Bergholt Heath YFC – Results w/e 18th January
BHYFC U10s vs Lexden saints Blues
The winter break seemed an ideal opportunity for Bergholt Heath Under 10’s to get some practice in playing a 9-a-side match in preparation for the forthcoming U11 season where they move to the bigger pitch and have the fun of offside. So the manager arranged to play old friends Lexden Saints Blues.
Lexden Saints arrived at Bergholt in really good time and so had plenty of pre-match warm-up and instruction and it showed as within a minute they were one-nil ahead as Bergholt’s rustiness showed. However, Bergholt shook themselves down and were soon getting into playing after a four week break. Both teams looked to pass the ball well on the larger pitch and a lot of the play was on the deck. Lexden strength was down their right hand side and Joe was very busy at left back. Lexden were the more attacking team and were offside a few times and Bergholt had Daniel in goal to thank on a number of occasions with some excellent saves to keep the score at 0-1 at half-time.
The second half was more open than the first as the longer match period started to take it’s toll. Bergholt played some decent football and created a few efforts on goal, the best falling to Theo who failed to put the ball into an open goal, but they didn’t manage to get on the scoresheet. Some indecision in the Bergholt ranks and the stronger opposition saw Lexden Saints add a few more to their first half goal tally and come out the worthy winners.
Overall, despite the defeat, the Bergholt manager was happy with the first foray into 9-a-side football as there were a number of positives from the game and also it highlighted a number of areas for him and the coach to work on in the coming months which was the object of the exercise.
Bergholt Heath player of the match: Nicholas Barnes – an excellent performance leading the Bergholt frontline.
Gt Bentley vs BHYFC U12s
The Under 12’s were in action away to league leaders Gt Bentley, and were somewhat swamped by a home team that ran out 6-0 winners.
Long Melford vs BHYFC U16s
The Under 16’s were also away, to Long Melford, with new signing Sam Joyce on the bench for his first game. The game started evenly with both teams keen to play after a few weeks absence due to the weather. Long Melford made an early breakthrough after around 10 minutes with their first attempt when Joe miss-timed a defensive header which dropped neatly for the striker to pounce on and lift into the top corner of the net, when the loose ball could have gone anywhere! Bergholt did not let their heads drop and were trying to force their way through a packed midfield and defence, without a huge amount of joy, although Jamie and Luke twice combined well down the left to create half chances. Mid way through the half saw Sam come on for his debut, along with fellow forward Tyler, and immediately the game changed with these two players in particular pegging the home team back with their direct runs and speed that resulted in some desperate and panicked defending. One such attack saw Sam draw the defence away to create space for Conor to run into and as he wasn’t closed down he unleashed a superb shot from just outside the area into the top corner for the equaliser. The final 5 minutes of the half was all Bergholt and the whistle came just at the right time for the home team to regroup.
The second half started with some changes for Bergholt which saw them loosen their grip on the match, however Long Melford were no longer much of a threat and Connor in goal only had one save of note to make, whilst Sam brought out a superb one handed diving save from the home ‘keeper to keep the scores level and there were a few other half chanceswhich suggested if there was going to be a winner, it would be for the visitors. However the game finished as a crediable draw – Bergholt’s first of the season. FT: Long Melford 1-1 Bergholt Heath.
Bergholt Heath man of the match: Conor McLaughlin – all action midfield display capped by a fine strike for the Bergholt goal.
Next weeks fixtures – Sunday 25th January:
- Under 8s – no scheduled fixture
- Under 10’s – no scheduled fixture
- Under 12’s – no scheduled fixture
- FC Clacton Reds Vs Under 16, COC R1, KO 12.30pm