Category: BHYFC Football

Both our Under 8s, away to Rowhedge, and our Under 10s, away to Reed Hall, had their scheduled matches postponed due to water logged pitches.

The Under 14s had a ‘free’ week in the league and took advantage of this to play a friendly at home against Colchester Athletic. Bergholt included a couple of new faces in the team, who they hope to sign in the coming weeks, and ran out comfortable 4-1 winners. The Bergholt Heath goals came from Sam Clark, Oliver Sanderson (penalty) and two from one of the new players, Callum Griffiths. Oliver Sanderson was “man of the match” for Bergholt.

The Under 18s were the only team to play a scheduled leage game, at home to Maldon Saints and won 2-1. Alex Bartlett scoring both Bergholt goals.

Next weeks fixtures, Sunday 11th November:

• Under 8 v Bures United (venue to be confirmed due to non-availability of pitch on the Poors Field)
• Wivenhoe Town v Under 10 LC2
• Wivenhoe Youth Blues v Under 14
• Under 18 v Feering Falcon Reds KO 2pm

On a cold and rainy Sunday morning, Bergholt Heath Under-8s took on Lexden Saints buoyed by a good performance last week. Although the home team had the majority of the play in the first half, it was the visitors who went into the break one-nil up after a mix-up between the Bergholt keeper and defence. It was an early goal but this didn’t dishearten Bergholt and they nearly scored an equaliser when their goalbound effort was pushed round the post by the Lexden keeper.

The second half saw no let up in the weather or Bergholt’s desire to get the equaliser. Bergholt had a number of chances but couldn’t find the back of the net, whilst everyone lost count of the number of corners Bergholt had!  Unfortunately, as is the case too often this season, Bergholt were caught out by the counter-attack and a fabulous strike by the Lexden striker put the game beyond the reach of the home team. This was one of few chances Lexden were restricted to, depicted by frozen figure of Daniel in the Bergholt goal. Final score 0-2. Well played to both teams and well done to Lexden on their win.

Our Under-10s were also at home, verses Marks Tey, and a dominant performance saw Bergholt get back to winning ways to win by a huge margin: 10 goals to nil! The Bergholt Heath goal scorers were: Tyler Webb x 3, Daniel Thomson x 2 and one each for Benjamin Sams, Matthew Sanderson, Nathaniel Lerwill, Richard Frost and Thomas Whitlow. Well done boys!

The Under-14s league cup game at Feering was postponed due to the home team not being able to field a team. This should see Bergholt through to the next round by default.

The Under-18s were away to Arlesford Colune Rangers and came away with a creditbale 2-2 draw.

Next week’s fixtures, Sunday 4th November:

• Rowhedge Juniors v Under 8
• Reed Hall Sentinels v Under 10
• Under 14 No game
• Under 18 v Maldon Saints League Cup R2, KO 2pm

Our under 8s were away to Feering Falcons and the Bergholt boys showed their resilience this week after last week’s heavy defeat. Right from the outset they looked like a different team and matched Feering for possession, the only difference being that Feering managed to score 2 goals in the first half. All credit to Bergholt as their heads did not drop as they knew they could still get a result from the game and they were rewarded for their self-belief when James Pomphrett scored a brilliant solo goal. However, as is often the case in football, the scoring team switched off after the goal and conceded soon after. This was soon followed by another, but Bergholt rallied and were then the most likely to score next. However, this wasn’t to be and the final score was 4-1 to Feering.

The under 10s were at home to Colchester Athletic and the manager’s warning a few weeks ago that there were some hard games coming up which the team would struggle against, seems to be coming true, with an 8-0 loss (and the goalkeeper being ‘man of the match’!). At least they built up a good bank of points at the start of the season!

The under 14s were away to FC Clacton on a very wet and boggy pitch and were on the end of a 3-1 defeat.  Although the match saw 2 superb goals from the home team – one of which was a first time shot on the run from outside the area into the top corner – the match will be remembered by all that were there for an – at best dismal, at worst, biased – performance by the referee, and for the first time a Bergholt Heath manager scored the referee below the threshold at which we need to submit (and have written) a letter to the League.  The home team failed to advise Bergholt that the referee was their own appointment and that he was a brother of one of the players.  We were also advised when this information came to light that he was an FA approved referee, however we have since checked and he is not on the current FA list.  During the match the referee failed to award Bergholt a clear goal, continuously overruled his assistants to give throw-ins to the home team, and totally ignored several clear (and a few dangerous) fouls on the Bergholt players, each time saying “I didn’t see it”.  Enough said.  Bergholt Heath goal scorer: Oliver Sanderson. Bergholt Heath ‘man of the match’: Jamie Bowden.

The under 18s were at home to Maldon Saints and came away with a creditable 1-1 draw.

Next weeks fixtures Sunday 28th October:

• Under 8 v Lexden Saints, KO 11am
• Under 10 v Marks Tey, KO 10am
• Feering Falcons v Under 14, League Cup R2
• Arlesford Colne Rangers v Under 18

On a bright and crisp Autumn Sunday morning,Bergholt Heath Under 8s came up against local rivals Eight Ash Green.   It was the visitors who stole a march on their hosts and within a minute found the back of the Bergholt net.  Bergholt then settled down and enjoyed some possession of their own but EAG were much stronger and scored another 3 before half-time – the fourth goal being the proverbial “30 yard screamer” into the top of the net.   The second half was a repeat of the first half with the visitors scoring early on and then going onto score another 3 to make the final score 0-8.  Credit to Bergholt for never letting their heads drop. Well played to Eight Ash Green on their win.

Due to the odd number of teams in their league, the Under 10s were the spare team and therefore had a free weekend.

Slightly later in the day – and later than expected with the previous game going into extra time – the Under 14s got their (short lived) Essex County Cup campaign going away to Writtle Minors from the Chelmsford League.  Bergholt started brightly and within the first few minutes had 2 or 3 good opportunities to open the scoring.  Writtle were camped deep in their own half and their only thought was to boot the ball long and hard to their 2 speedy front mean to chase.  From one such clearance Writtle won a corner when their left winger crossed for the Bergholt defender to steer behind.  Unfortunately from the corner, Bergholt were slow coming out after the ball had been cleared and this left the Writtle striker an easy task of poking a hopeful ball into the net from the edge of the 6 yard box – with a defender playing him well on side – still watching play from almost his own goal line!  The remainder of the half saw play return to the previous pattern but the Writtle goalkeeper seemed to have magnets in his gloves, the amount of times the ball went straight into them!  A half time talk by the manager sent Bergholt out with even more determination and again the Writtle goal was living a charmed life.   In desperation to find an elusive goal Bergholt switched to 3 at the back for the last 10 minutes, but still shots were either off target or within reach of the ‘keeper.   In the last minute, with 8 of the Bergholt players camped in the Writtle half probing for a goal, another long ball out of defence saw the under manned Bergholt defence split, the left winger chasing the ball down and curling a shot into the roof of the net as the Bergholt defender desperately tried to close him down.  Final result: Writtle 2 – 0 Bergholt Heath. Bergholt Heath ‘man of the match’: Oliver Sanderson

The Under 18s were also away, but in league action, to Maldon Saints, and came away with a good 3-2 win. the Bergholt goals came courtesy of Jake Heap, Jack Lugar and Alex Enright.

Next weeks’ fixtures – Sunday 21st October:

• Feering Falcons v Under 8
• Under 10 v Colchester Athletic, KO 11am
• FC Clacton Blues v Under 14
• Under 18 v Maldon Saints, KO 2pm

Unfortunately Bergholt Heath’s Under 8s run of consecutive defeats continued at their away trip to Halstead. The first half was a very even affair, with the only difference between the teams being in the “Goals For” column. Halstead scored twice before Thomas Haworth’s corner was deflected into the net by the defender on the Halstead goal line for Bergholt’s second goal of the season.  Bergholt went into the second half full of optimism but were once again susceptible to counter-attacks and Halstead added three more to make the final score 5-1 to the home team.

The Under 10s also saw their superb run at the start of the season come to an end at home to pre-season title favourites Clare Town Lions.  Despite putting in a battling rearguard action against a fast flowing Clare attack, the visitors ran out clear 5-0 winners.  Hopefully back to winning ways next week!

The Under 14s were also at home to Wivenhoe Youth, looking to get back on track after last weeks poor showing. The team looked much sharper this week with some neat passing football cutting the visitors open time and again, but it took a break from the back by Sam Clark, who finished with a powerful drive into the far corner from just inside the area, to break the deadlock mid way through the first half.  Within minutes of the second half starting, Bergholt were 2-0 up, James Holden chasing a long high through ball, and out jumping the central defender to head over the ‘keeper and into the next.  A couple of minutes later and it was 3-0 with James again reacting quickly in the area to poke the ball in at the far post from close range.   Substitutions broke the rhythm and allowed Wivenhoe to come back into the match courtesy of some long direct balls from back to front cutting out the Bergholt midfield and pressurising the Bergholt full-backs.  From one such direct move Wivenhoe pulled a goal back, only for Mickey Whittle to immediately restore Bergholt’s 2 goal advantage with a shot that the Wivenhoe ‘keeper probably should have done a bit better with.  Wivenhoe continued their more direct approach to the game and pulled another goal back with a long ball over the top and shot from the end of the area that Connor Welfare in the Bergholt goal got his hand to, but despite a vain attempt by Sam Clark to clear off the line the ball ended up in the back of the net. Final score: Bergholt Heath 4-2 Wivenhoe. Bergholt Heath ‘man of the match’: James Holden.

To complete the set of home fixtures, the Under 18s entertained Alresford Colne Rangers in round 1 of the League Cup, and a comfortable 3-1 win sees Bergholt into the hat for the round 2 draw.

Next weeks fixtures Sunday 14th October:

• Under 8 vs Eight Ash Green, KO 11am
• Under 10 – No game
• Writtle Minors (Whites) vs Under 14 – Essex County Cup R
• Maldon Saints vs Under 18

The Under 8s were at home on the Poors Field against Stanway Villa Yellows. The two teams started the game brightly and shared in the early exchanges, however Stanway took an early lead with a powerful strike which gave the Bergholt ‘keeper no chance.  From then on the game was a very even affair with both defences playing very well ensuring goal scoring chances were kept to a minimum. This was a much improved performance from Bergholt and shows that the boys are learning with every game.  Full Time 0-1.

Our Under 10s remain unbeaten this season, holding Halstead Yellows to a 2-2 draw away from home. Matt Sanderson and Thomas Whitlow scoring the Bergholt Heath goals.

The Under 14s were at home to Brooklands and had one of their strangely quiet performances.   The match started with Bergholt almost camped inside the Brookland half but all too often attacks petered out against a deep sitting defence through lack of a final ball. A part from a couple of free kicks from Bergholt nothing much of note happened in the first half: 0-0 at half time.

The second half saw Brooklands pushing forward more and from one attack, the Brooklands striker was left one on one with the ‘keeper after an injury saw the Bergholt defender collapse when he was just about to clear the ball (later taken to hospital with a suspected broken foot diagnosed as bad bruising).  Almost immediately Bergholt equalised, Sam Clark heading in from a corner.  This did not, however, spur Bergholt into life, with too many players looking like they had spent their sleep time playing FIFA13.  A second goal for Brooklands came after the Bergholt team collectively failed to clear the ball on the edge of their area, and just before the final whistle Brooklands hit Bergholt on the break with a good run and shot from their big number 10.  Final result: Bergholt Heath 1 – 3 Brooklands.  Bergholt ‘man of the match’: James Hirst.

The Under 18s were also at home on the Poors Field but their superb start to the season is rapidly fading as they fell to a 4-0 defeat to Little Oakley Reds.

Next weeks’ fixtures, Sunday 7th October:

• Halstead Town vs Under 8
• Under 10 vs Clare Town Lions KO 10am
• Under 14 vs Wivenhoe Youth Blues KO 10.30am
• Under 18 vs Alresford Colne Rangers, League Cup R1, KO 2pm

Our Under 8s are still looking for their first win after coming up against a good Long Melford side. The first half saw the majority of the play in the Bergholt half of the pitch and Melford took an early lead which was doubled mid-way through the half via a stroke of bad luck for Bergholt when at a Long Melford corner, the defender’s near post clearance spun off of his foot and into the net. HT 0-2. The second half saw Bergholt trying to push forward and get into the game. However, Long Melford capitalised and added a third. The fourth goal came from a long free kick which eluded everyone and bounced into the net. Bergholt never gave up and nearly got the reward for their efforts but Theo Baker’s rasping drive was well saved by the keeper. As Bergholt tried to get something out of the game, Long Melford added to their misery by getting a fifth in the last few minutes of the game. FT 0-5.

The Under 10s were also at home, to Boadicea Dynamos, and carried on their superb start to the season winning 5-1 to stay top of the West League!

Our Under 14s were away to Bures United and came away with a creditable 1-1 draw from what was a physical battle. After a scrappy first half that saw Bures have the lions share of possession and chances with the Bergholt defence making some important last ditch tackles, Bergholt started the second half in a more positive manner. However mid way through the half a lucky deflection in the box saw the home team take the lead with the ball landing kindly at the strikers feet to blast into the net. Bergholt did not drop their heads and some good play down the left allowed Mickey Whittle the chance to hit a shot into the top near corner from around 10 yards out. The jury is still out on whether that’s where he meant it to go! The remainder of the game was played out with scrappy play and a few niggles. A Bures player was booked and another given a final warning as they tried to impose themselves on the Bergholt team. Right at the last whistle the carded Bures player got himself involved in yet another confrontation and was lucky to stay on the pitch with a Bergholt player picking up a yellow card for pushing. Final score: Bures United 1 – 1 Bergholt Heath. Bergholt Heath ‘man of the match’: Sam Clark.

The Under 18s were at home on the 11-a-side pitch on the Poors Field, against Frinton & Walton, who are probably the strongest team in the division. Unfortunately Bergholt lost the match 3-1.

Next weeks’ fixtures – Sunday 30th September:

• Under 8 vs Stanway Villa Yellows KO 11am
• Halstead Town Yellows vs Under 10
• Under 14 vs Brooklands KO 10.30am
• Under 18 vs Lt Oakley Reds KO tbc

Our Under 8s had their first away match of the season as they traveled to Braintree to play Great Bradfords U8. The first half saw the home team take full advantage of the slope and they took a 2-0 lead into half-time. The second half saw Bergholt Heath come into the game and have more possession but they still couldn’t break through the resolute Great Bradfords defence and were always susceptible to the attacking threat of the home team as they sought their first goal. The home team went into a 3-0 lead before Bergholt got their first goal of the season through a penalty which was emphatically dispatched by Theo Baker. Seizing their chance to score more Bergholt pushed forward and nearly scored again but Theo’s effort smacked against the upright and back into the arms of the grateful keeper. But in the last few minutes of the game, Bergholt were once again caught out by the counter-attack as Great Bradfords added a fourth. On the balance of play the final score of 4-1 was a bit harsh on Bergholt Heath, but well played to Great Bradfords.

The Under 10s continued their superb start to the season beating Layer Colts 6-0 at home on the Poors field. An emphatic score which could have been even higher! They now sit proudly at the top of the league after 2 games having scored eight goals and yet to concede one!

The Under 14s were also at home, to Long Melford. Melford took the lead within a minute of the kick off, Bergholt losing the ball cheaply in midfield and allowing the striker far too much time and space on the left edge of the area to curl a superb shot into the top corner. This knocked Bergholt back and it took a while for them to settle down and start playing some football. The first time they really played their usual passing game, Bergholt equalised when James Holden managed to stretch to divert the ball over the line from a low cross with less than 10 minutes to go in the first half. Bergholt started to impose themselves on the game and other half chances came and went early in the second half. Not too dissimilar to last week, Bergholt were unlucky to hit the upright and then have 2 shots cleared off the line. The winner came after Mickey Whittle was brought down from behind in the area (moving away from goal), Oliver Sanderson coolly dispatching the resulting penalty. Final score: Bergholt Heath 2 -1 Long Melford. Bergholt Heath ‘man of the match’: Oliver Sanderson.

The Under 18s were away to FC Clacton, but could not continue their impressive form from last week despite having more players in the squad. FC Clacton ran out clear winners with the final score reading 4-0 to the home team.

Next weeks fixtures Sunday 23rd September:

• Under 8 v Long Melford, KO 11am
• Under 10 V Boadicea Dynamos, KO 10am
• Bures United v Under 14
• Under 18 v Frinton & Walton Blues, KO 2pm

Our new Under 8s were against Reed Hall Sentinels.  In the first half Bergholt Heath went into their opening game of the campaign full of optimism but also with some trepidation having never played together against other opposition. After a few minutes it was clear to all that it was going to be a fairly even contest, with both sides cancelling each other out. Reed Hall had the better of the early exchanges but some great defending and ‘keeping from Bergholt kept them at bay. In fact, the first clear opportunity came Bergholt’s way through a one-on-one but the shot was well saved on the line by the Reed Hall keeper. This save triggered Reed Hall into life and they broke the deadlock towards the end of the first half. HT 0-1.

The second half was once again a very even affair, however Reed Hall stretched their lead as they converted their chances and took a 3-0 lead. Bergholt had their own chances, firstly a scramble in the box lead to a good shot on goal but the keeper saw it through a crowd of players. The Bergholt crowd were hoping that at least they would see a first goal and it so nearly came in the last minute when the pressure the home team exerted nearly paid off. However the goal-bound shot, which had beaten the keeper hit a Reed Hall defender and deflected off for a corner. In the end that was the final goalmouth action and the final score ended 0-3. Well played to Reed Hall and well done to Bergholt Heath who did very well in their first ever game. Thanks to Pete for refereeing.

The Under 10s started this season off in the same manner as they played most of the the second half of last season, comfortably winning 2-0 away to Marks Tey in the West League.

The Under 14s, under a new manager this season but with the core of the team unchanged, were away to the League champions Cornard Dynamos. After Bergholt hit the woodwork 3 times in the first half, then for a 4th time in the second half, Cornard took the lead after hitting the woodwork for the first time, with the ball dropping kindly for their striker to slot the rebound in the net! 10 minutes later and it was 2-0 with a headed goal from a corner, although the Bergholt players were convinced it was a foul on the ‘keeper, who was being pulled back by a forward as he came for the cross. There was still time for Bergholt to hit the woodwork for a 5th time and then in a goalmouth scramble have 5 or 6 attempts on goal, the final one of which was blocked by a Bergholt pl ayer trying to jump out of the way! Final result: Cornard Dymamos 2 – 0 Bergholt Heath. Bergholt ‘man of the match’: Jamie Bowden.

Last but not least, our Under 18s kicked their season off at home – on the Poors Field – against Alresford. Despite only having the bare 11 players and starting the match at 2pm in 28C, Bergholt were comfortable 2-1 winners.

Next weeks’ fixtures Sunday 16th September:

• Gt Bradfords v Under 8 
• Under 10 v Layer Colts KO 10am 
• Under 14 v Long Melford KO 10.30am 
• FC Clacton v Under 18