Bergholt Heath YFC – Results w/e 5th October
BHYFC U8s vs Lexden Saints
The Under 8s played their second home league game and remain unbeaten, scoring three goals against a very good Lexden team. Erin Williams scored her second hat-trick in successive matches and all the other members of the squad played very well too.
BHYFC U10s vs Great Bentley
The Under 10’s took on Great Bentley this week in perfect conditions – the weather was sunny, the air crisp and the Poors Field grass short.
The first half was similar to the first game of the season against Brightlingsea, where it seemed to be a game of attack vs defence as the visitors took control. Unlike that game, Bergholt were playing much better and were not just aimlessly clearing the ball, they were trying to match the opposition for effort and passing, but were just coming up against a better team. Joe, Billy and Thomas in particular were up against two very good wingers. In fact Bergholt were playing so well that it was only down to two individual mistakes that cost Bergholt the two goals that separated the two teams at half-time. HT 0-2.
Boosted by the way they were playing, Bergholt came out for the second half full of confidence and it showed as the half was not so one-sided as the first. Bentley still had their attacks but when the defence was breached Daniel was able to cope well – one particular save, where he tipped a long range pile driver over the bar, drew a deserved round of applause from both sets of coaches and supporters. However, Daniel had to deal with a very hard ground and on one attack he did well to get down to make the save but the Bentley striker was first to the rebound to score the third. Bentley then extended their lead when the winger beat two challenges and then cut in and rifled an unstoppable shot into the net from just inside the Bergholt box.
However not despondent, Bergholt continued to play the football they had shown last season and had a period of play where they showed their attacking prowess with Oliver and James leading the line.
The final score was 0-4 to Great Bentley but Bergholt should be very pleased with their performance against a team who have only lost one game in two years.
Bergholt Heath player of the match: – Thomas Lloyd. Great organisation of the defence.
Halstead Town vs BHYFC U12s
As autumn rolled into October an unseasonably warm afternoon greeted the team as the Under 12s met Halstead Town Reds for the second time in a few weeks, this time away in the League Cup round 1.
Halstead started the match far hungrier for action. With a few minutes gone the manager was left wondering if Bergholt would even get out of their half. Finally a ball was played to Tyler in the centre circle. With a couple of defenders on his heels he headed towards goal and with a great piece of skill he outfoxed one of the antagonists and created space in the area to place the ball perfectly in the corner with the keeper trying to narrow the angle.
The rest of the half then turned into a battle of attrition with both sides trying to wear each other down. There was good skill from both sides and efforts on target at either end. Both keepers were called upon at some point and neither wanted to break , but one felt there were more scores to come and so it happened as Halstead hit the equaliser near to half time .
The second half was a frantic end to end affair as the footy was played at a high tempo. Several times Bergholt were on the back foot but some better clearances and harder tackles meant the scores stayed level. At the other end Bergholt were creating chances. Several times both Jo and Tyler broke through with the keeper to beat. Their efforts just missed the target each time.
Something had to eventually give and fortune favoured the away team when Ryan went for another run down the left. He cut into the area and chipped the keeper. The ball looked to be going wide but a ‘Great goal’ cheer from Tom preceded the ball settling in the net to restore Bergholt’s lead.
The clock was running down but the boys wanted to make certain of the tie and this they did when a goalward shot was stopped by a defender with his hand. Jo calmly put the resultant penalty into the net to make it 3-1.
With the last play of the game Jo took on the fullbacks to get to the byline, he expertly pulled the ball back across the area. Alex in the middle could not make contact but the ball travelled on to Ben at the far side. Rather than blast the shot he calmly side footed the ball into the empty side with the keeper.
Final Score: Halstead Town Reds 1-4 Bergholt Heath.
Well done boys a nice win in a hard fought contest against a good Halstead side.
It was pleasing to see some of the boys had corrected mistakes from previous matches today. Let’s hope this continues when the team is back in league action next week against Feering.
MOM could have gone to several players, but Jack was chosen for a couple of great saves made at a crucial time in the match.
Jays Youth (Dagenham) vs BHYFC U16s
The Under 16s had an early start in the Essex Cup, away to Jays Youth in Dagenham.
Following last weeks’ home loss to Wivenhoe, Bergholt started tentatively and it was only after the home side took the lead in the 10th minute through a well worked free kick routine that caught the defence out, that they decided to start playing.
Following this early set-back Bergholt took the game to the hosts. Conor smashed a free kick from outside the box against the bar and then had a chance to put Bergholt back on level terms from the penalty spot after Tyler was brought down by the ‘keeper, however his placed spot kick was well saved. Conor volleyed over from close range a couple of minutes later and shortly after Tyler got the ball in the net from close range, only to harshly be adjudged offside. At the other end Jays were being kept well away from the Bergholt goal by a hard working midfield. HT: 1-0.
The second half started with Bergholt again on the front foot with some really good passing football being played through the midfield that finally resulted in an equaliser when Ronan got on the end of the rebound as the home ‘keeper made a good save from Tyler. It was still all Bergholt and they hit the bar for the second time in the match when Ciaran rose highest from a corner but saw his powerful header come back off the wood work. Harry was then put through but blazed his shot high and wide on the run and Leo connected too well when a clearance dropped to him about 10 yards out, which resulted in the ball going over the bar.
Just when extra time seemed to be looming, Jays capitalised on some ponderous defending when the ball really should have been cleared up field first time. The ball was crossed into the box and Connor could only parry it to the striker, who slotted it into the open net for the winner.
Final result: Jays Youth 2-1 Bergholt Heath.
Bergholt Heath Man of the Match: Leo Tiffney – superb link up play behind the strikers
Next weeks fixtures – Sunday 12th October:
- Halstead Town Yellows vs Under 8
- FC Clacton vs Under 10
- Under 12 vs Feering Falcon Reds KO 10
- Marks Tey Blues vs Under 16 League Cup R1