Swans soar high over the Lea Valley

Kamel Kabour beats his man to cross against UCL Academicals

Lea Valley FC (the Swans) has five teams that set off some real footballing fireworks in November, with the promise of much more to come. The adult teams, the under 16s and the under 10s have all recorded cracking results in the league, though two cup defeats have left a bitter taste in the mouth.

Starting with the firsts, poor early season form saw them propping up the table, but three hard-fought wins in a row during November put them back up in the top half where they belong. They thrashed UCL Academicals 5-0, came back from a goal down to beat Old Tollingtonians 4-3 and then despatched Hale End Athletic by 3-1, with only ten men in the second half due to injuries. Carlos Kennedy has been leading from the front, and solid centre backs Dion Thorpe and Abdul Ismail have helped shore up a previously leaky defence.

The Seconds beat Leyton County Old boys 2-0, then put seven past Old Camdenians for a 7-1 win, with Henry Aguocha and Josiah Small scoring two each. They dropped three points against league leaders Albanian V, losing 3-1, and a 4-1 loss to Oakhill Tigers II put them out of the County Cup in the third round. However, they are sitting third in the league with games in hand so the next few matches are vital.

The Thirds have kicked on from their early season promise drawing 4-4 with Old Woodhousians, then seeing off Old Parmitarians 2-0. However, a 3-0 defeat to Latymer Old Boys V took the wind out of their sails, leaving them sitting in third place and needing to push on for promotion.

The under 16s were up and down in November – a hard fought 2-1 win against Epping Youth was followed by a 3-0 defeat to Minchenden Youth, and the boys got thumped 7-0 in the cup by Premier Division Southgate Adelaide. They currently sit mid table and really need to start fulfilling their potential this month.

Meanwhile, the under 10s have upped their game in recent weeks. Early season form was poor, but the lads are really now starting to gel as a unit and should fear no-one. Against Park View Rangers the young Swans started the game at a high tempo scoring five in the first half. They notched another five in the second half to run out convincing 10-0 winners. The following week they thumped Leyton Utd under 9s 7-1, then put in a great performance away at Rap Aid, winning a tough game by 4-1.

There followed a sterner test against Angel Islington. A cold wet Sunday morning saw Lea Valley run out 4-1 winners, and they are now rapidly climbing the table with a solid group of players who are much more organised and composed than previously. A massive Cup game against the league leaders beckons. Thanks to Hackney Community College for its sponsorship and continued support of the club.

For more information on Lea Valley FC, contact melvinsullivan@yahoo.co.uk