Away at St. Joseph's (Luton) today, on a bright but chilly morning. The home side are undefeated in Division 2 of our league, and have a strong reputation as well. It was always likely to be tough.
There was some consternation as to whether we would have enough players, but with Sam, Josh and - finally - Luke showing up, we had 13 out of 15. Then, there was an unusual incident when Angus realised he had forgotten his shorts ! The referee came to the rescue by allowing him to play in his tracksuit. The fallback position was for his dad to put the scissors to work !
On to the match. I had expected a high scoring affair - Brickhill had scored 48 goals in 7 games and St. Joseph's are obviously a strong team. However, the effect was that the two teams somewhat cancelled each other out.
The Luton team had a large possession advantage it seemed - distinctly aided by their playing down the slope in the first half. It was clearly hard work for Brickhill to make progress but they defended staunchly and did create two clear-cut scoring chances - Elijah shot wide when clear on goal, and Luke's cross cut open the defence. However, it was St. Joseph's who finally broke the deadlock in injury time - a ricochet from a corner found the net.
Still, it seemed like with only a one goal deficit, and the advantage of the hill in the second half, that Brickhill could come back. Indeed, they pressed and pressed and made several chances - but the opposition defence was also solid and on at least one occasion the crossbar intervened.
With 20 minutes of the 2nd half gone, Brickhill unfortunately conceded a second goal and this always looked like deciding the match. In fact, St. Joseph's added a third with the last kick of the match. The defeat ends our run in the league cup, but the score flattered the winning side. Their coach commented that it was their hardest match all season. Back to the league next week.
ST. JOSEPH'S 3 - 0 BRICKHILL
Sunday, 25 November 2007
Sunday, 18 November 2007
Stot-Fold
Away to Stotfold Juniors in the 2nd round of the County Cup (we had a bye in the 1st round). Stotfold play in a different league altogether, so we had no direct point of comparison. In their own division, they had played & won 4 games, and not conceded a goal at home.
However, they are playing in the 4th (and bottom) division of their league. All in all, we fancied our chances.
We took the lead after 70seconds, through Luke. It wasn't all one-way traffic, but Luke added a second, and Dominic also scored. It was 3-0 at half-time and could have been much more if we'd been able to stay onside.
In the second half, Stotfold really fell away and Fred scored a hat-trick, with two for Elijah as well. As often in these matches, it wasn't as though the other team were hopeless. We were just better organised, and made less mistakes. Their goalkeeper was actually very good, despite the scoreline. A first clean sheet for Harry !
STOTFOLD 0 - 8 BRICKHILL
Next week we play St. Joseph's (Luton) in the league cup. They are in a division directly above us and doing OK, so we can expect a genuinely tough fixture there.
However, they are playing in the 4th (and bottom) division of their league. All in all, we fancied our chances.
We took the lead after 70seconds, through Luke. It wasn't all one-way traffic, but Luke added a second, and Dominic also scored. It was 3-0 at half-time and could have been much more if we'd been able to stay onside.
In the second half, Stotfold really fell away and Fred scored a hat-trick, with two for Elijah as well. As often in these matches, it wasn't as though the other team were hopeless. We were just better organised, and made less mistakes. Their goalkeeper was actually very good, despite the scoreline. A first clean sheet for Harry !
STOTFOLD 0 - 8 BRICKHILL
Next week we play St. Joseph's (Luton) in the league cup. They are in a division directly above us and doing OK, so we can expect a genuinely tough fixture there.
Friday, 16 November 2007
Stadium Way
When this post was supposed to be written, England's prospects of qualifying for Euro 2008 looked bleak. By contrast, England U21 has played 4, Won 4 and conceded no goals in their quest for a Euro 2009 place.
Friday 16th November, and we set off (about 25 people from Brickhill + siblings + parents) to see England U21 vs. Bulgaria U21 at Stadium MK.
A good time was had by all - first there was the amusement of trying to locate the stadium on the satnav - it's too new to be on the map it turns out. We knew it was close to IKEA but TomTom thought the nearest IKEA was in Lille, France.....
Then there was the traditional abandoning the car on the dual carriageway (*) when the traffic at KO minus 20mins slowed to less than walking pace, and the fun of trying to find all those seats that are supposed to be together but actually seem to be all over the place and it always looks like someone else is already sitting in your seat.
* or in Adrian's case, in a mud-pit miles from the entrance.
Next there was the ritual trying to buy a burger during half-time. Harry, Fred, Dominic and David actually attempted this several times before, during and after half-time. Apparently the catering at MK Dons is not really suited for 20,000+ attendance.
Harry's main memory is probably of touching the match-ball when some wayward shot came to us 20-rows up.
It was a good match. England U21 eventually came away 2-0 winners including a 2nd-half penalty won by lightning Theo Walcott, scored by James Milner and very poorly captured on mobile phone video by Harry. We all managed to find our cars again, and a burger on the way out. Success all round.
Friday 16th November, and we set off (about 25 people from Brickhill + siblings + parents) to see England U21 vs. Bulgaria U21 at Stadium MK.
A good time was had by all - first there was the amusement of trying to locate the stadium on the satnav - it's too new to be on the map it turns out. We knew it was close to IKEA but TomTom thought the nearest IKEA was in Lille, France.....
Then there was the traditional abandoning the car on the dual carriageway (*) when the traffic at KO minus 20mins slowed to less than walking pace, and the fun of trying to find all those seats that are supposed to be together but actually seem to be all over the place and it always looks like someone else is already sitting in your seat.
* or in Adrian's case, in a mud-pit miles from the entrance.
Next there was the ritual trying to buy a burger during half-time. Harry, Fred, Dominic and David actually attempted this several times before, during and after half-time. Apparently the catering at MK Dons is not really suited for 20,000+ attendance.
Harry's main memory is probably of touching the match-ball when some wayward shot came to us 20-rows up.
It was a good match. England U21 eventually came away 2-0 winners including a 2nd-half penalty won by lightning Theo Walcott, scored by James Milner and very poorly captured on mobile phone video by Harry. We all managed to find our cars again, and a burger on the way out. Success all round.
Sunday, 11 November 2007
Four Square
Remembrance Sunday. There is a minute's silence before kick-off, which is well respected.
This is a tough game. Away to league-leaders Ampthill who have a one-point advantage. The home supporters are even tougher than the opposition team! There is considerable touchline dissent as to the decisions of the line judges and the referee.
The match itself is close. Brickhill manage to take a 2-goal lead, but there is action at both ends and, with a late goal chipped over Harry, Ampthill are only 4-3 down at half-time.
The second half is edgy. Ampthill claim an equaliser with 10 minutes to go and then it becomes very tense. Clearly, if we can find a winner then we will reclaim the league top spot. However to lose, would open up a 4-point deficit.
Most of our supporters will settle for a draw, and urge the referee to blow for time. Suddenly, Ampthill seem certain to score, but somehow we clear off the line. There is time for one more attack from the good guys, and it almost looks like a fairy-tale finish as Josh curls one from the edge of the box. However, it is a foot too high and a few moments later, the game does finish 4-4.
That keeps us clearly in contention - with the home fixture later in the season likely to be equally as crucial.
AMPTHILL 4 - 4 BRICKHILL
This is a tough game. Away to league-leaders Ampthill who have a one-point advantage. The home supporters are even tougher than the opposition team! There is considerable touchline dissent as to the decisions of the line judges and the referee.
The match itself is close. Brickhill manage to take a 2-goal lead, but there is action at both ends and, with a late goal chipped over Harry, Ampthill are only 4-3 down at half-time.
The second half is edgy. Ampthill claim an equaliser with 10 minutes to go and then it becomes very tense. Clearly, if we can find a winner then we will reclaim the league top spot. However to lose, would open up a 4-point deficit.
Most of our supporters will settle for a draw, and urge the referee to blow for time. Suddenly, Ampthill seem certain to score, but somehow we clear off the line. There is time for one more attack from the good guys, and it almost looks like a fairy-tale finish as Josh curls one from the edge of the box. However, it is a foot too high and a few moments later, the game does finish 4-4.
That keeps us clearly in contention - with the home fixture later in the season likely to be equally as crucial.
AMPTHILL 4 - 4 BRICKHILL
Sunday, 4 November 2007
It's Sunday, so it's football. At home to Houghton Regis. Pebble, our de facto mascot, is back after missing a couple of matches. Another dog-owner (with a huge beast in tow) stops to admire Pebble and by listening in, we learn that our favourite small dog is known to the Kennel Club as "Blue Perfection".
Houghton are playing in blue, but although they get off to a 2-goal lead, it is eventually Brickhill who are closer to perfection. 6-3 the familiar scoreline. Although our six goals do include one own-goal and two penalties (apparently we have never managed to score a penalty before !)
BRICKHILL 6 - 3 HOUGHTON
Houghton are playing in blue, but although they get off to a 2-goal lead, it is eventually Brickhill who are closer to perfection. 6-3 the familiar scoreline. Although our six goals do include one own-goal and two penalties (apparently we have never managed to score a penalty before !)
BRICKHILL 6 - 3 HOUGHTON
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