Apr 28

Under 15s 3-3 Harlow Sports Marquis

2008 at 05.19 PM posted by Cheryl Edwards

Bengeo got the point they needed to ensure runners up position in the league in a good match littered with controversy and much incident.

James Roberts saw an early chance saved, and then set up Craig Lewis who shot wide. Harlow hit back and a chance for them was well saved by stand in keeper Nick Sheffield. A Neal Rowe free-kick found Nat Turner who shot across the face of the goal, but he made amends in the 18th minute when he ran through to slot past the keeper and put Bengeo one up. The lead was shortlived however, as Harlow equalised two minutes later.

James Roberts, who was enjoying a lot of the ball down the wide right, then beat the offside trap and put another ball across the face of the goal which was not converted. Bengeo had two more opportunities before half time to take the lead, but Nat Turners effort was disallowed and Tom Deamer\’s fierce shot was saved.

Nick Sheffield made another good save at the start of the second half, and shortly afterwards Nat Turner went on a good run, but poked his final effort wide. Midway through the half, Harlow took the lead from a ball down the middle for the two strikers. With the linesman\’s flag raised for offside, the ball was hit home and after consultation with the linesman, the referee overuled him and awarded the goal. In the protests that followed, Nat Turner was shown a yellow card, and Neal Rowe inexplicably given a red.

Heads seemed to go down after these incidents, and Harlow extended their lead, but the ten men rallied superbly and got back into the game with a Tom Deamer corner that was headed home by Charlie Edwards and in the dying moments, James Roberts fired a left foot equaliser with a shot on the turn.

Apr 22

Under 14 Sumatrans 2-0 Wheathampstead W Sharks

2008 at 10.11 AM posted by Lloyd Adams

This last league match of the season left Sumatrans fighting to defend their current fourth place league spot. A Tigers win today would leave fifth place Potters Bar needing to win their fixture today and both their remaining games to steal fourth place.

The first leg away fixture, last October, resulted in a decisive 4-0 victory to Wheathampstead and with the Sharks holding a strong third place in the league, Tigers would need to be at their best.

Sumatrans fielded a starting line up of Sam Milne in goal, Zack, Kyle, Jack and Ben in defence, James on left wing, Craig, Joe and Tyler central midfielders, with Andrea out right and Tobi as striker plus Sam Rider, Calum and Robert poised in reserve.

From kick-off Sumatrans started well, applying early pressure in the Sharks half.

A fourth minute corner awarded to Sumatrans saw James Brett step up to deliver a curling left footer on target into a crowded Sharks goalmouth that nobody seemed to connect with; the ball appeared to run straight through, crediting James with Sumatrans early first goal.

That early boost inspired the team to go on and deliver some very confident football; good defending and midfield team play kept most of the game in Wheathampstead’s half and any Shark attacks(!) being taken care of before escalating to goal-scoring opportunities.

Robert entered the game in the 17th minute, taking a right wing position, pushing Andrea up front and resting Tobi.

The good work continued; a looping 21st minute over head kick from Andrea worried the Sharks keeper by dropping just out of play to the left of goal and the Sharks frustration was beginning to show.

Sumatrans second goal arrived in the 34th minute when a Tigers free kick was taken by Kyle who picked out Robert who in turn brought the ball under control, ran it towards the Sharks goal and, seeing the keeper running out to close the gap, Robert shot and, watching the ball slip through the keepers hands, he rounded the keeper to collect the ball and net on his second attempt. Moments later the refs whistle brought a satisfying close to the first half with a Tigers 2 nil lead.

The second half flowed much as the first. Highlights included James Brett working hard to supply his team mates, including a very nice 42nd minute diagonal long ball pass to set up Robert with an attack, Craig battling in midfield including a 60th minute dribble passed several Sharks to dink the ball towards a team mate and Kyle heading a well placed Robert corner just over the crossbar in the 63rd minute.

The Sharks never gave up and there were moments towards the latter part of the second half when they were pushing further towards the Sumatran goal but dogged Tigers defending, including a crucial sliding tackle by Jack to dispossess a Shark striker on the edge of the penalty box, plus late substitutions bringing on the fresh legs of Tobi, Calum and Sam Rider on for Andrea, Tyler and Sam Milne, ensured Sumatrans kept under control right up to the final whistle.

Well done to every player for their individual efforts combining in an excellent Sumatrans team performance which, after later hearing Potters Bar lost their match, confirms Sumatrans finish the league in fourth place, a place higher than last season (and only 3 points behind third place!).

Man of the Match was awarded to James Brett.

What a cracking end to a well fought season. Again, congratulations to the squad for a season they can be proud of and I know everyone on the sideline, parents and management, have enjoyed working with the boys and supporting them throughout the season.

Bring on next season!

Lloyd Adams

Apr 16

Ware Youth Blues 2-9 Under 15s

2008 at 11.17 AM posted by Cheryl Edwards

A high scoring second half saw Bengeo record their biggest win of the season and move into second place in the league table.

In an attack straight from the kick off, James Roberts was brought down by the home keeper, but sadly the resulting penalty was put wide by Charlie Edwards. Ware tried to capitalise on this good fortune and went close to taking the lead themselves, with an effort that went just wide. Bengeo hit back and Charlie Edwards headed over from a corner, but shortly after a Jake Buzzing corner was met by Neal Rowe who opened the scoring for the visitors.

Craig Lewis and Georgie Hunt combined well, and the latter saw his effort go wide of the target and soon afterwards, Nat Turner too missed the mark. From a Ware Youth corner, Dan Skyte headed clear, and a quick break away ended with Nat Turner narrowly missing the target. Neal Rowe, Georgie Hunt and Nat Turner then combined, and the latter was nearer this time when he hit the post.

However, the home side equalised near half time when Jack Edwards was beaten at his near post from an acute angle, and Neal Rowe was unable to prevent the ball crossing the line.

The second half saw Ware take the lead, when a through ball had the Bengeo defence appealing in vain for offside, and the striker ran on to bury his shot. This seemed to spur Bengeo into life and their best move saw James Roberts put in a cross which Georgie Hunt met with a diving header to level the scores.

Bengeo then started to take complete control. Tom Deamer played a good ball into James Roberts, who lobbed it into the far corner to restore the lead and Tom Deamer was provider again for Charlie Edwards to side foot number 4.

James Roberts hit the fifth, and completed his hat-trick soon after when recieving a good pass from Georgie Hunt. James Roberts then turned provider, with two excellent corners, the first of which was volleyed home by Charlie Harris, and the second headed home powerfully by Tom Deamer. The ninth and final goal came, when Charlie Harris hit a great shot on the turn from just inside the box.

Football Association Charter Standard Clubs