Today's match-up was between the sole-surviving lower-league sides in the County Cup draw. 70 teams started on the trail back in September and, of the remaining 8, only these two are from outside the top 2 divisions.
In fact, the other six are respectively: four of the top five from Division One, and the top two sides from Division Two! Strictly speaking, the two 2nd Division sides are 2nd and 4th but that's only because they have up to 5 games in hand over the league-leader. No doubt this is because they have been playing cup fixtures.
So, all credit to both Brickhill and AFC Luton for coming this far. A tough encounter awaits the winner.
Sandra will have been hoping that our team were not complacent about their prospects against the visitors - who plainly are not 5th Division quality. Nevertheless, it was a good draw for us, and we must have fancied our chances. Likewise, the Luton manager was facing the best possible draw for his outfit but, strangely, he claimed pre-match that he'd be happy to see their cup run end here so they could concentrate on the league.
We said we'd be try to oblige him.
Brickhill dominated possession throughout the first half. However, it was at times rather subdued and even the ball itself seemed a little heavy, or the pitch a little slow. Whatever the reasons, Brickhill failed to stamp their authority on the game and despite a number of chances - many from Josh - it was well past half-distance in the period before Elijah skilfully earned our first corner. However, this was wasted and the goal-drought continued past 20 minutes and it began to look like a rare scoreless half.
Greg was brought into the action, and shortly before half time was involved in more promising attacks that resulted in another good effort from Josh, but still no goal.
Meanwhile, our defence was doing well but with little to do. Cameron made a number of effective clearances. There was still less for Harry to do but he was tested by a good effort right before the break. However, this was safely caught and indeed the rather surprising result was:
Half Time: BRICKHILL 0 - 0 AFC LUTON.
We all know that not taking your chances can lead to heartbreak. The touchline chatter during the interval was to the effect "what a travesty if they nick a goal now ..."
Both teams returned with more vigour in the second half and Luton in particular were keen to press ahead. So it was that they forced an early corner, their first of the game. "POSTS!" was the cry from Derek, a variation on his common "SHOOT!" refrain. Perhaps the boys did not hear, perhaps they had forgotten the defensive training, perhaps they had not defended a corner for 6 weeks. The result, anyway, was that there was no one at the back post to stop a deflected ball finding the net. 1-0 down against the run of 33 minutes play. A tragedy unfolding ?
Brickhill now bid for a quick equaliser which saw Fred hit the post from a corner but, when this ball ran free, it led to a swift counterattack and Luton found themselves one-on-one with Harry and unlike Brickhill throughout the first half, they shot it away from the keeper. 2-0 to the bad guys with less than 10 minutes played of the second half.
Suddenly it felt like every time Luton touched the ball they might score. There was some danger that the Hawks might lose the mental fight.
However, this is not usually our way, and it wasn't long before ever-ready Fred found the ball at his feet on the edge of their area and made no mistake this time in burying the shot away to the right. A step forward.
Dominic was brought into the action to add some firepower upfront, and his characteristic strong play was key to the equaliser which soon followed - Niall and Ewan involved in the build-up.
Determined to gain the upper hand, there were many white-shirts upfront now, Angus being prominent in the opposition box. After multiple corners, we found the third goal. No-one claims to have made the final touch, so we shall call it a team goal (technically known as an own goal).
Despite this reversal, it was obvious Luton weren't giving up. They had a number of good players and a very solid keeper. The pace and energy was also apparent - from both sides. Quite a change from before the break.
3 - 2 remained the score until a few minutes from the whistle when Sandra brought on Sam H (back from illness & injury) to bolster the defence.
Although there were less than 5 minutes to play, there was clearly plenty of football left. Harry had to deal with a dangerous lob; perhaps the Luton striker was smart enough to know the shot would be difficult to pick out with the low sun in play. Luckily Harry was wearing a cap, and saw it just in time.
Luton's determination also saw them hit the post from a narrow angle. Brickhill got the ball away and into Luton territory only for the visitors to seize the advantage again and create a must-score opportunity. One of their best players was nearly clear in the box, and probably good enough to give Harry no chance, when suddenly Sam C (super-solid all game) found a hero-tackle. Hard but fair, it neutralised the attack and saved the match. In the process, he took a bad knock himself.
Once he'd recovered, it was time to defend one last attack. From the right wing, Luton floated a high one and the wind curled it in, down and inevitably towards goal. No defender could reach it as it hung in the air on the line. But, wait! Two gloved hands appeared and plucked the ball to safety, just when it seemed too late.
It was now end-to-end action, and it looked possible that Brickhill could kill the match as the away keeper was drawn outside his box. No goal, however, and it was the referee's whistle which finally ended Luton's chances.
What a match! Worthy of a cup-final, almost. Somebody should tell the boys that it is not a rule that you have to win by valiantly coming from behind.
Well done to all the team and the coaches ! Tomorrow, we will learn our opponents for the semi-final on March 9th.
BRICKHILL 3 - 2 AFC Luton
Fred (41min), Dominic (46min), o.g (48mins)
Sunday, 27 January 2008
Saturday, 26 January 2008
Cup Preview
Who are AFC Luton and how did they get here ? Well, of course, it doesn't matter - we need to beat whoever turns up - but for the record:
They're in division 5 of our league, which probably doesn't reflect their true standing: they've only been beaten once.
There again, they are clearly not crushing the division either: they've scored a relatively modest 24 goals from 7 games (3.4/game). They've conceded only 10 (1.4/game), so they seem to play pretty tight football. For comparison, we have scored 5.7/game and conceded 2.6/game.
Their cup run so far is also marked by tight scores: 3-1 winners over Houghton Wanderers and 3-2 over Leighton and Houghton Regis.
Sandra informs me that we achieved a win and a draw vs. this team at 7-aside last season.
All-in-all, it looks like a good match in prospect and hopefully we take our opportunity well.
They're in division 5 of our league, which probably doesn't reflect their true standing: they've only been beaten once.
There again, they are clearly not crushing the division either: they've scored a relatively modest 24 goals from 7 games (3.4/game). They've conceded only 10 (1.4/game), so they seem to play pretty tight football. For comparison, we have scored 5.7/game and conceded 2.6/game.
Their cup run so far is also marked by tight scores: 3-1 winners over Houghton Wanderers and 3-2 over Leighton and Houghton Regis.
Sandra informs me that we achieved a win and a draw vs. this team at 7-aside last season.
All-in-all, it looks like a good match in prospect and hopefully we take our opportunity well.
League Update
Last weekend, again just one match played, Dunstable beat Leighton 5-0 which sees them swap places. Presumably we will drop places this weekend as we play in the cup and others return to league fixtures.
But with games in hand, we ought to be able to look forward to gaining back position as the calendar unwinds.
But with games in hand, we ought to be able to look forward to gaining back position as the calendar unwinds.
Friday, 18 January 2008
League waterlogged
With matches being cancelled, not much action in the league. Last Sunday, when we couldn't play Westoning, only one match went ahead. In that game, title contenders Sundon and Ampthill faced each other and the scoreline suggests it was a cracker:
SUNDON 4 - 5 AMPTHILL
This is probably a decent result for us since it tends to make it tougher for Sundon to catch Brickhill and Ampthill.
No change in league positions, but Ampthill have more points in the bag due to playing that extra fixture:
SUNDON 4 - 5 AMPTHILL
This is probably a decent result for us since it tends to make it tougher for Sundon to catch Brickhill and Ampthill.
No change in league positions, but Ampthill have more points in the bag due to playing that extra fixture:
Friday, 11 January 2008
On Second Thoughts
Last Sunday's results - with Sundon not in action - saw us move back up to second place.
Provided we keep winning, we can't be caught for second, and the key match will be the home tie with Ampthill.
However, for now, attention must focus on Sunday's clash with Westoning. Last time we played them, in October, we came back from 2 goals down to win. Looking at the results, we see they've lost a further 3 times, but they have also scored the most goals of any team - apart from us !
Could be a high-scoring affair ?
EDIT: match postponed due to Westoning's pitch being waterlogged.
Provided we keep winning, we can't be caught for second, and the key match will be the home tie with Ampthill.
However, for now, attention must focus on Sunday's clash with Westoning. Last time we played them, in October, we came back from 2 goals down to win. Looking at the results, we see they've lost a further 3 times, but they have also scored the most goals of any team - apart from us !
Could be a high-scoring affair ?
EDIT: match postponed due to Westoning's pitch being waterlogged.
Sunday, 6 January 2008
Many Heads Make Light Work
First match of the second half of the season. We start 2008 with high hopes in the league, and a cup run still intact. The prospects look bright, but Sandra's first wish will be for the team not to turn up with a holiday hangover.
Mowsbury Park, 09:40: there is a stand-off in the car park, as no-one wants to be first out of the car into the frosty morning. However, the manager's arrival breaks the deadlock, and it's not too cold. In fact, by the time kick-off came around it was a beautiful sunny day for football.
At one stage, it looked like we could be checking the rule-book for the regulations on a no-show, but in due course the Bushmead team appeared. As often is the case, they had made the long walk from the wrong car-park. A little of home advantage there !
A full turnout for us, except for Sam H (tonsillitis). However, the team had an unfamiliar look as we played in a borrowed red strip. Here's something not everyone (or, in fact, hardly anyone) knows: the home team must change strip in case of a colour clash.
OK. Who's going to be first to score in 2008 ? It is not long before we have an answer: Fred takes the honour, but not before literally 3 boots and 3 heads have a go at getting the ball across the opposition line. Still, all's well that ends well: 1-0 to Brickhill inside 2 minutes.
In the first half, it looked as though we ought to easily double the lead, but that second goal was elusive until nearly 25minutes when Greg decided to take the direct approach: a lovely strike from the edge of the box, finding a ball's width between the post and the keeper's outstretched hand.
A fine way to build in a margin of safety before half time. 2-0 the score at the break.
The rather slow tempo of the first half was upped a little in the second period, and Brickhill began to relish the opportunity to build a good lead. There were plenty fireworks in the box, and a number of near misses.
But there were, also, plenty of actual goals: captain Ewan added a third with a confident solo run to goal. Dominic then made it 4-0, just 3 minutes later, in a move that Fred initiated.
Brickhill were now camped in Bushmead territory, and Elijah sent in a lovely ball from a free-kick near the touchline. It seemed someone would get on the end of it. No one did. But, neither did the goalkeeper, and the ball ended up in the net. No-one else claimed it, so it's Elijah's goal.
Luke poached a sixth (Dominic having set it up), and with 3 minutes to go, Elijah's speculative ball into the box made it all the way as the Bushmead goalkeeper fumbled although, by now, the result was not in doubt.
Bushmead, though, looked like they wanted a consolation and mounted a few attacks of their own and put us to the test several times, as well as firing in some long-range free-kicks. However, the defence held firm - Sam C making some key clearances.
This is just the result we wanted: a solid victory, a clean sheet and everyone getting a run-out. The goal difference may well matter later in the season.
BRICKHILL 7 - 0 BUSHMEAD
Fred (2min), Greg (25), Ewan (34), Dominic (37), Elijah (40, 57), Luke (51)
Mowsbury Park, 09:40: there is a stand-off in the car park, as no-one wants to be first out of the car into the frosty morning. However, the manager's arrival breaks the deadlock, and it's not too cold. In fact, by the time kick-off came around it was a beautiful sunny day for football.
At one stage, it looked like we could be checking the rule-book for the regulations on a no-show, but in due course the Bushmead team appeared. As often is the case, they had made the long walk from the wrong car-park. A little of home advantage there !
A full turnout for us, except for Sam H (tonsillitis). However, the team had an unfamiliar look as we played in a borrowed red strip. Here's something not everyone (or, in fact, hardly anyone) knows: the home team must change strip in case of a colour clash.
OK. Who's going to be first to score in 2008 ? It is not long before we have an answer: Fred takes the honour, but not before literally 3 boots and 3 heads have a go at getting the ball across the opposition line. Still, all's well that ends well: 1-0 to Brickhill inside 2 minutes.
In the first half, it looked as though we ought to easily double the lead, but that second goal was elusive until nearly 25minutes when Greg decided to take the direct approach: a lovely strike from the edge of the box, finding a ball's width between the post and the keeper's outstretched hand.
A fine way to build in a margin of safety before half time. 2-0 the score at the break.
The rather slow tempo of the first half was upped a little in the second period, and Brickhill began to relish the opportunity to build a good lead. There were plenty fireworks in the box, and a number of near misses.
But there were, also, plenty of actual goals: captain Ewan added a third with a confident solo run to goal. Dominic then made it 4-0, just 3 minutes later, in a move that Fred initiated.
Brickhill were now camped in Bushmead territory, and Elijah sent in a lovely ball from a free-kick near the touchline. It seemed someone would get on the end of it. No one did. But, neither did the goalkeeper, and the ball ended up in the net. No-one else claimed it, so it's Elijah's goal.
Luke poached a sixth (Dominic having set it up), and with 3 minutes to go, Elijah's speculative ball into the box made it all the way as the Bushmead goalkeeper fumbled although, by now, the result was not in doubt.
Bushmead, though, looked like they wanted a consolation and mounted a few attacks of their own and put us to the test several times, as well as firing in some long-range free-kicks. However, the defence held firm - Sam C making some key clearances.
This is just the result we wanted: a solid victory, a clean sheet and everyone getting a run-out. The goal difference may well matter later in the season.
BRICKHILL 7 - 0 BUSHMEAD
Fred (2min), Greg (25), Ewan (34), Dominic (37), Elijah (40, 57), Luke (51)
Saturday, 5 January 2008
League of our own
I have put in match reports for all the league and cup matches since the start of the season.
I will do the pre-season tournament reports when I get a chance.
Looking forward to Sunday's match: this is the first of the return matches. We beat Bushmead 6-3 in the equivalent away fixture back in September (only the 2nd match of the campaign).
Report here.
Since then, we see from the results that Bushmead are a side we expect to beat. However, I'm sure the coach is not complacent ....
Here's hoping we will start 2008 with the right result.
I will do the pre-season tournament reports when I get a chance.
Looking forward to Sunday's match: this is the first of the return matches. We beat Bushmead 6-3 in the equivalent away fixture back in September (only the 2nd match of the campaign).
Report here.
Since then, we see from the results that Bushmead are a side we expect to beat. However, I'm sure the coach is not complacent ....
Here's hoping we will start 2008 with the right result.
Tuesday, 1 January 2008
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