AFC Dukes

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ❤️🤍💙

Merry Christmas 🔴⚪️🔵

Olly produced a defensive masterclass at the weekend. Calm on the ball and strong in a tackle great to see him back to his best! Well deserved the U13s Parents award at the weekend.

Coaches Player for the U13s was awarded to Ryan this week. He is in his first season of football and is playing a year up! Ryan works hard every week in training and we are starting to see the hard work pay off. He played amazing at the weekend carrying the ball well and making some great forward passes. Well done Ryan keep it going.

Charlie picked up the U14s Parents award this weekend. New to the team this season but he keeps performing well, he never gives up and is always eager to learn and improve his game. Keep up the great work Charlie

U14s Coaches Player went to Josh this week for a really solid midfield display. Having struggled all week with a cold he put in a fantastic performance. Well done Josh

Our U13s hosted Ashridge Park in the cup at the weekend. Two weeks of no football it was so great to be back out playing.

The Dukes would not really get going in the first half, most of the game would be played in the middle of the park. Ashridge had started the better and where getting on top creating some good chances. Tai unleashed a 30 yard shot towards the end of the half that unlucky struck the post 0-0 at the break

Half time some strong words and Keith's magic oranges seem to do the trick and finally wake up a sleepy dukes!! We started to keep possession of the ball and finally found some rhythm. Our high press and smart passing would finally see the dukes open the scoring. Minutes later and it was 2, more great play would see the Ashridge keeper pull off some smart saves.

Dukes pushing hard for more goals but it just would not fall. Ashridge scored a consolation from the spot with the last kick of the game. Great second half from the dukes and we march on in the cup. Ashridge played a great game and on another day the result might have been different.

Our U14s hit the road for a cup game at the weekend. The rain finally holding off so we could get back to playing!!

The dukes would fly out of the traps and start dominating the play with some really slick passing, it wouldn't be long till the dukes found the net a neat finish from Joseph.

Our training drills were paying off and the dukes pinpoint passing would once again open up the Winnersh defence. A smart finish from Rob would double our lead. More constant pressure from the dukes and winning the ball back high up the field would see Joseph grab his second and our third before the break. Dukes 3-0 up at half-time.

Not much to be said at half time just more of the same please! some well deserved fluids and we got back underway. The second half was much more of the same as the first, Winnersh keeper was pulling off some fantastic saves to keep his side in the contest.

Some really smart feet from Josh and a lovely lay off set up Louis who curled a lovely shot past the keeper putting the dukes 4-0 up. Winnersh did grab a last minute consolation, but the dukes put in a fantastic performance and are into the next round of the cup.

After two weeks off with half term and poor weather the juniors where back in action.

U7s Blues played Berks Elite and put in a fantastic performance against a really strong team. Great passing and finishing delighted the parents and coaches.

U7s Reds were up against a local rival FC Bracknell. They produce a tremendous performance playing great football all game long.

U8s Reds also playing a local team had a great end to end game, with both teams playing great football and delighting parents and coaches.

Great performance again from all the juniors at the weekend, keep up the hard work guys

Our U13s and Ashridge Park Football Club paid their respects at the weekend

Joseph put in a tremendous performance at the weekend, he just never stops running! Scoring 2 and unlucky not to have a 3rd. Most pleasing was his hold up play something we have been working on in training. Well done Joseph

The U14s were at home this weekend! up against an unbeaten Hearts of Teddlothian Lions team. it was summer signings Max's old team so it added for some extra spice!!

Both teams started well and the game was end to end but no team really created a clear cut chance. Lots of hunger and desire from the dukes would see them get on top more, some neat passing from Josh and Toby would see our first real chance Joseph stinging the palms of the keeper.

This would spark the dukes into life and they would control the first half, Josh, Richard and Toby bossing the midfield with Oly & Rob causing problems on the wings and the tireless running from Joseph would see the create more chances. Solid defending from Harry, Megan, Max and Emi plus steady hands from Harry K meant Hearts not really get much change from them.

Our chance would finally fall with a fantastic through ball from Charlie and a lovely neat finish from Joseph, the dukes deservedly lead 1-0 at the break. Quick chat and refreshments second half back underway.

Hearts would start to cause more problems for the dukes and not long into the half they broke down the right simple cross and 1-1! The dukes just not woken up from the break. Some strong words of encouragement would be what the dukes needed to wake up.

Dukes started to create many opportunities a 30 yard belter from Toby struck the hands of a Hearts player in the box, unfortunately no penalty. Joseph next unleashed a fine left foot shot that crashed back of the bar and Louis was unlucky with the follow up. Toby again with a 30 yard left foot sw***er made the keep pull off a smart save.

Finally the dukes got the deserved winner smart feet from Richard he fed a nice pass to the fantastic Joseph to slot home 2-1.

A fantastic effort and game played by the dukes with every player putting in a fantastic performance. Bar set now dukes

Leo picked up Coaches player at the weekend. Had a tough start to the game, but showed real character to score 2 very good goals and fire a lovey assist for Olly. Well done Leo well deserved award.

The U13s were on the road this weekend! up against a Woodley Utd Cyclones team.

Dukes started well and soon had Woodley pinned back in their own half, some neat football see the dukes almost take the lead the post denying a really good strike from Leo. That would be the pattern for the half lots of good chances but posts or legs would deny the breakthrough!

Finally some fine dukes feet and snapshot would see the ball loop off a Woodley leg and into the net 1-0. The second not far away when a lovely Leo corner found an unmarked Olly who tapped home from close range 2-0. Leo would make up for his unlucky penalty miss to fire a nice strike to make it 3-0 at the break.

Some halftime adjustments and trusty oranges from Keith would see the dukes all fired up and raring to go again. Not long into the second half and Leo would round off a fine performance with a lovely strike into the far corner 4-0 and cruising! The dukes would find one more goal before the end when Ryan played the perfect ball through and a dukes player would toe it home 5-0.

A great team performance today well done dukes.

AFC Dukes juniors had an amazing weekend of football! All teams played with heart, strength and courage in their games against some really strong and organised opposition.

U7s Blues battled all game against Procision Predators they played some fantastic football and scored some really great team goals.

U8s Blues played away from home and put in a amazing team performance, playing some neat football with some really great passing.

U8s Reds hosted Arborfield Aces and produced an outstanding display scoring some amazing goals but most importantly playing great football with so many smiles.

Amazing weekend juniors keep up the great work.

On Sunday our mens reserve team will be on the road for a top of the table clash against Bracknell Royals Res!! It promises to be a belter ❤️💙🤍 GOOD LUCK RESSIES!

Our juniors and youth teams will be in action tomorrow despite the rain!! Good luck to all our teams tomorrow ⚽️⚽️

Our Mens teams had a tough weekend with our firsts once again on the road! They was up against a strong Raglan side. The dukes fought until the final whistle but unfortunately lost 3-0, Raglan are top with an unbeaten record so not a bad result considering.

The Reserves hosted a strong Wokingham Wanderers side with the dukes looking to keep the 100% record going. The dukes didn't really get going and went down 1-0, some good passages of play but not enough to break down a stubborn Wokingham.

We go again next week

**Pics of our U8s Manager and Reserve captain Luke in action yesterday and our U13s/U14s Coach Charlie** Dukes Family ❤️

Coaches Player for the U14s went to Emi at the weekend. He put in a stellar display at the back with some strong tackles and great distribution. He has been close for the last few weeks keep up the great work Emi

Parents Player for the U14s went to Rob for a really solid performance capped off with a superb goal. A very much deserved award hopefully many more to come this season

The U14s were back on the road again at the weekend. Hoping to put together a better performance than the previous week.

Arriving at a wet and soggy Sonning to find half size goals and a small pitch the dukes would get to work against a strong Woodley Saints side. The dukes were fast out of the blocks and not long Joseph was terrorising their back 4 with his electric pace, some neat passing the ball would drop to Rob who would beat 2 and curl a lovely shot to the bottom corner 1-0.

The dukes would continue to cause Woodley problems and it was not long before Joseph doubled the lead with a close range finish after another great passage of play.

Second half was much of same as the first with the dukes dominating play. They did not add any further goals but some of the football was really pleasing and shows just how we can play.

Huge credit guys for a strong performance and a great reaction to last weeks game. You can achieve anything if we play like this every week just keep showing the same hunger and desire ❤️💙🤍

Taion was voted the Parents Player at the weekend. He covered every blade of grass and put a strong midfield performance.

Sammy picked up the coaches player at the weekend for his great defensive performance and constant talking on the pitch

Our U13s hosted Harts of Bracknell colts this weekend in an early start!

The game started very cagey with both teams having plenty of the ball. Having played the colts on many occasions we knew it would be a tough game so it proved. The dukes finally broke down a stubborn defence with Josh smashing in a powerful shot 1-0 up at half-time.

Second half would see a similar pattern to the first with both teams pushing for a goal, some fine play down the wing from Josh would result in a great cross and a colts player unfortunately putting through his own net 2-0.

Colts came back fighting and put the dukes under a lot of pressure and nicked a goal back 2-1 game on. Dukes would see the game out and get the win. Not our finest performance today but sometimes you have to win ugly so massive credit to the boys for their hard work and never say die attitude.

Our dukes juniors had an awesome weekend with some really amazing football being played.

Our U7s Blues kept up their great form against EPC playing some really good football. Their hard work in training is really paying off.

The U7s Reds played in a very good game against Hearts of Teddlothian some awesome team goals and strong passing.

Our U8s Blues fought really hard and played some outstanding football against Arborfield Aces.

The U8s Reds had a superb day at the office with some amazing football and goals against Finchampstead.

Great effort kids it is so pleasing to see how you are all developing keep it up ❤️💙🤍

The Mens teams were in action at the weekend.

The First Team headed to Wokingham for a league game against SF7.FC. The dukes were looking to keep up there fine form against a tough team. Unfortunately the dukes would lose narrowly 3-1.

A massive get well soon to Charlie Kinch who sadly broke his arm in the game, he is a dukes legend and will be a massive miss to the team. Hope to see you back soon mate x

The Reserves hosted local rivals Bracknell Athletic FC. The dukes would be looking to keep the 100% record going and remain at the top of the league. The game was very close and both teams fought hard for the points. It would be the dukes that came out on top with a hard fought 2-1 win and remain top of the league with 5 wins from 5 ❤️💙🤍

Max picked up Parents Player for the U14s for a fine goal and another strong performance. He is really play some great composed football thus far this season keep it up Max.

U14s Coaches Player this week went to Charlie a new member this season. He has worked hard when he has got his chance and put a really strong performance in defence.

The U14s were also on the road this weekend to local rivals Whitegrove & Warfield.

The game started off slowly with both teams trying to get a grip of the game. The dukes had one of those days at the office were nothing was working lots of endeavour. That with the constant stop start game with a 49 minute first half did no favours to either team! Whitegrove would deservedly go into the break 1 nil up.

Half time and few choice words would see the dukes come out flying in the second half a lovely corner from Harry C was met with a bullet header from Max 1-1 game on! Dukes would continue to create chances but nothing would drop.

The momentum swung when a harsh penalty was awarded for a strong but fair challenge. Whitegrove would convert and its 2-1. Dukes should have had 20 minutes left to force an equaliser but some time mix ups and coaches having to agree what was fair just killed all momentum. Whitegrove added a third with the dukes chasing for the equaliser.

Tough game and maybe not a fair reflection on what the kids had to deal with during the game, we go again this weekend and hopefully we get the result.

AFC Dukes would like to pass on our best wishes and speedy recovery to the lad that unfortunately went down with a bad injury, we hope you get well soon and get back playing quickly ❤️💙🤍

Dan was awarded Parents Player of the Week after a solid defensive performance. Well Done Dan