Highgate Utd Youth FC

We did it…. League champions

What a day… so proud of everyone involved with the club. Hard work pays off

Holly Lane 1-1 Highgate Utd league result.

This week saw us travel to bottom of the table Holly lane, with them picking up their first win of the season last week.

As a player you thrive on the big games, the ones that edge you closer to success, as a manager the roller coaster of the way these things go, do no good for heart.

We started confidently and Harry has been the one in recent games that has got us off to a perfect start. He did it again today, when a rebounded shot came out to him and he tucked it away to put us up 0-1 inside 2mins. Zeph had a great chance to put us 0-2 up just before the break when Blake found him, but just couldn’t keep his shot straight enough to hit the empty net.

The second half came and Holly lane were definitely growing into the game and had started to put some pressure on us. We then gave a silly free kick away just outside the penalty box, and the Holly lane no.10 curled it into the bottom left corner to make the game 1-1 after 45mins. With 15mins to go we needed something, we needed a goal, knowing our nearest rivals would be happy with our draw. We had at least 3-4 clear cut chances, but we seemed to hit the wrong side of the post each time. the final whistle blew and we had done everything we could apart from score. It felt like a loss, but taking the positives, we are still unbeaten, and still top, going into the top of the table clash next week against Knowle lions who were playing Walmley.

Word quickly spread that Walmley had won the game 1-0, meaning we had extended our lead to 3 points.

From the feeling at full time to hearing that news is the reason we love football, we just don’t know how it will ever play out.

Up next is the big one against the lions… knowing a win will seal promotion and maybe even the title 😬

Joe was given man of the match today, he was excellent from start to finish.

Highgate Utd 6-0 Walmley Colron league result.

With nearly a month without a game, we played our final home game of the season against Walmley at the Coppice.

With only 1 substitute, we tried to stick with a team that would get straight to the task of getting an early goal, which is what we did after just 1min, when a through ball found Zeph, who then tapped into Harry’s path to score the first of the game and settle a few nerves. We then started to string some passes together on a heavy and wet pitch, and persistence paid off when captain for the day Jacob slotted home from just inside the box, a lovely curler into the net. 2-0 up inside 10mins, and we really started to kick on. Then a 23min hattrick from Gabe, with assists from Jacob, Harry and Blake meant we went into the half time break 5-0 up, with his second goal being the pick of the bunch when Blake started a move, brought Jacob into play who found Gabe at the back stick who simply had to take it down and finish.

For walmley, they came out in the second half fighting and tried to get an early goal, to make something of this game, but Owen put it to bed with a lovely finish from outside the box into the bottom right hand corner.

Man of the match went to Blake who was a threat all game with his wing play, skills and first time passes into the box, creating chance after chance.

Up next in the promotion push is Holly Lane.

Knowle Pumas 0-2 Highgate Utd league result.

This week saw us to travel to Knowle Pumas, with the result being a 3-3 draw last time we played them at the Coppice.

The weather again was rough for both teams, we started quite sluggish and allowed Knowle to have possession for longer than we wanted. Unlike the weather, we warmed up and got our wingers Blake and Harry on the ball trying to make something happen for Zeph up top. It seemed like another one of those games where we couldn’t find the back of the net. Following a few corners and some half chances, Jacob’s throw in found Harry in the box who hit a half volley against the underside of the bar to put us 0-1 up and settle some nerves. This is how we went into the break, not full of confidence looking to add to our slender lead.

We started the second on the front again, we swapped around our attacking players and looked to add to our first half goal. Both teams had some great chances, the rain came, the wind came but didn’t stop both teams giving it their all and produced some end to end stuff. Great for the neutral, not great for the highgate management team. All players that played in defence and in attacking positions did a job today they can be proud of. Then in the final minutes of the game with Knowle throwing caution to the wind, Ceejay found Gabe in a wide position from his goal kick who took a few strides forward and caught the keeper off his line and lifted the ball over his head to seal the victory.

A trip to Holly lane next week to keep the promotion push going.

Man of the match went to Owen who was superb and at times found some extra pace out of nowhere.

Highgate Utd 1-1 Knowle Lions league result.

With our last game being 8th December we had knowle visit us at the Coppice for a top of the table clash.

We had a full squad to choose from today but unfortunately Dylan L who took a knock in training did feel he could risk it and decided to make himself unavailable. Shame as he has been in great form. We started as we have started many of our games, on the front foot and creating chances with Harry having a few first half which he couldn’t convert, but with 5mins gone, knowle caught us off guard and slotted home to make it 0-1. The remainder of the game consisted of us camped in their half and only managed 1 more shot on target all game which Ceejay made light work of.

We went all out attack in the second half, Joe was pushing his forward from the back, Owen with some great attacking runs, Harry and Gabe both dangerous on the wing, Cappo Dylan staying calm and finding some great passes. Chance after chance but we were obviously still very rusty and couldn’t find the target as the Knowle GK was brilliant between the sticks.

69 minutes gone, Milo chases the Knowle RM down, turns him inside out and produces a lovely ball to Gabe who finds Harry in the middle, who then finds super Sub Zeph and at the second opportunity slots home to make 1-1 and a share of the spoils.

We left it late, but hoping for some earlier goals next week against Knowle Pumas to make those 70mims earlier for management team.

Knowle pumas next week, 1 point clear at the top with the 5 games to go.

Redditch Borough 0-7 Highgate Utd league result.

This week we travelled to Redditch Borough Juniors, having hosted them a few weeks back.

After last week’s win against Walmley, we wanted to keep the momentum going with 2 tough fixtures coming up against Knowle lions and Pumas. We started strongly again when Blake found captain Dylan S at the back post, and finished coolly. We were then awarded a pen when Blake was fouled in the area, picked himself up and slotted into the bottom corner to make it 0-2 after 20mins. Dylan S then repaid the favour when he found Blake who doubled his goals for the day making it 0-3. Gabe then made it 0-4 with a neat finish with his left foot. Gabe then turned provider when he set Milo up for his 2nd highgate goal of the season. We made it 0-6 just before half time with the goal of the game when Harry and Jayden linked up nicely down the left with Harry finding the back of the net to go into the half time break in a strong position.

We then decided to rotate some of the players to ensure everyone is ready for the next couple of games before Owen set Blake up to complete his Hattrick and make the score 0-7, which is how it stayed.

We go into the Xmas period top, knowing that 2 good results in our next 2 games will ensure we position ourselves to push for promotion.

Walmley Colron 2-3 Highgate Utd league result.

This week we travelled to Walmley Colron, with both teams yet to lose a game.

With our squad back to full strength and knowing Walmley also had a great start to the season, this was always going to be a tough game. Walmley took an early lead after 25mins, through a sucker punch attack. We then grew into the game, Gabe whipped in a cross and Harry bundled into the net following up on his strike that crashed against the crossbar. We then took the lead just before half when club captain fired home when he twisted and turned, slotting home with his left foot making it 2-1.

Second half we took control, and the pressure paid off when Blake put us 3-1 up.
Walmley were then awarded a penalty when Gabe bundled over the Walmley player in the box. Ceejay dived to his right but couldn’t keep it out. 3-2 with 5 to go but we held on to the win, and continued our unbeaten league start.

We go again next week against Redditch.

Halesowen Town 1-10 Highgate Utd league result.

This week we travelled to Halesowen Town, looking to build on last week’s win.

We had 2 players back from holiday, including Zeph, Harry and new GK Ceejay, getting his chance between the sticks. We started brightly and blake found a neat through ball for Gabe who slotted home within 2mins. Gabe then found himself on the edge of the box 5mins later and found the back of the net from just outside the area to make it 2-0. Halesowen’s only goal of the game came when Joe fouled their striker outside the box, but the ref decided it was inside the box and gave a penalty, to which Ceejay nearly got a hand to. Man of the match from last week Dylan Lewis then hit a rocket from outside the box into the top corner to make it 3-1 after 15mins. Blake then got put through by milo who put away nicely, and within 2 mins of the restart Austin smashed one against the bar to which Gabe tapped home to complete his hattrick. Blake then doubled his goals for the day when Dylan Shan found him again in a great position and tucked his shot away brilliantly to make it 6-1 at half time.

Harry then stepped up the pressure and force an early own goal when his cross was headed into his own net by the Halesowen defender trying to clear the ball. Harry then fired in from close range from another assist from Dylan Shan. Milo then scored from a tight angle when his cross / shot ended up in the back of the net before Harry wrapped up the scoring with a tap in at the back post from Owen coopers hard work down the right hand side.

Discipline is the key to the next few games and we need to keep going for the jugular and being clinical in front of goal. A win nether the less, and we visit new side walmley next week.

Highgate Utd 6-0 Redditch Borough league result.

This week saw Redditch Borough visit the Coppice, the reverse fixture was postponed last week due to weather.

Unfortunately Redditch only 10 players due to holidays and last minute changes. We too were low on numbers with Harry, Zeph, Seb and new GK CeeJay all on their holidays.

Lots of early pressure saw a couple of chances fall to Gabe and Blake, but the Redditch keeper was brilliant today and made 2 great early saves. But with 14mins gone, Gabe whipped in a cross and found Austin who bundled the ball into the net with his back. With Milo starting the game in place of Harry, he found Gabe with a through ball and Gabe slotted home to make it 2-0 after 17mins. Another cross this time from Austin, was unfortunately turned into their own net to make it 3-0 after 20mins. Another cross from Gabe was turned into the net by our ever present defender Jacob. Lovely little Haaland type flick to make it 4-0.

We then had a good chat at half time regarding our discipline and shape. Blake found another gear and scored 2 in 4 mins, with one assist from Joe and another great assist from man of the match Dylan Lewis who found Blake at the back stick. Redditch really fought hard to keep the score down with captain Dylan S and Gabe missing a few more chances prior to the full time whistle. Special mentions to Milo and Austin, who were equally good today.

We travel to Halesowen town next week, hoping to build on our last few games.

Highgate Utd 3-1 Four Oaks league result.

This week saw Four Oaks visit the Coppice for our Third league game of the season.

New signing Milo, started on the bench, following his completed move late Saturday night. I asked the starting 11 to get off to a quick start and ensure that we create some early chances and zeph must of been the only one listening as he scored two goals inside 6mins to get us off to the perfect start. His second being the pick of the 2 as he took the ball down, dropped the shoulder, and sent one curling round the keeper. We needed to be disciplined following our early 2 goal lead, but four oaks scored from a header from a corner when their player was unmarked in the box. Moment of the match shortly followed when Joe smashed a first time shot from the Four Oaks goal kick and caught the keeper off guard to nestle into the net from 35-40 yards away.

Milo came on for his debut at half time, with the second half being tight, and both teams ensuring they were defensively strong, but had created few chances at the other end to score. Gabe, Blake and Harry all had chances, but just lacked a bit of finesse in the finishing department.

Solid start to the season, with 2 wins and a draw, but we can still push on and improve in all departments.

A break from the norm next week as we travel to redditch borough.

Highgate Utd 5-4 Holly Lane league result.

Holly Lane visited the Coppice for our second league game of the season.

With a strong bench, including Gabe, Joe and Ben we got off to a slow start when Holly lane went 0-1 up inside 12mins. Blake had a great chance a 0-0, when his shot forced their keeper into a great save at the near post. But by the time 20 mins were up, Harry and zeph both slotted home nicely to put us 2-1 up. We seemed to have settled and took control but with 1 min to go to half time, Holly lane equalised.

Gabe and Joe were introduced at half time, but found ourselves 3-2 down when Holly lane tucked away a penalty. This was gutting for us as we had just missed one 2 mins earlier. Credit to Blake, following his pen being saved, he tapped home a Gabe corner from the left and parity was restored. Gabe then tapped home following some great work from Harry on the left and then doubled his goals for the day when he chased the keeper down and stuck out his leg which deflected the ball into the net. We made hard work of it in the end with some positional errors and Holly lane scored with the last kick of the game to make the final score 5-4

Still lots to improve on, but we move on to the next league game next week.

Player of the month was Jack, had a great debut and following games. Well done Jack