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BHYFC Results 13th April and Fixtures 20th April

Bergholt Heath Youth Football ClubBergholt Heath YFC – Results 13th April

Feering Falcons Blues vs BHYFC Under 9s

Bergholt Heath entered into the match knowing that the hardest game of the season was saved until last against Feering Falcons.

The hosts started on the attack from the start and it took Bergholt 5 minutes to get the ball out of their own half.  Despite the constant pressure the Bergholt team repelled the Feering attacks until a few minutes from half-time when the Feering attacker turned sharply in the box and struck a half-volley which gave Daniel no time to react.  HT 0-1.

After all the hard work in the first half Bergholt legs started to tire and with the desire to get on level terms, the holes started to appear and Feering took advantage of this and soon scored their second.  Then a third came when Feering scored a penalty following Theo’s handball in the area.  Numbers four and five also followed.

Despite the number of goals conceded in the half, it was actually more even than the first half and there were a number of bright moments for Bergholt when Daniel pulled off a fantastic save and Theo came close twice to scoring.

The final score was 5-0 to Feering, which was a little harsh on the Bergholt boys given how well they played against such good opposition.

BHYFC Under 11s

Our Under 11s have finished in a respectable 4th position in the C league and therefore do not have any more fixtures this season.

Heybridge Swifts vs BHYFC Under 15s

Bergholt were down to the bare bones again this week for a variety of reasons, with just 12 players available including James Holden, who returned to action from the substitute’s bench after just one week of training following a near 4 month absence due to injury.  Luke again filled in at left back due to missing defenders.

Early exchanges saw the home side, who were at full strength, try to out-pass Bergholt but the final ball generally went astray or when the strikers did get the ball, the Bergholt defence restricted them to some wayward shooting from outside the box. There was a scare mid-way through the half when the left midfielder hit a hopeful ball into the area that, due to the hard ground, bounced over Connor’s head as he came out, but luckily Jamie was on hand to clear off the line with the aid of the post. This was followed a few minutes later by Bergholt going close from a corner when the ball bounced in the area and two attempted shots from close range were blocked before Heybridge finally cleared.  With around 5 minutes left of the first half, Bergholt took the lead, possibly a little against the run of play, when Ollie received the ball from Ben and hit a superb through ball for Max to chase.  Max sprinted between the central defenders and hit a hard shot that the keeper could only parry and Max duly collected the loose ball to put it into the net from a tight angle.  H-T: 0-1.

The second half started with Heybridge deciding to ditch their passing game and move to playing the ball long to their strikers who in turn were instructed to play the ball back to on-running midfielders.  This required the Bergholt players to watch and track the runners.  Early pressure saw Heybridge equalise after just a few minutes, when a quickly taken corner was crossed into the box before many of the Bergholt players were ready, and the ball was stabbed home at the second attempt. It was 2-1 to the home team shortly afterwards the striker turned well inside the area and hit a shot into the roof of the net. 2-1 became 3-1 when midfielders were left unchecked to run into the Bergholt area in support of a long ball, giving the home team 5 Vs 4, with six of the Bergholt team watching from afar, and the chance was easily converted.  By now heads were dropping and a few seemed to lose interest in the game.  The Heybridge fourth goal was a simple race to a long ball over the top which the striker duly won.  The Bergholt manager then switched to 3 at the back to try and stimulate a response, but with a couple of minutes to go Heybridge scored their fifth and final goal when again the Bergholt box was overrun by attacking players.

Final score: Heybridge Swifts 5 – 1 Bergholt Heath.

Bergholt Heath ‘man of the match’: Jamie Bowden – kept working hard in defence and tried to inspire his team to keep going to the final whistle.

Next weeks fixtures, Sunday 20th April:

  • None scheduled – Easter break
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Bluebell Open Day & Spring Nature Walk

Bluebell Open Day and Spring Nature Walk

Spring is here…

The Friends of Hillhouse Wood, in conjunction with Woodland Trust,  invite you to join Join Steve Hallam for their annual Bluebell Open Day and Spring Nature Walk.  As the Woodland Trust say:

Hillhouse Wood is a mosaic of different woodland types making it particularly interesting. It has two ponds and two streams running through, but volunteers have been busy creating footbridges and drying out the path edges. A carpet of bluebells in Spring.

Starting at the Old Church at 2pm on Saturday 19th April, you will see the bluebells (looking like being a great show this year), and other spring flowers, butterflies and spring bird life, possibly including early nightingales.

You can collect your map, family nature trail, and flora and fauna guide from the Friends’ Information Point, by St Mary’s Old Church.  Refreshments are available at St Mary’s Old Church.

 

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Edible Essex winds down

Edible EssexThe 3 year Edible Essex project, managed by the Rural Community Council, has been working to increase the availability of locally produced food by increasing allotment numbers and establishing orchards as well as providing training, publications and competitions.

Whilst it will continue on a smaller scale Edible Essex has helped to create 68 new allotment plots and 10 community orchards. It has also provided support to 3 educational providers and initiated a public planting scheme. It has offered training and events to 901 individuals, produced 3 information booklets and run 2 highly successful competitions, entered by over 2,000 primary school children!

Upcoming Edible Essex events include:

Family Foraging Fun

This is a free event near Colchester on 3rd May, but booking is essential. Priority will go to those who have already expressed an interest in foraging sessions.  To put your name on the list please email: [antibot mailto=”[email protected]”].

Wild Food Identification

This will be in the form of an exhibition at the Essex Schools & Farming Day at Writtle College on 5th June.

Publications

For those already converted to producing or harvesting local food, the following publications may be of interest (click on the images to download a copy in Adobe Acrobat).

simple-ways-to grow      recipes-cover       foraging

More can be found at edibleessex.org.uk/publications/.

 

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Hillhouse Wood gets Information Boards

Information board at main entrance
Information board at main entrance

The long awaited information boards have now been installed at all three entrances to Hillhouse Wood. The main board was erected at the entrance off the track that runs past the church whilst the two smaller boards were positioned by the Woodland Trust’s Site Manager, Tony Chadwick.

Thanks goes to the Woodland Trust for designing, making and installing the boards and to Colchester Borough Council and The Friends of Hillhouse Wood for providing funds for the project.

All those attending the Bluebell Open Day and Spring Nature Walk on Easter Saturday should have ample opportunity to see them together with everything else that will make this a great afternoon event.

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Gardeners March Newsletter

RHS AffiliatedWest Bergholt Gardeners Association – March Newsletter

This month’s meeting was devoted to lawns when Geoff Hodge came along to discuss the problem of maintaining our patches of grass which have all suffered from the appalling wet winter weather.  He stressed that people should decide upon what type of lawn that they wanted to maintain as different needs did not require the same treatment. The types to bear in mind were the bowling green, the utility lawn and the second class lawn full of weeds, moss and bare patches.  The latter was likely to have been a weekend lawn being cut as low as possible to avoid having to get the mower out again in the `foreseeable` future – a definite candidate for a new start from scratch policy.

You should regard grass as you would any other plant in the garden, needing good soil, aeration feeding, regular watering and scarifying after moss killer had done its job.  Note that scarifying before the moss is dead will only spread the moss and cause further problems.  The height of cut is important and 1.5” or 2.0” is recommended and you might well keep on mowing throughout the year weather/ground permitting.  In shady positions a cut height of 2.00”.– 3.00” is recommended.

Using these guidelines a greener thicker grass should develop during the year, but do not forget the autumn/winter feed Established lawns are best cared for by raking out dead and creeping grass and finishing with a broom.  If required overseeding can be done preferably in spring.

The presentation was well received by the members and Geoff after demonstrating several items gave them to the club for the usual raffle.

Club News

Annual Plant Sale 

The ANNUAL PLANT Sale is on Monday 19th May 7.30 pm at  the Orpen Memorial Hall, West Bergholt. Most interests are catered for with bedding plants, shrubs, trees and vegetable plants.   There will also be a gardening Bric a Brac stall.

waddesdon manorWaddesdon Manor

The major outing of the year is a coach trip to Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury, this is planned for the 19th June leaving Orpen Hall at 8.30am. and leaving Waddesdon at approximately 4.30/5.00pm.  This will give time to see the house, the gardens including the aviary and water gardens and the wine cellars. .

Over 300,000 visitors visit Waddesdon every year to see the house and gardens as well as visiting the shops, restaurant, café, wine cellars and the plant centre.

Tickets are available to Members and non members £25 (coach and admission).  National Trust Members £12.50

Deposit £12.50

More details and booking form contact Terry on 01206 241256.

West Bergholt Open Gardens

This takes place on 22nd June Sunday 13.00 – 17.00 at present 13 local gardens and allotment (small, medium and large) will be open to viewing.  Programme is £4.00 person (accompanied children free) available for purchase on the day at any of the gardens or allotment.

Next Months Speaker

The April meeting on 14th April sees Richard Ford making a return visit to the Club to talk about one of his favourite plants –Hostas.  All are welcome to our meetings – small charge for non- members.

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BHYFC Results 23rd March and Fixtures 30th March

Bergholt Heath Youth Football ClubBergholt Heath YFC – Results 23rd March

BHYFC Under 9s vs Rowhedge

After a 9 o’clock call to say Daniel was not well enough to play this week, a quick pre-match re-jig of the team sheet was required. Thomas L donned the gloves and took his position between the sticks.

He was called into action fairly quickly as Rowhedge nearly scored with their first attack.  This was just the start of it as within five minutes Bergholt found themselves 2-0 down.  Both shots gave Thomas little chance; the first at close range and the second a well hit effort which flew into the top corner.  The game settled down a bit after that and Rowhedge continued to press passing the ball extremely well but Bergholt held out.  This was however until Rowhedge won a corner and it was swung in at the near post where the unfortunate Billy put the ball into his own net. This was added to by another close range effort when Bergholt failed to clear their lines.

To their credit the Bergholt boys didn’t let their heads drop and Oliver and Theo went on the attack and from this the ball fell to James on the edge of the Rowhedge box and his low well-struck drive went under the keeper’s body and into the net.

HT 1-4.

After the break, the game was much more of an even affair as Bergholt clearly lifted by the late first half goal stepped up their performance. They attacked with much more purpose and vigour and looked the more likely team to score. Theo came close as did Billy who went on one of his mazy runs again (3rd week on the trot) and having beaten half the Rowhedge team and with just the keeper to beat, saw the £20 reward from his parents for his first ever goal get snatched from his hand as the defender managed to get back to him and did just enough to put Billy off getting a clean shot. The second half ended goalless and so the half-time score was also the full-time score of 1-4. A shame for Thomas L and his record as a goalie as he had a really good game making some excellent saves.

This game has hopefully given the boys some food for thought over how they need to get into the game right from the first whistle and also take heart on the way they tried to recover the situation.

Bergholt Heath player of the match: Theo Baker – a very energetic performance in midfield, with some excellent running at pace at the defence

Colchester Villa Blues vs BHYFC Under 11s

A poor performance saw this match slip away with the boys just not being on top of their game. The home team eventually ran out comfortable 6-1 winners.

BHYFC Under 15s vs Stanway Rovers

The fourth – and final – meeting of the season between the two local rivals saw the visitors take the game to Bergholt at the beginning of the match looking to avenge the losses suffered in all 3 previous games.  Stanway had most of the play in the first 20 minutes and although they seemed to be able to cut through the midfield, the Bergholt defence, with new signing Joe playing his first game against his old club, restricted the visitors to long wild shorts that rarely troubled Connor in goal.   As the half wore on Bergholt came more into the match and start to play their passing game and start to create chances. Owen managed to squeeze between 2 defenders to poke the ball beyond the keeper, but the ball rolled agonizingly the wrong side of the post. Just a minute before half time a neat passage of play found Ben in acres of space at the far post and he had time to control the ball and pick his spot to send Bergholt into the break 1-0 up.

The manager asked the players to get closer to their opposition in the second half and prevent them playing, and the boys did just that. The possession – and chances – quickly swung in Bergholt’s favour. Just 5 minutes into the half and Bergholt were awarded a penalty when a defender missed the ball and connected with Owen’s leg instead. Up stepped Ollie to plant the ball comfortably into the corner of the net to 2-0. A flurry of corners followed and from the third in quick succession Jamie chased the clearance out to the edge of the area and turned to send it back towards goal, only for a defender to handle. Up came Ollie again to send an even better penalty into the roof of the net. By now Bergholt were clearly on top looking to score with every attack. With ten minutes remaining and after yet another corner had been half cleared, Jamie yet again chased the clearance down. Hearing Ollie’s call he swiftly moved aside to see Ollie hit a superb first time shot from just outside the area into the bottom corner for his hat-trick and Bergholt’s 4th of the game. However this goal seemed to signal the OK for players to stop working so hard at tracking their players and within 2 minutes Stanway pulled a goal back when their midfielders broke through and outnumbered the Bergholt defence to see the striker slot the ball beyond Connor and into the corner of the net from 8 yards. The last few minutes of the match were played out with no real chances to either team. Final score: Bergholt Heath 4 – 1 Stanway Rovers.

Bergholt Heath ‘man of the match’: Leo Tiffney – tireless working in wide midfield.

Next week’s fixtures, Sunday 30th March:

  • Under 9 vs Lawford Juniors, KO 10am
  • Under 11 No game
  • Wivenhoe Youth vs Under 15
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Model Railways Open Day

Colchester & District Model Railway ClubColchester & District Model Railway Club are hosting an Open Day at the Orpen Hall on 6th April between 11:00 – 16:00.  Entry is free, although all donations are welcomed, and refreshments are available.

Previous Open Days have seen a number of layouts, like the St Aida’s Quay layout pictured below, to either enthuse new followers or remind older generations of the fun they used to have.  Experts will be on hand to answer your questions and there is also a second-hand stall that might just kick-start a lifelong passion.

Model Railway Layout

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Deanna Walker BEM & other news online

Banner of the West Bergholt Village BulletinThe latest Village Bulletin is now on-line and available for download/reading on-line on the Village Bulletin page.  News updates not previously reported here include:

Deanna Walker BEM

A West Bergholt woman has been recognised in the New Year’s Honours awards for her services to Higher Education.  Deanna Walker has been awarded the BEM (British Empire Medal) for her work at the University of Essex where she is administrator in the Registry Department.  She joined the university staff 25 years ago in the Admissions Department working in several administrative roles before reaching her present position as Senior Academic Officer.  Her work has included mentoring junior colleagues which, she believes, also contributed to colleagues recommending her for the award.

Deanna is modest about her achievements. She says:

The award came out of the blue. When the letter came notifying me, I couldn’t understand why I was chosen as I just do an ordinary working job.

[More… in the Bulletin]

Concert Band’s Christmas Concert raises £1,500 for St Helena Hospice

The Concert Band’s 2013 Christmas Concert was a huge success, as one audience member commented:

the most enjoyable Christmas Concert I’ve been to in many, many years.

The report continues to tell how they have raised nearly £30,000 in recent years and about their plans for 2014.

[More… in the Bulletin]

Voluntary Group & Club Updates

Well, there were quite a few including:

  • Friends of St Mary’s Old Church;
  • Hillhouse Wood;
  • Care Network;
  • Friendship Club;
  • Women’s Institute;
  • History Group;
  • Bergholt Heath YFC;
  • Workers’ Educational Association;
  • Gardeners;
  • Indoor Bowls;
  • First responders;
  • Allotments;
  • Badminton;
  • Churches; and
  • Orpen Players.

[More… in the Bulletin]

Last, but not least, the weather

As if we needed reminding, 2013 was pretty much the wettest we can recall – the following chart tells you just how wet West Bergholt was:

2013 rainfall in West Bergholt

 

 

 

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BHYFC Results 16th March and Fixtures 23rd March

Bergholt Heath Youth Football ClubBergholt Heath YFC – Results 16th March

Great Bradfords vs BHYFC Under 9s

Bergholt travelled to Braintree to play Great Bradfords in the first of the Trophy Event matches.

Last week Bergholt struggled in the first half due to rustiness of having a month off playing. This week they didn’t suffer with this, and despite the first five minutes being dominated by Great Bradfords, the rest of the half was very even. Both teams attacked with vigour but were thwarted by solid defences which led to Bradfords trying their luck from long range – the best of these was superbly caught cleanly by Daniel, whose kicking from the hand today was the best it has been all season. Bergholt’s goal chances were limited but they had the best chance of the half when Thomas H jinxed past the full back and put in an excellent cross which found Oliver at the far post. He tried to place it in the top corner but saw his shot go just over the bar. HT 0-0.

For the second half Bergholt were playing up the hill and with the threat of the shot from distance Daniel was instructed to stay on his line as much as he could. The task was made harder when the deadlock was broken following a Bradfords attack where the striker bundled his way through the Bergholt defence and his shot gave Daniel no chance.

Despite this setback Bergholt heads did not drop and they took the fight to Bradfords with Nicholas, Thomas H and Theo running at the Bradfords defence. Apart the goal itself, Bradfords did not really get near the Bergholt net except for a quickly taken corner which took everyone by surprise but fortunately James was at the near post to stop it sneaking it into the net. Bergholt themselves had a number of chances but were denied at the last – Theo denied by a last-ditch challenge, Oliver by the keeper and James following a lovely pass from Freddie, sped down the wing and unleashed a fierce shot which the keeper did well to hold. In the last-minute Billy did his now trademark dribble down the wing but ran out of time as the final whistle blew. FT 0-1.

Bergholt played much better than last week and deserved something out of the game, but it wasn’t to be this time.

Bergholt Heath Player of the match: Thomas Haworth – took the battle to Great Bradfords…….

BHYFC Under 11s

The Under 11’s had a spare weekend but are scheduled to resume action next week.

BHYFC Under 15s vs Elmden Rovers

Back to league action for the Under 15’s, at home to Elmden Rovers who currently sit bottom of the A league. In blustery conditions, the away team won the toss and elected to play down the slope with the wind behind them in the first half. The visitors decided to try long balls over the top in the hope of capitalising on the wind, but rarely did they threaten despite the ball spending long period in the Bergholt half. As the first half wore on Bergholt saw more of the ball and played some good football through the midfield but as usual lacked any sort of presence up front.

HT: 0-0.

The second half saw Bergholt have the advantage of the wind and being far more positive when in possession. After 10 minutes a superb passage of play saw Max put through one on one with the keeper and he slotted the ball into the corner to relieve all the nerves. A few minutes later and it was 2-0 thanks to a direct free-kick some 30 yards out from Sam, who beat the keeper low down to his right. Maybe the keeper should have done better but it was a good strike from distance. Corners and half chances came and went but yet another 30 yard free kick from Sam – this time into the top corner that gave the keeper no chance – sealed the match against an Elmden team that never gave up and battled hard to the end but were never really in the game.

Full time: Bergholt Heath 3 – 0 Elmden Rovers.

Man of the match: Sam Clark – part of a back four that never gave the visitors a chance, plus 2 important goals.

Next weeks fixtures: Sunday 23rd March:

  • Under 9 vs Rowhedge Juniors KO 11am
  • Colchester Villa Blues vs Under 11
  • Under 15 vs Stanway Rovers KO 10.30am
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BHYFC Results 9th March and Fixtures 16th March

Bergholt Heath Youth Football ClubBergholt Heath YFC – Results 9th March

Oyster Youth vs BHYFC Under 9s

After a four week absence from playing a game, the Bergholt manager knew that the first half was going to be a tough one for the boys to get back into some kind of rhythm.  The Oyster Youth pitch has been waterlogged for this period and so the grass has not been cut and so the combination of long grass and a bit of rustiness meant that often in the first half the Bergholt passes were a little short.  The hosts, having played a fortnight ago were the sharper of the teams with the visitor’s only meaningful attack resulting in a cross from Thomas H which zipped across the penalty box agonisingly between the two Baker brothers who were in the box. The introduction of the first set of substitutes did give Bergholt a bit of momentum with Nicholas in particular catching the eye with some super dribbling. However, Oyster did get their reward when they got past the Bergholt defence and the striker, one on one with Daniel, rammed the ball home. HT 1-0 to Oyster Youth.

The Bergholt manager told the boys at half-time that if they made their passes stronger then they would get their reward and sure enough they did this and the game was played predominately in the Oyster half. The boys attacked with much more purpose and with the cobwebs having disappeared, Bergholt were having more success in particularly down the right hand side with Billy taking the ball from defence to the edge of the Oyster box. Theo came close several times to connecting with goal-scoring opportunities but each time his timing was slightly out, whilst Joe and Ollie tried to get on the score sheet as well. Bergholt did get their deserved equaliser when Freddie swung in a corner and Theo pounced at the near post to equalise.

Bergholt tried to then push on and get the next goal and the same combination came close to doing this when Freddie’s clearance found Theo outside the box and his half-volley was superbly struck but flew just over the bar.

Try as they could Bergholt just couldn’t apply the final touch required, and having scored in the last minute to win against Reed Hall in the last game, were unfortunately on the reverse of this when indecision in the defence led to the Oyster Youth striker pouncing to get the winner. FT 2-1.

A real shame as Bergholt played themselves back into the game after a slow start and a win would have rounded off the weekend nicely following the Colchester United tour and Guard of Honour.

Bergholt Heath player of the match: Eddie Davies – some excellent tackles and clearances today epitomised by the sprint back to get a vital block in after going up pitch to help support the attack.

Cornard Dymanos Reds vs BHYFC Under 11s

The Under 11s ran out 2-0 winners in the match courtesy of goals from Thomas Whitlow and Jonah Murray.

Man of the match went to Ben Sams.

FC Clacton Blues vs BHYFC Under 15s – League Cup Quarter final

The defence of the cup ended at the quarter final stage but the result did not reflect the match.  All the football was played by Bergholt who took the lead in the 7th minute when Max got on the end of a free kick from Sam.  Bergholt looked comfortable in possession and appeared not to be in any danger of conceding, but as the game wore on, encouraged by some voracious support and ever more physical challenges, Clacton started to wear Bergholt down – the referee not offering any protection at all from two footed challenges and flying elbows.

Mid-way through the second half Clacton equalised when the ball somehow found its way into the far corner of the net from a cross-come-shot.  Bergholt looked to bounce back and had a clear penalty decision turned down when the defender lunged from behind, nowhere near getting the ball, and the referee gave a corner!  Clacton now appeared to be able to do anything they wanted, spurred on by ever more choice language from their coaching team.

In the last minute a superb challenge in the Bergholt box had them screaming for a penalty that clearly wasn’t, only for an innocent tangle of legs a few seconds later which gave the referee the chance to blow his whistle for a spot kick.  It was duly despatched to give Clacton the winner and put them through to the semi final – not before yet another 2 footed challenge went unpunished again. Bergholt ended the match with a few blooded noses – literally!

Bergholt Heath man of the match – Sam Clark, stood up to the physical challenge and tried to lead by example.

Next weeks fixtures, Sunday 16th March:

  • Gt Bradfords vs Under 9
  • Under 11 – should have an away freindly, to be confirmed
  • Under 15 vs Elmden Rovers, KO 10.30am