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UNDER 15'S JUNIORS
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Grove Farm Ravens formed in 2004 and were a mixture of the Ravens and Jets having played a year Above their age for a season. Managed by Roy Cooke it was clear from the beginning that they were going to do well and so it proved when the lads came runners up in the Astro League at the end of the 2004/05 season. A number of tournament successes saw them lift the winners trophy at their own Grove Farm tournament and coming runners up at Bedworth eagles.
Season 2005/06 saw a change of manager with Bob Alcock taking over at the helm. The lads continued to play excellent football and got their rewards coming runners up in the Monarch league and making it to the Police Cup Final at Nuneaton Boroughs Manor Park stadium. Although they lost the final 1-0, it was a day none of the lads or supporters will forget. History repeated itself when they won the Grove Farm tournament and came runners up at Bedworth Eagles.
Season 2006/07 was a tough one for the lads, drawing nearly as many games as they won, however they continued to battle on and although they didn't gain any league honours that season they still had a lot to be proud of including one of the best defensive records in the league. On the tournament front, although they didn't manage a "triple crown" at the Grove Farn Tournament, they did themselves proud at Bedworth Eagles, seeing off some very tough opposistion to lift the winners trophy
The 2007/08 season saw the lads move to eleven a side and a large pitch. The team coped very well and played some nice football. The lads got there just rewards coming third in the league.The highlight of the season was reaching the Police Cup final for the second time. Although they lost, it was an extremely tight game with the lads showing great effort and commitment throughout. On the tournament front, the lads left it to the last tournament of the summer at Haunchwood to earn a well deserved victory and lift the winners cup.
Season 2008/09 saw the lads best season to date. Having really applied themselves in training and matches they put themselves into a posistion to win both the league and the police cup. It wasn't all plain sailing and Weddington and Haunchwood pushed the lads all the way to a nail biting final game against Attleborough which saw the lads secure the league championship for the first time. The lads third Police Cup Final saw them again pitted against Attleborough with the lads the eventual winners at 4-1. The icing on the cake came with the team being voted the most sporting team by the other managers in the league. This is the first time in League history that the winning league team has won the most sporting team which is a great achievment by the team.
Season 2009/10 saw the team move into the Coventry Minor league A Division. Playing some excellent teams, the lads battled games out and came a very creditable 8th place for their first season in a very tough league.
Season 2010/11 was a tough one for the lads. Inconsistent performances meant we left it to the last game of the season to ensure we had the oppotunity to play in the top league.However due to new players joining,the team elected to play in the B League for the 2011/12 season. Pre season, the lads have gone from strength to strength forging a great team spirit and hopefully they will be able to do themselves proud for the forthcoming season.
Bob Alcock, the Juniors manager says " I've been extremely proud of the lads during the last six seasons.The first two seasons brought great success for the team. At U12 level we did extremely well winning all three trophies that were on offer. The lads played some fantstic football at times and deserved the rewards they got. The last two seasons has been a challenge for the lads playing in a very tough league. However I have seen them grow as players and with the addition of new players into the team I'm sure the team will progress. The lads have certainly gone in the right direction during the second part of the season. Whatever the outcome I'm sure the lads will continue to love their football and I will continue to be very proud to be their manager !
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ABOUT THE MANAGER AND COACHES
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The Juniors are managed by Bob Alcock, who starts his seventh season with the team. Bob holds the F.A Level 1 certficate in coaching football and has completed the F.A Emergency Aid course, the F.A Child Protection workshop and is CRB checked to the enhanced level.
Bob can be contacted on Home 02476737287 or Mobile 07765528121
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THE JUNIORS PLAY AT THE WINDMILL SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB , MANCETTER ROAD, NUNEATON, CV10 OHW
TO VIEW THE LOCATION ZOOM IN ON THE MAP BELOW
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| Sept |
Opposition |
Venue |
Type |
KO |
Map |
F |
A |
Report
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| 11/09/11 |
Coventry Copsewood |
Coventry Copsewood FC, Allard Way, Coventry, CV3 1HS |
League |
11.30 |
Click Here |
0
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6 |
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| 14/09/11 |
Coundon Court |
The Windmill Sports and Social Club, Mancetter Road, Nuneaton, CV11 0HW |
League |
18.00 |
Click Here
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0
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4
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| 18/09/11 |
Hillmorton Juniors |
Leicester Road, Rugby, CV21 1DJ |
League
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13.30 |
Click Here
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4
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| 25/09/11 |
Bedworth Eagles Junior |
The Windmill Sports and Social Club, Mancetter Road, Nuneaton, CV11 0HW |
R1 Cup |
12.45 |
Click Here
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4
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1 |
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| Oct |
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02/10/11
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Admirals Juniors
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Freemantle Road , Rugby, CV22 7HY
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League
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AM
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Click Here
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| 09/10/11 |
Hillmorton Juniors
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The Windmill Sports and Social Club, Mancetter Road, Nuneaton, CV11 0HW
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League
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12.45
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Click Here
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| 16/10/11 |
Coventry Copsewood
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The Windmill Sports and Social Club, Mancetter Road, Nuneaton, CV11 0HW
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League
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12.45
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Click Here
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23/10/11
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NO GAME FIRST SUNDAY HALF TERM
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30/10/11
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Central Ajax Minor
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The Windmill Sports and Social Club, Mancetter Road, Nuneaton , CV11 0HW
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League
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12.45
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Click Here
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| Nov |
Opposition |
Venue |
Type |
KO |
Map |
F |
A |
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| 06/11/11 |
Hillmorton Juniors |
Leicester Road, Rugby, CV21 1DJ |
Cup Rnd 2 |
pm |
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| 13/11/11 |
Alvis Juniors Colts |
Alvis Sports Club |
League |
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| 20/11/11 |
Folly Lane Juniors |
401 London Road, Coventry |
League |
pm |
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| 27/11/11 |
Bedworth United Juniors |
Grace Academy, Wigston Road,Coventry |
League |
am |
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| Dec |
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| 04/12/11 |
GNP Sports Junior |
The Windmill Sports and Social Club, Mancetter Road, Nuneaton, CV11 0HW
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League |
PM |
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| 11/12/11 |
Coundon Court |
Coundon Court School, Northbrook Road , Coventry, CV6 2AJ |
League |
AM |
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| 18/12/11 |
Warwick Juniors |
The Windmill Sports and Social Club, Mancetter Road, Nuneaton, CV11 0HW |
League |
PM |
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| 25/12/11 |
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No Game Happy Christmas !!! |
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| 01/01/12 |
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No Game Happy New Year !!! |
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LEAGUE TABLE
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Grove Farm Juniors U15s V Coventry Copsewood 11/09/11
Today saw the first game of the season away to Copsewood at Allard way. Copsewood came third in the league last season, narrowly missing out on promotion to the A league so I was expecting a tough game and I was proved right. First half saw Copsewood first to the ball and strong in the challenge . Our lads, looking a little shell shocked, were slow to respond and we soon found ourselves two goals down. With rushed passes and lack of stretching the opposistion at times, we failed to make an impact and it was all too easy for Copsewood to run through us. Another two goals before half time saw the lads heads go down and I was praying for the whistle to blow to be fair.
After a good half time team chat, the lads entered the second half with renewed vigour and we played 100 percent better. The passing was crisper , we brought some width into our game and we put the Copsewood back line under pressure. Some good shots saw the Copsewood keeper having to make three good saves, Marty's header was cleared off the line by possible the shortest player on the pitch (thats when you know its not going to be your day !) and another good effort was again cleared. Josh on the left particularly caused problems in the box and was unlucky not to have scored. Lou charging in should really have been awarded a penalty with the Copsewood keeper going to ground and I think clipping him. So there were some positives to be taken out of the game. Not the start I was hoping for but I guess we have to be realisitic in the fact that there are several players who have been out of competitive football for a while and it is going to take time to bed in. Well done for the second half lads !!
GROVE FARM JUNIORS V COUNDON COURT 14/09/11
Our first home game of the season saw the lads pitted against Coundon Court on a weekday kick off . For the first ten to fifteen minutes the lads played really well with the majority of the ball. A cross fired in by Niall saw Will shoot just over the post. Fifteen minutes in saw a lucky goal scored by coundon with their forward trying a over head kick which bounced into the corner of the net. Having conceded a goal, the lads then seemed to lose all shape and confidence on the ball and panic clearences and slicing became the order of the day. Due to this in the main we conceded three more goals.
Second half saw a change of formation and immeadiately things looked a lot better. we seemed to be camped in the coundon half for the majority of the second half and were very unlucky not to have scored at least two goals with Josh going the closest with a header hitting the bar.Coundon did have a few attacks but the back line played really well second half and stout defending saw Coundons chances minimized. The fiootball was a lot quicker with passes being sharper. Again a complete turn around from most of the first half. As I said at the end of the game and the first match report, we're looking at five or six games for everyone to bed themselves in and get used to the pace of matches. Once weve done that i'm more than confident we'll get a result. The most important thing is to support each other and keep the team spirit going. Well done again for the second half lads.
Juniors V Hillmorton Juniors 18/09/11
Sunday saw the lads away at Rugby to Hillmorton Juniors. From the kick off the lads were at the opposostion, moving the ball extremeley well. Josh up front and Will on the wings were causing particular problems. About ten minutes in Hilmorton had an attack into the box and the ball rebounded off the floor into Ash's hand which was down by his side. However the ref obviously had a different view and awarded a penalty which produced a fantastic save from Matty keeping the scores level. The lads continued to press. Mattys kicking was causing problems for the Hillmorton backline and eventually Will ran one of these down with the keeper coming off his line. a deft touch with the outside of his foot saw the ball into the back of the net giving the lads a well deserved 1-0 lead. We continued to press with Josh coming closest to scoring and the keeper pulling off two or three great saves to keep Hillmorton in touch. Had we got the second goal I think it may well have been a different story. However it wasn't to be and with half time approaching, the Hillmorton forward managed to run through four or five of our players to slot home levelling the scores. Second half saw a rejuvenated Hillmorton side improve and a good game of football ensued. With only eleven players for the match it was always going to be tough in the last quater of the game. A good ball down the outside channel saw the winger for hilmorton use good skill to attack the box and cross for a player to slot home a goal. Credit to the lads though they showed some real grit and determination. Something which had been lacking in the last two games paricularly Josh and Will who despite carrying injuries gave 100 %. Smithy,Ash and Faulksy gave their all in a posisiton I know they don't particularly like playing in but agreed to do and Pat agreeing to come back to the team,all showing some great team spirit. Again we came close to scoring with Niall shooting just wide and again a shot producing a fantastic save from the Hillmorton keeper on the line. With the lads legs gone Hillmorton managed to slot home another two before the final whistle.
Today was a really gutsy performance by the team, with one or two players having the best game ive seen them play. There will always be coaching points to bring out in training but despite the loss there were plenty of positives to come out of the game and I really do believe there's something to build on in the coming weeks. With the new lads signing this week we should see an even better performance from the team next week. Well done lads, proud of you today for your sheer guts and determination!
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