Under 18Nowotny goal as Kent draw
Monday, 03 March 2008.
This was the first of two meetings between Kent and Surrey within seven days with Kent starting the brighter of the two in the South East Counties Youth and Ladies at Leatherhead.
Manager Ian Docker, made changes from Thursday’s game, bringing in Tonbridge duo Nick Rich and Ian Brooke and a starting with a4-3-3 formation.
This change seemed to suit the Kent players and on 4 minutes they took the lead when Nick Nowotny toe poked the ball over the line.
Kent continued to press and looked to Rich down the right to continue providing good crosses and through balls to Sam Callander who led the line well.
A well marshalled defence by Butch Ulph at the back, Surrey’s chances were kept to a minimum although they did have plenty of pace up front.
On 29 minutes a neat piece of work from Rich saw Brooke hit over the bar from an excellent Kent move. Further chances fell to Nowotny and Callander but the Surrey keeper held firm.
At the beginning of the second half Adam Oxberry replaced the injured Callander with Rich and Nowotny changing wings as Kent looked to build on the first half performance.
Surrey were clearly fired up at half time and began to push on early but found keeper Luke Stonebridge in fine form.
On 55 minutes a tactical change by Kent, saw Brooke replaced by Funnell and Kent revert to 4-4-2.
On 62 minutes Surrey equalised with a neat finish which Stonebridge had no chance with and Surrey continued to stretch the Kent defence. However the keeper was in excellent form and denied Surrey with a string of great saves.
Rich was replaced by Harry Collins following a foot injury but in the end a draw was a fair reflection of the game.
The result leaves Kent one point behind Surrey with just next weeks game to play. Surrey still have a game with the AFA so it is very much in their hands.
Kent will be without skipper Ulph who returns to action with England Schools next Monday against Northern Ireland. The Kent County FA would like to wish him well.
Team: Luke Stonebridge, Charlie Akerman, Sam Kettle, Ian Brooke, Thomas Parkinson, Ashley Ulph, Nick Rich, Chris Kinnear, Sam Callander, Ben Brown, Nick Nowotny: Subs: Olly Funnell, Adam Oxberry, Harry Collins, Deren Ibrahim, Jack Collins