PBTFC U15 MATCH REPORTS

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Moving to Step 5 Club

The Royals have now successfully moved forward from Junior Club Buckhurst Hill FC after being invited to join Potters Bar Town FC a step 5 club. Their great success and good football has been recognised and they will now play in the Maroon shirts of the Scholars at U15 for season 2015/16.

Players from Potters Bar and surrounding areas are invited to contact to arrange trials on the 5th and 12th July 2015 via Twitter account @PottersBarU15.

Match Reports and details will now move to a new blog spot .

Trials Begin May 7th on 4G

Buckhurst Hill FC require high standard EJA players or Ex Academy players to apply to trial for squad in season 2015/16 at U15 age Group.

Contact 

Russell.Barrett@bhfc.co.uk

Or Tweet @BHFCRoyals

We have been Finalists in London County Cup for last two seasons and won EJA League 2014 and EJA Floodlit Mid Week Cup 2015.

The season finale 2014/15

Broxbourne Borougg FC 1-2 BHFC

Midweek Floodlit Cup

Come on Buckhurst Hill!  what a great way to end the season with a glorious cup final win in a good standard competition playing the football that our team is well known for!

What a lovely sunny evening to end the season for our boys and the coaching staff. Firstly I think is only fair to say thank you to Arjon and Adam who didn't manage to play tonight. Your support and attitude was much appreciated by everyone.

The tactics started early with both teams going through their warm up routines and tactical discussions at different times. The music through the PA system also contributed to the electric atmosphere the crowd were feeling.

The game started lively and BH seemed slightly nervous. There were a couple of good moves from BH with an early volley from Max Bolton which just missed the top right corner from a great cross from Ben B. and a lovely classic move from Tom R which started from the half way line.

However on 6mins a conceded corner led to an early goal with a well taken shot which saw the Broxbourne striker hit the back of the net in bottom left corner. 1-0

Almost straight from the restart Broxbourne intercept the ball and produce some nice interplay with a strong shot which produces a superb save from Sam.

The first 20mins is dominated by Broxbourne in the midfield with only the occasional foray into their half with Juliens shot from a conceded foul hit the left post

However after the initial pressure from Broxbourne our boys gradually and confidently start to take control of the game and begin to play the football we know they are capable of with many moves starting from the battling Louis, who showed both strength and skill to release both Aiden and Tommy to put pressure on the Broxboune defence.

On 30mins sees the first change by the manager and sees Joel replace Max Bolton which provides a bit more strength up front.  Half time comes with BH in control of the game and able to cope with the long ball strategy of Broxbourne.

The 2nd half see BH start where they left off and are in control of the game with numerous moves from Aiden and  Tommy into the Broxbourne 18 yard box. BH have 5 coners which shows their dominance bit only 1 is of good quality

On 60 and 67mins see the second and 3rd substitution of Ben H and Gerg. Game changing moments. the battling of BH pays off with Joel seizing the ball from a weak clearance by the Broxbourne keeper who passes the ball to Max J who floats the ball into the danger area, their keeper seems slightly blinded by the floodlights and Tommy heads in the cross.1-1

The momentum is definitely with BH. However there scramble in the BH 18 yard box with which is eventually cleared by Sid. The crowd sense that BH have advantage and we can hear their voices audibly rise. 

On 74mins sees beautiful cross from Max J fumbled by their keeper and Julian pounce to head in the winner!!!!! 2-1

The final whistles blows 3mins later. What great result. The cup and champagne were worthy of such a great game and team!! Well done boys!!

Bad day at the office sees Hill get punished...

  Buckhurst Hill vs Broxbourne Borough, U14s EJA Sunday 12.04

Lovely morning, pitch looking in good condition, but a strong wind blowing down the pitch which is against Hill in the first half and has a significant influence.  However, Hill (with several players on holiday/ unavailable) are slow out of the blocks, unlike Broxbourne, and on 2 mins Hill cannot clear an attack on the edge of the box, leading to a pretty clinical strike from Broxbourne to put the visitors one up. Hill play themselves back into the game in patches, although are still second to the ball on occasions as Broxbourne close any space quickly, as they continue to do all game. George J tidies up neatly several times in midfield. Biggest decision of the game comes on 12 when Aiden looks to have equalised from a tight angle.  The Broxbourne lino flags for offside but the Ref initially over-rules him and gives the goal. The lino has to be applauded for his determination, as he runs on the pitch to reverse the ref's over-ruling him, as he suggests the Hill player was offside when the ball was played forward, despite the deflection from the Broxbourne defender.  Which is the correct decision of course, although the Ref could have been clearer if he hadn't initially over-ruled the eagle-eyed lino.  Shortly after Sam makes a good save as Broxbourne continue to look dangerous and on 20 minutes Hill are punished again for their general lethargy as the Broxbourne forward travels a long way unchallenged, before crossing to the far past for a tap in. 0-2. 

The second half starts and Hill have the wind with them, which certainly changes the dynamic slightly. Both Ben's, H and B, make their presence felt and test Broxbournre's keeper, but the stopper is having a very good game and repels every attack, with the help of the woodwork on occasions.  Hill enjoy the majority of possession but no goal comes as Broxbourne defend stoutly  and show good teamwork and organisation.  A late break leads to a penalty, which Broxbourne finish to lead 0-3 shortly before the end.

The gaffer summed it up well at the end, if you have an off-day in this league you get punished and this was certainly an off-day for Hill, who have performed much better throughout the season.  Second to most things, not able to get themselves going/ gee themselves up today, and gave the opposition too much space. Still, this was a wake up call ahead of Friday's semi-final of the ironically named Mid-Week Cup vs Stortford, so lets hope normal service is resumed then.  

The Gaffers/ Management team of Hill can console themselves as football fans by seeing the ex-manager of their teams (WH and NUFC), Alan Pardew, doing so well at Crystal Palace.  Thanks for him by the way!  

Friday will be a different story............

The Bitterest Pill to swallow

  22.03.15. London FA U14 Cup Final, Mile End Stadium.

Buckhurst Hill 1-2 Ryan FC

Lightning strikes twice as Hill fall at final hurdle 1-2

Deja Vu for Buckhurst Hill under 14s as the final goes against them again. The boys looked very down at the end of the game - they should be proud of their achievements (ie look at the tough route to the final this year, including revenge on last year's nemesis, Docklands).  But the fact they were so disappointed is exactly why they got to the final in the first place - they are winners 1 to 17.

Onto the game itself, not much happened in the first ten minutes, the teams size each other up. Ryan are a familiar opposition, from both EJA and several District team-mates. First important action on 10 minutes when Louis makes a strong clearance. Ryan's danger striker Samir is lively as usual but so is Hill's Joel, far too strong for the Ryan defence to handle and when he comes short the defenders don't know whether to stick or twist. Sam Barrett makes an important save from a bobbling shot on 21 minutes.

On 24 minutes a tactical masterstroke from Hill's gaffer as he switches Harry from right to left back to counter the pace of Ryan's pacy and skilful no.14.  Soon after Ben B comes on up front for Joel, Arjun switches for Aidan on the wing. At the back, several strong blocks by Max and Sid who know they are in a game but are more than up to the challenge. 

On 33 minutes, Tommy breaks free on the right wing, the defender is chasing his shadow and clips Tommy just as he is bearing in on goal. Credit the Ref this time, he asks the linesman who makes a correct decision and gives a penalty. George J steps up and calmly slots it to the keepers left. Un-saveable. 1-0 to Hill. On the balance of play this feels just about right, although Hill haven't been at their best.

Just before half-time Ryan attack, the linesman gives an important offside decision as there was a possible penalty shout that followed.  The benefit of independent strong linesman is clear to everyone as Hill go into half-time 1-0.

The second half starts and Ryan are quicker out of the blocks, their pacy winger steals in behind the defence, crosses in and Louis clears off the line, Ryan follow up and despite Louis's heroics again, Ryan's header finds the net. 1-1 on 45 mins.

Ryan are back in business and it takes more great blocks from Harry and Louis to keep the scores level.  At this stage it could go either way. Joel comes back on for Arg, Ben B off for Max B, but Hill are fighting for their lives at the back, with another goaline clearance from Louis, behind the keeper this time. But, the very dangerous Ryan 14 is being consistently frustrated by Harry's tough tackles, nicking the ball ahead of him etc. The winger gets away once (and once only) which was very arguably a foul on Harry, probably the worst thing he could've done as Harry gets up and puts in such a crunching, perfectly-timed tackle on the 14 that he doesn't even want the ball anymore and we don't see him again. No mean feat.

Hill have a good ten minutes from about 48th-58th minute, Max B holding up the ball well, Joel causing trouble, Tommy shoots just wide and George J is pulling the strings.  But, we don't score during this period when we are on top, which comes back to haunt us.

Ryan counter-attack strongly and on 70 minutes win a free-kick in a dangerous position on the edge of the box.  The taker puts it into a dangerous position, Ryan's number 5 times his run perfectly and buries the header. 1-2 to Ryan. And that's about it. A few substitutions as George Em and Adam come on. The ref misses several fouls, some pretty obvious ones on Tommy, but credit to Ryan's defence who are pretty stout at this stage.  

Game over.  Credit again to a strong Ryan team, hard luck for Hill.  Again.  Not much in the game, Ryan scored when they were on top and Hill didn't when we were.  A bit too soon I know, but does any regular watcher of Hill doubt they can match this again next year and go one step further?  This team can do it.

Final point, Man of the Match was officially given to Ryan's No.5.  A good player no doubt, but anyone who knows football would've voted for Harry for another defensive masterclass.

Onwards and upwards.

Hill go down in the Fun Cup...

Needham Market FC 1-1 BHFC 

(aet pens 5-4 Needham)

Glorious morning for a road trip to Suffolk. The conditions were lovely and the home team informed us we had use of the main pitch….all great. Despite the pitch being quite cut up and lacking a bit of grass, which made ball control a challenge, the set up was it’s usual welcoming and warm greeting.

Hill had a bit of a threadbare squad with 5 or 6 missing so we went with a slightly changed format in midfield. The defence was its usual line up of Sam, Harry, Sid, Max J and Lou, the midfield was much changed with Aidan and Julian in the middle flanked by Gerg and Arjen (Ben B. was at the game but failed late fitness test) and Max B up front with Ben H. in behind him. We were going for the ball not Max B feet and to try and play off him. Adam H was our one sub and was brought into play early to assist returning knee injury Arjen.

In the early exchanges both teams were finding their feet on the pitch and testing each other out. The pitch was tricky and it was clear defences needed to be on guard as a slight mistake or mis-control was likely. 

There was nothing to choose between the sides in the first half with no real clear cut chances made by either team and both sides were left to try shots from range as both defences looked very solid. Half time 0-0 and nothing of note to report.

The second half started in a similar vein with both sides trying balls over the top to get in behind as two well organised sides were not allowing much space down the flanks. Half chances were the order of the day with the best of them, if you can call them that, falling to Bolton, Dackombe and Proctor but with each of them going to there keeper to make relatively easy saves. Therefore half way into the second half and the deadlock not broken. In typical fashion the ball bobbles around in midfield and loose toe pushes it forwards to Jessop who tries to control but the awkward bounce stands the ball up and the shout for handball is given by the ref. Looked harsh from where we were as it didn’t look clear handball. However, free kick it is some 25 yards out and unfortunately for Hill, the long range looping effort dips right at the death under he bar and Barrett can only push it into the roof of the net. 0-1. The home side are jubilant and confident as in a game where goals look like precious commodities they clearly fancy they can hang on.

This galvanises Hill though and they up their intensity and straight away start to get on top. 10 minutes later and deservedly they are level. a good ball into  the box sees Proctor use his pace to good effect, he commits the keeper who brings him down for a clear pen. 

Up steps DACKOMBE as the makeshift penalty taker in the absence of more regular spot kick specialists and calmly dispatches the pen into the bottom left corner 1-1.

The game then resorts to type and we play out the remainder of normal time as a stalemate. The best chance falling right at the death to Dackombe but its on his left foot and the keeper saves easily.

We are playing 2 x 10 mins of extra time and given the pattern of play penalties look like the nailed on certainty. After 20 minutes of give and take, that is exactly what we get.

Hill select their 5. Dackombe, Jessop, Barrett, Barrett and Harris.

Dackombe, after taking such a good penalty in normal time is the only one to miss from both sides and despite S. Barrett’s efforts he can’t save one to take it into sudden death.

Hill crash out in unfortunate manner. Penalties being the downfall once again. Hopefully though with that one out of their system, The London County Cup will be a different outcome!!!!