Village News

Bergholt 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

Bergholt Heath YFC – Results 2nd March

The Under 9’s game away to Oyster Youth was again postponed to to a water-logged pitch in West Mersea.

Lexden Saints Blues vs BHYFC Under 11s

A tough match was expected as we faced league leaders Lexden.

We started the match not too badly, but after a while a pattern started emerging as, when Saints attacked, our marking was poor, recovery slow and the guys at the back were overwhelmed with yellow attackers. This led to us going in 5 down at the break.

Second half ,as normal was better as the boys shut down the attackers whose shots were hurried and didn’t trouble Harv.

As time went on we eventually got going and there were some passing combos up field which led to a couple of half chances.  Lexden ran out deserved winners and look fitting winners of the league.

Hopefully the boys have got going again after the enforced lay off , we look forward to better things next week.

MOM went to Richard for a much improved second half performance.

BHYFC Under 15s vs Notley Youth

The Under 15’s were also facing their league leaders Notley Youth, at home.  Yet again we were missing injured James Holden and Ollie Sanderson, plus Leo Tiffney, so another depleted squad.

The match started evenly although there were contrasting styles on display with Notley wanting to play the long ball and Bergholt looking to pass through the midfield.  The Notley long ball system meant the Bergholt defence had to be on their toes, but there were not many chances created by the visitors.   With Max playing a deeper role in midfield in place of Ollie, the usual spark was missing up front so when the passage of play swung towards Bergholt, the end product was generally missing in the final third.

The second half continued in much the same way as the majority of the first half, with the visitors having most of the possession but Bergholt looking comfortable and unlikely to concede.  New signing Joe Johnson came on to make his debut and slotted in well at centre back alongside Sam with Jamie moving to left back for the first time.

Final score: Bergholt Heath 0-0 Notley Youth, Bergholt Heath ‘man of the match’: Luke Bloomfield

Next weekends matches – Sunday 9th March:

Bergholt Heath YFC – Results 23rd February

This week saw pitches dry out at long last which gave both the Under 11s and the Under 15s the opportunity to play their postponed Colchester open Cup ties.

BHYFC Under 11s vs Stanway Villa Reds

The Under 11s were at home to B League Stanway Villa Reds.  Despite two goals from Jonah Murray and a man of the match performance from Alexander Hopkins, they went down 5-2.

Heybridge Swifts vs BHYFC Under 15s

The Under 15s were away to fellow A league team Heybridge Swifts. The start of the game was even, however Bergholt went behind in the 6th minute when the ball took a nasty bounce over the defender which let the striker in to score comfortably.  This setback did not deter Bergholt who had plenty of the ball but seemed to be lacking the killer touch when it was needed.  Mid-way through the half Bergholt got back on terms when Luke played a superb high diagonal ball over the top into the area which found Leo at the far post who finished expertly with a first time shot into the roof of the net.  The game remained 1-1 through to half time with neither team looking likely to add to their score.

The second half started as the first half finished, however there was a setback after just a few minutes when influential midfielder Ollie Sanderson had to limp off with a hamstring injury, to be replaced by Luke who himself was suffering from a bruised shoulder having landed heavily in the first half.   The rest of the second half was again very even with only one clear chance that fell to Max just inside the area but his shot under pressure just cleared the bar.

Full time: 1-1.

Into extra time for the second cup tie in a row and yet again the teams cancelled each other out in the first half. The second and final 10 minutes of the game saw Bergholt take the lead when Max hit a wind assisted cross-shot into the far corner of the net with 7 minutes remaining. However this signified one last onslaught from Heybridge who threw away all thoughts of defending by piling players forward. The home team won a succession of corners and from the last of these they equalised with just 2 minutes remaining.

Score after extra time: 2-2.

Another penalty shootout!

1. Heybridge 1-0
2. Ben for Bergholt – miss
3. Heybridge 2-0
4. Aaron for Bergholt – score 2-1
5. Heybridge 3-1
6. Max for Bergholt – score 3-2
7. Heybridge 4-2
8. Jamie for Bergholt – score 4-3
9. Heybridge 5-3.

So Bergholt’s defence of their Open Cup trophy ended with a narrow defeat in round 3.

Bergholt Heath ‘man of the match’ – Max Booth

Next weeks fixtures – Sunday 2nd March

• Oyster Youth vs Under 9
• Lexden Saints vs Under 11
• Under 15 vs Notley Youth, KO 10.30am

Bergholt Heath YFC – Results 16th February

As has become the norm in recent weeks, there was just one match that beat the weather last weekend, but this time it was the turn of the Under 15s who took on Stanway Rovers in the twice postponed away league fixture – but due to the continued water logging at both Stanway School and Spring Lane, the match was played at Shrub End.

Stanway Rovers vs BHYFC Under 15s

Having had virtually a full squad available every week but without a match for over a month, the first game for 5 weeks saw Bergholt able to field the bare 11 players due to a combination of injuries and holidays.  Within 30 seconds of the kick off it looked like it was going to be a long and arduous afternoon when a long wind-assisted ball over the top of the Bergholt defence saw the defender clear the ball against the on rushing striker and the ball balloon into the net with Connor helpless.

1-0 to the home team.

Stanway then laid siege to the Bergholt goal but some resolute defending with the Bergholt players all refusing to lay down, saw them weather the storm and come back into the match.

After around 15 minutes a break down the left saw Luke cut into the box, beat his man and finish right footed beyond the Stanway ‘keeper for the equaliser.  It was now Bergholt’s turn to up the tempo and they won a couple of corners in quick succession and from the second they took the lead when from Max’s kick Jamie stabbed towards goal and Sam took no chances by rifling the ball into the net from close range.

Bergholt then held Stanway at arms length for the remainder of the half, although it took a fine one handed save from Connor to see Bergholt through to half time with a 2-1 lead.

With the managers’ words of “keep up this level of performance” ringing in their ears, the Bergholt players continued taking the game to Stanway in the second half. In fact it was a good 15 minutes into the half when Stanway had their first attempt on goal, that was a long range shot that was wide. With about 10 minutes remaining, a shot form Max was only parried by the ‘kepper and Luke was on hand to power the loose ball into the net for his second and Bergholt’s third of the day.  Although Stanway forced a few corners, the Bergholt goal was never in serious danger and the 11 players looked more likely to add a fourth than Stanway were to come back into the game.

The final whistle went to signal a 3-1 win to Bergholt in what is probably their best performance of the season.

Bergholt Heath man of the match: Ciaran Donnellan – an all action non stop midfield display.

Next weeks fixtures Sunday 23rd February:

• Under 9 – No game
• Under 11 vs Stanway Villa Reds KO 11am
• Heybridge Swifts vs Under 15 Open Cup R2