Reserves and Under-18's forward Henry Vieira reflects on the season.
DK: How did you find the season from a personal perspective (Res/U18s) - arguably a successful one?
HV: From a personal perspective, I think it has been a decent season for myself. I’ve really enjoyed the football. To be part of the reserves team and the 18s team this year has been brilliant.
DK: Can you pick 3 standout games from this season, if so which ones and why?
HV: My three standout games this year would have to be Southend in the youth cup. Although we did lose this game, it was so good to be involved in it. It was the game in which we made history for the club so it did feel amazing to be playing in the game. Another stand out game would be the 3-1 win over Wivenhoe away. From a personal perspective, I think this game was very successful. To score the second goal to put us ahead was a brilliant feeling. The last standout game would have to be Stanway Pegasus at home. Winning 5-2 against a play off chasing side was a brilliant result. The game had been 2-2 until the last 20 minutes, so for the team to score 3 goals at the end of the match was amazing.
DK: What'd you make of the season for the Reserves?
HV: Last season for the reserves, definitely wasn’t as successful as hoped for, however there are definitely lots of positives to take from it. There were definitely games in which we were the better side but just couldn’t get the 3 points over the line. We did however have some great games beating teams at the higher end of the table.
DK: What did you make of your first season of step 6 football?
HV: Going into my first season in step 6, I really did not know what to expect. It was definitely the biggest challenge I have faced so far, especially against the stronger teams in the league. I think I underestimated the physicality side of the league which I now know is a huge factor, so that was hard to get used to at first. It is a very competitive league, but I think that did make me really enjoy playing football.
DK: A very historic season for the U18s - how proud are you overall?
HV: It has definitely been a successful year for the 18s team. Managing to win the league unbeaten was a great achievement for us. It was definitely a huge challenge, some weeks we definitely did not play our best football but as long as we got the 3 points was all that mattered. I think the standout was the run in the FA youth cup. It was amazing to make history for the club and I know the boys were really proud of that. it was amazing to see so many people turn up to the games which I think really helped us. It was definitely a shame to not win the county cup this year but it gives us a target for next season.
DK: What are your targets for next season?
HV: My targets for next year are to win the league again. To definitely win the county cup, I think this is a huge target for everyone as we know how much it hurt to lose in the final and to reach the first round proper of the fa youth cup again.









