Brilliant display of football from Omonia Youth Under 14 White
There were a host of positive performances from many teams of community football club Omonia Youth FC, sponsored by PIA Financial Group and Philip Ross Solicitors.
Sophia Karanicholas’ Under 11 Girls put on another stunning performance. After two challenging games, the girls reacted fantastically and demonstrated incredible team spirit. The highlight of the match was a world class goal from Marine who volleyed the ball in from a corner. Player of the match was Orla Holland who yet again proved to be a safe pair of hands, keeping the defence out of trouble and making some dangerous passes going forward.
Another superb performances from the Omonia Youth Under 11 Girls
At the Under 14 age group, it was a clean sweep as all four team came away with important victories. In the League Cup, Jimmy and Chris Mousicos Under 14 Gold were comfortable 3-1 winners against Boreham Wood yet the score does not do justice to the number of goal scoring opportunities that they created. Goals were scored by Kayden Trey Virgo, Rayen Haboubi and Jay Tyler Constantinou with Rhodos Stylianou and Cem Poyraz named Man of the Match.
Also in the League Cup, Michael Pieri’s Under 14 White came up against a team two divisions higher and came away with a brilliant 3-2 win against Oaklands. It was an outstanding display by the team who stuck to their principles and played football on the floor. Having gone 1-0 down to an early goal from a corner, the boys proceeded to dominate possession and went into half time 2-1 up thanks to a brilliant chip from Emmnanuel Onuoha-Nzeh and a well worked goal finished off expertly by Alfonso Rosselli.
The Under 14 White extended their lead in the second period with another goal that was preceded with penetrative passing, excellent movement and combination play which was finished off by Noel Allen. The opposition pulled one goal back to make it a tense end to the game but the boys stood firm. Coach Michael was delighted after the game and said: “…sometimes as a football coach there are matches and moments where reflection brings a smile. Today was such an occasion.” The whole team were worthy of praise but Man of the Match was awarded to Alfonso for his patience, positional discipline and scoring a good goal.
In League action Mario Christoforou and Nick Lingis’ Under 14 Green came away with all three points winning 1-0 against Harvesters thanks to a goal from Joe K. Joe S was named Man of the Match.
George Sammoutis and Harry Theodorou’s Under 14 Silver won again in the league against Highgate & Muswell Hill, dispatching their opposition 4-1. Gabriel Nyarko-Duodu (2), Joe Tuillis and Mehmet Buyuk. Joe Tullis was named Man of the Match.
David Poncia and Savvas Zavros were both delighted as they saw their Under 13 Gold put on an excellent performance against Enfield Rangers to come from behind and win their match. In what was without doubt the Under 13 Gold’s biggest challenge this season, a very physical game saw their team dig deep, show resilience and come away with a positive result. They never gave up and coming back from 2-0 down showed the power of positive football and positive thinking. Goals were scored by Ky Zavros, Callum Howley and Max Albrecht. Man of the Match was Captain James Carter.
Nick Georgiou and Dino’s Under 16 White drew their home league game 2-2 with . It was another strong team performance with the Under 16 White taking the lead in the first half and dominating most of the play. The opposition who were very competitive and took advantage of two errors in the second half and went 2-1 up but the team showed a great attitude, fought back and got the equaliser. Goal scorers were Peter Michael and Apostolos Tziatzios. Man of the Match was jointly awarded to Peter Michael and Theo Stavrou
Chris Gregoriou’s Under 18 White recorded their first win of the season with a great all round team performance versus Wingate & Finchley.. The team fought for every ball and played some good football along the way. Half time was 0-0 but a couple tweaks and changes made the difference to take a two goal lead as well as rattling the cross bar twice and saves from their keeper made for an all-round good result and performance. Goals were scored by Michael Patsias and Tariq Stewart. Man of the Match was Raheem Watt
It was an Under 18 double last weekend as Kyri Georgiou’s Under 18 Green also won, winning 6-3 away. Goals were scored by Andrew Kirtsides (2), Jamal Payne (2), Denis and Michael Speers. Man of the Match was Ellis Charalambous.
Panos Papa-Michael, Elia Constanti and Andy Michael’s Under 15 Gold faced last season’s champions with a depleted squad but the boys were stepped up and were immense. They all stuck to their task but unluckily conceded with only a few minutes to go to lose 1-0 to Maccabi.
Special mention to young Charlie Mousicos from the Under 14 Gold who stepped up and became the team’s eleventh man, with the approval of the opposition. Charlie played really well and played a big part in what was overall an excellent team performance.
Man of the Match was Michael Papa-Michael for what was described by Elia as “…a complete central midfield display.”
Mario Demetriou, Johnny Othona and Elvis Leon’s Under 12 Green again went goal crazy as they played and won their first league game of the season 7-0 against Maccabi.. The boys played an excellently with plenty of good passing and movement. Goals from Alex (5), Zachary and Anthony. Man of the Match was Luca
Should you feel enthused and want to know more about Omonia Youth FC, you can contact the club at omoniayouthfootballclub@hotmail.com, via the contact page on the club’s new website www.omoniayouthfc.com as well as following the club on twitter @OmoniaYouthFC and Instagram @omoniayouthfc1994.
OYFC promoting safeguarding, welfare and child wellbeing
For the uninitiated, in grassroots youth football the start of every game is preceded with both sets of teams exchanging registration cards to ensure the young footballers on the pitch are correctly affiliated to the team they are playing for. Strangely, this is not done for the adults who are in charge of their respective teams and who take their place on the side of the football as coach or manager.
This season, community football club Omonia Youth FC, sponsored by PIA Financial Group and Philip Ross Solicitors, have taken the positive step in telling all their coaches and managers that whenever they are training with their teams and on every match day they are to wear club assigned lanyards displaying their FA Coaching License card which identifies who they are. The card is physical proof that the wearer is licensed by the FA to coach children. In addition, each card gives expiry details for the FA’s Criminal Records Check (CRC), Football First Aid and Safeguarding Children Education. It also shows the coaching level of the coach. The club is trying to encourage the relevant authorities to ensure this is done for all youth football matches.
This season the club has also formed sub-committee groups which includes a designated group for Safeguarding, Welfare and Child Wellbeing. A club statement from their latest newsletter reads: “As a youth football club, our number one priority is the welfare, safety and the wellbeing of all our young footballers. We have this season taken the decision to have more than one designated welfare officer at the club.”
“Child welfare and safeguarding will always be taken extremely seriously. As a club we strive to ensure training and match days are creative, fair, fun and above all safe environments for all our young footballers.”
“The club’s designated welfare officers this season are: Chris Mousicos (Vice Chair and Manager U14 Gold), Kyri Georgiou (Manager Under 18 Green), Andi Panayiotou (Manager U10 Gold), George Pantelides (Manager U14 Girls), Sophia Karanicholas (Manager U11 Girls), Xenia Acar (Parent), Maria Lingis Othona (Parent) and Aria Zavrou (Parent)”
There is also a pinned post on the club’s website about ‘Football, Safeguarding, Welfare and Child Wellbeing’. Do go and take a look at www.omoniayouthfc.com. There will shortly also be a dedicated area on the website for welfare and safeguarding.
Coach photos: OYFC coaches wearing their identification badges during training and match day
