The final match of the 2011-12 season for Bergholt Heath was our Under 13s playing their last league match away to Stanway Rovers, which actually took place on the Poors field due to continued water-logging at Spring Lane.  Bergholt started this match far better than against the same opposition on Tuesday evening, and took the game to Stanway in what was an evenly matched contest.  Bergholt took the lead after 10 minutes when a good move down the right allowed Antonio Sabini time and space on the edge of the box to curl a left-footed effort into the top corner for his 27th goal of the season. Stanway Rovers seemed a little shocked and a few minutes later it was almost 2-0 when more good play carved them open, only for the striker to hit the post.  Stanway worked their way back into the game and almost a carbon copy of the Bergholt goal saw their striker curl the ball into the top of the net to equalise before half time. Two superb goals to grace what was proving to be an entertaining game.

The second half continued in much the same fashion as the first, although Stanway were dropping deeper looking to hit Bergholt on the break.  From one such move Stanway took the lead when an opportunist shot from just inside the box squirmed under the diving body of the Bergholt 'keeper and trickled over the line.   Bergholt continued to pour forward but as time wore on the play got increasingly ragged.   There were some moments when it looked like they would equalise; a header over the bar from a corner, a shot that clipped off the top of the bar and another just wide, but in the end the game petered out to confirm a disappointing end to the season with a 2-1 defeat - the first back to back losses for the team against the only team to do the 'double' over them. Bergholt Heath 'man of the match': Gianni Sabini.

Looking back over the Under 13's season, it was successful and could have proved to be a winning one, but in the end it fizzled out a little; two semi final defeats in both the Open and League Cups, and a second-placed finish in the "A" league, having done the 'double' over the champions!  After Sundays game the manager of the team, Dominic Sabini, confirmed that he would be leaving the Club after 5 seasons as both his boys have been approached to play in the higher "Eastern Junior Alliance League", where they will be playing teams from Essex, Hertfordshire and Suffolk. Simon Ashurst has agreed to step in to his shoes. Thanks Dominic, and welcome Simon.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net

The Under 13's played their penultimate match of the season in a fixture switched to the Poors field due to water logging at the home of our opponents, Stanway Rovers. Needing to win both remaining matches with a goal difference of +13 to win the "A" league title on goal difference, Bergholt started with a very attacking formation. Unfortunately within the first minute Bergholt were a goal behind, a midfielder losing the ball too easily on our first attack: the Stanway Rovers player took the ball on and played a superb - if unchallenged - curling cross into the area for the striker to run onto and slot into the net. Within 5 minutes Bergholt were two behind. Again the ball was lost cheaply in midfield. The other striker got away from the defender, who failed to put a challenge in, and beat the goalkeeper at his near post: a catalogue of errors! Bergholt were failing to get into the game - the Stanway Rovers players looked far more like league title challengers and were first to every ball - and it was no surprise when another decisive break from midfield resulted in a Bergholt player desperately lunging at the ball in the area only to get the players' legs first. A penalty resulted, which was slotted into the net for 3-0. A couple of minutes later a ball was played into the box which the Bergholt 'keeper attempted to catch under pressure from 2 strikers, one of which bundled into him from behind. The keeper tried to grab the loose ball as the referee blew his whistle - for a penalty! He adjudged the 2 strikers not to be fouling the keeper, but the keeper to be pushing one of them to grab the ball, and duly booked him to make the second ever booking for a Bergholt U13 player - coincidently both by the same referee! Note this was the same referee as for the Heybridge semi-final a few weeks ago who did not give a foul for the same striker jumping at the Bergholt keeper and making no contact with the ball (resulting in a goal). Justice was done when, for the second time in a week, Connor Welfare in goal saved a penalty. Half time score; Bergholt Heath 0-3 Stanway Rovers.

After a half time roasting from the manager when he rightly pointed out that however poor the referee was (and he was bad!), the players had been equally at fault for their poor play, Bergholt started the second half looking far more lively. A couple of close calls with the ball going the wrong side of the post and just over the bar, and Bergholt were given a lifeline with the referee awarding another dubious penalty which was dispatched at the second attempt by Antonio Sabini after the referee correctly ruled that the keeper had moved at least a yard off his line before it was taken. Bergholt continued to push forward in what was a totally different performance to the first half, although there tended to be a lack of composure at times. However yet again the referee played a major part in the match when he failed to spot a two handed push in the back of a Bergholt defender who was sent sprawling for the striker to run through and put the ball in the net. The referee's assistant confirmed that although he clearly saw the foul he had been instructed by the referee before the match that he was only allow to flag for throw ins and off-sides as the referee would call everything else (or not as the case may be). Another few minutes and again the referee got involved by awarding yet another penalty - his 4th of the match - this time to Bergholt for a push that nobody saw. Maybe he was making up for the Stanway player's push for the goal? Again Antonio Sabini finished coolly from the spot. The referee booked yet another Bergholt player (Gianni Sabini) after the goal, supposedly for swearing at the Stanway goalkeeper when he wouldn't give the ball back - that's 3 bookings this season, and all by the same referee! As the match entered its final minutes the game was almost exclusively played in the Stanway half with possession dominated, although with so many players pouring forward the defence was stretched at times which lead to a few heroics at the back with Stanway trying to hit Bergholt on the break. Unfortunately try as they might, the hill was too big for Bergholt to climb and the final whistle became a relief - I suspect for the referee as much as anyone as he looked totally out of his depth and in the two games we have seen him this season he has been the worst referee we have ever had officiating one of our matches (as demonstrated by the two lowest referee marks ever given). Bergholt Heath will finish second in the "A" league this year behind Cornard Dynamos (who they did the double over!). Final result: Bergholt Heath 2 - 4 Stanway Rovers. Bergholt Heath 'man of the match': Jamie Bowden

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Our Under 9s played 2 matches this week to finish their season in the 'end of Season Trophy'.  The first was the rearranged way match Vs Clacton United on Wednesday evening where they lost 2-1. The second match was also away over the weekend, at Long Melford, where they won 2-1 with goals from Matthew Sanderson and Thomas Whitlow.

Just the one match for our Under 13s, which should have been been played at Wivenhoe on Sunday, but was switched to the Poors field due to waterlogging at Wivenhoe after the change had been approved by the league.  A quick grass cut and white line marking on Saturday afternoon got the pitch ready for a 10am kick off.   The start of the match saw Bergholt uncharacteristically wobbly and if it hadn't been for Connor Welfare in goal, Bergholt would have been at least 2-0 down inside the first 10 minutes.  Bergholt slowly settled and Ollie Sanderson finished from close range to give Bergholt the lead, against the run of play, after around 15 minutes.   Ollie then scored his second from the edge of the area 10 minutes later which should have settled things down.  However Wivenhoe were given a way back into the game right on the stroke of half time when some poor play all round by Bergholt gave Wivenhoe the time and space to attack and score a fairly easy goal.  Two half time substitutions saw Bergholt have a better shape in the second half, but another mistake saw the Wivenhoe striker get through on goal only to be brought down in the box by the Bergholt 'keeper (probably a sending off in the professional game).  However he picked himself up and made amends by diving full length to his left to tip the penalty round the post to preserve the lead. This was pretty much the only opportunity Wivenhoe had in the second half.  Bergholt scored another goal when James Holden got free on the right and whipped in a lovely cross for Ben Ashurst to score his first ever goal with a first time finish into the net at the far post.   Final score: Bergholt Heath 3 - 1 Wivenhoe Blues.   Bergholt Heath 'man of the match': Connor Welfare.

• Tuesday 8th May: Under 13's Vs Stanway Rovers, kick off 6.30pm
• Sunday 13th May: Stanway Rovers Vs Under 13's

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The scheduled games for both the Under 9s and the Under 13s were postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

• Long Melford v Under 9 (to be played before 6th May)
• Wivenhoe Youth Blues v Under 13

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Bergholt Heath YFC's Under 9s played their first ever mid-week game on Wednesday evening 25th April, away to Bures in the 'end of season trophy', and were comfortable 4-1 winners. The Bergholt goals were scored by Jonah Murray x 2, Matthew Sanderson and Thomas Whitlow.

• Clacton United v Under 9 (End Of Season Trophy)
• Stanway Rovers v Under 13 (league), kick off 10am

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net

Having lost the use of the 'mini soccer' pitch on the Poors field, our Under 9s switched the fixture and played Wivenhoe Town away, and drew 0-0.

Our Under 13s were again in semi final action, this time in the open Cup, verses Cornard Dynamos, played at Wivenhoe Town FC. Unfortunately, as with the other semi final in the League Cup, the semi final is as far as they are going this season, losing 3-1.  Cornard took the lead after 15 minutes of the first half, the striker out muscling the central defender in a chase for a long ball, and finishing coolly. Bergholt slowly played their way back into the game and got closer and closer to an equaliser, which finally came after half an hour, Mickey Whittle getting the final touch, poking a low cross into the net from inside the 6 yard box - the ball going over the line in what seemed like slow motion! Unfortunately within 2 minutes Cornard were back in front, the strong number 9 again slipping past a defender and hitting a cross shot that seemed to confuse the Bergholt 'keeper with the ball dropping into the far corner of the net. The second half saw Bergholt huff and puff but not make too many inroads to the Cornard half, and Cornard seemed to win most of the 50-50 balls. A third Cornard goal came around 15 minutes from time, although it seemed to most that the Bergholt defender was pushed in the back when trying to clear the ball before it was squared for the striker to hit powerfully home. After this the game petered out a bit and Cornard safely saw the game out for a comfortable win. Bergholt Heath 'man of the match': James Hirst.

• Clacton United v Under 9 End Of Season Cup
• Stanway Rovers v Under 13 (league)

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net

Our Under 9s were away to Layer Colts in the next of their 'end of season trophy' games. Winning comfortably 2-0 at half time, both goals coming from Jonah Murray, the manager was able to switch things round at half time to try players in different positions. The second half was more even and despite 2 goals from the home side, further goals from Matthew Sanderson and Richard Frost saw Bergholt run out 4-2 winners.

The Under 13s were the only other team in action, at home to Wivenhoe Blues in the "A" league - after some last minute work on Saturday to get the pitch cut and marked after the contractors didn't do it last week as instructed! Although Bergholt didn't play particularly well - the players looking like they were still in Easter mood - Bergholt's fist corner resulted in the first goal of the match: the Wivenhoe 'keeper doing well to parry away a vicious in swinging corner from Gianni Sabini, only for his brother Antonio to react quickest to the lose ball by smashing it into the roof of the net from close range. Good work on the right by Owen Bernhardt saw him cross powerfully into the area for Antonio Sabini to be teed up to hit a well placed shot low into the corner of the net from just inside the area for 2-0 at half time. The second half saw Wivenhoe come out with renewed vigour and Bergholt appeared to be willing to sit back and let them attack. However mid way through the half Antonio Sabini completed his Hat-trick (goal number 24 for the season), for 3-0. Almost from the restart Wivenhoe pulled a goal back when the midfield not tracking their players let the Wivenhoe midfielders run through to join the attack and out number the defenders to score an easy jet avoidable goal. This seemed to wake Bergholt up a little and they had more shots in the last 10 minutes of the game than at any other time in the match without increasing the lead: Antonio Sabini having the pick of them with a powerful shot from at least 30 yards that thudded against the Wivenhoe bar. Final result: Bergholt Heath 3 - 1 Wivenhoe blues. Bergholt Heath 'man of the match': Antonio Sabini.

• Wivenhoe town Vs Under 9's in the End of Season Trophy
• Under 13's Vs Cornard Dynamos Blues in the Open Cup semi final at Wivenhoe Town FC, kick off 10am.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net

There are just two fixtures this weekend with the Under 9s away against Layer Colts in the End of Season Trophy and the Under 13s at home against Wivenhoe Youth (KO 10am).

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• Wednesday 23 May  HATFIELD HOUSE, WEST GARDEN & PARK
• Sunday 3 June  WRITTLE COLLEGE GARDENS
• Thursday 19 July WREST PARK, LUTON, BEDFORDSHIRE

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net

The Under 9s were in 'end of season trophy' action at home to Brightlingsea Regents. Bergholt took the lead mid way through the first half, Jonah Murray hitting home. However this was against the run of play against a very impressive Brightlingsea team who had a couple of very promising players on show. Brightlingsea equalised soon after Jonah's goal, the striker heading in a good cross. Brightlingsea then went further ahead just before half time with a confident shot from their number 11. The second half saw Bergholt try and get into the game and they had a couple of good attempts just go wide, and the Brightlingsea 'keeper also saved well on at least 2 occasions. However Brighlingsea scored their third and final goal on the stroke of full time. Final result: Bergholt Heath 1 - 3 Brightlingsea Regents.

Our Under 13s were in the semi final of the League Cup, Vs Heybridge at Wivenhoe Town FC. Bergholt made what seems to be their customary slow start and were a goal down inside 3 minutes when a Heybridge striker picked up a clearance and with no Bergholt player closing him down, hit an early shot into the top corner from the edge of the area. Bergholt slowly got their game going on what was a very hard and bumpy pitch and equalised via an Antonio Sabini free kick which he curled round the wall, and despite other players trying to get a final touch, it bounced into the net. Half time 1-1. The second half started with Bergholt changing formation to 3-5-2 to get hold of the midfield, and they had much better possession. However a defensive slip from a huge (foul?) throw into the area saw Heybridge retake the lead against the run of play. Bergholt pressed forward and around 10 minutes from time again equalised with Leo Tiffney converting a cross at the far post. Almost immediately Heybridge retook the lead in controversial circumstances. The Bergholt Keeper leaped to catch a high long ball and was jumped into by the striker. Rather than give a foul the referee singled for a corner which was taken quickly and bundled into the net with the 'keeper still looking a little unsteady. Bergholt threw caution to the wind to try and get a third equaliser but were caught on the break with a couple of minutes to go, the tall Heybridge number 10 rounding the 'keeper and slotting home. Final score: Heybridge Swifts 4 - 2 Bergholt Heath. Bergholt 'man of the match: Ollie Sanderson.

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net

Just one match for Bergholt Heath this weekend. Our Under 13s won 2-0 away to Heybridge Swifts in the A league.  The game started slowly for Bergholt, with Heybridge attacking quickly with their tall no.10 involved in most moves.   Bergholt held firm and at last started to get their game going.  Bergholt took the lead with their first decent passage of play after around 15 minutes when a quick incisive passing move involving James Hirst, Leo Tiffney and Ollie Sanderson saw Antonio Sabini receive the ball on the edge of the area, neatly side step 2 defenders and fire the ball into the roof of the net.  Five minutes later it was 2-0 when Ollie Sanderson hit a superb looping shot over the goalkeeper from at least 20 yards.   The rest of the first half passed comfortably for Bergholt. 

The start of the second half saw Heybridge step up their tempo and attack Bergholt.   In fact for the first 5 minutes Bergholt didn't get out of their own half!  As Heybridge pressed more players forward, gaps appeared on the break and both Mickey Whittle - one on one with the 'keeper - and Gianni Sabini who put his shot well wide, missed golden opportunities to extend the lead.  The last 10 minutes saw another period of play exclusively in the Bergholt half and with 30 seconds to go Jamie Bowden superbly slid in to clear the ball off the line to preserve the clean sheet. 

Final result: Heybridge Swifts 0 - 2 Bergholt Heath. Bergholt Heath 'man of the match': Jamie Bowden.

• Under 9 v Brightlingsea Regents End of Season Trophy KO 10.30am (Poors field)
• Heybridge Swifts v Under 13 League Cup Semi Final at Wivenhoe Town FC, KO 4pm
• Under 14 no game
• Under 16 No game
• Under 18 v Stanway Villa KO 2pm (Orpen field)

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net

The Under 9s played their first game in the "end of season trophy", away to Marks Tey. They comfortably won 3-0, with Jonah Murray scoring at hat-trick.

The Under 13s were the only other team in action, away to Bures in the league. An end-to-end game saw Bures take an early lead when some hesitant play by both defenders and the goalkeeper allowed the Bures striker to lob the Bergholt 'keeper. This early set back seemed to hit Bergholt hard and Bures continued to dominate. With 5 minutes of the half left, against the run of play, Jake Adams won Bergholt a free kick just outside the Bures penalty box and Antonio Sabini blasted the free kick into the Bures net for the equaliser. Just seconds before half time Bergholt won a corner which was crossed powerfully into the box for Jake Adams to head into the roof of the net. The second half started with Bergholt looking much sharper and within two minutes it was 3-1, Antonio Sabini scoring his second goal with a well taken first time shot from just inside the area. However this setback spurred Bures on and they started to have the lions share of possession. The Bergholt defence looked fairly secure until 10 minutes from time, when the 'keeper fumbled a cross-shot and the defender could not prevent the ball from crossing the line for 3-2. The final minutes saw Bures pile forward and they equalised from a large slice of luck when a Bergholt clearance hit a Bures player on the back and looped up and back over the defender to fall at the strikers feet, who made no mistake to bury the ball in the back of the net. Final result: Bures 3-3 Bergholt Heath. Bergholt 'man of the match': Antonio Sabini.

• Under 9 No game
• Heybridge Swifts v Under 13
• Under 14 No game
• Under 16 No game
• Under 18 No game

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net

Our Under 9s finished their league season with a 1-1 draw at home to Marks Tey. Thomas Whitlow scoring the Bergholt goal. Next week they start in the 'end of season trophy'.

The Under 13s were also at home, to Boadicea Dynamos in the quarter Final of the Open Cup. Despite only having the bare 11 players, mainly due to 2 clashing heads in training on Saturday and suffering concussion(!), and another out with a broken arm, Bergholt were 4-0 up at half time through a brace each from Leo Tiffney and Owen Bernhardt. The second half saw Bergholt tire a little with no subs available. Boadicea pulled a goal back before Gianni Sabini scored on the break just before the final whistle. Final score: Bergholt Heath 5 - 1 Boadicea Dynamos. Bergholt Heath 'man of the match': Owen Bernhardt.

Our Under 14s and Under 16s both postponed their matches due to lack of players being available.

Finally the Under 18s were away to Little Oakley Reds and for the second week running could not put out a full team. This week with only 9 players they were beaten 4-0. A respectable result considering.

• Marks Tey v Under 9 End of Season Trophy
• Bures Utd v Under 13
• Under 14 - No game
• Under 16 - No game
• Under 18 - No game

This material has been developed for the West Bergholt Village Website at http://www.westbergholt.net