Stoneleigh Athletic U12A’s recorded their first win of the season with a 2-1 win over Warren Mead, writes Mick Helps.

Stoneleigh started strongly and Joel Tyler and Luke Adams linked well to set up George Marsella to put them one goal up in the first half.

Despite a series of robust Warren mead attacking moves Stoneleigh’s defensive unit of Stephen Barker, Reiss Skinner, Matthew Helps and Ryan Shaw were solid in their roles and allowed a firm platform for midfielders Ross Garlick and Alex Tokatlian to build further attacks with Tommy Ryan-Maynard threading the ball through to substitute Dominic Sandy to score Stoneleigh’s second half way through the second half.

Abinay Reddy came close to sealing the result with a clever effort that was well saved by the Warren mead goalkeeper.

As the game came to a close Warren Mead pressed forward putting Stoneleigh goalkeeper Ashley Castle under sustained pressure and despite a series of important clearances Warren mead scored to set up a tense last fifteen minutes as both teams tried to dominant the closing stages of the game. Stoneleigh finishing eventual 2-1 winners.

After the game Coach Rob Garlick congratulated the team on saying “There were a lot of great individual performances out there today but I am most impressed by the characteristics the team are building together. This team have shown they can be strong, determined and skilful - a powerful combination”

Team photo: Back row (L-R) : Ryan Shaw, Reiss Skinner, Abinay Reddy, Luke Adams, Ross Garlick, Matthew Helps, Tommy Ryan-Maynard. Front Row (L-R) Stephen Barker, George Marcella, Joel Tyler, Ashley Castle, Alex Tokatlian, Dominic Sandy