Sturminster Newton United Football Club Under 14's have been confirmed as runners up in Dorset youth league division 3 after playing their last match on Sunday 20th March.
Going in to the game they only needing a point to to win the title but were defeated by Poole Town Wessex colts 2-1.
Wessex Colts were the overall Champions of the league.

Sturminster Newton Players should be proud of their efforts this season, hopefully being promoted to Division 2 next season. 

Chris Frear wishes to say thankyou and well done to all his team.


  

 

This was always going to be a pressure match for our U12’s. There was a quiet and humble belief that we could win this match, but the target is now a bigger one. The league title. It’s a long shot at this stage, with a requirement to win the last three remaining matches and to pull up the goal difference by an extra 24 goals. A tall order indeed. And so our boys took to the field, laden with hope and no doubt some butterflies.

 

From the off the match belonged to Sturminster. They played some very clever and skilful football and so maintained majority possession by some margin. The advances on the Poole defence came thick and fast, and soon led to the first Sturminster goal, taken impressively by Tom Upshall. The second followed soon after, Jordan this time placing the ball low into the corner, leaving the very competent Poole keeper with little hope of stopping the shot. Our boys kept this pressure up through the first half, but there were moments when the Poole lads held their cool and regained some control with impressive team play. Using combinations of passing and individual determination, Poole Wessex turned the pressure 180 degrees, requiring some quick thinking and positive action from both the midfield and defence in the Sturminster team. Again, Barney Sharp in goal was efficient in snatching the ball away and into safe hands given just half a chance.  Through all this action though, Sturminster led further attacks, and these efforts led to a handball in the Poole box. Jack is a very competent kicker and doesn’t really miss penalties, but he took a long time thinking about this one before powering it safely into the net. Great goal. Before the first half was out, Jordan got his second with this shot placed high into the corner. 4 nil at half time.

 

Poole Wessex stepped up in the second half, and seemed very determined to put on a good show. And so they did, with a most resilient defence that seemed impossible to break. Playing heavily in numbers around their box, they thwarted many of Sturminster’s efforts on goal. Shots at goal were seen to be pushed wide, hit the post, hit the bar or spectacularly saved by the keeper. Sturminster kept at it, only occasionally allowing Poole to break away and threaten attack. However the goals were not coming either way at this stage, at least until James took the tally to 5 for Sturminster. And so the game was played to the end, with a little frustration I suspect on both sides as maximum effort seemed not to bring the rewards strived for. The Poole boys left us all in admiration of their very clean and persistent efforts, especially the goalie and his ‘wretched brilliant saves’ Well done, we hope you all enjoyed your sausage and chips !

 

Goals today, Tom U (1), Jordan (2), Jack (1), James (1).  Man of the Match today was Jamie, who played an outstanding game. Throughout the match he was there, with strong and effective defending, and constantly feeding the ball through to the forwards. Well played Jamie !!

 

And so, another match won, and the GD up by 5. With 2nd place in the league now guaranteed, along with the promotion this brings, let’s hope our boys can relax a little and enjoy the last two matches of the season.

Well done.

 

 

Today seemed to bring two different matches into one.  The first half was so totally different to the second it was as though a whole week separated them.  From the off Sturminster were on the back foot with Poole Borough very quickly taking control and mounting a number of attacks through the midfield. Somehow Sturminster kept the ball from the net in the first 10 minutes or so, but were being completely outwitted at this stage, conceding a corner and allowing scrappy goal mouth scrambles. A stroke of fortune brought a return attack which lead to a foul half way into Poole’s home territory. The kick was taken by Jack Bailey who calmly proceeded to punch it high and fast over the heads of all, beating everyone including the Poole keeper, and finding the top of the net. 1 nil Sturminster.  Poole however did not let it lie, and immediately were back at it. Their persistent pressure forced error after error in the Sturminster side, who never really got it together, and this led to the taking of 2 goals putting the visitors ahead at half time. It could have been worse for Sturminster but for the efforts of Liam Pope in defence. Well played and great effort here.

 

Then came the change. Adie and Pete did their bit during the break and a new team walked onto the pitch. Within 4 minutes Sturminster had put away two more goals, both fast and furious attacks by the strikers and midfield players. A new found energy and drive now had Sturminster in the lead at 3 goals to 2. With this followed some excellent football, in fact from both teams, but now in the lead Sturminster seemed determined to keep it that way. The pressure fell on Poole Borough, and it was relentless for them. Sturminster laid some great scoring opportunities but the next goal was a while in coming. It did come though, in fact two more well deserved goals were added to the tally, one of them directly into the net from a corner kick. (That man Bailey again !!).  Late in the game striker Jordan Sharp gave his all, running as fast as anyone has ever seen, chasing a loose ball into the Poole box out-pacing the defender, only to be brought down by a push. Jack Bailey didn’t miss from the penalty spot.  Final score 6 – 2 Sturminster.

 

Great relief after the first half performance. We don’t know what it was that coach Adie and manager Pete said to the boys at half time, but it would be nice if they said before the match starts in future !!!

Well done boys.  Goals today .. Jack (3) Jordan (2) Jamie (1).  Man of the match was split today. Liam for the first half and Ryan in the second. Highly appropriate.

 

*******

 

 

 

A real mix of weather today with sunshine, rain and even a heavy hail shower which brought some amusement and a 5 minute break in the proceedings, with all players and spectators running for cover.

 

The first half was pretty even, with great attempts at goal both ends of the pitch coming in the first 5 minutes. Both keepers earned their keep here with a couple of spectacular saves. SNUFC keeper Barney Sharp found himself working hard to keep the ball from his net a number of times as Okeford seemed to be putting on the pressure. SNUFC did hold their own with strong counter attacks, though struggling a little with the small pitch size. The first goal came from Jordan Sharp (no relation to Barney!) early on, followed fairly quickly by the second.    2 nil to SNUFC at half time but with everyone still wondering how it would finish.

 

Things changed after the break when SNUFC now started to take control and play the game. With the majority of possession at our boy’s feet pressure was applied and the upper hand gained. Four more goals was the result of this effort with Jordan Sharp and Tom Upshall taking the honours here.  Our defence played well with a consistent and determined line which Okeford struggled to beat. One or two chances were lost, but eventually they secured a penalty from which their only goal came.

 

Overall a great effort from both teams, unfazed by the weather induced break, or indeed the fact that they were all soaked to the skin and probably freezing cold.  Well done.

 

Goals  Jordan (5) Tom U (1).   Man of the Match - a unanimous parents decision – Barney Sharp, who literally saved the day.

 

SNUFC PRESENTS:

       RACE NIGHT

            

           SATURDAY 19TH MARCH

  7:30pm        

  Table of 10      £20 (incl Plowmans!) 

Contact Chris Frear Under 14s Manager to reserve your table or email Rich Barnes at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more details.

 

 

A reasonably fine and dry day, a firm pitch and high spirits from the off. Goals came thick and fast today, the first in the 4th minute putting Sturminster in the lead where they stayed for the duration. A decisive victory, but the Bournemouth boys certainly put on a good show with plenty of skilful football. Even when 5 down in the 13th minute, Bournemouth had enough composure and resilience to break through the Sturminster midfield and mount a strong attack leading to one of the best goals of the match.  Sturminster kept at it though and at the half time whistle left the field with 11 goals to Bournemouth’s 1.

 

The goal rate did slow up in the second half, and at times it has to be said that Sturminster were guilty of losing shape, putting some pressure on the defenders and keeper Barney Sharp. However some strong and loud verbal input from coach Adie put this right and control was regained. Further opportunities were missed, but another 3 goals brought the tally to the closing 14 – 1 score line.  Bournemouth did win a massive amount of respect today, playing with only 10 men, and keeping up their efforts and team spirit right through to the final whistle.

 

A fine performance all round today. Goals today by Jordan (5) James (4) Kyle (1) Jamie (1) Tom C (1) Jack (1) Tom U (1).  Man of the Match  (nominated by the ref)   Jordan Sharp.

 

Well done boys. It’s just about the home run now to the end of season, and at this time there is everything to play for. We’re all watching very carefully and counting each and every goal as the league title undoubtedly will go to the wire.

 

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