Village News

Bergholt Heath YFC – Results w/e 12th October

Halstead Town vs BHYFC U8s

Sunday 12 October saw Bergholt Heath Under 8s play their second away match of the season. The opponents, Halstead‎ Town, proved to be formidable opposition. After a bruising encounter Bergholt Heath came out on top thanks to a great team performance.  Goals in the first half from Oscar De’ath and Bevan ‎Blowers preceded a second half of resolute defending. Bergholt Heath continue their unbeaten start to the season and look forward to their next match at home against Long Melford on 26 October.

FC Clacton vs BHYFC U10s

Bergholt Heath U10s went on their travels week, heading to the coast to play FC Clacton.  After last week’s much improved performance, the manager was hoping that they would carry this into this game.

The first five minutes or so were played mainly in the Bergholt half as the hosts tried to use home advantage, however they never troubled Daniel in goal as the Bergholt defence kept them at bay.  This act of defiance from the back line boosted confidence throughout the team and slowly but surely Bergholt got themselves into the game and the last 10 minutes could have been named the “James show” as everything that Bergholt did seemed to involve him.  He was unlucky when he hit a cracking shot from just outside the box but unfortunately for him and the team it thumped against the crossbar.  Half-time score 0-0.

The second half, like the first, was full of ebb and flow as both teams looked to be the one to break the deadlock.  Daniel, having been a spectator for the majority of the first 20 minutes of the game, was called into action early as he dived very bravely at the feet of the striker getting a nasty whack on the knee for his troubles.  Soon after he was called into action again as he rushed out to the edge of the area to close down the Clacton striker, but the ball from the challenge fell kindly to another Clacton striker who had the goal at his mercy and couldn’t miss.

Clacton then could have doubled their lead as Freddie’s tackle in the area was slightly late and he upended the Clacton striker for a stonewall penalty.  The Clacton player hit the ball well but Daniel guessed the right way and not only made the save but managed to get the ball to safety as well.
The football experts always say that often a particular moment like this can change a game and sure enough this was one of those examples.  This save bolstered Bergholt and they started to exert their own pressure, coming close when James slotted the ball through to Theo, but with just the keeper to beat he could only skew the ball wide.  He was crestfallen after this miss but was soon celebrating as another move down the left, this time with Thomas H being the provider, he found himself in a similar position.  Unlike his first effort, Theo composed himself before slamming the ball under the keeper’s body to get the equaliser.  Bergholt then looked to go ahead in the game and came close when Billy flew down the right wing and delivered a superb cross which was met on the volley by Theo but flashed just wide.

Clacton themselves were also trying to get their second of the match but the Bergholt defence had listened to the manager and coach’s words about not diving in and were playing extremely well.  When they did need help, Thomas H typified the team’s efforts when he made a superb sliding tackle on the edge of the Bergholt box to clear the danger.

With the game heading for a draw Bergholt managed to launch one last attack which saw Thomas L and Theo against one lone Clacton defender.  Thomas drew out the defender and threaded a lovely pass to Theo and in a carbon copy of his first goal repeated the feat and slammed the ball under the dive of the keeper.

Clacton then kicked-off but this was to be the last action of the match as the referee blew his whistle for full-time.  Full-time 2-1 to Bergholt.

Bergholt Heath recorded their first league win of the season in what was a great game of football to watch.  Both teams were evenly matched, both looking to pass their way up the field and both played in a strong but sporting manner.

Bergholt Heath player of the match: James Pomphrett – outstanding performance in the first half – well worth the long trip!

 BHYFC U12s vs Feering Falcon Reds

The Under 12s were at home to Feering Falcons Reds and a goal from Daniel Thomson and two from Richard Frost saw them comfortable 3-1 winners.

Bergholt Heath player of the match: Richard Frost.

BHYFC U16s vs Marks Tey Blues

Bergholt’s Under 16 team made the short trip to Marks Tey Blues in the League Cup.

As is becoming a habit, Bergholt started extremely slowly and a flat looking defence were caught out in just the second minute when a long ball was missed by the midfield and the striker was allowed a clean run on goal to easily beat Connor in the Bergholt goal.  Whilst still shell shocked from being 1-0 down so quickly, yet another mistake at the back saw the home striker finish superbly to put Marks Tey 2-0 up with less than 10 minutes on the clock.  Bergholt’s cause was not helped when just a couple of minutes later, defender Ryan landed awkwardly and had to be carried from the pitch.  In a carbon copy of Jamie’s injury in the first game of the season, his knee had twisted and yet again if was off to A&E for one of the Bergholt players, where ligament damage was diagnosed.  Everyone at Bergholt Heath wishes Ryan a speedy recovery.

Now missing two of their regular back four, Bergholt reshuffled and came back into the match, but their usual shape was missing and the attacking intent tended to peter out tamely. At half time the manager tried to install some confidence, but mid way through the second half a miss-communication at the back saw Marks Tey score their third and final goal to see the match finish 3-0.  No return to the Final of the League Cup this season.  Let’s hope the team get some of their injured players back to make a challenge on the league or progress in the Open Cup come January.

Next weeks fixtures, Sunday 19^th October:

• Under 8 – No game
• Long Melford vs Under 10
• Under 12 vs Gt Bentley, KO 10am
• Bures vs Under 16

Bergholt Heath YFC – Results w/e 5th October

BHYFC U8s vs Lexden Saints

The Under 8s played their second home league game and remain unbeaten, scoring three goals against a very good Lexden team.  Erin Williams scored her second hat-trick in successive matches and all the other members of the squad played very well too.

BHYFC U10s vs Great Bentley

The Under 10’s took on Great Bentley this week in perfect conditions – the weather was sunny, the air crisp and the Poors Field grass short.

The first half was similar to the first game of the season against Brightlingsea, where it seemed to be a game of attack vs defence as the visitors took control.  Unlike that game, Bergholt were playing much better and were not just aimlessly clearing the ball, they were trying to match the opposition for effort and passing, but were just coming up against a better team.  Joe, Billy and Thomas in particular were up against two very good wingers.  In fact Bergholt were playing so well that it was only down to two individual mistakes that cost Bergholt the two goals that separated the two teams at half-time.  HT 0-2.

Boosted by the way they were playing, Bergholt came out for the second half full of confidence and it showed as the half was not so one-sided as the first.  Bentley still had their attacks but when the defence was breached Daniel was able to cope well – one particular save, where he tipped a long range pile driver over the bar, drew a deserved round of applause from both sets of coaches and supporters.  However, Daniel had to deal with a very hard ground and on one attack he did well to get down to make the save but the Bentley striker was first to the rebound to score the third.  Bentley then extended their lead when the winger beat two challenges and then cut in and rifled an unstoppable shot into the net from just inside the Bergholt box.

However not despondent, Bergholt continued to play the football they had shown last season and had a period of play where they showed their attacking prowess with Oliver and James leading the line.

The final score was 0-4 to Great Bentley but Bergholt should be very pleased with their performance against a team who have only lost one game in two years.

Bergholt Heath player of the match: – Thomas Lloyd.  Great organisation of the defence.

Halstead Town vs BHYFC U12s

As autumn rolled into October an unseasonably warm afternoon greeted the team as the Under 12s met Halstead Town Reds for the second time in a few weeks, this time away in the League Cup round 1.

Halstead started the match far hungrier for action. With a few minutes gone the manager was left wondering if Bergholt would even get out of their half. Finally a ball was played to Tyler in the centre circle. With a couple of defenders on his heels he headed towards goal and with a great piece of skill he outfoxed one of the antagonists and created space in the area to place the ball perfectly in the corner with the keeper trying to narrow the angle.

The rest of the half then turned into a battle of attrition with both sides trying to wear each other down. There was good skill from both sides and efforts on target at either end. Both keepers were called upon at some point and neither wanted to break , but one felt there were more scores to come and so it happened as Halstead hit the equaliser near to half time .

The second half was a frantic end to end affair as the footy was played at a high tempo. Several times Bergholt were on the back foot but some better clearances and harder tackles meant the scores stayed level. At the other end Bergholt were creating chances.  Several times both Jo and Tyler broke through with the keeper to beat.  Their efforts just missed the target each time.

Something had to eventually give and fortune favoured the away team when Ryan went for another run down the left.  He cut into the area and chipped the keeper. The ball looked to be going wide but a ‘Great goal’ cheer from Tom preceded the ball settling in the net to restore Bergholt’s lead.

The clock was running down but the boys wanted to make certain of the tie and this they did when a goalward shot was stopped by a defender with his hand.  Jo calmly put the resultant penalty into the net to make it 3-1.

With the last play of the game Jo took on the fullbacks to get to the byline, he expertly pulled the ball back across the area.  Alex in the middle could not make contact but the ball travelled on to Ben at the far side.  Rather than blast the shot he calmly side footed the ball into the empty side with the keeper.

Final Score: Halstead Town Reds 1-4 Bergholt Heath.

Well done boys a nice win in a hard fought contest against a good Halstead side.

It was pleasing to see some of the boys had corrected mistakes from previous matches today. Let’s hope this continues when the team is back in league action next week against Feering.

MOM could have gone to several players, but Jack was chosen for a couple of great saves made at a crucial time in the match.

Jays Youth (Dagenham) vs BHYFC U16s

The Under 16s had an early start in the Essex Cup, away to Jays Youth in Dagenham.

Following last weeks’ home loss to Wivenhoe, Bergholt started tentatively and it was only after the home side took the lead in the 10th minute through a well worked free kick routine that caught the defence out, that they decided to start playing.

Following this early set-back Bergholt took the game to the hosts.  Conor smashed a free kick from outside the box against the bar and then had a chance to put Bergholt back on level terms from the penalty spot after Tyler was brought down by the ‘keeper, however his placed spot kick was well saved.  Conor volleyed over from close range a couple of minutes later and shortly after Tyler got the ball in the net from close range, only to harshly be adjudged offside.  At the other end Jays were being kept well away from the Bergholt goal by a hard working midfield.  HT: 1-0.

The second half started with Bergholt again on the front foot with some really good passing football being played through the midfield that finally resulted in an equaliser when Ronan got on the end of the rebound as the home ‘keeper made a good save from Tyler.  It was still all Bergholt and they hit the bar for the second time in the match when Ciaran rose highest from a corner but saw his powerful header come back off the wood work.  Harry was then put through but blazed his shot high and wide on the run and Leo connected too well when a clearance dropped to him about 10 yards out, which resulted in the ball going over the bar.

Just when extra time seemed to be looming, Jays capitalised on some ponderous defending when the ball really should have been cleared up field first time.  The ball was crossed into the box and Connor could only parry it to the striker, who slotted it into the open net for the winner.

Final result: Jays Youth 2-1 Bergholt Heath.

Bergholt Heath Man of the Match: Leo Tiffney – superb link up play behind the strikers

Next weeks fixtures – Sunday 12th October:

• Halstead Town Yellows vs Under 8
• FC Clacton vs Under 10
• Under 12 vs Feering Falcon Reds KO 10
• Marks Tey Blues vs Under 16  League Cup R1