Kent County Under 18's 2 - 2 Surrey Under 18's

By Ken Brooke. Sunday, 5 October 2008

Sub Sam Cliff earns Kent a deserved point.

Kent and Surrey drew the first game of the Southern Counties Youth Championship at Corinthian with Kent twice coming from behind to force a draw.

With 8 first year 18's starting the game it took Kent a while to get to know each other but early on new boy Tom Phipp down the right was causing Surrey many problems. Strong in the air and excellent on the ground the Surrey full back worked hard to try and keep Tom in check.

Kent looked dangerous from set pieces forcing 8 corners in the first half an hour. New boy Rob Carter was unlucky to see a couple of efforts just go over.

Surrey took the lead just after half an hour when keeper Deren Ibrahim let the ball slip through his hands for Surrey to score a simple tap in. Deren had pulled off a couple of good saves early on but the lads rallied round and should have been level at half time, when Rob missed a glorious chance which their keeper saved.

Kent came storming out after the interval and Rob at last got his name on the scoresheet scoring from close range. With Karl Dent and Harry Harding much more influential the pressure was all from Kent. In the space of 30 seconds Andrew Williams was very unlucky to be adjudged off side and from that moment Kent were penalised for a foul about 20 yards out which again looked harsh. From the resulting free kick Surrey scored to go 2-1 up.

Kent then brought on Sam Cliff to play up alongside Williams and a neat move involving Williams and Harding saw Cliff rise at the far post to equalise. Tom Phipp then saw a superb header cannon off the bar and one or two half chances were created.

Inexplicably after a goal kick was awarded with about 5 minutes to go, Surrey's keeper stomped on Tom and was rightly shown a straight red. However there wasn't enough time for Kent to exploit the extra man, and both sides were happy with the draw.

Good performances by Pat Taylor on his debut along with Tom, and Rob and a number of last seasons 16's gave plenty of optimism for the coming season.

From the Manager's perspective I was delighted that we came back twice to get a draw but disappointed with both goals conceded. However we rode our luck at times but given that was the first time we had got together since the Essex game we did well. Michael Scott captained the side really well and I have much to think about before we go to Jersey in two weeks. Good luck to Surrey for the rest of the season, and a very good performance from Paul Kelly the referee.

Team: 1. Deren Ibrahim 2. Pat Taylor 3. George Crimmen. 4. Karl Dent. 5. Michael Scott. 6. Rob Carter. 7. Harry Harding. 8. Tom Phipp. 9. Andrew Williams. 10. Ollie Funnell. 11. Steve Brading.

Subs: 12. Sam Cliff. 13. Jack Rankin. 14. Perry Scofield Lamoon. 15. Adam Woollcot. 16. Jack Sparrow. Sam Cliff for Ollie Funnell and Perry Scofield Lamoon for Tom Phipp.

Scorers: Rob Carter & Sam Cliff

Yellow Cards: Harry Harding & Michael Scott

Ken Brooke