Bergholt Heath YFC – Results 3rd November
Reed Hall Sentinels vs BHYFC Under 9s
After the past couple of weeks where Bergholt Heath Under 9’s had hit the self-destruct button, the manager gave the boys a stiff talking to before the game about this and how to avoid repeating it for a third week.
With this fresh in their minds Bergholt started well, playing against the wind in the first half. Both teams were cancelling each out in the middle of the pitch and clear cut chances were limited to one each, with Sentinels hitting the side netting whilst Theo nearly got his birthday goal but was denied by an excellent block by the Sentinels defender. Sentinels probably just shaded the half due to having the advantage of the wind. HT 0-0.
Bergholt then had the wind in the second half and were asked to use this to shoot on sight. This they did but found the Sentinels keeper in good form saving well from Theo, Thomas and James. Meanwhile the defence were having a really solid game and Daniel’s handling and command of his area was excellent. The midfield were also doing their duties in defence as well as in attack, something that had been missing recently, demonstrated by James who, when the Reed Hall player wriggled through the defence, came in with a brilliant goal saving tackle.
Bergholt had the lion’s share of possession and goal-scoring chances in the second half but just couldn’t score and the game ended goalless. FT 0-0. A good result which steadied the ship!
Bergholt Heath player of the match: Daniel Jackson – super handling and distribution of the ball.
BHYFC Under 11s vs Colchester Villa Blues
The under 11’s were the only team at home this week, to second in the table Colchester Villa Blues. It was a open game with plenty of chances, but both keepers were in excellent form with neither team able to find a way past their opponents. The only goal came with Colchester Villa were awarded a dubious penalty for hand ball and the striker stepped up to score leaving the Bergholt players down hearted at the end of a match they did not deserve to lose.
Player of the match: Matthew Sanderson.
Elmden Rovers vs BHYFC Under 15s
Our Under 15’s, currently bottom of the A league, were looking to end their miserable start to the league season away to second bottom Elmden Rovers. Bergholt won the toss and chose to play with the strong wind that was blowing almost straight down the pitch.
The team were pumped up for the match following some strong words from the manager after last weeks loss to Bures, and the early exchanges were almost entirely in the home sides’ half, where they were defending manfully against a fluid Bergholt attack, aided by the wind. Bergholt took the lead after 15 minutes when Owen got free on the left and after dummying the defender, rolled the ball back for Ben to coolly place in the corner of the net. Just over 10 minutes later Ollie got on the score sheet when he waltzed through the home defence to place another shot low into the net. Bergholt were clearly on top with the manager calling for more goals to capitalise on the wind, and they had further chances with Luke hitting the angle of crossbar and post with a cleaver flick from outside of the area, and Jamie having a shot cleared off the line following a corner. In addition there were two claims for penalties that the referee strangely gave as free kicks to the home team. HT: Elmden 0-2 Bergholt Heath.
The second half started with the away supporters wondering whether Elmden could use the wind advantage to change the flow of the game, which had been decidedly one sided. Within a few minutes of the restart this idea was dispelled, as Ben was given the freedom of the home penalty area – so much so he looked round for the offside flag – to place another shot low into the goal for his second of the match. Another few minutes and Bergholt scored their fourth goal – a free kick from Max finding the top corner. Elmden were trying to use the wind by clearing the ball long and high then chasing behind, but the Bergholt defence was fairly comfortable throughout, although there were a few anxious moments from two Elmden in-swinging corners. With 10 minutes remaining, Bergholt scored their 5th and final goal when Max hit another shot from the edge of the area, picking out the other top corner!
Full time: Elmden Rovers 0-5 Bergholt Heath.
Bergholt Heath ‘man of the match’: Max Booth – all action display both in midfield and then up front.
Next weeks fixtures – Sunday 9th November:
- Under 9 vs Colchester Villa Yellows KO 11.00am
- Wivenhoe Town vs Under 11
- Under 15 vs FC Clacton KO 12 noon