Chatham Riverside 4 – 6 Milton & Fulston Utd Zebras (16-09-11)
A gutsy performance by both sides looking for their first wins of the season. Chatham took the lead in the sixth minute after poor defending but Zebras immediately hit back with a Nathan Sieloff strike. Having the edge in the first half, Milton created a number of chances but found the Chatham keeper in excellent form. Zebras took the lead in the 27th minute when Jack Sheppard pounced on a loose ball in the box to score his first of the season to the joy of his team mates. Chatham fought hard to get back in the game and were rewarded with an equaliser on the half time whistle, a long shot which bobbled in front of keeper Tom Howard. Milton started the second half poorly, looked lethargic and were outplayed for twenty minutes. Errors at the back gifted Chatham two goals before Owen Knight pulled one back after a number of attempts in the Chatham box. Shortly after Nathan Sieloff saw a strike ruled offside. With time running out, coach Mason urging them on, Milton finally upped their game and pounded the Chatham defence relentlessly. Sieloff scored an equaliser with four minutes remaining with a characteristic charge into the box. A minute later he was brought down heavily and Ieuan Mason stepped up to cooly place the penalty in the bottom left corner. Owen Knight wrapped the game up with his second at the whistle. A breathtaking finish by the Zebras left their manager wondering why they struggled so much earlier in the half but credit to the lads for never giving up…. and to Chatham who showed a lot of spirit and effort.
Milton & Fulston Utd Zebras 2 – 6 Pegasus (09-10-11)
Despite the final score, this was a good performance by the Zebras who played composed football for long periods. Milton and Fulston soaked up early pressure from Pegasus and grew in confidence throughout the first half with some hard work in the defence and middle of the park especially from Owen Bareham, Mark Frampton and Charlie Joy and a lively performance up front from Jamie Cook who came close to scoring his first of the season. A Nathan Sieloff goal on 20 minutes put Zebras ahead and they finished the half with numerous chances. The second half saw a fairly even contest until about 10 minutes when in Pegasus beat the offside trap and scored twice in two minutes. Within a minute Sieloff had scored a beautiful lobbed goal to level. Pegasus then eased up the pressure and despite some outstanding tackling by Michael Robbins in particular, pounced on three defensive errors to put the result in no doubt and scored a late goal to win by a perhaps flattering margin. Zebras were left still seeking their first win of the season but on today’s performance it will be not long coming.
New Road Colts 5 – 3 Milton & Fulston Utd Zebras (25-09-11)
Milton & Fulston never really got going in this match. New Road missed an early penalty but three goals in eight minutes late in the first half gave Milton a mountain to climb. The second half saw a fightback, an early own goal from a corner was followed by a typical Nathan Sieloff charge into the box and a rocket into the far corner. A mistake at the back saw New Road add to their lead but Sieloff responded with another to narrow the score. Both teams had their chances before New Road scored their fifth to close off the game with ten minutes to play. Although a disappointing performance by Milton after their previous week's efforts, some positives included a good defensive performance from Mark Frampton and a promising debut by Ryan Webster.
Istead Utd Colts Whites 3 – 3 Milton & Fulston Utd Zebras (
A great team performance from the Zebras this week. Every player upped their performance and the defensive frailties of the previous game were overcome. The Zebras started brightly and had the best of the game before Istead beat the offside trap and scored in the seventh minute. That proved to be the only real mistake by the Zebras defence who all worked hard together. The Zebras pressed forward and were rewarded with an equaliser late in the half when Jack Walker struck from the edge of the box after a short corner and exchange with Ieuan Mason. In the second half
Milton & Fulston Utd Zebras 3 – 5 Lordswood Tigers (
The Zebras took only 22 seconds to open their account for the season with a fine Nathan Sieloff goal as he broke through on the right following good passing interplay. Owen Knight extended the lead a few minutes later getting onto the end of a Ieuan Mason drive into the box. Both teams had their chances with keeper Harry Myers in particularly good form for Fulston. The Zebras struggled to coordinate their back line and it was unsurprising to see Tiger's efforts deservedly rewarded by a goal on the break on 20 minutes. Sieloff scored his second after recovering from a trip in the box to extend the Zebras lead but Lordswood kept looking for an opening and scored their second on the stroke of half time – a turning point in the match. The second half saw the wind pick up and Lordswood made good use of it to launch attack after attack. Fulston desperately held on with replacement keeper Tom Howard performing heroics but eventually Tigers got their equaliser half way through the half. Fulston continued to battle with Owen Bareham, Mark Frampton and Jack Sheppard in battling form. A Zebras penalty, awarded after Sieloff was tripped in the box , was well saved by the Lordswood keeper from Ieuan Mason. After that it was all Lordswood and they managed to score twice from corners to take the points in the last minutes.
The Zebras went into their one and only pre-season game under strength and played half of the match with a player down. Zebras started the game brightly and had a couple of chances before New Road scored on the break after 10 minutes. Nathan Sieloff levelled a couple of minutes later from a corner and shortly after a defensive error resulted in Colts regaining the lead. Zebras equalised on 20 minutes from Harry Myers who scored his first goal for the club from close range. Late in the half Colts scored twice on the break to take a comfortable lead into the break. Going a player down in the second half, Zebras upped their performance but were stunned by a cracking long range goal after 12 minutes. Both sides had their opportunities with Myers in particular playing magnificently in goal to deny the Colts extending their lead. The Zebras rarely give up a game for lost and it came as no surprise to their supporters to see them dominate the final stages of the game and score two goals through Sieloff in the last three minutes.An enjoyable, well contested match played in great spirits by both sides and showing promise for the team this season. Particularly good performances came from Harry Myers with his second half goal keeping heroics, Jack Sheppard who played a very steady role in midfield and early defensive work by both James Ryder and Charlie Joy. Nathan Sieloff played well at the front and managed to get his hat trick with his two late goals.
