Our under 9s had their first ever match in ‘competitive’ football, in the West league – unfortunately losing 7-0 away to Clare Town. After dominating most of the 1st half, Bergholt were hit on the break twice to go in at half time 2-0 down. As they pushed forward in the second half, Clare were quick to counter attack, running out comfortable winners.
The under 13s started their season at home to Cornard Dynamos Blues in the A League. With Cornard finishing second and Bergholt Heath third last season, this was going to be a tough match to begin the season. Inside the opening twenty minutes Bergholt dominated possession and had a couple of opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net, but they couldn’t take their chances. As they pushed on Bergholt Heath eventually got the opener with the ball dropping to Ciaran Donnellon on the edge of the box who struck it cleanly on the volley and it bounced over the keeper and in. Cornard had a couple of opportunities to get back on terms after the restart but none that really tested Connor Welfare in Bergholt’s goal. At half time Bergholt headed in 1-0 up.
It was an evenly matched second half but with about 15 mins to go Bergholt Heath got their second with Gianni Sabini hitting the ball back across the keeper into the far corner after some nice link up play between Jake Adams and Mickey Whittle down the left. Cornard pulled a goal back when the ball was hit long and the Bergholt defender caught it on the top of his head, the striker hassled the covering defender as the keeper hesitated coming to pick the ball up, going round the defender and blasting it in at the near post, 2-1. But in the final 10 mins, Bergholt, again dominating possession, got another goal – a strike coming in from the edge of the box the keeper parried it and Mickey Whittle was first to react and put the ball in the back of the net. As the end of the game approached both teams were tiring but Jake Adams mesmerised the Cornard defence then he played it out to the edge of the area, got it back and struck the ball on the half volley in to the far top corner, brilliant goal 4-1. Then the final whistle went, great game, and a good start to the league for Bergholt Heath! Bergholt Heath man of the match: Mickey Whittle. Report by Jamie Bowden.
The under 14s, also in the A league, played their first game away to Stanway Rovers. Despite Bergholt having the lions share of possession, a couple of bad defensive lapses saw them lose 2-1.
Our under 16s started the season with a full team – something they have been unable to do in the last couple of seasons. Playing at home to AFC Sudbury they got 3 names on the score sheet but unfortunately ended up losing 12-3. The 3 Bergholt Heath goals were scored by Joshua Wren, Scott King and James Dixey.
Finally, our under 18s team played out an entertaining 3-3 draw at home to Harwich & Parkstone. Bergholt went ahead early on scored by Alex Bartlett but then had Luke Duffy sent off before half time. Despite playing with 10 men, Bergholt increased their lead in the second half, Alex Enright sending a half volley into the bottom corner from the edge of the box, only to concede a penalty almost immediately – the referee spotting a push in the box at a corner. Shortly after, Harwich equalised, the striker reacting fastest after a shot hit the bar. Bergholt continued to battle for every ball and got a break when a defender sent a bullet-like header into his own net from a Bergholt free kick – the referee correctly over-ruling the linesman’s flag for offside, the player not ‘interfering with play’ according to the current rules. Unfortunately Bergholt Heath could not hold on to the win, Harwich equalising after a scramble in the 6 yard box following a corner.
Next weeks fixtures Sunday 18/09/2011:
- Bures v Under 9
- Silver End v Under 13
- Under 14 v Stanway Villa KO 10am
- Under 16 v St. Edmunds KO 2pm
- Halstead Blues v Under 18
