Tag: league cup

Long 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 12^th May:

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

Saturday 11^th May:

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

Under 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