Sunday 2^nd November 2008 

Belper Town U16 Sunday 4 Long Eaton 0 

Belper recorded another victory but this was by far their toughest challenge so far this season, the opposition played some good football and offered a real challenge right to the end in a game which could of ended with a much tighter score line. Belper looked the brighter side from the first whistle but Long Eaton soon got into their stride, the game was interesting to watch as both sides tried to play inventive football and chances were at a premium. Ben Willison had the first strike on goal after some neat interplay but the keeper got his body behind it to make the save. Ben then turned provider for the first goal, he took the ball off the opposition put in a sweet cross which was met by Josh Thompson at the front post who guided it into the net. Belper tried to increase their lead but met stiff opposition Joe Gent had a decent shot saved and Ben Willison guided a header just over the bar. Long Eaton had the best of the next period Jack Atkins and Luke Robinson had to be resolute at the back and they were ably supported by Ben Rushby on the right, but ultimately it was Chris Whitely in goals who pulled off a couple of superb saves to keep Belper in front. Belper came back into as half time approached, maybe their superior fitness helped, Josh Thompson rounded the keeper only to see his shot cleared off the line by a desperate defender. Ben Gowing who had a great performance tried to widen the score with a couple of purposeful runs and shots but didn’t find the net. Belper still had to be on their toes and only a goal line clearance from Curtis Reid kept their noses in front at half time.

The second half continued in the same way the first had end with both teams trying to play good football and canceling out with some solid defense. Ben Willison broke the deadlock when he reacted to a rebound quickest and put Belper 2 – 0 in the lead. The opposition were downhearted but not beaten so Belper had to keep fighting for everything, Louis Mundin had a shot blocked, Josh Thompson headed over and in the next move broke through three tackles only to see his final shot well saved. Harry Burrows came on for Alex Lau who had worked hard in midfield, and James Rigg replaced Joe Gent who had also been busy. James got straight into the action and picked up a poor clearance on the edge of the area and rifled it into the net. Belper were clearly going to win this but if they needed a reminder to stay focused a fiercely driven shot was superbly saved by Chris Whitely to ensure he kept another clean sheet and win another man of the match award. Belper finished with all guns blazing and a fourth goal when Louis Mundin crossed the ball and Josh Thompson nipped in front of a waiting keeper to tuck the ball in at the near post. A good result for Belper and a great game to watch, two teams playing skilful physical football in a fair and competitive way.  

ARG 

Team:  Chris Whiteley, Luke Robinson, Ben Rushby, Jack Atkins, Alex Lau, Joe Gent, Ben Willison, Curtis Reid, Josh Thompson, Ben Gowing, Louis Mundin,

Subs: James Rigg, Harry Burrows All used

Sunday 19th October 2008 

Belper Town U16 Sunday 9 Duffield 0 

Belper came out well on top in a match which was not a joy to watch, Belper were in a different class in all departments and all the opposition could do to counter this was to resort to foul play and rough tactics. In the first half Belper rose above the challenge and tried to play some decent passing football, right from the start they showed their intentions, Josh Thompson could have opened the scoring in the first two minutes but saw his shot drift wide. James Rigg finally broke the ice after 5 minutes he headed home a cross from Louis Mundin, Joe Gent followed this with the second goal when he hit the back of the net with a shot from the edge of the box. The third goal was finished by Josh Thompson who connected with a cross from Ben Willison; the fourth was scored by Ben Gowing who ran half the length of the pitch before shooting into the top corner. A fifth was added just before half time by Louis Mundin and Belper could have had a sixth when Alex Lau had a shot tipped over the bar. Belper went in at half time well in the lead and totally in charge Chris Whitely in the Belper goal had hardly even seen the ball.

During the half time break Belper brought on all four substitutes which changed the pattern of the game, instead of playing a passing game Belper tried to be more direct, this direct approach was cancelled out by a packed Duffield defense and some cynical tackling. For 15 minutes it was stalemate, eventually Belper got a break on the left and Josh Thompson ran onto the ball and scored a cracking goal. The break through seemed to raise spirits and Belper began to play their normal passing game, the flood gate for goals opened and a seventh was added by Joe Gent, number eight was scored by Joe Lomax and the ninth gave a hat trick to Josh Thompson. Belper should and could have scored an a lot more goals Joe Gent had one saved off the line, Harry Burrows hit the post and Nick Dalby was unlucky when he made a smart turn on the edge of the box got a sweet shot away only to see it strike the post and go behind. Alex Lau was named man of the match for a strong midfield performance against his previous team which definitely made him a marked man

ARG 

Team:  Chris Whiteley, Luke Robinson, Ben Rushby, James Rigg, Alex Lau, Joe Gent, Ben Willison, Curtis Reid, Josh Thompson, Ben Gowing, Louis Mundin,

Subs:, Nick Dalby, Jack Atkins , Harry Burrows Joe Lomax,  All used

Sunday 12th October 2008 

Belper Town U16 Sunday 4 Sandiacre Youth 2 

Another win for Belper to keep them at the top of the table, however this was more of a contest than previous matches and the opposition kept them on their toes right to the end. Belper started playing some neat football, passing the ball around and all looked promising, Josh Thompson was the first to go close when he ran on to a through ball from Ben Gowing but put his shoot marginally wide. At the other end Sandiacre looked threatening and only a last ditch clearance off the line from Ben Rushby prevented them from opening the scoring. Belper did start to win the midfield battle, Harry Burrows and Ben Gowing working hard to take control, from this platform Belper started to create real chances. Nick Dalby had a shot saved, which would have warmed the keepers hands and then Joe Lomax opened the scoring from short range when the keeper spilled a cross. From the re start Belper were straight back on the attack, after several efforts they forced a corner which the keeper failed to deal with and Joe got his second goal also from inside the five yard area. Belper now pushed on and tried to sew the game up Harry Burrows had a chance and Nick Dalby’s header was on target and had to be saved. The opposition were far from beaten and always looked capable of scoring, only some sterling work from Ben Rushby, Luke Robinson, Jack Atkins and Ben Willison kept them out, at Half time Belper went in two up. 

The second half of an enjoyable contest started with Belper pushing for a third, Nick Dalby had a decent chance, Josh Thompson shot just over and a cross from Louis Mundin wide on the right troubled the keeper but none hit the back of the net. Sandiacre came back into the game and had several decent chances, Chris Whitely in the Belper goal made several good saves to keep them at bay. Belper’s third goal came from some smart defending and quick play, Sandiacre won a corner which was headed clear by Jack Atkins, Joe Lomax laid the ball off to Ben Willison who played Josh Thompson in with a first time ball and Josh put the ball over the oncoming keeper and into the net. Belper won a fourth goal when Harry Burrows forced the ball home after a major tussle with the keeper, despite a strong appeal from the Belper manager for a penalty, the ref declined and gave the goal instead! Belper continue to play well but managed to concede two goals in the final period, the first was against the run of play but the second was a well worked goal finished with a header that gave the Belper keeper no chance. Joe Lomax was awarded man of the match but it has to be said this was a great team performance against quality opposition  

ARG 

Team:  Chris Whiteley, Luke Robinson, Ben Rushby, Jack Atkins, Ben Willison, Harry Burrows, Josh Thompson, Nick Dalby, Ben Gowing, Louis Mundin, Joe Lomax,  

Subs: James Rigg, Alex Lau. Joe Gent, Curtis Reid All used

Sunday 5th October

Belper Town U16 Sunday 6 Codnor 0  

Sunday 28th September 2008 

Belper Town U16 Sunday 4 Heanor Juniors 0 

Belper recorded their second win of the season in a game that they dominated in all departments, newly promoted Heanor competed for everything but were unable to match Belper. The first half was a story of chance after chance being squandered by Belper. Curtis Reid hit a long range effort over then bar Louis Mundin made an attack on goal and was awarded a penalty, what for nobody knows. What followed was bizarre Mundin struck the penalty sweetly enough, it hit the bar and bounced back to him, he headed the ball onto the post and the ball was scrambled away. Belper continued to push and forced a series of corners, Joe Lomax could have scored, Nick Dalby had a chance Ben Going could have converted and even Jack Atkins from the Belper defense had one saved off the line. Heanor hung on, and in fact they never threatened because Ben Rushby, Luke Robinson and Ben Rushby at the back for Belper controlled everything. Joe Gent came on for Louis Mundin and immediately got into the action, he put Josh Thompson through who narrowly missed, on the next attack Joe saw a solid shot well saved. At half time Belper went in winning by a mile on points but with the score still nil nil.

Belper came out for the second half in positive mood, Harry Burrows had replaced Curtis Reid during the break, Ben Gowing picked up the ball in his own half made a strong run and put the ball in the net to put Belper ahead. A second goal was added by Josh Thompson when he ran on to a neat through ball from Nick Dalby and number three was scored by Joe Gent the crucial pass provided by Joe Lomax. Belper now peppered he opposition goal with shots and could have scored a hat full but by luck, determined defense and every other reason know to man they managed to keep the ball out. Eventually they did concede a penalty and Joe Lomax who played extremely well and was desperately unlucky not to score in open play converted to finish the game as a contest. Belper ran out comprehensive winners but credit to the opposition who stuck at it right to the end. Ben Willison was named man of the match.     

ARG 

Team:  Chris Whiteley, Luke Robinson, Ben Rushby, Jack Atkins, Ben Willison, Josh Thompson, Curtis Reid, Nick Dalby, Ben Gowing, Louis Mundin, Joe Lomax,  

Subs: James Rigg, Alex Lau. Harry Burrows, Joe Gent All used

Sunday 14th September 2008 

Belper Town U16 Sunday 4 Tansley Juniors 1 

Belper started the new season with an important win over their old rivals Tansley Juniors, there were several new faces in the side but all played their part in a hard fought victory. Belper started the stronger and after several attacks they managed to open the scoring when Louis Mundin hit a long range effort into the top corner. Instead of pushing on from this leading position Belper seemed to sit back allowing Tansley to get back into the game. Despite the fact Belper had chances they never really looked like scoring a second, Joe Lomax had a headed effort saved by the keeper and Louis Mundin hit a shot which must have warmed the keeper’s hands.  As the half drew on Tansley came more and more into the game, Ben Rushby and Luke Robinson in the Belper defense were kept busy and in goal Chris Whiteley was forced into several saves. Tansley kept pushing and just before the half time whistle they leveled the score, Joe Lomax tried to get back the lead with a long range shot but the teams went in for half time at one each.

At half time Mike Nichols the Belper manager changed the formation and brought Curtis Reid on for Joe Lomax, the changes seemed to unsettle the opposition and Belper looked more threatening. Josh Thompson who had been pushed up front was causing the opposition defense all sorts of problems, they could not cope with his pace and endeavor and finally he ran onto a sweet through ball from Louis Mundin to place the ball in the net and retake the lead for Belper. Belper now looked more like the champions from last year they created chance after chance and snuffed out any threat from the opposition Jack Atkins dominated the central defense and Ben Gowing started to get the midfield going. Belper went looking for more goals Ben Willison started to fire on all cylinders, he not only broke up the oppositions endeavors but started several moves from the back. Alex Lau came on for Joe Gent and Belper continued to dominate, a third goal came when Josh Thompson nipped in between defender and keeper and neatly finished. Belper were now in control Nick Dalby and Curtis Reid started to really show, they both battled hard and made some telling runs, Nick had a smart shot saved, Josh Thompson could have had a hatrick but his first time strike sailed over the bar. Belper continued to push Ben Gowing headed over the bar and finally Curtis Reid got reward for all his efforts when he scored the forth goal. As the game drew to an end James Rigg came on for Ben Rushby who had another strong game, Curtis Reid could have had a second when he ran with the ball half the length of the pitch only to see his shot saved by the keeper.

A good win for Belper and also an encouraging opening game, the players who have been with Belper for some time all performed well, and the new faces all had a positive effect on the result, the squad looks strong so we look forward to yet another successful season

ARG 

Team:  Chris Whiteley, Luke Robinson, Ben Rushby, Jack Atkins, Ben Willison, Harry Burrows, Joe Gent, Nick Dalby, Ben Gowing, Louis Mundin, Joe Lomax,  

Subs: James Rigg, Josh Thompson, Curtis Reid, Alex Lau. All used