As part of NPL's partnering agreement with QPR we recently invited Vince E, Dylan G and Alex W from our U9's to an assessment evening with the QPR academy coaches. They performed very well on the night so the boys were subsequently invited to a further six weeks of assessments. Having been put through their paces we are pleased to say that all of the boys were all invited into the Elite Development Squad. Well done boys!

The Blue Book January 2010 is now available for download for all section members – please read and understand the rules by which the club conducts its business.

Finally it was here….Cup Final Day. Meadow Sports v NPL U14’s

The squad took their places in the changing room, finalising match tactics, whilst the volume of the crowd intensified as the early morning coffee started to kick in. The boys marched spritely onto the pitch.

The whistle blew and NPL were immediately on the front foot. Miles made a searching pass into space down the right hand channel for Ollie H to collect, and deliver a killer ball into the six yard box, leaving Jason with a simple pass to calmly slot into the back of the net..…GOAL!….. 1 : 0  up after 3 minutes.

NPL continued to dominate possession, creating numerous chances. The midfield quartet were strong and combative, getting the ball forward with great passing skill at every opportunity. The fantastic Meadow Sports keeper was up for the challenge though, scooping the ball out of the top corner and their dogged defence clearing off the line.    

Corner, after corner, attack after attack, but the ball would just not go in! Against run of play, seconds before half time, the opposition broke down the wing, and the resulting cross was turned in for the equaliser.  1 : 1

In for the break..……a rousing speech from Louis, the changing room floor awash with orange squash and we were out for the second half.

It didn’t start well. Before we knew it, we were 2:1 down. A setback but heads did not drop. Defence and midfield continued to battle. Joe and Jude closing down anything in the middle, Charlie and Joe linking up on the left, Jowed and Miles, solid and tough on the right, and the ever present centre backs, Essam (c) and Ben making crucial last ditch headers and tackles. Sweeper Keeper Louis was as brave as ever, keeping the boys in the game on more than one occasion.  

Searching for the equaliser, 20 minutes to go, Joe WG entered the fray to test Meadow Sports tiring legs. Immediately NPL increased their intensity. Finally, a through ball for Ollie to run on to. One on one with the keeper, expert control on a bobbly pitch and bang!…GOAL!  2 : 2  GAME ON.

NPL had the momentum back. The match was there to be won.

Extra time was looming and Ollie, Harry and Jakub were warming up. Joe W, magnificent on the left hand side of the pitch, ran at the opposition but was upended just outside the box. From the free kick, a dangerous ball floating into the box, found Jason. A deft glancing back header and the ball sailed into the top corner. GOAL…………..

Elation…….The corner flag took a pummelling, the whole team sprinting to be involved in the goal celebration.

NPL saw the remaining minutes of the match out comfortably, and marked a well fought competitive Cup Final victory. Team work, determination and fantastic support carried the boys over the line to be 2015 cup winners!

Meadow Sports 2: NPLYFC  3

Rangers give it a high five:

NPL Rangers head to the U13 Plate Cup final in there first season together, with an impressive 5-1 victory over Ascot Trojans.  

A solid defensive performance laid the foundation and then two excellently taken headers from Reece Williamson followed by a stunning long range shot from Yusuf Razzaq put the Rangers up 3-0 at half time. 

The second half was a lot more competitive, with the opposition scoring early on and making a real game of it. But NPL held firm and eventually put the tie to bed with a well worked goal from James Brown and a final strike from Reece Williamson to secure his hat trick.

East Berkshire Youth League U15’s Cup Semi-Final 

Shiplake F.C. v N.P.L. Youth F.C    28/02/15

After nine unsuccessful years of trying to get passed the 1^st round of the cup, yesterday we finally found ourselves in the semi – final.

We were up against a Shiplake side that haven’t lost a game since November.

The omens weren’t good, as Alex Ashley’s  quality boots fell apart in the warm up, and Luke Jones had to start on the bench, following an injury picked up at school.

After 20 quite even minutes, on an unusually square pitch, the game came to life as Ciaran McGann’s  powerful long range shot, took a slight deflection, taking it past the outstretched hand of a diving keeper, putting us 1-0 up.

Good runs from Luke Packwood, down the left and tireless work from the midfield players, gave us a deserved 1-0 lead at half time.

A few changes to the line up in the 2^nd half, saw Arvin and Jacques come on. Shiplake started the 2^nd half in a positive manner, saw them attacking hard down are right flank, but Henry and the back four stood firm. A couple of free kicks from Shiplake, forcing Lewis to turn one over the bar gave us a reminder that this wasn’t going to be an easy ride.

Shiplake gave away a free kick between the halfway line and the 18 yard box. Jack Smith put the ball down and struck the ball goalwards, it has to be said, it wasn’t the best kick he’s ever taken, and maybe that’s why the keeper didn’t concentrate properly and fumbled the ball into his own net, 2-0.

10 minutes later we were given another free kick about the same distance away, but more central. This was the best free kick Jack has ever taken, screaming into the top corner giving the poor keeper no chance, 3-0.

There was still time for Kiran Farebrother to get our 4^th with his head !!!!!   4-0.

We were rampant, still trying for one more goal, and it looked like we were going to get it, as Arvin dribbled into the box  but somehow he just managed to put it inches wide.

Final whistle 4-0, job done, not the best football we have played this season, but got the job done.

Well done to all the boys, you all gave Phil and I everything we asked for, roll on the 25^th April.

This weekend nearly a third of our teams took part in cup semi finals – a huge testament to the quality of our club.

Well done to all players, managers, coaches and of course the faithful supporters for cheering them on.

5 out of 6 teams progressed to the finals to be held on 25th April and 2nd May respectively, with some convincing wins. Game reports to follow, but a special mention to the U9 electrons who went out only on penalties, which is always a galling way to lose. Results were as follows:

An opportunity is available at QPR for a "coach the coaches" session at The Concorde club in Hounslow from 5-7pm.

There is space for 2 managers/coaches.

For more information, contact James Cranston.