Away to SKF (Luton), who had beaten us at home earlier in the season. However, since they are towards the lower end of the table, we must have fancied our chances.
We were missing only Fred (ski-ing injury) once everyone had negotiated the A6-closure and found the ground.
SKF were obviously very competitive and made plenty of noise about it, including the coach and some competitive dads !
The immediate impact of that was the amazing tempo of the early part of the game. This resulted in Brickhill falling behind straight away. With less than 1 minute gone, SKF were clear through and - despite a valiant clearance effort by Cameron - the ball rebounded off a defender and into the goal.
They nearly added a second just a couple of minutes later, and in fact they did double the lead on 6 minutes. The pace of the home side and their direct approach was really getting to Brickhill, who seemed to have no reply.
Our best chance was to slow the game down, which we showed some sign of doing. However, a freak handball led to a penalty. Harry dived the right way, but the kick was well struck into the corner. 3 - 0 down half-way through the first half.
It looked like 4 - 0 in fact, but a clever goal was ruled offside, and then Brickhill did finally pull one back - Elijah flicked on Dom's pass and Greg converted the opportunity.
But, SKF replied with two more goals to lead 5 - 1 at the break.
Angus took on goalkeeping duties for the 2nd half. It was a much better effort by us, perhaps helped by the home side tiring. Dominic struck a super shot from long range, just under the bar to give some hope of a fightback. Cameron - who was having an excellent game - shot just over.
Brickhill were now putting up more of a fight. However, SKF scored a 6th goal to lead 6 - 2 and although Dominic scored from a corner to reduce the deficit, it was too big a gap to close.
SKF YOUTH 6 - 3 BRICKHILL WANDERERS
Greg (22), Dominic (36, 46)
Sunday, 24 February 2008
Sunday, 17 February 2008
An Inconsistent Truth
Last week, we just got the better of Dunstable (away). Today, we faced the return fixture. We knew to expect a tough game, with the visitors fired up for revenge.
We were missing Fred & David (away) and, with Luke on the sidelines (ligament injury), we had just enough for a full team plus one sub.
We haven't played much at Mowsbury this year so far and apparently the pitch needed some attention pre-kickoff. Derek attended to it with a borrowed spade. The lender of the spade, although he was obviously right there, apparently couldn't do the job till Monday at the earliest.
Sandra also ordered some goal-mouth trampling (polo style), and after the referee allowed some extra time pre-kickoff (perhaps to allow more defrosting of the pitch) we were off.
It was instantly obvious that Dunstable were really up for the game. Although Brickhill had an early chance when Elijah short over, it was no great surprise when the visitors scored from a useful cross after 6 minutes. What was surprising was that we did not fall further behind.
Sam C cleared off the line, and Dunstable had many efforts that just finished wide or over the bar, or fell foul of the offside flag.
Meanwhile, we were really struggling and when the break came, we could easily have been 4 or 5 down. So the good news was that the deficit remained a single goal. A couple of times I had to count to make sure the opposition didn't have 12 or 13 players and that we actually were playing a full 11.
In the early part of the second half, the match was more balanced and we equalized when Elijah flicked an excellent ball into Dominic in the box. He appeared to stumble at first, but he recovered and found the net, albeit in off a Dunstable head.
This goal changed the mood of the team and we enjoyed a good spell. Ewan, especially, was battling all over the pitch, with Josh having good pace upfront.
However, when we fell behind again with less than 10 minutes to go, we never looked to be in the game again. Although several of their efforts were stopped by the defence (including some excellent saves by Harry) we actually conceded again from an excellent long range lob which gave the goalkeeper no chance.
Our home record continues to be very weak - all four defeats in this campaign have been at home. The manager was not happy.
Dunstable meanwhile fully deserved the win.
BRICKHILL WANDERERS 1 - 3 DUNSTABLE YOUTH
Dominic (35min)
We were missing Fred & David (away) and, with Luke on the sidelines (ligament injury), we had just enough for a full team plus one sub.
We haven't played much at Mowsbury this year so far and apparently the pitch needed some attention pre-kickoff. Derek attended to it with a borrowed spade. The lender of the spade, although he was obviously right there, apparently couldn't do the job till Monday at the earliest.
Sandra also ordered some goal-mouth trampling (polo style), and after the referee allowed some extra time pre-kickoff (perhaps to allow more defrosting of the pitch) we were off.
It was instantly obvious that Dunstable were really up for the game. Although Brickhill had an early chance when Elijah short over, it was no great surprise when the visitors scored from a useful cross after 6 minutes. What was surprising was that we did not fall further behind.
Sam C cleared off the line, and Dunstable had many efforts that just finished wide or over the bar, or fell foul of the offside flag.
Meanwhile, we were really struggling and when the break came, we could easily have been 4 or 5 down. So the good news was that the deficit remained a single goal. A couple of times I had to count to make sure the opposition didn't have 12 or 13 players and that we actually were playing a full 11.
In the early part of the second half, the match was more balanced and we equalized when Elijah flicked an excellent ball into Dominic in the box. He appeared to stumble at first, but he recovered and found the net, albeit in off a Dunstable head.
This goal changed the mood of the team and we enjoyed a good spell. Ewan, especially, was battling all over the pitch, with Josh having good pace upfront.
However, when we fell behind again with less than 10 minutes to go, we never looked to be in the game again. Although several of their efforts were stopped by the defence (including some excellent saves by Harry) we actually conceded again from an excellent long range lob which gave the goalkeeper no chance.
Our home record continues to be very weak - all four defeats in this campaign have been at home. The manager was not happy.
Dunstable meanwhile fully deserved the win.
BRICKHILL WANDERERS 1 - 3 DUNSTABLE YOUTH
Dominic (35min)
Sunday, 10 February 2008
In a Roundabout Way
Today's fixture at Dunstable (first of back-to-back matches against this team) saw us making one of the longest journeys of this year's away campaign. The trip was made more challenging by the apparent overnight disappearance of an ancient roundabout near the destination. Google said it was there, but there it wasn't, and pretty much everyone was wrongfooted.
Even the manager wasn't pitchside until 10:15, and last-to-arrive Sam C was only in situ moments before kick-off. The boys who arrived earlier were, of course, involved in useful pre-match exercises, except when they were playing "drop-kick the Evian" or climbing trees.
Nevertheless, by 10:30 we had 14 players (Romao unwell), 2 coaches and a linesman. Last week's emergency linesman, Boz, was re-assigned to reconnaissance duties behind enemy lines in the home crowd.
We kicked off playing up the noticeable but manageable slope. The pitch appeared small by comparison with last week's vast expanse, and the lack of a gale-force wind was most pleasant.
If Brickhill were at all put off by the haphazard start, then it was not apparent as we played good open football and were rewarded early on when Dominic got the ball over the line inside 2 minutes - Fred & Elijah also getting an attempt on target in the move.
Luke & Greg were also in a lot of the action upfront. We did not appear to be disadvantaged at all by playing uphill. At the back, Cameron was making some key interceptions. Sam H was back in the starting line-up and using his head wisely.
However, despite the good possession, the 2nd goal was elusive and we nearly paid for it as Dunstable broke clear and fired a shot decisively past our defence. Fortunately the post was equally decisive in preventing an equalizer.
We moved forward again and, a few minutes later, we did find the second goal when Greg and Fred combined well.
"There's still hope" cried the opposition captain. No kidding we thought - you should have seen us last week ....
And Dunstable hopes were still well afloat at Half Time: 2 - 0 it remained.
This scoreline wasn't seriously threatened until well into the second half. Once again, Brickhill created plenty of good moves - Ewan apparently in all of them. Niall was also in really good form in a creative/defensive role.
Now, Dunstable found their hope. After putting Harry to the test at close range, they converted the rebound. With a little less than 15 minutes to go, they visibly and audibly upped their game. They were now clearly willing to fight for a result.
Their spirit wasn't diminished when we restored our 2-goal margin: Angus started the move and found Ewan. Fred & Dominic then sandwiched the keeper on the edge of his box. When the ball escaped, Dominic gave it enough of a touch to take it across the line.
With the increased tempo from Dunstable, however, it wasn't clear that this would be enough of a lead. Harry parried one excellent free-kick and still another dead-ball shot came close to finding the corner. The home side were making repeated runs into our box.
With a minute left of regular time, they reduced the deficit to a single goal again from an effective cross.
Once again, it was tough on the supporters as the clock ticked down. Probably we could have been more effective at keeping the ball in this crucial phase, but we did enough to prevent any late equalizer.
In the end, the three points were safe and we did what we needed to do. Hopefully we can make a more straightforward job of it next week at home.
DUNSTABLE YOUTH 2 - 3 BRICKHILL WANDERERS
Dominic (2, 53), Fred (26)
Even the manager wasn't pitchside until 10:15, and last-to-arrive Sam C was only in situ moments before kick-off. The boys who arrived earlier were, of course, involved in useful pre-match exercises, except when they were playing "drop-kick the Evian" or climbing trees.
Nevertheless, by 10:30 we had 14 players (Romao unwell), 2 coaches and a linesman. Last week's emergency linesman, Boz, was re-assigned to reconnaissance duties behind enemy lines in the home crowd.
We kicked off playing up the noticeable but manageable slope. The pitch appeared small by comparison with last week's vast expanse, and the lack of a gale-force wind was most pleasant.
If Brickhill were at all put off by the haphazard start, then it was not apparent as we played good open football and were rewarded early on when Dominic got the ball over the line inside 2 minutes - Fred & Elijah also getting an attempt on target in the move.
Luke & Greg were also in a lot of the action upfront. We did not appear to be disadvantaged at all by playing uphill. At the back, Cameron was making some key interceptions. Sam H was back in the starting line-up and using his head wisely.
However, despite the good possession, the 2nd goal was elusive and we nearly paid for it as Dunstable broke clear and fired a shot decisively past our defence. Fortunately the post was equally decisive in preventing an equalizer.
We moved forward again and, a few minutes later, we did find the second goal when Greg and Fred combined well.
"There's still hope" cried the opposition captain. No kidding we thought - you should have seen us last week ....
And Dunstable hopes were still well afloat at Half Time: 2 - 0 it remained.
This scoreline wasn't seriously threatened until well into the second half. Once again, Brickhill created plenty of good moves - Ewan apparently in all of them. Niall was also in really good form in a creative/defensive role.
Now, Dunstable found their hope. After putting Harry to the test at close range, they converted the rebound. With a little less than 15 minutes to go, they visibly and audibly upped their game. They were now clearly willing to fight for a result.
Their spirit wasn't diminished when we restored our 2-goal margin: Angus started the move and found Ewan. Fred & Dominic then sandwiched the keeper on the edge of his box. When the ball escaped, Dominic gave it enough of a touch to take it across the line.
With the increased tempo from Dunstable, however, it wasn't clear that this would be enough of a lead. Harry parried one excellent free-kick and still another dead-ball shot came close to finding the corner. The home side were making repeated runs into our box.
With a minute left of regular time, they reduced the deficit to a single goal again from an effective cross.
Once again, it was tough on the supporters as the clock ticked down. Probably we could have been more effective at keeping the ball in this crucial phase, but we did enough to prevent any late equalizer.
In the end, the three points were safe and we did what we needed to do. Hopefully we can make a more straightforward job of it next week at home.
DUNSTABLE YOUTH 2 - 3 BRICKHILL WANDERERS
Dominic (2, 53), Fred (26)
Thursday, 7 February 2008
Back and Fourth
We switched places with Sundon following our defeat last Sunday. We have games in hand, but we do need to win them !
It's important that we take 6 points off Dunstable this weekend and next.
It's important that we take 6 points off Dunstable this weekend and next.
Sunday, 3 February 2008
Home and Away
Today's home match against Sundon had to be moved to Kempston's Hillgrounds pitches due to waterlogged ground at Mowsbury. This had the advantage of avoiding a further pile-up of fixtures, but the downside was that we were allocated a senior pitch with full-size goals. Still, the conditions were the same for both sides.
Reuben was unavailable for line-duty, so thanks are due to Boz for taking the flag. And, in fact, it is a good time to mention our appreciation to Reuben for doing a professional job for us most weeks. There was some consternation among the crowd as Boz left it late to arrive pitchside - it can be a thankless task that no one wants to do!
We fielded a full squad apart from Josh (unwell), and Luke took the captain's armband when Sandra elected to use Ewan as a sub.
We won the toss and wisely chose to play the first half with the help of a considerable wind. This direction also benefitted from a slight slope on the pitch and from the sun being behind the players.
It was clearly going to be important to take full advantage of these environmental factors, in the form of early goals. We were certainly able to enjoy the vast majority of the possession. Our defence was able to play well upfield, with Cameron and Angus able to put in a number of good balls well up the huge pitch.
Our best chance in the first 10 minutes came from a theatrical effort from Dominic, which unfortunately found the post and ricocheted away from danger. The wind, meanwhile, was not universally helpful - several crosses were pushed behind the goal when we did not allow enough for the effect.
More chances came and went until, with nearly 20 minutes played, David and Dominic set up a move to Romao who flicked in a ball from the wing onto Elijah in the box. He connected beautifully, only to see the effort hit the crossbar. However, he was able to pick up the rebound and slot the ball in at the corner from a narrow angle.
Still, one goal did not seem enough of a return. Fred and Dominic both put efforts wide or high despite the cavernous goals, before Elijah added a 2nd with an excellent free kick - over the wall and then down to find the low right-corner.
2-0 at half-time despite several more chances from Brickhill. Meanwhile Sundon were unable to make much progress at all - their sole shot at goal in the last minute of the half was easily caught by Harry.
Ewan came on for the second half and was soon involved in the third goal: Luke's throw was picked up by Ewan who found Dominic in scoring position. However, Dominic in turn made a pass to Fred who smashed the ball into the top corner.
It was good to add to the lead because already Sundon were much more threatening with the weather playing their way.
In fact, they were soon able to take advantage. Harry's goal-kick into the wind was ineffective and immediately picked up by Sundon who drilled the ball past Harry's diving attempt to recover.
The damage was doubled a minute later when a Sundon cross was converted at close range. There was now some measure of disarray amongst the home side, although Sam C in particular remained very solid. Sundon continued to apply considerable pressure. Their wind-assisted shots and long balls created a lot of problems for us.
They levelled just over half way through the second period when they committed Harry and used the full width of the goal to find the net.
There was time to recover the game, but Brickhill were struggling and didn't seem to be getting the best of the decisions either. Indeed Sundon now seized the lead for the first time with a long-range shot that bounced in the box and over Harry who possibly came too far out.
Chances to equalize were few, although Greg created a good chance for Luke. Instead, the visitors extended their lead just before full time and almost grabbed a sixth. So in the end, it was a pretty clear defeat and we need to learn from this and do better next time:
BRICKHILL WANDERERS 3 - 5 SUNDON PARK RANGERS
Elijah (18min, 25min), Fred (36min)
Reuben was unavailable for line-duty, so thanks are due to Boz for taking the flag. And, in fact, it is a good time to mention our appreciation to Reuben for doing a professional job for us most weeks. There was some consternation among the crowd as Boz left it late to arrive pitchside - it can be a thankless task that no one wants to do!
We fielded a full squad apart from Josh (unwell), and Luke took the captain's armband when Sandra elected to use Ewan as a sub.
We won the toss and wisely chose to play the first half with the help of a considerable wind. This direction also benefitted from a slight slope on the pitch and from the sun being behind the players.
It was clearly going to be important to take full advantage of these environmental factors, in the form of early goals. We were certainly able to enjoy the vast majority of the possession. Our defence was able to play well upfield, with Cameron and Angus able to put in a number of good balls well up the huge pitch.
Our best chance in the first 10 minutes came from a theatrical effort from Dominic, which unfortunately found the post and ricocheted away from danger. The wind, meanwhile, was not universally helpful - several crosses were pushed behind the goal when we did not allow enough for the effect.
More chances came and went until, with nearly 20 minutes played, David and Dominic set up a move to Romao who flicked in a ball from the wing onto Elijah in the box. He connected beautifully, only to see the effort hit the crossbar. However, he was able to pick up the rebound and slot the ball in at the corner from a narrow angle.
Still, one goal did not seem enough of a return. Fred and Dominic both put efforts wide or high despite the cavernous goals, before Elijah added a 2nd with an excellent free kick - over the wall and then down to find the low right-corner.
2-0 at half-time despite several more chances from Brickhill. Meanwhile Sundon were unable to make much progress at all - their sole shot at goal in the last minute of the half was easily caught by Harry.
Ewan came on for the second half and was soon involved in the third goal: Luke's throw was picked up by Ewan who found Dominic in scoring position. However, Dominic in turn made a pass to Fred who smashed the ball into the top corner.
It was good to add to the lead because already Sundon were much more threatening with the weather playing their way.
In fact, they were soon able to take advantage. Harry's goal-kick into the wind was ineffective and immediately picked up by Sundon who drilled the ball past Harry's diving attempt to recover.
The damage was doubled a minute later when a Sundon cross was converted at close range. There was now some measure of disarray amongst the home side, although Sam C in particular remained very solid. Sundon continued to apply considerable pressure. Their wind-assisted shots and long balls created a lot of problems for us.
They levelled just over half way through the second period when they committed Harry and used the full width of the goal to find the net.
There was time to recover the game, but Brickhill were struggling and didn't seem to be getting the best of the decisions either. Indeed Sundon now seized the lead for the first time with a long-range shot that bounced in the box and over Harry who possibly came too far out.
Chances to equalize were few, although Greg created a good chance for Luke. Instead, the visitors extended their lead just before full time and almost grabbed a sixth. So in the end, it was a pretty clear defeat and we need to learn from this and do better next time:
BRICKHILL WANDERERS 3 - 5 SUNDON PARK RANGERS
Elijah (18min, 25min), Fred (36min)
Saturday, 2 February 2008
League Update
We haven't played in the league since 6th January, and in the meantime we've been overtaken by Dunstable. However, we have three games in hand over them. We have two games in hand over Sundon who are presently one place below us, on goal difference.
We play them tomorrow. Last time, away, it was a close affair with 5 - 4 the final result in our favour.
Sundon have suffered a few close defeats and are probably feeling a bit unlucky not to be better placed. They are clearly one of the stronger teams in our division, anyway, so we will need to put on a good performance to ensure the maximum points.
League up to and including 27th January:
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