A reminder that winter training starts from 29th September, running until the end of the season.

Please see the training page for details of time and place for your team.

You can find the dates and times of road closures at http://tinyurl.com/p4vh7e7.
Hopefully it will help our EBFA managers plan travel to and from home and away matches – and you can help your opposition too.

Any issues with K.O. times during the WRC contact the Fixture Secretary at fixtures@nplyouthfootball.co.uk

NPLYFC's philosophy is embodied in a document that has been carefully prepared by members of the executive with input from members of the FA. You can read this document here.here.

Enjoy!

Many congratulations to Charlie Holmes, who has been signed by Dagenham & Redbridge FC on a two-year scholarship. Charlie has been with NPL Youth for 5 years, from U12 level through to U16's. A skilled and pacy striker, his work-rate is second to none – as is his footballer's haircut! Charlie's parents have sponsored NPL for the last 4 years, and have generously agreed to do so again next season. The U17 team will have a special No 42 shirt, in honour of Charlie's new squad number at Dagenham & Redbridge!

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