so many new faces coming into the squad. We have had a difficult pre-season with many of the boys away on holiday and we haven’t been able to select a settled side but the remaining lads have shown a great attitude so far and myself and Tony Francis have been really impressed with their enthusiasm and commitment and we are all eagerly awaiting the start of the League and Cup campaigns.

This year we will be playing all of our home league fixtures on the outside pitches at Fords which I hope will mean the youth team will have a greater affinity with the Club and also give the boys the opportunity to impress both Reedy and Magic. At least half a dozen boys have already represented the reserves in both pre season and the start of the new league campaign and have been a credit to Romford Football Club. I’d like to see more players from the squad step up at some point during the season to experience playing with the reserves which will in turn make them better players at youth level and hopefully help them make the transition into senior football more smoothly. It would be great to see some of the loyal Romford supporters come out and watch us and hopefully see the players of the future at first hand.

Our first match is a home fixture against Buckhurst Hill on Sunday 9th September kick off 2:00pm closely followed by a trip to Hornchurch on Thursday 13th September kick off 7:45pm in the FA Youth Cup.

Thanks to all of the parents of the boys for your initial and continued support. If you have any concerns or worries no matter how trivial you may feel it is please speak to Tony or myself and we will try our best to address any issues that may occur.

Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Reedy, Magic, Jenko, Pete, Kate and of course Zody for all of their support so far and long may it continue.

Steve Watts, Under 18s Manager

Eastern Junior Alliance U18s - Sunday 9th September

Romford 4 Buckhurst Hill 0

The under 18s got off to a great start in their Eastern Junior Alliance League campaign with a convincing 4 - 0 win over league newcomers Buckhurst Hill.

Dean Francis opened the scoring after just 14 seconds with a near post header from a well delivered David Smith corner. Romford continued to work hard throughout the first half enjoying most of the posession with some strong midfield displays from Jack Forrester and Darren Gildersleeve but could not add to their early strike.

Buckhurst Hill came out strong for the second half but Francis combined well with Ben Stanton to add his second to settle the home side down. Francis completed his hat trick with a well timed lob of the keeper and the outstanding Gildersleeve added a fourth from distance to ensure that the game was won.

Buckhurst Hill were denied a late consolation goal by a fine double save from impressive keeper Ade Oyenuga.

Team: Oyenuga, Major, Corton, Akinyemi (c), Blackman, Forrester, Fairbanks, Gildersleeve, Smith, Francis (MOM), Stanton, Matthews, Cunningham, Peterkin, Glenister and Protheroe.

Pre - Season Results Under 18s
U18s V Romford Reserves lost 1 - 4 - scorer Peterkin
U18s V Romford U 16s won 5 - 2 Peterkin, Smith, Francis, Strongman and Forrester
U18s V Old Barts lost 1 - 2 Strongman
U18s V Romford under 16s won 5 - 0 Stanton(2), Francis(2), Burnett
U18s V Redbridge lost 0 - 4
U18s V Station Garage won 3 - 1 Francis, Smith, Gildersleeve
U18s V LOASS won 3 - 1 Francis, Smith, Peterkin

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