Our new U23 team played their first league match of the season last Thursday at Storrington. They played a friendly at Horley Town the week before and showed some glimpses of what was to come against an older and more physical side. If you made the long trip down the A24 to Storrington then you would have seen a really tight knit group of young players – all eligible for our U18 team let alone U23s – buzzing with energy and skill particularly given the pitch was hard and rough. As part of the Next Generation Pro Football Academy they train together every day and usually play a couple of matches a week. They spend a small part of their week studying for a qualification that could see them in a career in the sports industry as well as studying English and Mathematics if they need those qualifications.

They played with pace and without fear, keeping possession well and snapping around the heels of the opposition to get the ball back if they lost it. They created plenty of chances in the first half and took two of them. Fair play to Storrington for upping their game after the break pulling a goal back after going three down and it might have been different if a great save had not kept it at 3-1. Two more goals followed and an excellent free kick by Storrington made it 5-2. This season our games for U23s – and U18s – will be on Friday evenings at Whyteleafe at 8pm which brings us to their second game tomorrow evening against Horsham YMCA. This is set to be some game with our lads having a chance to show their skills on the flat artificial pitch at Whyteleafe against a side that travelled to Roffey last week and won 6-1. Goals also rained in at Broadbridge Heath as they beat division newcomers Alfold 8-2 although as yet we have no date for a fixture against them. Next week brings trip to leafy Loxwood on Thursday.

Come along and watch these talented youngsters, some of whom may be gracing the First Team before too long, and see how they take on this strong opposition. It is only £4 for adults or £2 for concessions with U16s going free. However, if you bring Code Lingers23/2025 to the turnstile then you will get in half price and producing either a student card or an AFC Whyteleafe season ticket will get you in for free. It should be a lovely Summer evening for football.