BHYFC Results w/e 18th May

Bergholt Heath Youth Football ClubBergholt Heath YFC – Results w/e 18th May

BHYFC U15s vs Notley Youth – League Cup Final

The last match of the season for Bergholt Heath saw the Under 15’s back in the League Cup final for the second successive year, this time up against newly crowned league champions Notley Youth, at Wivenhoe Town FC.  Once again Bergholt were without injured striker James, and the cup tied Joe.

Bergholt started the match brightly on a dry and bobbly pitch, and despite playing against a wind stronger than expected, took the match to Notley with the strikers working hard to prevent the Notley defenders having time on the ball to play their usual long-ball style to their fast running strikers.  Apart from a couple of early chances, this pressure was working and pressure paid off with a goal around the 15 minute mark: Aaron came up from right back to pick Ben out with a throw on the edge of theNotley area.  Ben got free from his marker to whip in a superb cross that Max rose to head powerfully home at the far post.

Unfortunately the lead only lasted a few minutes when from their second corner Notley equalised – again with a header.  Notleywere continuing to try and hit the ball over the top to use the advantage of the wind and their pacey strikers, which kept theBergholt defenders on their toes dealing with a succession of headers. In contrast, Bergholt got the ball down and played through the midfield at every opportunity.

However around 5 minutes before half time the Notley long ball game finally paid off when another ball was played over the top.  Sam miss-judged the flight in the wind and for once missed his header.  Jamie and Harry tried to get back to cover as the ball ran through with the striker in pursuit, but he had a relatively easy job of poking the ball home past Connor who had not really progressed out of his goal to narrow the angle. HT: 1-2.

At half time the Bergholt manager asked the officials for some protection as there was a tendency for the opposition to jump at players, or pull them back, rather than concentrating on the ball – which was generally going unpunished in the first half. Within minutes of the second half starting, the first yellow card of the game was shown to a Notley player for pulling back Ollie.  Another yellow card was shown mid way through the half when yet again a player jumped at the Bergholt defender without too much concern of where the ball was, and this was followed by yet another card for the same offence a few minutes later.

As the game wore on Bergholt had come into the match more and more and half chances came – the best of which fell to Ollie who exchanged passes with Ciaran and curled a superb effort just wide of the goal from outside the area.  Ben was pulled back and then fouled in the area all in the same move for what looked like an obvious penalty, but the referee waved away protests.

For the last 10 minutes Bergholt switched to 3 at the back and moved Sam up front to force the game.  This tactic worked and saw Bergholt force several corners in the last few minutes, two of which saw Sam get his head to the ball but unfortunately in neither occasion could he direct the ball on target.  Bergholt’s final chance came after another corner was cleared but only to Leo, who set Jamie up to hit a half volley from 25 yards that was aiming for the top corner until a Notley defender got his head to the ball to deflect it for Bergholt’s final corner of the game, which unfortunately came to nothing.  There was still time, however, for the referee to send off a Notley player when he showed him a second yellow card – apparently for swearing.

Final score: Bergholt Heath 1-2 Notley Youth

FA Charter Club?

This match concluded the Season for Bergholt Heath.  The Club is hoping that during next season, if not before the 2014-15 season starts in September, it will have been awarded FA Charter Club Status.

The Player Awards Evening will take place at the Orpen Hall on Saturday 14th June, starting 6pm.  The Club AGM will take place at the Queens Head PH on Wednesday 25th June, starting 8pm.

Under 14s are Open Cup Winners – Bergholt Heath YFC match reports

Bergholt Heath Youth Football ClubUnder 8 double header

The Under 8’s closed their season with a “double header”, playing both Saturday and Sunday this week: On Saturday they hosted Great Bradfords and despite dominating a lot of the game they could not get the ball into the net and the visitors punished them with their only two real chances of the game, running out 2-0 winners.

On Sunday they were also at home, this time to Oyster Youth from West Mersea and a keenly contested game saw the visitors take the lead but Bergholt battled back to score a good equaliser to end their season with a creditable 1-1 draw that bodes well for their next campaign at Under 9’s starting in September.

Under 10 away to Great Cornard & home to Bures United

Following on from their first ever friendly at the new 9 vs 9  format away to Gt Cornard during the week (which Bergholt won 2-0), the Under 10’s we also playing their last game of the season at home to Bures United. However the visitors seemed to be up for this game and attacked the home side from the first whistle, and Bergholt soon found themselves 2-0 down.  Despite huffing and puffing, the home side couldn’t seem to get a clear shot on target in the first half and the whistle went with the scoreline unchanged.

The second half started with a slight changes to the personnel and Bergholt rolled up their sleeves and gave it a real go.  Within a couple of minutes a good move saw Tyler receive the ball back from a corner and hit a powerful shot to the ‘keepers near post which flashed past him before he had seen it to bring Bergholt back into the game. Suddenly the home team’s tails were up. A few minutes later, and it was Tyler again breaking forward to score the equaliser.  However the well organised Bures team were not going to take these setbacks laying down and they again got onto the front foot to score a good goal from a run, cross and first time shot.  In the final minutes as Bergholt pressed hard for another equaliser, the visitors hit them more to make the final score a rather flattering 5-2 win to Bures.

Under 14 Open Cup Winners 2013
Under 14 Open Cup Winners 2013

Open Cup Final – Under 14 vs Bures United

It was the Open Cup Final for the Under 14’s this week where we faced Bures United, the team we had beaten in our last league match of the season last week. This week was always going to be different, as cup finals are usually really closely fought matches with both sides giving their all to win the trophy.

Both sides were missing key players through injury (James Holden was the unfortunate one for us, and we hope he’ll be OK to take part next week) and it took 10 minutes or so for either side to really get to grips with the game.

Bures have some quick forwards and our defence did well to reduce them to one effort on target, which Connor saved easily, and one that went wide in the first half. We had a couple of speculative shots from distance from Max and Ollie that didn’t trouble the Bures’ ‘keeper. For the last 20 minutes of the half we were the better side and with a little less weight on a couple of through balls we might have made a few more chances. However, midway through the half a clearance from Jamie was well controlled by Ben and he laid the ball off to Ollie who ran it from the centre circle towards the right corner of the 18 yard box. As no Bures defender closed him down he took the chance to hit an unstoppable shot over the keeper and into the top left corner to put us into the lead. Cue rapturous cheers from the Bergholt players & supporters as Ollie soaked up the adoration!

Soon after Bures conceded a free kick just outside the penalty area inside the “D” and Max stepped up to fire a well struck shot that we all thought would nestle inside the right hand post, but it was unfortunately just a whisker wide.  Sam had one of his trademark headers from Ollie’s free kicks, but it was cleared off the line by a well-placed defender. Owen and Mickey had shot each that were under hit and comfortable for the keeper and from another Ollie free kick, Max ghosted into the 6 yard box at the far post, but the keeper was in the right place to block his effort and grab it at the second attempt. The half time whistle sent us into the break with a 1-0 advantage and we hoped that we could continue in the same manner and maybe grab another couple of goals in the second half.

We did indeed play the same for the first 25 minutes with some excellent football being played at times, especially as on Wivenhoe’s large bobbly & hard pitch.  With Owen giving us a little more width we got into some good areas and made a few early half chances, but we just couldn’t get that perfect strike on goal.  Bures were plugging away, but had little penetration upfront and Jamie and Sam were clearing any danger. The main worry we had was from corners and set pieces as Bures could fill the box and try and find the equaliser. Thankfully that did not come and we extended our lead with 20 minutes to go. A neat bit of football down the left between Ollie and Leo led to Leo shooting and although the keeper made the save, the ball fell kindly for Mickey and he side footed the ball into the empty net. Cue the rapturous cheers again and Mickey’s strong-man salute to the crowd! We were well on top now and Max went close with another long shot and Ollie hit a curling free kick a bit too close to the keeper who saved comfortably. Max crossed a ball into the box, and Owen appeared at the far post, but as he stretched he couldn’t quite divert the shot on target.  Another good passing move led to Mickey setting up Ben whose shot was tipped by the keeper who had rushed out to block it and time stood still for a second as the ball curled goal wards, but clipped the outside of the post.

With 10 minutes to go the boys seemed to realise that they were in a good position to win the game and as Bures pushed men forward each attack saw our defending become a little more erratic as some nerves crept in. We virtually stopped them having any clear sites of goal, but with a couple of minutes to go we were almost caught out. Jamie cleared a ball just in our half and a Bures defender returned it with interest and as the ball flew over Jamie’s head the quick Bures forward was clear. Sam chased him down and just as he caught up at the edge of our area the forward lifted the ball over Connor and into our goal, but the celebrations were cut short as the assistant referee had his flag raised for offside. That was a let off, but from then on the boys all worked their socks off to stop Bures getting another chance and the referee blew the final whistle to send us into wild celebration.

2-0 was a fair result as we made the clearer chances and more of them, but the Bures players should be commended for their attitude and effort as they kept going right to the end.

There was no Man of the Match vote by the parents this week and it would have been difficult for them to choose 1 player as they all played well, but if it was me picking my vote would have gone to Max who, despite having an injured toe, he had a great game along with Ollie & Ciaran in the midfield and was unlucky not to score.

Simon Ashurst – a proud manager!

Next week’s fixture, Sunday 19th May:

  • Under 14 Vs Wivenhoe Youth – League Cup Final – Wivenhoe Town FC, 2pm kick off

Can they do the double??

Match reports & fixtures from Bergholt Heath YFC – 5th May 2013

Bergholt Heath Youth Football ClubLong Melford Colts vs Under 8s

The under 8s were away to Long Melford Colts buoyed by an excellent performance last week.  Stand-in ‘keeper Thomas L got off his sick bed to go between the posts and was called into action fairly early on to catch a long range shot.  This settled the team down, and they matched their hosts for possession in the middle of the pitch, but unfortunately couldn’t get past a resolute Colts defence.  Wrong advise given to Thomas by the Bergholt manager at a goal kick saw possession given away to the Long Melford striker who tucked the ball into the corner of the net with some flourish.  HT: 1-0.

The second half was a carbon copy of the first half with even possession but Bergholt unable to get a clear cut opportunity on goal.  Melford managed to score their second with a well taken shot to run out 2-0 winners (although it should have been 3-0 as it looked as if Thomas’ save from one shot had crept over the line!).

The boys once again played very well – saving their best form for the end of the season – although maybe a little sluggish in the first half.  Special mention to the defence with Billy and Eddie forming an excellent partnership, ably supported by Oliver this week.  Also to stand-n ‘keeper Thomas L who made some really good saves.

Bergholt Heath player of the match: Oliver Baker, he was asked to play in defence this week. He showed his commitment in the tackle and pushed forward when he got the chance.

Under 10s vs Stanway Villa

At home on the Poors Field, the Under 10s were playing Stanway Villa having managed a creditable draw with the visitors a few weeks ago when Bergholt only had 6 players available.  Unfortunately that recent result had obviously stung the visitors and they took the game to Bergholt in a very determined manner straight from the kick off, scoring within the first few minutes.  Bergholt tried to pick themselves up but generally Stanway were first to any loose ball throughout the match.  Each side managed to get the ball into the net in the second half, but the visitors had their revenge, running out 2-1 winners.

Bergholt Heath ‘man of the match’: Jonah Murray

Under 14s vs Bures United

The Under 14s played their final league game of the season at home to Bures United, in a dress rehearsal of the upcoming League Cup final.  The match started fairly evenly, with both teams having several half chances without managing to get clear shots on goal.  The first real chance came from the visitors who sprang forward with pace down the left with the striker flicking the ball goal wards over the Bergholt ‘keeper, only for Jamie Bowden to race back to make a desperate goal line clearance.  This near miss spurred on Bures, and within a couple of minutes after Bergholt had failed to clear a first cross, the ball was played back in from a deep position and, with the full back caught napping, the striker nipped in to flick the ball goal wards from inside the 6 yard box. Connor in the Bergholt goal managed to get something on the shot to slow it down and again Jamie was on hand to clear the ball before it went over the goal line.  However, generally Bergholt were playing the better football and from one quick incisive attack Bergholt won a corner when the defender desperately cleared the ball out from a cross before a home striker could get on the end of it.  From this corner Bergholt took the lead when, after both the initial ball and the follow up cross were cleared, the ball fell to Sam Clark outside the area who left fly with his left(!) foot to curl a powerful shot into the far corner of the net.  Within a few minutes it was 2-0 to Bergholt when a good passing move resulted in the visiting ‘keeper making a good save only to see his defenders hesitate instead of clearing and James Holden, who had continued his run, finished well from a tight angle.  HT 2-0.

The second half saw Bergholt continue to take the game to the visitors who, after being limited to long balls over the top and shots from distance, were getting increasingly frustrated. Ollie Sanderson added to the score mid way through the half with a shot into the roof of the net from outside the box, then in the last 10 minutes Bergholt put the icing on their cake: firstly with an overhead kick from Mickey Whittle and then with a couple of minutes left, Leo Tiffney shot with the outside of his foot, wrong footing the ‘keeper to see the ball trickle over the line to make the final score Bergholt Heath 5-1 Bures United.

Bergholt Heath ‘man of the match’: Sam Clark

Next weeks fixtures:

Sunday 12th May:

  • Under 8 vs Oyster Youth, KO 11am
  • Under 10 vs Bures, KO 10am

Saturday 11th May:

  • Under 14 – League Cup Final Vs Bures United, to be played at Wivenhoe Town FC, kick off 2pm

Under 14s make cup final – Bergholt Heath YFC match report 28th April 2013

Bergholt Heath Youth Football Club Under 14s make cup finalUnder 8

Our Under 8s were away to Rowhedge having had their confidence seriously battered in the last couple of weeks.  However they put up a good show this week, only conceding a couple of goals.  Hopefully these experiences will enable them to become stronger next season.

Under 10

By contrast, our Under 10s are sitting quite happily in mid-table and were away to the league leaders Clare Town Lions today.  Although it was a fairly even match, especially in the first half, Clare eventually got on top and ran out 3-0 winners.

Under 14

The Under 14s played the second of their two Cup semi-finals, this time in the league cup, against Notley Youth at Halstead TownFC under the floodlights on Friday night.

Bergholt started this semi-final with a quick tempo, but looked quite nervous in possession at times. Both sides were working hard in midfield, and it took a while for either side to really settle.  Bergholt’s first chance came when a cross from left broke to Ciaran 20 yards out who looked to place a curling shot, but it didn’t curl enough to threaten the goal, however generally Bergholt lacked a bit of communication and struggled with some balls played in to our penalty area.  A Notley free kick from the left was missed by everyone and was turned goalwards by an attacker, but ‘keeper Connor blocked well with his legs.  A minute later another deep cross again evaded everyone but the Notley frontman sliced his shot wide at the back post.

Midway through the half Bergholt won a throw in down the left of the Notley area and Ollie got the ball to Jake who put a perfect cross to heart of the area.  Ben timed his run in to perfection and with a free header found the bottom left corner, where the tall Notleykeeper could not reach.  Soon after Ollie looked to have put Bergholt 2 up with a great shot into the bottom left corner, only for the keeper to get down and at full stretch turn it round the post. An outstanding save. James Holden had a powerful volley that went narrowly wide and Sam was unlucky to see his header from Ollie’s free kick drift narrowly wide.  Bergholt couldn’t increase the lead and 2 minutes before half time a cheap corner was conceded and when it wasn’t cleared a bit of a goalmouth scrabble led to Notley poking the ball in to send the teams into the interval at 1 all.

At the start of the 2nd half Bergholt shuffled the formation to 4-4-2, and tried to use the width more. It did create a little joy but failed to create a clear chance as Notley’s back line defended really well.  The Bergholt back 4 also looked solid when they were together as a unit, but when they were drawn out and failed to win the first tackle Notley looked as though they might get in behind with their speedy frontmen.  Bergholt coped with them though and looked to counter quickly and but for a few wayward through balls might have made some really good chances.

One of the Notley boys went over a challenge from Sam and landed awkwardly on his shoulder, causing what seemed to be a broken collar bone. He was having a good game in the midfield so it was a bit of a blow for Notley and everyone at Bergholt Heath wishes him a speedy recovery.

Bergholt switched back to 433 for the last 17 minutes to regain the midfield security and that seemed to help win more challenges there and gave the team extra cover when they broke forward. It worked out well as soon after the changes Mickey and James Hirstcombined to set James Holden away down the left. He beat a man and cut along the byline jinking past 2 more defenders. With 2 strikers looking for a square pass James only had eyes for goal and fired past the Notley keeper, despite the narrow angle, to put Bergholt back in front.

From here in, Notley gave everything to find another equaliser, but the work the lads put in to keep them at bay was terrific. Despite a couple of edgy moments Bergholt stopped them getting a clear shot and Connor comfortably mopped up most balls that came into his area (one was a real heart in the mouth moment but the boys got away with it).

Thankfully the last few minutes flew by, and the final whistle blew – much to everyone connected with Bergholt’s relief.  Bergholt Heath Under 14’s now find themselves in the final of both cup competitions, to be played 12th and 19th May.
Man of the Match was James Holden, but again, every player worked hard and contributed to the win.

Next weeks fixtures – Sunday 5th May:

  • Long Melford vs Under 8
  • Under 10 vs Stanway Villa Greens, KO 10am
  • Under 14 vs Bures, KO 10.30am
  • Under 18 – No game
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