Goal scorers: Collingwood 1
Match type: League
Man of the match: Joe Gill
Match Location: Home

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A big push for Warriors to get over the line in the Chad Mansfield Youth league u16 div 2, with West Bridgford Wolves the visitors a good result would have been a big step towards a successful season. Warriors started nervously as the visitors came out of the blocks with desire and energy and looked more like the team that wanted it most. With Warriors struggling to get into any sort of shape the visitors were awarded a corner and from this took full advantage as no Warrior player took responsibility to defend the corner and despite the best efforts from keeper Ollie George to save the first effort on goal the visitors were left with a simple tap in from close range.  A bad start but plenty of time to get something from the game if Warriors could get control of the midfield. The game throughout the first period continued to be scrappy but at least Warriors started to get more of the ball and with that some half chances, Matt Brierley, Callum Loydall and Charlie Miller all going close to getting the homeside level. One down at the break and an improvement during the second period was required.

Unfortunately the second half continued from where the first half had finished as Warriors still struggled to cope with the quick movement of the ball forward from the visitors into the Warriors half. Captain Adam Fox started to make his mark on the game as he gradually won his midfield battle and started to find Warriors players in good wide positions but again half chances came and went but Warriors still couldn’t apply the required finish. With time running out and it looking like it was going to be one of those days warriors got themselves level, Marshall Collingwood getting the important goal after being put through and with the keeper to beat he showed great composure to finish confidently. The impressive Andreas Kokkinou did his best to shake Warriors out of this lack luster performance but as they continued to huff and puff in search of the winner they still struggled to carve out any clear cut chances. All square at the finish and not a disastrous result but an improvement is required if Warriors are going to get anything out of the season. MOM Joe Gill

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Squad for this match: CHARLIE MILLER, MATTHEW BRIERLEY, SAM STEWART, SAM WELLS, JAMES STARMORE, JOE GILL, LUKE ATTER, ANDREAS KOKKINOU, ADAM FOX, MARSHALL COLLINGWOOD, CALLUM LOYDALL, BERNIE KIRK, TOBY KEEP

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Goal scorers: Miller 1, Loydall 1
Match type: Cup
Man of the match: Bernie Kirk
Match Location: Away

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Another blustery day to contend with as Warriors made the trip to Shirebrook Rangers for the first round of the Chad Mansfield League u16 KO cup.  Warriors looked like they were going to be up against it as the early exchanges showed that the homeside were up for this one and wanted to get as much distance between the teams as possible while they had the advantage of the wind and slope during the first period. Warriors managed to weather the early storm mainly due to some disciplined defending from Sam Stewart, Matt Brierley, Luke Atter, Toby Keep and with Captain Adam Fox leading by example the home side never really created any clear cut chances. The midfield for the Warriors started to click into gear and soon took control of the game Charlie Miller linking up with the influential James Starmore to get the hard working forwards Marshall Collingwood and Callum Loydall into the game with some good controlled short passing. But with Warriors playing the better football but failing to get on the score sheet the homeside took the lead following a long throw into the near post of the Warriors goal which was cleverly flicked into the net from close range. This didn’t upset the visitor’s rhythm as they continued to go forward playing their football and were unlucky not to be level before the break as Loydall broke free only to see his shot beat the oncoming keeper but bobble up against the post and away to safety. One down at the break but all to play for.

The second half started with Warriors pressing but not really threatening the Shirebrook goal with any clear cut opportunities. Showing patience Warriors continued to spray the ball out wide to the wings using Sam Wells with great effect to link up with Bernie Kirk who never gave the fullback a minutes rest on one wing whilst on the other the pace and power of Liam Gregory to cut inside to provide shooting opportunities for the oncoming midfield players. Finally Warriors drew level and it was that man Miller once again firing in an unstoppable free kick from 25 yards.  The homeside were being restricted to the odd break forward as Fox continued to win everything in midfield but Warriors still needed to get their noses ahead and make their amount of possession count. A brilliant finish from Loydall gave the Warriors the lead, Joe Gill won the ball and fed Loydall who in one movement controlled the ball with his back to the goal swiveled and hit a ferocious shot from 20 yards which flew past the Shirebrook keeper. Warriors should have kicked on from this but found themselves having to do some desperate defending that and some brave goal keeping from Ollie George in the closing stages maintained their lead.  A really good team effort against a very competitive side typified by the work rate of Man of the Match Bernie Kirk.

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Squad for this match: CHARLIE MILLER, MATTHEW BRIERLEY, SAM STEWART, SAM WELLS, JAMES STARMORE, JOE GILL, LUKE ATTER, ADAM FOX, LIAM GREGORY, MARSHALL COLLINGWOOD, CALLUM LOYDALL, OLIVER GEORGE, BERNIE KIRK, TOBY KEEP

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Goal scorers: Lloydall 2, Miller 2, Kirk 1
Match type: League
Man of the match: Oliver George
Match Location: Home

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First game of the New Year for the Warriors was a home fixture against Tibshelf FC in the Chad Mansfield Youth League U16 div 2. On a day where high winds were going to play a major part in the quality of football produced by both teams this one could go either way. Warriors started sluggishly and struggled to get any rhythm going with short passes either being under hit or the long ball being over hit. Tibshelf however were up for the challenge and started to look dangerous as they started to put together some good attacking play and with that create chances only to be denied by some positive goalkeeping from Warriors keeper Ollie George. The visitors did take the lead, a really good finish from 18 yards by the Tibshelf forward who fired low into the corner after Warriors had failed to clear the ball. This sparked Warriors on as they stepped up a gear and were soon level, a well worked short corner between Matt Brierley and Charlie Miller saw the ball played into the box along the ground and Callum Loydall reacting quickest to fire into the net from close range. The home side started to get a grip on the game as they began to control the midfield and soon it was two, Charlie Miller firing in a thunderous shot from outside of the box after an intelligent lay off from Marshall Collingwood. Now finding their passes and linking up well as a team Warriors made it three Andreas Kokkinou rampaging forward and firing in a shot that the visitors keeper could only push away to the feet of oncoming forward Loydall who was following in like all good strikers do for a simple tap in for his second of the game.  Number four for the Warriors was similar captain Adam Fox cleverly letting the ball roll past him for Joe Gill to have a strike at goal and the resulting parry from the Tibshelf keeper finished off by Miller for his brace of goals. A comfortable finish to the first half by the Warriors but with the wind on their backs the visitors still had plenty to play for.

Tibshelf started the second half immediately showing their intent by having a strike at the Warriors goal straight from the kick off. Warriors continued to control the game throughout the second half limiting the visitors to few chances which was dealt with by the Warriors keeper and Man of the Match Ollie George with great composure.  The Tibshelf keeper was kept busy throughout the second period and made a string of good saves  but could do nothing to prevent a fifth for the Warriors, Bernie Kirk netting with an accurate finish as he came in from the angle of the goal area after being picked out from a pass by Fox.  Overall a good performance from the Warriors but they will need to get out of the blocks a little quicker in the remaining fixtures if they are to maintain their league position.

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Squad for this match: CHARLIE MILLER, MATTHEW BRIERLEY, SAM STEWART, SAM WELLS, MICHAEL SOUTH, JAMES STARMORE, JOE GILL, LUKE ATTER, ANDREAS KOKKINOU, ADAM FOX, MARSHALL COLLINGWOOD, CALLUM LOYDALL, OLIVER GEORGE, BERNIE KIRK, TOBY KEEP

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Goal scorers: Loydall 3, Brierley 2
Match type: League
Man of the match: Callum Loydall
Match Location: Away

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A trip to struggling Blidworth Welfare FC and a chance to finish the year on a high and go into the New Year on top of the Chad Mansfield Youth League U16 Div 2.  Warriors started the game tentatively as the homeside looked up to the task of making a good game of it and a mockery of their current league position. With a lack luster start from the Warriors it was Blidworth that drew first blood with a really good finish from the edge of the box,  a shot driven low into the corner of the goal giving keeper Ollie George no chance to save. Warriors stepped it up a gear and were soon level the ever hungry Callum Loydall netting the equaliser as he pounced onto a pass from Sam Wells. The visitors were now getting in the mood for the task at hand and got their noses ahead with a second, again it was Loydall finishing off an accurate Charlie Miller free kick into the homesides box. Warriors continued to put pressure on the homeside and the hard working Marshall Collingwood was unlucky to see his effort on goal strike the upright and away to safety.  It was only a short respite for Blidworth as Man of the Match Loydall bagged his hatrick after a long clearance from keeper George found its way to the striker who had the strength to hold off the Blidworth defenders challenge and net to give Warriors some breathing space.  Still not playing the type of quality football that they are capable of Warriors increased their lead, Matt Brierley coming in from the edge of the box and hitting a stunning strike to beat the homesides keeper and make it four for the Warriors. Game over before half time as Warriors bagged a fifth again it was Brierley doubling his account as he finished well after Captain Adam Fox showed some individual skill to create the chance. It could have been six before half time as Andreas Kokkinou went on a mazy run and fed the ball out wide to Miller who picked him out with a cross as he continued his run into the box unfortunately only to see his header go just over the bar.

The second half was a non-event as Warriors took their foot off the peddle and didn’t increase their lead. The visitors had chances as James Starmore was a continuous threat down the wing and cutting inside to create opportunities and Marshall Collingwood was unlucky not to win a spot kick after he appeared to be fouled by the keeper as he bravely went in on goal. Joe Gill also hit the bar with a shot from 18 yards but Warriors had done enough already in the first period to take the points. Some credit has to go to the Blidworth team who never stopped competing and did their best to make things difficult for the Warriors.

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Squad for this match: CHARLIE MILLER, MATTHEW BRIERLEY, SAM STEWART, SAM WELLS, MICHAEL SOUTH, JAMES STARMORE, JOE GILL, LUKE ATTER, ANDREAS KOKKINOU, ADAM FOX, MARSHALL COLLINGWOOD, CALLUM LOYDALL, OLIVER GEORGE, BERNIE KIRK, TOBY KEEP

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Goal scorers: Kokkinou 1, Miller 1, Starmore 1
Match type: League
Man of the match: Andreas Kokkinou
Match Location: Home

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A return to league fixtures for the Warriors and a need to get back on the winning trail, the visit of Underwood Villa for the Chad Mansfield youth U16 div 2 fixture would provide a stiff enough test. Both teams started on the front foot as they went in search of getting the early advantage, chances started to come for the Warriors as they began to gain control of the midfield, unfortunately an over  eagerness to score led to a lack of composure in front of goal, that and with the visitors keeper making a string of good saves made sure Warriors were going to be in for a difficult day.  At the other end Warriors defence of Luke Atter, Sam Stewart, Andreas Kokkinou and Joe Gill did well to keep the visitors opportunities on goal to a minimum and with keeper Ollie George commanding his goal mouth to good effect the visitors would have to make the most of any chance that may presented itself. The homeside continued to work hard to create chances but while Warriors continued to struggle to find the net the pressure on the defence increased and against the run of play the visitors got the opener, a quick through ball saw the Underwood player through on goal, Warriors keeper George did well to thwart the first effort only to see the ball break kindly to the visitors forward who was then able to complete the chance with a simple finish.  One down at the break and the only thing missing was a goal for the Warriors.

Warriors started the second half with Captain Adam Fox leading the charge as they looked to get back on level terms. After huffing and puffing Warriors finally got the break through when Bernie Kirk was fouled on the edge of the box up stepped Man of the Match Andreas Kokkinou to unleash a freekick of such ferocity nobody moved until the ball hit the back of the net. Warriors should have kicked on from this but instead only seemed to make the visitors work harder  and only a piece of quick thinking from Sam Wells with a goal line clearance kept the scores level. The influential James Starmore started linking up with Michael South to provide some width and it was from some good work by Starmore Warriors were awarded a corner. Charlie Miller took the corner which was defended well by the visitors but only to see the ball fall back to Miller who fired in an unstoppable shot through a crowd of players to put the Warriors ahead and give Miller his just reward for his efforts. Warriors continued to go forward to put the game to bed and eventually netted a third following some good interplay between Miller and Starmore which culminated in a sweetly hit shot from the edge of the box by Starmore which flew into the bottom corner giving the Underwood keeper no chance to save. A good Warriors performance against a competitive team that worked hard and never gave up.

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Squad for this match: CHARLIE MILLER, MATTHEW BRIERLEY, SAM STEWART, SAM WELLS, MICHAEL SOUTH, JAMES STARMORE, JOE GILL, LUKE ATTER, ANDREAS KOKKINOU, ADAM FOX, MARSHALL COLLINGWOOD, CALLUM LOYDALL, OLIVER GEORGE, BERNIE KIRK

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Goal scorers: none
Match type: Cup
Man of the match: TEAM
Match Location: Away

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A performance to be proud of as Warriors made the short visit to Newstead for the Notts  U16 Shield Fixture against Mansfield Youth League Div 1 title contenders Ashfield Athletic. Warriors got off to a disastrous start as they were caught cold following a long throw into the box which found its way to an Ashfield player to convert for the opener. Things then went from bad to worse as keeper Jack Grainger bravely went down at the feet of an oncoming Ashfield player and from the resulting challenge ended up with a visit to hospital with a nasty injury. Instead of getting downhearted Warriors to a player began to rise to the challenge and take the game to the homeside.  They started to create chances for themselves with some good controlled football while at the other end keeping it tight with some committed defending. One down at half time but Warriors certainly not out of the game.

Warriors continued to cause problems for the homeside in the second half with their good movement and passing and for a lot of the game looked like the team from the higher division. Warriors mid field must have covered every inch of the pitch in an effort to get on level terms never giving the homeside time to settle on the ball. The visitors had several efforts on goal which were defended desperately and on another day probably would have been converted; it looked like it was going to be one of those days. Warriors conceded a second towards the end of the game as they continued to push forward in search of the equiliser which was tough on them and not a reflection on the game.

A Great performance from every Warriors Player and if they take this sort of commitment into their league fixtures it should make for a great season.

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Squad for this match: CHARLIE MILLER, MATTHEW BRIERLEY, SAM STEWART, SAM WELLS, JACK GRAINGER, JOE GILL, LUKE ATTER, ANDREAS KOKKINOU, ADAM FOX, MARSHALL COLLINGWOOD, CALLUM LOYDALL, BERNIE KIRK

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