Hammers snap up young Ram (includes Saturday's main headlines)

Here are some headlines from Saturday’s matches.

We shall bring you full reports during the course of the season. To send them in, please click on Contact Us, and we’ll be delighted to publish them.

Ramsgate’s under 16’s will be starting the new season in the Kent Youth League without one of their longest established players, as Danny Atkins has been signed by West Ham United’s academy after being spotted by local scout Keith Powell.

Atkins played for the young Hammers in a tournament at Watford yesterday (Saturday) that included teams from Arsenal, QPR, Swansea City, Oxford United, MK Dons, as well as a side from Denmark.




HAPPY HAMMER:
Danny Atkins has been signed by
West Ham United's academy side
having been snapped up from the
under 16's side at Ryman Premier
League club Ramsgate.

Pic:  www.ramsgate-fc.co.uk

The West Ham coaching staff were so impressed with Atkins that they signed him on a six-week term straight away, which could result in a YTS place in due course.

He was accompanied by his father, Danny senior, who played in goal for Ramsgate Schoolboys, as well as Ramsgate’s under 16’s.

Ramsgate’s under 16’s manager Steve McClean said: “I always knew he’d make it and believed in him, and I’m really glad he’s taken his chance.”

Let’s hope the Premiership club assist the Thanet club by arranging a friendly as compensation!

The Rams, meanwhile, warmed up to their Ryman Premier League campaign, beating Sussex County League side Rye United by four goals to one at Southwood Stadium.

Rye United manager Mike Robbins, meanwhile, wished the Rams good luck for their Ryman Premier League campaign after his side’s defeat.

He said: “You could see when the two teams came out how big Ramsgate actually are - I think only their goalkeeper wasn’t six-foot tall!

“I have to pull plenty of positives, because I do not expect us to play a side as good as that for the rest of the season.

“We were very pleased to have this as our flagship friendly and Ramsgate were the perfect hosts.

“I have had an excellent relationship with Jim and Danny Ward over the past season, and hope that can continue. I have great respect for the pair of them and they deserve their success.”

A late header from Danny Kedwell gave Nationwide Conference South side Welling United a victory in Saturday’s pre-season friendly at Folkestone Invicta.

The highly-rated striker, whose just been on trial at Brentford, scored the only goal at the Buzzlines Stadium, heading home Jamie Day’s 82^nd minute corner.

Two goals from former Lordswood striker Andy Doerr, one a penalty, and a goal from Kieran Marsh from free kick helped Sittingbourne to a 3-0 victory over Kent League newboys Faversham Town to retain the Bob Amor Memorial Cup.

 VICTORIOUS:  Sittingbourne President,
ex-Millwall and Doncaster Rovers player
Alan Crowshaw presents the
Bob Amor Cup to Brickies
skipper James Campbell

Pic: www.sittingbournefc.co.uk

The matches for the trophy began in 1978 following the death of well respected Mayor of Faversham Bob Amor.

However, the matches stopped in 1984, no one is quite sure why! but were resurrected last year when Faversham Town regained their Senior status. This year Faversham have been accepted into the Kent League.

Sittingbourne came into the game on the back of two good victories and even without the injured Jon Neal and Ricky Spiller and also missing the influential Lee Browning they were too good for their Swale rivals.

Tonbridge Angels went a goal up inside the opening three minutes at Tunbridge Wells in another pre-season cup clash, the Courier Cup.

But the under-strengthen Kent League hosts equalised early in the second half through Adrian Hatcher.

And three goals in a space of nine minutes from Tunbridge Wells’ Tom Fuller, Alex Rich and Chris Stoate shocked the Ryman Premier League visitors at Culverden Stadium.

Dartford, who are the next side to visit Culverden Stadium on Tuesday night, maintained their unbeaten start to the pre-season, courtesy of their 1-1 draw at East Thurrock United.

Former Tonbridge Angels’ striker Jay May scored the goal for Tony Burman’s side, who have so far defeated Thamesmead Town (3-0), Slade Green (3-0) and Tilbury (3-1) and drawn at Whitstable Town (3-3).

An early goal from John Paul McKey gave Kent League side Slade Green an early lead at former Nationwide Conference side Canvey Island, who levelled with 22 minutes left through Jay Curren.

James Tedder kept goal for Slade Green, which also included Danny Evans (manager) and Adam Heaslewood (player-coach).

Andy Silk, Bromley’s former reserve team manager also played, as did Andrew Alphonso-Dalhouse, who came up through the youth and reserve ranks at Hayes Lane.

Margate and Chatham Town won their games by four goals to nil, beating Ashford Town and Thamesmead Town respectively.

Thamesmead Town are pleased to announce that central midfielder Pedro Knight has agreed to sign for the Mead for another season.

The club has also announced the signings of giant goalkeeper Rob O'Hara and central defender Tyron Sterling.

Manager Keith McMahon said: "It's been a great weekend. Pedro re-signing is a massive boast for me, he spoke to me a couple of weeks ago and was honest and upfront about his feeling to play at a higher level.

“He had the opportunity to go to Tooting & Mitcham and Erith & Belvedere had spoken to him, but after a conversation with myself, and after he played in a couple of friendlies, he has decided to re-sign for the club."

McMahon added: "Signing Rob and Tyron has capped a good week of for the club. Rob is a real bonus for the club, he played pro football for Morton in Scotland 18 months ago, so he gives us some experience and he is a real presence as well.

"Tyron played for Fisher Athletic last year in their youth team, he is only 18 and has really impressed me in pre-season, both will be great additions for the club."

A last minute goal saved Maidstone United from suffering an embarrassing goal-less draw at Bly Spartans.

Greenwich Borough made light work of their Kent County opponents in unbareable heat at Harrow Meadow with a convincing 4-1 win.

Former Tunbridge Wells’ striker Dave Hassett gave Borough the lead on 11 minutes and five minutes later Chris Hubbard doubled the score.

But Milton Athletic pulled a goal back a few minutes later when reserve keeper Ade Banjo conceded a penalty.

Lee Anderson made it 3-1 half way through the second half and shortly before time caretaker manager Peter Garland thumped home the fourth.

Borough gained their first pre-season win with a 2-1 win over Old Roan on Thursday night.

Garland, whose taken over as caretaker for at least a month, after Chris Cosgrove and Gary Davies rocked the club by quitting earlier in the week, was happy with the performance of the players and admitted their opponents were a tough side to beat.

Former Slade Green midfielder Jason Elliott opened the scoring for the Kent League side on eight minutes, picking his spot from just inside the penalty area and side-footed past the unsighted goalkeeper.

 Anderson doubled the score a minute later when he scored a fortuitous goal following some indecision from Old Roan’s goalkeeper.

But five minutes later the Kent County League side capitalised on a defensive error from Greenwich Borough and duly fired home past Michael Holder.

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