Village News

Bergholt Heath YFC – Results 29th September

Great Bradfords (Braintree) vs BHYFC Under 9s

Our Under 9s had the longest away match this weekend when they went to Braintree to face Great Bradfords.  They started the match the liveliest and had the greater possession and opportunities, the best falling to Theo whose well struck shot was equally matched by a super save from the Gt Bradfords ‘keeper.

As with last week, the defence were keeping the opposition at bay and able to take the ball up the pitch to support the midfield.  All the players were once again passing the ball round superbly.  However… despite their possession Bergholt fell behind when the home team got down the wing and the cross was bundled in at the far post.  This buoyed Gt Bradfords to then stretch their lead when their striker got through the defence and gave Daniel in goal no chance with a powerful strike from close range.

At Half time the Bergholt manager told the boys that they had the ability to get back into the game – they just needed to believe it.  They took the words to heart and took the game to the home team.  This created a very open game and gave Gt Bradfords more chances to attack but the defence held firm. Even when the home team got past the defence, Daniel in goal was in fine  – and brave – form.  The solidity at the back gave the midfield confidence to counter attack.

Bergholt got on the score sheet with a fabulous team goal. Billy and Joseph between them stopped the Gt Bradfords attack and passed the ball to Thomas H who ran at the midfield before passing the ball out wide where Thoma L was backing up on the overlap.  His powerful cross was met first time by Theo who smashed the ball into the back of the net.  The Bergholt supporters (and manager!) went wild.

Bergholt were back in the game and continuing to press.  The same combination nearly carved out another goal when Thomas L was upended just outside the area.  Rather than going for goal he passed the ball to Theo inside the area but Gt Bradfords had enough players back to smother the danger.  Despite all their efforts, including a great run from Oliver in the last couple of minutes, Bergholt couldn’t find the equaliser.

Bergholt Heath player of the match: Joseph Watkins – some vital tackles when needed.

Feering Falcom Blues vs BHYFC Under 11

The Under 11s were also away to a strong Feering Falcons Blues team and despite playing well, were on the back of a 4-1 defeat.

East Thurrock United vs BHYFC Under 15

Completing the hat trick of away matches, a depleted Under 15 side were away to East Thurrock United in round one of the Essex Cup.  After making a couple of early chances, Bergholt fell behind under the first serious pressure from the home team when the make shift defence made two errors in quick succession that allowed the striker to get the ball into the net from close range. This knocked Bergholt back and gave the home team extra confidence, and for the next 15 minutes they tried to increase their lead by continuously playing the ball over the top of the Bergholt defence, aided by the strong wind.  However they only created once clear cut chance that resulted in Jamie heading the ball off the line for the third match in a row.

Bergholt gradually pulled their way back into the match and the last 10 minutes of the first half saw them create a few half chances, without seriously testing the home ‘keeper.

The second half started with renewed vigour.  Without playing particularly well, Bergholt started to compete for the ball better and were winning their share of 50-50 balls: something they failed to do in the first half.  With the wind at their backs Bergholt were getting into the final third of the pitch regularly and only poor choices of final ball was preventing clear cut chances.  With 15 minutes to go,Bergholt finally got back on terms when the Thurrock ‘keeper failed to hold a fairly routine short, pushing up into the air.  Ben Ashurst, who had followed the ball in, was first to react by bundling the loose ball over the line.  Bergholt were now the ones to have their tails up with shots whistling past the post and over the bar.  When it was looking like extra time was needed, a cross from James Holden was controlled in the box by Max Booth, who then rifled it into the roof of the net.  Less than a minute later the final whistle went.  Final Score: East Thurrock 1-2 Bergholt Heath.

Bergholt Heath man of the match: Aaron Marley.

Next weeks fixtures, Sunday 6^th October:

• Colchester Villa Yellows vs Under 9
• Feering Falcon Reds vs Under 11
• FC Clacton Blues vs Under 15

Bergholt Heath YFC – Results 22nd September

Bergholt Heath Under 9s took on their biggest challenge of the season so far when they travelled to face a Rowhedge side who had already scored 23 goals in their first two matches of the season.

It was a bad start from the visitors when with only a minute gone Rowhedge tried their luck from long range.  Daniel in the Bergholt goal did well to block the initial shot but the other Rowhedge striker pounced on the rebound to poke the ball home from close range.  Bergholt didn’t let this early set back get them down and they set out to get the equaliser.   The defence repelled the Rowhedge attacks, in particular Thomas L down the right hand side, whilst the midfield continued to work their socks off to get some good shots in, with James showing great skill and industry down the left.  However, despite all this effort, Bergholt fell further behind just before half time.

The second half was an even affair with both teams looking to attack whenever possible. Bergholt continued to look to pass their way up field, whilst Rowhedge looked to attack with pace.  Once again the Bergholt defence worked hard, epitomised by Billy when he came across from full back to throw himself in front of the striker to block a goal bound effort.

Bergholt continued to pass and were unlucky when Theo was clean through on goal with just the ‘keeper to beat only to be hauled down by the Rowhedge defender.  The resulting free kick taken by Theo was well struck but just floated over the cross bar.   Despite their best efforts Bergholt could not get on the score sheet whilst Rowhedge increased their lead with Daniel in goal was deceived by a cross that sneaked in at the near post.  It was unlucky for Daniel given his excellent saves in the first half.  Final score: Rowhedge 3-0 Bergholt Heath.
Bergholt player of the match: Thomas Lloyd – some excellent tackles and forward running from full back.

The Under 11s had a spare weekend.

Our Under 15s played their first home match of the season against Wivenhoe Youth who had lost to Bergholt in the League Cup back in May.  Within 2 minutes of the kick off the visitors were ahead when Conner in goal did not react to a long ball over the top of the Bergholt defence and instead of coming to the edge of his area to collect, allowed the striker time to chase the ball to the penalty spot and slot it into the net.  An uncharacteristic error from the normally reliable Bergholt ‘keeper.

This set back rattled Bergholt and it took them until mid way through the half to get back into gear and start pressing the Wivenhoe defence, during which time Jamie Bowden headed off the line and there were a couple of other close calls.  Eventually shots started to pepper the Wivenhoe goal without really troubling the keeper and the half ended with an even amount of overall possession.

The second half started with Bergholt in defiant mood and within a couple of minutes the tone was set for the half when James Holden made the visiting ‘keeper work at his near post with a good snap shot.  It became a case of the Wivenhoe ‘keeper verses the Bergholt attack with at least another three excellent saves in addition to a few ‘normal’ ones!  When he was beaten, Bergholt saw one cleared off the line and another shot hit the bar with nobody close enough to turn the rebound.  Despite the huge amount of possession and chances, it appeared to be a game that could have continued until next weekend without Bergholt being able to score and so it was that the final result was Bergholt Heath 0-1 Wivenhoe Youth Blues.

Bergholt Heath man of the match: Max Booth

Next weeks’ fixtures, Sunday 29^th September:

• Gt Bradfords vs Under 9
• Feering Falcons vs Under 11
• East Thurrock Utd vs Under 15 – Essex County Cup R1