Community, Parish Council & Village
There are just two fixtures this weekend with the Under 9s away against Layer Colts in the End of Season Trophy and the Under 13s at home against Wivenhoe Youth (KO 10am).
The Under 9s were in ‘end of season trophy’ action at home to Brightlingsea Regents. Bergholt took the lead mid way through the first half, Jonah Murray hitting home. However this was against the run of play against a very impressive Brightlingsea team who had a couple of very promising players on show. Brightlingsea equalised soon after Jonah’s goal, the striker heading in a good cross. Brightlingsea then went further ahead just before half time with a confident shot from their number 11. The second half saw Bergholt try and get into the game and they had a couple of good attempts just go wide, and the Brightlingsea ‘keeper also saved well on at least 2 occasions. However Brighlingsea scored their third and final goal on the stroke of full time. Final result: Bergholt Heath 1 – 3 Brightlingsea Regents.
Our Under 13s were in the semi final of the League Cup, Vs Heybridge at Wivenhoe Town FC. Bergholt made what seems to be their customary slow start and were a goal down inside 3 minutes when a Heybridge striker picked up a clearance and with no Bergholt player closing him down, hit an early shot into the top corner from the edge of the area. Bergholt slowly got their game going on what was a very hard and bumpy pitch and equalised via an Antonio Sabini free kick which he curled round the wall, and despite other players trying to get a final touch, it bounced into the net. Half time 1-1. The second half started with Bergholt changing formation to 3-5-2 to get hold of the midfield, and they had much better possession. However a defensive slip from a huge (foul?) throw into the area saw Heybridge retake the lead against the run of play. Bergholt pressed forward and around 10 minutes from time again equalised with Leo Tiffney converting a cross at the far post. Almost immediately Heybridge retook the lead in controversial circumstances. The Bergholt Keeper leaped to catch a high long ball and was jumped into by the striker. Rather than give a foul the referee singled for a corner which was taken quickly and bundled into the net with the ‘keeper still looking a little unsteady. Bergholt threw caution to the wind to try and get a third equaliser but were caught on the break with a couple of minutes to go, the tall Heybridge number 10 rounding the ‘keeper and slotting home. Final score: Heybridge Swifts 4 – 2 Bergholt Heath. Bergholt ‘man of the match: Ollie Sanderson.
Just one match for Bergholt Heath this weekend. Our Under 13s won 2-0 away to Heybridge Swifts in the A league. The game started slowly for Bergholt, with Heybridge attacking quickly with their tall no.10 involved in most moves. Bergholt held firm and at last started to get their game going. Bergholt took the lead with their first decent passage of play after around 15 minutes when a quick incisive passing move involving James Hirst, Leo Tiffney and Ollie Sanderson saw Antonio Sabini receive the ball on the edge of the area, neatly side step 2 defenders and fire the ball into the roof of the net. Five minutes later it was 2-0 when Ollie Sanderson hit a superb looping shot over the goalkeeper from at least 20 yards. The rest of the first half passed comfortably for Bergholt.
The start of the second half saw Heybridge step up their tempo and attack Bergholt. In fact for the first 5 minutes Bergholt didn’t get out of their own half! As Heybridge pressed more players forward, gaps appeared on the break and both Mickey Whittle – one on one with the ‘keeper – and Gianni Sabini who put his shot well wide, missed golden opportunities to extend the lead. The last 10 minutes saw another period of play exclusively in the Bergholt half and with 30 seconds to go Jamie Bowden superbly slid in to clear the ball off the line to preserve the clean sheet.
Final result: Heybridge Swifts 0 – 2 Bergholt Heath. Bergholt Heath ‘man of the match’: Jamie Bowden.
The Under 9s played their first game in the “end of season trophy”, away to Marks Tey. They comfortably won 3-0, with Jonah Murray scoring at hat-trick.
The Under 13s were the only other team in action, away to Bures in the league. An end-to-end game saw Bures take an early lead when some hesitant play by both defenders and the goalkeeper allowed the Bures striker to lob the Bergholt ‘keeper. This early set back seemed to hit Bergholt hard and Bures continued to dominate. With 5 minutes of the half left, against the run of play, Jake Adams won Bergholt a free kick just outside the Bures penalty box and Antonio Sabini blasted the free kick into the Bures net for the equaliser. Just seconds before half time Bergholt won a corner which was crossed powerfully into the box for Jake Adams to head into the roof of the net. The second half started with Bergholt looking much sharper and within two minutes it was 3-1, Antonio Sabini scoring his second goal with a well taken first time shot from just inside the area. However this setback spurred Bures on and they started to have the lions share of possession. The Bergholt defence looked fairly secure until 10 minutes from time, when the ‘keeper fumbled a cross-shot and the defender could not prevent the ball from crossing the line for 3-2. The final minutes saw Bures pile forward and they equalised from a large slice of luck when a Bergholt clearance hit a Bures player on the back and looped up and back over the defender to fall at the strikers feet, who made no mistake to bury the ball in the back of the net. Final result: Bures 3-3 Bergholt Heath. Bergholt ‘man of the match’: Antonio Sabini.
Our Under 9s finished their league season with a 1-1 draw at home to Marks Tey. Thomas Whitlow scoring the Bergholt goal. Next week they start in the ‘end of season trophy’.
The Under 13s were also at home, to Boadicea Dynamos in the quarter Final of the Open Cup. Despite only having the bare 11 players, mainly due to 2 clashing heads in training on Saturday and suffering concussion(!), and another out with a broken arm, Bergholt were 4-0 up at half time through a brace each from Leo Tiffney and Owen Bernhardt. The second half saw Bergholt tire a little with no subs available. Boadicea pulled a goal back before Gianni Sabini scored on the break just before the final whistle. Final score: Bergholt Heath 5 – 1 Boadicea Dynamos. Bergholt Heath ‘man of the match’: Owen Bernhardt.
Our Under 14s and Under 16s both postponed their matches due to lack of players being available.
Finally the Under 18s were away to Little Oakley Reds and for the second week running could not put out a full team. This week with only 9 players they were beaten 4-0. A respectable result considering.
Our under 13s were away to Stanway Rovers in the quarter finals of the League Cup and despite a couple of scares comfortably won 4-2 with the Stanway ‘keeper the man of the match! bBergholt Heath goal scorers: Leo Tiffney, Owen Bernhardt, Ollie Sanderson and Mickey Whittle. Bergholt Heath ‘man of the match’: Harry Dixon.
The only other game this weekend saw the under 18s in league action away to Harwich and Parkston. Bergholt could only field a team of 10 players due to work commitments, and the home team ran out comprehensive 13-1 winners. Callum Drage scored the Bergholt Heath goal.
Our under 9s continued their good form in the second half of the season, winning 1-0 at home to Layer Colts. Matthew Sanderson adding to his ever growing tally of goals with the winner.
The under 13s were also at home to bottom of the table Frinton & Walton. Although comfortable 6-0 winners, a good opportunity to really put the visitors to the sword and get the goal difference up to challenge top of the table Cornard Dynamos was missed – some of the boys knew it was an easy game and played accordingly! Ollie Sanderson scored his first 2 goals of the season (finally getting the bragging rights in the Sanderson household by scoring more than his brother in the under 9s!), with others from Owen Bernhardt, Jake Adams, an own goal and the customary goal from Antonio Sabini completing the scoring. Bergholt Heath ‘man of the match’: James Hirst.
Neither the under 14s or the under 16s were in action this week.
Finally, the under 18s were also at home, to Clacton United Reds. A strong visiting team ran out 5-1 winners. Ed Disney scored the Bergholt goal.
After what seems ages since they played due to the weather (actually only 2 weeks were missed), Bergholt Heath were back to action this weekend.
The Under 9s were comfortable 4-0 winners away to Marks Tey. Jonah Murray and Matthew Sanderson with 2 goals each.
The Under 13s were in Open Cup action, at home to Great Bentley and run out 7-1 winners. 3-0 up at the break with a first half hat-trick from ‘man of the match’ Antonio Sabini – one via a free kick fired into the roof of the net and another a volley from a corner – Bergholt took their foot of the pedal at the start of the second half and let great Bentley back into the game with the midfield allowing the opposition to run through the middle of the pitch, and Great Bentley duly scored. This, however, woke Bergholt up. An own goal by a Bentley player – who was trying to get in front on Aaron Marley inside the six yard box – soon settled the team down again. Owen Bernhardt got onto the score sheet next, reacting to a blocked shot quickest, before Antonio scored his fourth of the match. With 5 minutes to go, the final goal was scored – Owen running onto a through ball and coolly finishing into the bottom corner.
The Under 16s were the only other team in action this weekend, going down 14-1 at home to Frinton & Walton reds. Thomas Buckley scoring the solitary Bergholt goal, who could only put out a team of 9 players this weekend.
Our Under 9s were at home to Gt Bradfords but despite a good performance they lost 4-2. Jonah Murray and Matthew Sanderson scoring the Bergholt goals. Just a quick mention re one of Bergholt’s Under 9s – Alexander Hopkins – who unfortunately broke his leg in last Sunday’s game vs Reed Hall: Get well soon Alex, we hope to see you playing again soon!
The only other match this weekend was the Under 13s who were away to Frinton & Walton with the managers words still stinging from last week’s poor performance! A much improved effort saw Bergholt comfortably win the game 6-1 and if the home ‘keeper had not been on top form the final result would have been in double figures! Bergholt goal scorers: Aaron Marley, Gianni Sabini, Antonio Sabini, Owen Bernhardt, James Holden and Mickey Whittle. Bergholt ‘man of the match’: Gianni Sabini.
Next weeks’ fixtures – Sunday 5th February:
Just the one match as the season starts it’s final leg: Under 13s Vs Great Bentley in the 2nd round of the Colchester Open Cup (kick off 11am on the Poors Field).
The Under 9s played really well, but eventually lost 3-1 away to Reed Hall. Jonah Murray scoring the Bergholt goal.
In contrast, our Under 13s did not play at all well. In what should have been a game of 2 halves due to the wind blowing straight down the pitch, Bergholt never got going and were still looking for their first serious attempt on goal with 5 minutes of the match to play! In what the Bergholt manager described as the worst performance of the season, visitors Heybridge ran out 2-0 winners at the Poors field in a game that was mainly the Bergholt defence Vs the Heybridge team!
The Under 14s also lost, 4-0 away to Halstead Blues.
Our Under 16s completed a miserable weekend for Bergholt, losing to Broomfield youth 18-1 at home. Matthew Pitts scoring the solitary Bergholt goal.
The Under 18s stopped the run of losses – their game away to Little Oakley was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch!
Next weeks’ fixtures – Sunday 29th January: