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EBOH Victory
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CAR PARKING AT THE GREEN
Parking around the Green is a highly sensitive issue and parking right up to the junction with Regent Street is, selfish, dangerous and illegal. Please ensure that all Home and Away "football" cars use the car park at Roker Park at all times. Failure to comply will result in the Town Council withdrawing permission for us to play on the Green. The club can't afford for that to happen and therefore if any teams are identified as causing this problem, they will either have to play all their matches away or be permitted to use the Green only at a time when the club management are available to steward the parking on their behalf.
PLEASE DON'T ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE THE PERSON WHO'S SELFISH ACTIONS COSTS THE ENTIRE CLUB THE OPPORTUNITY TO USE THIS VALUABLE FACILITY

MANAGER OF THE MONTH 2008-9
September - Paul Witchell - Under 10s
October - Graeme Shaw - Under 14s
November - Simon Wathen - Under 8s
Dec / Jan - Simon Wathen - Under 8s
February - Graeme Shaw - Under 14s
March - Graeme Shaw - Under 14s
April - James Bacon - Under 12 Girls

STOTFOLD FINALLY
ALL WAKE UP!
Stotfold Juniors brought home the Alway Cup on Easter Monday for the first time since 2000

Victorious captains, Callum Green and Dean Bainbridge receive the Alway cup after a magnificent victory in Dordrecht
To view the photo gallery click here

The traditional Easter weekend tournament between Stotfold and EBOH was the normal great weekend, but unusually in recent years, Stotfold won the day. It started well when Manager Graeme Shaw and Coach Rob Syme led out the Stotfold U14 squad for the first of the two matches. The travelling support this year (almost 60 people) meant a rapturous welcome was guaranteed and the boys didn't disappoint their fans. The U14s as always play against the EBOH C squad and the first 5 mins was end to end with both sides feeling out their opponents and trying to settle into their game. Stotfold settled best and first when Matthew Cunningham coolly finished the very first real chance of the match to give Stotfold an early lead and a huge confidence boost. For the following 25 minutes Stotfold bossed the show completely with captain Callum Green starring. 11 Minutes played and Stotfold have a free kick on the edge of the area. Having practiced set pieces that morning in the training area, Green stepped up to slot it over the wall and under the bar 0 - 2. Same scenario 10 minutes later only this time 30 yards out, with all the touchline experts deciding it was too far out, Green found the top corner for 0- 3. EBOH were rocked and when on 30 minutes Stotfold were awarded a penalty it was no surprise when Green stepped up and coolly completed a first half hattrick putting Stotfold into a four goal lead. As the clock ran down to half time, James Adams added the killer blow lobbing the keeper from just outside the box leaving Stotfold leading by 0 - 5 at half time. EBOHs hairdryer team talk at half time seemed to do the trick and in the second half the game was much more even. Goal keeper Matt O'Dell had been a spectator in the first half, but when called upon after the break he pulled of a couple of magnificent saves to protect Stotfold's supremacy. Mid way through the half, Jack Pollock won a ball near the corner flag and cut in to hammer a low cross which Jack Simmonds turned in taking the final score to 0-6. As always there are stars, but make no mistake, those of us that were privileged enough to watch this match saw a squad of 16 players give their all, hard work and determination bringing a brilliant and comprehensive victory and securing the first of the two Ken Waylett Shields.

U14 Squad
Callum Green, James Adams, Sam Belcher, Alex Borg, Ben Coxon, Matthew Cunningham, Michael Darlow, Kevin Jupp, Dale Kirby, Matthew Marsden, Matt O'Dell, Jack Pollock, William Shaw, Jack Simmonds, Chris Thornley, Ryan Witchell

A brief interlude followed when the travelling adults played against their hosts with some really surprising performances not least from brace scorer Graeme Shaw both impressive strikes from distance. But on this occasion, the hosts were too strong and the match ended 4-2 to EBOH. Stotfold ending the match with only 10 men after an injury to Dave Benson and the U16 coaches being withdrawn to prepare their team for the second cup match.

Manager Andy Bainbridge and coaches Wayne Cleverly and Adam Turner led out the U16 side to face EBOH's B Squad. EBOH were still confident as they knew their B squad were very good containing several players on the verge of winning their Div 1 title and a Striker with 60 goals this season to his credit. But for any side, starting 0-6 down is a mountain to climb and when that mountain is Andy's U16's it starts to look like Everest. We all knew that our U16's were well organised and tireless in their defensive efforts, but there was always a risk that an early EBOH goal would unsettle the boys and the pressure would start to build. However, what we hadn't expected was a very dubious penalty awarded to Stotfold after only 3 mins of the game. Luke Green stepped up to emulate younger brother Callum's effort and tucked away a sweet strike to open the account 0-1. This is how it stayed to half time thanks to tireless work by all the squad, but particularly Ryan Williamson, Craig Tuffin and Dom Doherty with young Miles Larter chasing every ball forward. The Second half started much as the first did with both teams working hard and the ball rarely troubling either keeper. 10 minutes into the half and Dean Bainbridge kicked a long ball out into the midfield where it was headed on and as it bounced towards goal, the advancing EBOH keeper just lost the race to the ball when Jonathan Mait deftly lobbed it over the advancing keeper into the net for 0-2 and giving Stotfold now an eight goal cushion with only 30 minutes left to play. Bainbridge and his opposite number now being called upon to save more and more shots and with 15 mins left EBOH finally found a way through with a goalmouth scramble being turned in. Disappointment then for Stotfold when a speculative lob from distance unluckily deceived the brilliant Bainbridge and the ball dropped into the back of the net for 2-2 and that was the final score. This meant that although the Alway Cup was secured, a penalty shootout took place for the second Ken Waylett shield. EBOH won this by 6-5 and so retained one of the shields. However, Stotfold brought home one of the shields and of course the cup. It is the first time Stotfold had won the cup in Dordrecht since 1999.

U16 Squad
Dean Bainbridge, Matt Benson, Alex Best, Luke Cleverly, Dom Doherty, Luke Green, Ashley Kirby, Miles Larter, Connor Long, Jonathan Mait, Jonathan Purdie, Tommy Taylor, James Tear, Matthew Tear, Criag Tuffin, Ryan Williamson.

On the social front, as always this was a friendly and enjoyable weekend with all the travelling party enjoying the usual generous hospitality from our friends in Dordrecht. On the presentation evening Andy Bainbridge thanked our hosts for their hospitality and thanked Ed and Remco for all the effort in organising the visit. Alan Syme presented the "Stan The Man Trophy" to the EBOH B Squad Goalkeeper before Andy invited EBOH back to Stotfold next Easter to visit the cup. Remco, on behalf of EBOH, accepted the challenge and we look forward to an opportunity to repay the hospitality and to retain the cup.

As the coach approached Stotfold, Andy thanked the parents for accompanying us and thanked Andrew Kirby and the EBOH Committee for their organisation. He thanked the boys for the exemplary behaviour and of course for winning the cup in his first year as Chairman. The triumphant return to Roker Park was very moving with all the parents and many of the Stotfold Juniors Committee crowding the car park with a hastily made but impressive congratulations banner. The travelling adults alighted first to swell the crowd and then the U16s filed out to huge applause, followed by the U14s with Graeme Shaw showing off the Ken Waylett Shield. Finally, the two captains appeared holding the Alway Cup aloft to probably the biggest roar to be heard at Roker Park this season. A very moving and entirely fitting welcome to Stotfold Junior's 32, each one a hero.

U6 VISIT THE ARSENAL

STOTFOLD F.C. LOTTERY
The lottery is an in club lottery with prizes to date of £6,400 per annum. All the profits from the lottery are shared equally between the senior and junior clubs and it is a crucial part of our fund raising portfolio. For details please visits the LOTTERY page.

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