U10s 'Utd' REPORTS  

Feniton Hornets 1-8 United

United fought back from conceding a soft early goal to produce a sparkling performance. Thomas Sicklemore started the come back turning in two close range efforts to give Utd a half time lead. Excellent defending by George Mears and Josh Phillips allowed Utd to attack with confidence in the second half.  Ryan Ellis led the way with a hat trick including a fine individual goal. Sam Skinner scored two including a cheeky lob over the keeper and a brilliant Lewis Miller thunderbolt completed United's scoring. Josh Maunder saved bravely late on to prevent a Hornet's consolation goal.

Scorers:- Ellis 3; Sicklemore 2; Skinner 2; Miller:

Feniton Wasps 1-7 United

 For the second game running United fought back from a goal down to win comfortably. A Josh Maunder save prevented United from conceding again before an own goal from a United corner started their recovery. Ryan Ellis gave United the lead with a fine shot and Keenan Paver and Thomas Sicklemore scored further first half goals to put United in command.  Sam Skinner slotted home for United's fifth goal. Keenan Paver added his second with a great finish and Lewis Miller completed the scoring turning in an Ellis free kick. In defence Josh Phillips and George Mears again defended well to keep the Wasps quiet.   

Scorers:- Paver 2; Ellis; Sicklemore; Skinner; Miller; O.G.: 

Report by Nigel Skinner

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West Hill Hornets 0-1 United

1st Round U10's Exeter Friendly League Cup

United extended their unbeaten run to 10 games and progressed to the second round of the cup with this win over a hardworking Hornets side. Josh Maunder had to make a smart save from an early Hornets shot. Josh Phillips and George Mears also defended well as United weathered early Hornets pressure.  Sam Skinner put United's first chance just wide when Hornets keeper spilled the ball in front of goal, but United soon took the lead. A Ryan Ellis shot was parried  by the Hornets keeper into the path of Keenan Paver who made no mistake from close range. United continued to dominate in the second half with Jake Sharp creating chances for Thomas Sicklemore and Lewis Miller who both came close to extending United's lead. But in the end a single goal took United into Round 2.   

Scorer: Paver:

Report by Nigel Skinner

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United 2-0 v Sidmouth Town Viking Raiders

Utd brought their highly sucessful 2007 fixtures to a close by recording their ninth and tenth wins of the season. In their first match against the Raiders Utd's winning margin could have been much greater. Utd dominated from the kick off as powerful runs by Keenan Paver and Ryan Ellis carved the Raiders wide open. Paver's shot flashed across the face of the goal and Ellis brough a good save out of the Raider's keeper.It was no surprise when Ellis opened the scoring muscling through from midfield to plant a strong shot beyond the Raiders keeper. Paver then beat several defenders before stinging the Raider's keeper's hands with another firm drive. On the other wing Sam Skinner jinked his way down the line before cutting in to hit the post with another fine effort. 

Utd didn't have it all their own way and brave keeping by Josh Maunder kept Utd ahead. He rushed out to block a Raiders shot with his feet and as the ball broke loose on the edge of the box where a Raiders striker saw his rising shot clip the top of the cross bar. George Mears then timed a slidding tackle to perfection as the Raiders continued to press. Jake Sharp helped Utd regain control of the game. Sitting in front of the back two Sharp won several important tackles and helped push Utd back onto the attack.

Sam Skinner forced an early second half corner for Utd with some further trickery. At the other end Josh Phillips coolly cleared a dangerous Raiders attack under pressure to launch Utd forward . Keenan Paver then extended Utd's lead ramming home from close range after good work from Lewis Miller. Miller then almost added a third as the ball pinged around the box. Further good defending by Josh Phillips and George Mears ensured Utd kept their second clean sheet of the season to record a good win. 

Scorers:- Ryan Ellis and Keenan Paver 

Brixington Utd 2-1  v Sidmouth Town Viking Warriers

In their second fixture of the day Utd grabbed an early goal as Thomas Sicklemore slotted a cool finish past the Warriers Keeper from a long Josh Maunder goal kick. Sam Skinner and Lewis Miller carved out further chances for Keenan Paver and Ryan Ellis. However Utd had to wait until the second half to extend their lead when Ellis scored direct from a free kick. Warriers fought back strongly and pulled a goal back with a well placed shot. Utd's defence held strong with Jake Sharp and Josh Phillips making some excellent tackles.

Scorer:- Ryan Ellis and Thmoas Sicklemore

Report by Nigel Skinner

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Cullompton Tornadoes 2-4 United

Utd maintain their unbeaten away record with another fine victory. Thomas Sicklemore latched onto a long Josh Maunder goal kick to steer a shot into the net to give Utd the lead. George Mears then cleared a dangerous Tornadoes raid with some great defending. A series of Utd corners kept the pressure on the opposition goal and it was no surprise when a goal mouth scramble led to an own goal to extend United's lead. Keenan Paver nearly added a third with a fine run and shot. But early in the second half Sam Skinner scored United's third, steering home a shot from a corner kick. At the back Josh Phillips had a great game with some fine  tackling and passing. However Tornadoes did pull a goal back with a strong shot which swerved past Maunder. Sicklemore made the game safe when he fired home his second following good work by Ryan Ellis and Sam Skinner. Tornadoes added a second direct from a harshly awarded free kick to complete the scoring. 

Cullompton Hurricane's 1-2 United

Utd bomdarded the Hurricane's goal from start to finish but could not find their finishing boots until the second half. Keenan Paver and Ryan Ellis went close in the first half before a long range Josh Phillips effort flew just over the bar. Lewis Miller finally broke the deadlock forcing home a Utd corner from close range. Utd pushed forward for the second but got caught on the break by the Hurricanes for the equaliser. With time ticking away Jake Sharp charged forward from defence with a great run to force a corner. Ryan Ellis sent over a deep corner kick and the Hurricanes defender turned the ball into his own goal under pressure from Caleb Rowland to secure Utd's victory.          

Report by Nigel Skinner

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Moors Youth 1-1 United

United worked hard against evenly match opposition for a credible draw. An early Josh Maunder save led to a period of sustained pressure by Utd. Keenan Paver and Ryan Ellis shots coming closest for Utd. At the other end Josh Phillips broke up a dangerous Moor's attack with a well timed tackle. The Moors keeper then made a great save clawing out a goal bound Lewis Miller effort from under the bar to deny Utd the lead.

Moors took the lead in the second half when a Moor's striker sneaked a shot under Maunder. But Utd fought back and Sam Skinner equilised with a good shot deflected into the roof of the net. A Caleb Rowland shot nearly won it for Utd who finished the stronger of the sides.  

Crediton Utd 1-1 United

Another well deserved draw for Utd who took the lead with a great first half goal. Sam Skinner beat the Crediton defender with a Ronaldo style step over. A strong run followed and Caleb Rowland swept home the inch perfect cross.  Utd then had to defend well and Josh Maunder brilliantly blocked when Crediton were put clean through. The cross bar also rescued Utd before Crediton equilised with a powerful shot past Maunder. Utd again came back strongly and Thomas Sicklemore flashed a shot just wide. A series of Jake Sharp long throws into the box for George Mears to get on the end of caused havoc in the Crediton box, but Utd could not force home the winner.

Report by Nigel Skinner

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Hemyock 2-3 United

With downhill advantage in the first half United started strongly and dominated possession in the Hemyock half. United's first attack started from a great George Mears tackle. The ball was fed wide to Keenan Paver who skipped past two tackles before his attempted cross was deflected off for a Utd throw in . A Lewis Miller's shot was then blocked and the rebound fell to Ryan Ellis who forced a good save out of the Hemyock keeper, who scooped the ball around the post for a Utd corner. The resulting Ryan Ellis corner then flashed across the box when any contact by the onrushing Utd players would have led to the opening goal. 

At the other end a rare Hemyock attack was coolly handled by the assured partnership of George Mears and Josh Phiilps. With Mears no nonsense tackles and Phillips's intelligent marking and ball distribution they provide great protection for Josh Maunder in the United goal.    

United then took the lead when Lewis Miller fed a great ball to Thomas Sicklemore who made no mistake from close range. Hemyock responded immediately and from their next attack forced their first corner. The corner was only half cleared and a smart save by Josh Maunder smothering a close range shot kept United ahead. 

Lewis Miller then played a great ball down the right wing for Ellis, and Sicklemore's shot from the resulting cross was blocked by a great saving tackle by the Hemyock defence. 

United then extended their lead just before half time when Ryan Ellis scored direct from a free kick. The ball taking a slight deflection off the Hemyock defender before hitting the roof of the net.

In the second half United continued to press and a fine individual goal by Keenan Paver made it 3-0 shortly after the restart. Paver received the ball midway inside the Hemyock half and was forced wide by two Hemyock defenders. With seemingly nowhere to go Paver cut in between the defenders and forced a shot from the narrowest of angles between the keeper and the post to score.

Sam Skinner then scampered up the right wing before feeding Caleb Rowland who forced another good save out of the Hemyock keeper.  

This sparked Hemyock to life and a great Jake Sharp tackle and clearance for a corner prevented Hemyock from pulling a goal back. However from the resulting corner Hemyock scored, as a free header in the box was well finished by the Hemyock forward. With down hill advantage Hemyock continued to apply pressure in the United Half and another Hemyock shot was partially cleared by Josh Maunder but the Hemyock forward followed up to force home the loose ball.

Josh Muander then pulled off a great save plucking a long clearance out of the air and holding onto the ball assuredly with the Hemyock forwards ready to pounce on any slip. 

A tense final few minutes ensued, but United worked hard to prevent Hemyock from creating any further chances and held out for their fifth victory of the season.

Culm Utd 1-4 United

This result provided ample evidence that United are reeping the benefits of great coaching from their manager Carl Wilson. United were well organised, kept good shape and worked tirelessly for each other to record yet another fine victory.

The defensive partnerships of Josh Phillips, George Mears and Jake Sharp all worked extremely well and kept Culm down to very few chances. All three tackle well and are comfortable on the ball . They provide a great platform for United to build their attacks. George times his tackles to perfection, Josh closes attackers down quickly and Jake brings the ball out of defense strongly to launch Utd forward.  

The fourth member of the defensive unit is Josh Maunder. A great shot stopper, brave and committed with a great goal kick that launches Utd deep into opposition territory.

In midfield, combinations of Ryan Ellis, Keenan Paver, Sam Skinner and Lewis Miller all offer different skills and work hard supporting both defense and attack in the engine house of the team. Ryan Ellis with his strong tackles and physical presence, Keenan Paver with is speed and dribbling skills, Sam Skinner with his passing and positional awareness of team mates and Lewis Miller with his strong runs and attacking support of the forwards. 

Up front Caleb Rowland and Thomas Sicklemore are both great finishers and pull defenders all over the place with their intelligent running. Thomas is very calm and clinical when chances come his way and Caleb packs a powerful shot and rarely misses when put through.

United took the lead when Ryan Ellis forced his way through a crowded midfield to strike an unstoppable shot past the Culm keeper, United then extended their lead when a deep Ryan Ellis corner was spectacularly volleyed in at the far post by Caleb Rowland. A few minutes later United added a third when a good Sam Skinner tackle and pass put Caleb Rowland through and he made no mistake with a thumping shot. 

In the second half, Culm pulled a goal back when a great shot from out wide on the right flew into the top corner. United completed the scoring when good play by Lewis Miller and Jake Sharp saw a cross into the box by Sharp handled by the Culm defender before being slotted into the net by Thmas Sicklemore. But the referee had already blown for a penalty before Utd scored. However the clam and collected Sicklemore made no mistake fro mthe spot to compete a grat 4-1 victory for United.         

Report by Nigel Skinner

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United 2-6 St Martins

United paid the price for a sluggish start against a very strong St Martins team. United were 3-0 before offering any real threat. Thomas Sicklemore gave United hope with a debut goal, finishing off a good run with a fine shot past the Saints keeper. Josh Phillips broke up a dangerous Saints attack with a well timed challenge and at the other end Lewis Miller threaded a dangerous ball into the saints box which evaded the on running Caleb Rowland and Keenan Paver.

Two goals in a minute early in the second half ended United hopes. But United kept plugging away and Sam Skinner fed Rowland who beat the keeper to add Utd's second. Jake Sharp then blocked a dangerous Saints move, before Saints completed the scoring with their sixth goal in the last minute.

Scorers:- Sicklemore; Rowland: 

United 4-3 Newton Town

United led four times in this seven goal thriller. Caleb Rowland put United ahead finishing off a through ball from Keenan Paver. From the kick off Josh Phillips made a great tackle to deny Town an instant equaliser. But from the resulting corner Town levelled the scores. Utd regained the lead when a fine Sam Skinner run fed Paver who finished in style. Town came back again equalising just before the break.

Utd restored their lead for a third time when Thomas Sicklemore's fine tackle found Lewis Miller. Miller picked out Sam Skinner who slotted the ball past Town's keeper. Brave Town came back again to level the scores. Before Jake Sharp hit a long ball through to Caleb Rowland who made no mistake with a good strike. Josh Maunder then denied Town a late equaliser with a great diving save in the last minute. 

Scorers: Rowland 2; Paver; Skinner; 
Squad:- Josh Maunder, Josh Phillips, Jake Sharp, Keenan Paver, Sam Skinner, Lewis Miller, Thomas Sicklemore and Caleb Rowland  

Report by Nigel Skinner

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United 2-1 Central Reds

United started the game in explosive fashion scoring 2 goals in the first 90 seconds to rattle the reds. First Keenan Paver cut in from the left flank to thump an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. From the restart United dispossessed the Reds and Sam Skinner took the ball into the box before hitting a shot across the Reds Keeper and into the top right hand corner of the net for United's second.

Stunned Reds slowly fought their way back into the game with a couple of dangerous raids down the right wing. First George Mears matched the Reds forward for pace before knocking the ball out for a Reds Throw in and then Josh Phillip's provided good cover by reading the danger and intercepting another Reds attack. 

Sam Skinner was then fouled on the edge of the Reds box and from the resulting free kick Jake Sharp came very close to extending Uniteds lead. A scorching shot flashing just wide of the Reds post. United were again well on top with Ryan Ellis caused the Reds defence endless problems with his powerful running and tackling.

Reds pulled a goal back early in the second half with a close range shot. But it was United who continued to dominate and a half clearance by the Reds keeper found Ellis who tried a checky lob which flew just wide. Josh Maunder comfortably saved a couple of long range shots from the Reds as United comfortably held on for another excellent win.  

Scorers:- Paver; Skinner:

United 4-3 Countess Weir Dynamoes

United showed great character to scored four second half goals and turn round a 2-0 half time deficit to record a brilliant win. 

Countess Weir stated the game brighter as United showed signs of fatigue from their earlier game in hot conditions. Good defensive cover from George Mears broke up Dynamoes first attack as he blocked a goal bound shot. Josh Maunder then bravely saved at the feet of two on rushing Dynamoe players to keep the score goalless. Dynamoes continued to press and they opened the scoring when a through ball allowed the Dynamoes striker to make no mistake from close range.

United attacked from the restart and a period of pressure saw first a Ryan Ellis shot blocked in a crowded box before Sam Skinner followed up the rebound, and put his shot wide. The attack gave United a lift and Keenan Paver skipped past two Dynamoe players before his cross was deflected behind the Dynamoes goal for United's First Corner. Lewis Miller also showed signs that United could match their opponents when he linked up well with Ryan Ellis, but again Dynamoes cleared the danger. Just as United looked to be getting on top, Dynamoes scored again. A United throw in was intercepted by Dynamoes who hit United on the break. Another through ball put the Dynamoes striker away and he thumped a powerful shot into the roof of the net. With the heat of the morning sapping United energies, they continued to match their opponents, giving them belief that they could regroup and turn things around in the second half.

United started the second half in determined mood with Ryan Ellis and Jake Sharpe beginning to win the midfield battle. From their strong tackling Sam Skinner, Keenan Paver and Lewis Miller started winning the loose ball and finding more space behind the Dynamoes defensive line. It was no surprise that Ryan Ellis started the recovery with 2 goals in a minute. The first and best goal of the game following a good run by Lewis Miller down the left wing. His pass found Sam Skinner who quickly slipped the ball inside to Ellis who struck a thumping shot past the Dynamos keeper. United were right at Dynamoes from the restart and more pressure on the edge of the box saw Ellis find space to advance on goal before slipping the ball past the Dynamoes keeper for the equaliser. 

With United in full flow and sensing victory a rare Dynamoes attack saw them retake the lead. In the past such a set back may have seen United fold. But this team are gaining in confidence by the week and refused to accept defeat. Sam Skinner had a great chance to level the scores when put through one on one with the Dynamoes keeper, who spread himself well to block Sam's shot. But it was only a temporary deprive for Dynamoes and two minutes later Skinner found himself in an identical position and made no mistake slipping his shot under the advancing keeper. 

With both Teams going for victory Josh Phillips and George Mears were rocks at the heart of the United defence breaking up any Dynamoe threat. When Dynamoes did break through Josh Maunder showed a safe pair of hands holding onto a stinging drive low to his left. 

Victory was secured for United when Lewis Miller gathered the ball in the crowded box before coolly placing his shot in the bottom corner. A very promising United victory against a good team. 

Scorers:- Ellis 2; Skinner; Miller:
Squad: Josh Maunder, Josh Phillips, George Mears, Jake Sharp, Ryan Ellis, Keenan Paver, Sam Skinner and Lewis Miller

Report by Nigel Skinner

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