Bergholt Heath YFC – Results w/e 12th October
Halstead Town vs BHYFC U8s
Sunday 12 October saw Bergholt Heath Under 8s play their second away match of the season. The opponents, Halstead Town, proved to be formidable opposition. After a bruising encounter Bergholt Heath came out on top thanks to a great team performance. Goals in the first half from Oscar De’ath and Bevan Blowers preceded a second half of resolute defending. Bergholt Heath continue their unbeaten start to the season and look forward to their next match at home against Long Melford on 26 October.
FC Clacton vs BHYFC U10s
Bergholt Heath U10s went on their travels week, heading to the coast to play FC Clacton. After last week’s much improved performance, the manager was hoping that they would carry this into this game.
The first five minutes or so were played mainly in the Bergholt half as the hosts tried to use home advantage, however they never troubled Daniel in goal as the Bergholt defence kept them at bay. This act of defiance from the back line boosted confidence throughout the team and slowly but surely Bergholt got themselves into the game and the last 10 minutes could have been named the “James show” as everything that Bergholt did seemed to involve him. He was unlucky when he hit a cracking shot from just outside the box but unfortunately for him and the team it thumped against the crossbar. Half-time score 0-0.
The second half, like the first, was full of ebb and flow as both teams looked to be the one to break the deadlock. Daniel, having been a spectator for the majority of the first 20 minutes of the game, was called into action early as he dived very bravely at the feet of the striker getting a nasty whack on the knee for his troubles. Soon after he was called into action again as he rushed out to the edge of the area to close down the Clacton striker, but the ball from the challenge fell kindly to another Clacton striker who had the goal at his mercy and couldn’t miss.
Clacton then could have doubled their lead as Freddie’s tackle in the area was slightly late and he upended the Clacton striker for a stonewall penalty. The Clacton player hit the ball well but Daniel guessed the right way and not only made the save but managed to get the ball to safety as well.
The football experts always say that often a particular moment like this can change a game and sure enough this was one of those examples. This save bolstered Bergholt and they started to exert their own pressure, coming close when James slotted the ball through to Theo, but with just the keeper to beat he could only skew the ball wide. He was crestfallen after this miss but was soon celebrating as another move down the left, this time with Thomas H being the provider, he found himself in a similar position. Unlike his first effort, Theo composed himself before slamming the ball under the keeper’s body to get the equaliser. Bergholt then looked to go ahead in the game and came close when Billy flew down the right wing and delivered a superb cross which was met on the volley by Theo but flashed just wide.
Clacton themselves were also trying to get their second of the match but the Bergholt defence had listened to the manager and coach’s words about not diving in and were playing extremely well. When they did need help, Thomas H typified the team’s efforts when he made a superb sliding tackle on the edge of the Bergholt box to clear the danger.
With the game heading for a draw Bergholt managed to launch one last attack which saw Thomas L and Theo against one lone Clacton defender. Thomas drew out the defender and threaded a lovely pass to Theo and in a carbon copy of his first goal repeated the feat and slammed the ball under the dive of the keeper.
Clacton then kicked-off but this was to be the last action of the match as the referee blew his whistle for full-time. Full-time 2-1 to Bergholt.
Bergholt Heath recorded their first league win of the season in what was a great game of football to watch. Both teams were evenly matched, both looking to pass their way up the field and both played in a strong but sporting manner.
Bergholt Heath player of the match: James Pomphrett – outstanding performance in the first half – well worth the long trip!
BHYFC U12s vs Feering Falcon Reds
The Under 12s were at home to Feering Falcons Reds and a goal from Daniel Thomson and two from Richard Frost saw them comfortable 3-1 winners.
Bergholt Heath player of the match: Richard Frost.
BHYFC U16s vs Marks Tey Blues
Bergholt’s Under 16 team made the short trip to Marks Tey Blues in the League Cup.
As is becoming a habit, Bergholt started extremely slowly and a flat looking defence were caught out in just the second minute when a long ball was missed by the midfield and the striker was allowed a clean run on goal to easily beat Connor in the Bergholt goal. Whilst still shell shocked from being 1-0 down so quickly, yet another mistake at the back saw the home striker finish superbly to put Marks Tey 2-0 up with less than 10 minutes on the clock. Bergholt’s cause was not helped when just a couple of minutes later, defender Ryan landed awkwardly and had to be carried from the pitch. In a carbon copy of Jamie’s injury in the first game of the season, his knee had twisted and yet again if was off to A&E for one of the Bergholt players, where ligament damage was diagnosed. Everyone at Bergholt Heath wishes Ryan a speedy recovery.
Now missing two of their regular back four, Bergholt reshuffled and came back into the match, but their usual shape was missing and the attacking intent tended to peter out tamely. At half time the manager tried to install some confidence, but mid way through the second half a miss-communication at the back saw Marks Tey score their third and final goal to see the match finish 3-0. No return to the Final of the League Cup this season. Let’s hope the team get some of their injured players back to make a challenge on the league or progress in the Open Cup come January.
Next weeks fixtures, Sunday 19th October:
- Under 8 – No game
- Long Melford vs Under 10
- Under 12 vs Gt Bentley, KO 10am
- Bures vs Under 16