Gatwick United U16’s suffered a 7-3 defeat after a tough season’s opener, Cuckfield Cosmos U16 – Gatwick United U16. United were without five key members of a squad but battled to the finish and showed glimpses of the flowing football they are capable of.
Cuckfield got off to a flying start, scoring twice in the first 10 minutes as Gatwick struggled to get to grips with their physicality and direct football. That formed the pattern of the remainder of the half with Riley, Tommy and Joe standing strong against the Cuckfield attackers, while Sam produced a string of saves.
Gatwick gradually started to gain a foothold in midfield with Stefan beginning to enjoy success on the left.
But Cuckfield added a third and it needed three goal-line clearances from man-of-the-match Joe to ensure the score stayed 3-0 going into half-time.
After a few stern words from manager Mitch and a tactical tweak involving the fit-again Harry, Gatwick produced a much better second-half performance.
Cuckfield Cosmos U16 – Gatwick United U16 in 04/09
Cuckfield added their fourth early in the second half but Gatwick traded punches with their opponents and Harry pulled one back with a neat finish and good footwork. With Gatwick now more of a threat up front and Bulldog beginning to stamp his authority in midfield, the fifth Cuckfield goal was a little harsh on our boys.
But Stefan then produced a spectacular 30-yard finish after spotting the keeper off his line. And, although Cuckfield struck twice more against tiring legs, it was Gatwick who had the final say with Mason firing home in injury time after the keeper had spilled Arran’s free-kick.
Boss Mitch said: “The one disappointing thing is we know we could have competed better against that team. We need to trust our passing game and win our battles, particularly in midfield. “We know we were missing players but we can’t use that as an excuse.
Cuckfield Cosmos U16 – Gatwick United U16 in 04/09
All the boys are good enough, otherwise they wouldn’t be here. We just need to believe in ourselves. “But we did cause them problems in the second half and scored some good goals so that’s encouraging. “This is just the start of the journey. We can’t sulk, we have to get back on it because we go again on Wednesday.”
Gatwick United U16’s: Sam, Finn, Tommy, Riley, Joe, Callum, Arran, Desmon, Stefan, Mason, Althaff. SUBS: Harry, Jason, Joey.
Game ended 7-3
Please follow this link if you want to see the Gatiwck United fixtures page and follow this link for football team U16 in Crawley page.
Please follow this link if you want to bring your child to this team as Gatwick United U16 are looking for new players or this link for Gatwick United U16 – Horley Town U16
Gatwick United FC is affiliated to Surrey FA.
Written by: Phil Bryant on 04/09