Under 15 Review
The Under 15s continued life in the ‘B’ League for a fourth season. Roy Rogers was again manager (his 7th season) and was assisted by Barry Houlden (5th season). No new players had joined the side although Ben Goodin and Joe Taylor returned to the squad while Michael Rainey had left and Kieran Sweeney was de-registered.
September
The season got off to a horrendous start with a 12-2 home defeat at the hands of Welton. This proved to be the worst home defeat of the season. A 6-0 defeat followed at Mablethorpe where only nine players made themselves available. The month closed with a 5-2 home defeat at the hands of local rivals HBW Utd League position 10/10
October
In October promotion contenders Manor Utd, who had come down from the ‘A’ League, inflicted an 8-1 home defeat before ‘A’ league side Wyberton ended any hopes of a cup run with a narrow 1-0 victory League Position 10/10
November
The only game in November saw Mablethorpe become the first side to complete a league double with a 3-1 victory League Position 10/10
January
The enforced Winter break end with a 5-0 home defeat at the hands of Birchwood. This was followed by a visit to Welton who inflicted a second double with a 6-0 victory. This defeat heralded the equal worst run of the season as it was the eighth straight defeat. It was also the fourth game in which the side had failed to score. The best run of the season started on the long trip to Holbeach where a 3-2 win, the first of the season, was recorded. The final game in January saw a second way win as St Helens were beaten 4-2 for the (equal) biggest win of the season.
League Position 10/10
February
The best win of the season was achieved in the only game of February, with promotion hopefuls Manor Utd beaten 4-2 (equal biggest score). The result saw Ridwan Sadi hit a hat-trick. League Position 8/10
March
The start of Spring saw three home games and one away game but unfortunately they all ended in defeat. Rustons won 7-0 before back to back games with Ruskington ended in 10-1 and 8-3 defeats. Sadi bagged all three goals in the away game. This match saw the sides first ever red card as Charlie Garrick was sent off by local referee Chris Warren, who appeared to show a dislike for the club as a whole. The month closed with St Helens reaping revenge with an 8-2 victory at Metheringham. For Ryan Hansord it was a personal milestone as he played his 100th club game. League Position 9/10
April
The final month was equally as bad as March with four successive defeats thus equaling the sides worst run of eight straight defeats. Birchwood completed a league double with a 6-0 defeat. This game was Ridwan Sadi’s 100th for the club with him having scored 247 goals. HBW did likewise, winning 5-1 and then Rustons made it six league doubles conceded as they inflicted the worst away defeat of the season with a 12-1 win. The season closed with a home reverse against Holbeach 4-2 and it also signalled a first in Metheringham’s Junior Football history as no previous youth side had ever failed to win at least one point at home which was the case for this seasons U15s. League Position 9/10
On reflection one has to give credit to the squad of players for sticking together, through what has been a very difficult season. They fulfilled ever game despite only winning 3 of 19 starts. Of the 17 players used 13 played 10 or more games. Four were ever present, namely Ben Goodin, Ollie Houlden (3rd successive season), Joe Mitchell and Andy Saffin. Skipper Scott Rogers missed just one and had missed only two in the last five seasons. Goals were very much in short supply with only 27 scored in 19 games at an average of just 1.42 per game. Goals conceded was 112 (av. 5.9 per game). Ridwan Sadi was top scorer for his 5th successive season but only netted 11 goals in 13 games (av. 0.85 per game) leaving him 2 short of 250 club goals (102 games). Only seven other players found the net during the season as the side failed to score in 6 games and kept no clean sheets. Well done to everyone for sticking together and let’s hope the last season at Youth level in the ‘C’ League next season will be one of success.