Berks & Bucks - Match Reports
Corin Evans in action against Cornwall
Under 18 Rep Team reports
Monday, 30 April 2007.
Latest News.... Draw with Oxfordshire gives Berks & Bucks runners up spot.
South West Counties Championship
Saturday 14th April 2007
Berks & Bucks FA 3 - Oxfordshire FA 3
Oxfordshire Youth Stun Berks & Bucks Youth with Fightback
The game started with Berks & Bucks taking early control on a difficult bumpy pitch, several chances went begging for both sides. Pressure by the home side saw a corner awarded. The resulting kick was precisely placed on Matthew Jones' head, at the far post, who made no mistake to make it 1 - 0 to Berks & Bucks.
In the 30th minute Matthew Jones made it 2 - 0 with another well directed header. He was proving a handful for the visitors. As the first half ended the home side were well in control and looked like being easy winners.
The second half started explosively. Almost immediately after kick off Oxfordshire were gifted a goal by the home keeper, who dropped the ball at a visiting forward's foot. A minute later scores were level at 2 - 2 with a direct shot over home goalkeeper's head direct into the net.
The visitors were now on top and dictating the game; and it was not surprising when they went 3 - 2 ahead with another well taken goal. Berks & Bucks were stunned at the turn around of the game and looked like staring defeat in the face; however they slowly began to take control again and were rewarded with an equaliser, when a free kick on their left was headed across the goal mouth where Charlie Moon, from an acute angle, put the ball into the visitors net.
Play remained scrappy for the rest of the half and with some players suffering from the hard pitch and hot weather conditions; it was to the relief of all when the referee blew the final whistle.
The 3 - 3 result was however enough to place the Berks & Bucks boys as runners up in their division within the South West Counties Championship.
Above report with thanks to Mr. Richard Custance.
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South West Counties Championship
Somerset FA 0 - 1 Berks & Bucks FA
Saturday 31st March 2007
The Berks & Bucks County Youth side travelled to Taunton to play the fourth of their five matches in group A of this season’s championship; but with Group ‘A’ having already been won by the Cornwall CFA Youth the previous week, there was only the Runner’s Up spot to be won.
On a bright but very windy day and the pitch being very hard and bumpy, both sides found it very difficult to control the ball and consequently the standard of football was poor. Both Counties had introduced some younger players for this fixture, and generally they fitted in well. Both keepers had to deal with high bouncing balls and had to be alert of “through balls” propelled by the wind. An uninspiring first half ended with the score at 0-0.
Shortly after the start of the second half, Berks & Bucks went ahead, with what turned out to be the winning and only goal of the game.
From play on the right wing, the ball was crossed low into the goal mouth, from where the Berks & Bucks captain James Prince was able to side foot the ball into the net through a melee of legs. The rest of the half was much like the first half - with no flowing football and nothing much to remember.
This 1-0 win places the Berks & Bucks side into the ‘Runners Up’ position in the league. Only the Oxfordshire side can attain the ‘Runners Up’ spot, and as the Berks & Bucks play the Oxfordshire in the last game of the “A” league it will all depend on that result. Berks & Bucks only need a draw to be ‘Runners Up’.
Berks & Bucks Youth - 9pts from 4 games
Oxfordshire Youth - 7pts from 4 games
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South West Counties Championship – Saturday 10th March 2007
Gloucestershire FA 2 – 5 Berks & Bucks FA - Played at Fairford Town FC
A solid rather than spectacular performance saw Berks & Bucks return to winning ways and thus keep their championship aspirations alive.
B&B took the lead after 4 minutes when Charles Moone headed home from a throw in. The lead was however short lived and the home side drew level within 2 minutes following some hesitant defending. The home sides cause was not helped when after 33 minutes they had a player sent off for a second caution. Just before half time, Moone made it 2-1 with a shot that gave the home keeper no chance.
The second half saw the visitors retain the control they had had for most of the first period, and it was no surprise when Matthew Jones made it 3-1 when pouncing on a mistake by the keeper. Stefan Brown increased the lead still further on 80 minutes with a great shot from the edge of the area. Adam Kissane added a fifth soon after following some excellent approach play.
With 2 minutes to go, the home side scored their second following a penalty; making the final score 5-2 to Berks & Bucks.
Team:
Corin Evans, Scott Dewar, Mick Bodraff, James Prince, Simon Dickenson, Scott Latham, Tom Osborne, Aiden Lewis, Charles Moone, Matthew Jones, Bradley Holt. Subs: Adam Kissane, Nick Luckacs, Oliver Sherwood, Adam Bell, Stefan Brown.
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South/South West Counties - Mick Parry Cup, Semi Final
Follwing up the poor performace the previous week, Berks & Bucks lost 3-1 away to Oxfordshire FA in this semi final.
What looked like being a very successful season is in danger of falling apart unless they find their form in the next fixture, a league match away to Somerset FA on Saturday 17th February.
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FA County Youth Cup - Quarter Final vs Surrey FA Saturday 20th January 2007.
Berks & Bucks gave a below par performance in this important match played on a superb surface at Thatcham Town. Although taking the lead and holding on until half time, they eventually lost 3-1. Surrey go on to play Suffolk FA in the Semi Final.
South West Counties Championship – Saturday 13th January 2007
Berks & Bucks FA 3 – 0 Army FA. Played at Buckingham Town FC. Click here for full match report with photos
FA County Youth Cup Competition
Saturday 16th December 2006
Kent FA 1 - 2 Berks & Bucks FA
The Berks and Bucks travelled to Kent on Saturday to play the rearranged Third Round Tie in the Football Association County Youth Cup Competition.
The game was changed to the home of Corinthians Football Club as the Chatham Town pitch was still unplayable. After the eventful journey to Falkham the team arrived at the ground to find a superb pitch and playing surface.
The Kent team played down the very slight slope in the first half and immediately from the kick off put the visitors under a lot of pressure for the first 15 minutes of the game. The Berks and Bucks defence soaked up this early pressure and kept their goal intact with goalkeeper Corin Evans making several good saves.
After 20 minutes the visitor’s centre forward Charlie Moone broke through the home side’s defence to leave himself in a one on one situation with Kent goalkeeper Danny Eason who made a brave save to deny an opening goal.
Again after 30 minutes, it was Charlie Moone who found himself in another one on one situation with the goalkeeper but his finish was weak allowing the goalkeeper to make another easy save.
Kent opened the scoring in the 35th minute when David Milton played a cross field pass to the right wing for Kane Rice to run onto. The Kent player beat Bradley Holt to the ball and cut inside and chipped the ball over the advancing Corin Evans to score with an excellent piece of finishing to give the home side the lead, which they held to half time.
The Berks and Bucks came out in the second half in a more determined mood and straight from the kick off attacked the Kent goal with several chances coming their way but unable to beat Danny Eason in the home goal.
The equaliser came after the constant pressure with Scott Latham finding the net with his goal bound shot being deflected pass the goalkeeper. In the 56th minute the home goalkeeper again made a brilliant save in pushing the ball out for a corner after a fierce Bradley Holt free kick.
Then in the 58th minute after good work down the left between Aiden Lewis and Bradley Holt, Lewis found himself in space to slot the ball into the net to give the Berks and Bucks the lead with a well taken goal. The visitors from this moment exerted more pressure on the home goal to no avail, with Danny Eason in excellent form preventing any further goals.
In the 76th minute a superb ball from the centre of the midfield by Tom Osborne found Matthew Jones in space who ran into the penalty area and was brought down by the Kent defender. From the resultant penalty Charlie Moone had his shot easily saved by the goalkeeper.
This save spurred the home side on as they went looking for an equaliser, but the Berks and Bucks defence were solid and held firm and when the defence was beaten the goalkeeper was there to deny any chance of a Kent equaliser. Several more chance came the visitor’s way in the final ten minutes of the match with Matthew Jones shooting just wide from good approach work from George Coyle.
The Berks and Bucks had dominated the second half of the match but had found Danny Eason in the home goal at his best with many excellent saves to deny them of increasing their lead.
TEAM: Corin Evans, Scott Dewar, Bradley Holt, James Prince, Steven Scales, Scott Latham, Tino Siragusa, Tom Osborne, Charlie Moone, Matthew Jones, Aiden Lewis.
SUBSTITUTES: George Coyle, Simon Dickinson, Matthew Hall. (All Used)
(Not Used) Stefan Brown, Thomas Willshere.
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Berks & Bucks FA 3-4 Cornwall FA -
South/South West Counties League
Saturday 25th November
Berks & Bucks impressive winning streak comes to end at Newbury.
Following heavy rain overnight and early morning, the pitch at Faraday Road, Newbury was passed fit and played very well throughout the match. The home side went into the game full of confidence following two very good wins in Cup games. Cornwall had already played two league fixtures in the championship picking up a win and draw.
After 5 minutes B&B had a dream start when Matthew Jones continued his scoring streak when he pounced on a hesitant defence to ram home from 10 yards. Steven Scales went close on 12 minutes following good approach play involving Bradley Holt, Aiden Lewis and Tino Siragusa.
Cornwall were not put off by the early home pressure and themselves went close to opening their account when Liam Dingle saw his shot go just the wrong side of the bar. On 15 minutes another good chance for B&B followed when Scott Dewar set up Matthew Jones but he could not beat David Jones in the visitors goal. Almost immediately Jones was called on again to make a tremendous save from Steven Scales.
After 22 minutes Cornwall were forced to make a substitution when Hugh Howlett replaced Mark Reckless. This move seemed to galvanise the visitors who began to gain more control.
The game was fairly even for long periods with both teams looking to break down some good defensive work. On 35 minutes Cornwall equalised when Liam Dingle, who was causing the home team a few problems, finished off a good move giving Corin Evans in the home goal no chance.
Before Half Time Cornwall went 2-1 up when Hugh Howlett ran on to a cross ball only 8 yards out to slot into the net.
Half Time 1-2
The second half opened with the visitors looking the stronger, but chances were still made by B&B, with both Steven Scales and Matthew Jones having good openings. After 70 minutes B&B made their first substitutions with Charles Moone & Stefan Brown replacing Simon Dickinson & Tino Siragusa. Matthew Hall gave the home side a great opportunity to equalise following a strong run down the left, but a great cross into the area was unable to be finished off. Corin Evans came to the home sides rescue again on 78 minutes bringing off a great save from Hugh Howlett. With less than 10 minutes remaining Adam Bell replaced Scott Dewar.
Cornwall extended their lead when on 85 minutes Scott Hill managed to get his toe to the ball in a crowded area. Those watching thought that that was the end, but in an incredible last few minutes, B&B brought the scores level after sub Charles Moone ran through the Cornwall defence to make it 2-3, and with only a minute of normal time left and under tremendous pressure the visitors conceded an own goal.
The home side and their supporters thought that they had secured a vital draw, but the Cornish lads had other ideas, and in the final seconds of the additional 5 minutes Hugh Howlett again found the net to send Cornwall’s players and supporters happy on their long journey home.
Full Time 3-4
Team:- Corin Evans, Thomas Osborne, Matthew Hall, James Prince, Simon Dickinson, Scot Dewar, Aiden Lewis, Steven Scales, Matthew Jones, Bradley Holt. Tino Siragusa,
Substitutes:- Thomas Willshere, Adam Bell, Marc Piper, Charles Moone, Stefan Brown.
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Berks & Bucks FA 4-1 Hampshire FA - Saturday 11th November 2006
Berks & Bucks eased into the Semi Finals of the Mick Parry Memorial Cup with an emphatic win over the holders Hampshire at Thatcham on Saturday.
After 5 minutes Matthew Jones scored the first of his three goals, running on to a through ball he easily slotted the ball paste the advancing keeper. He made it 2 after another 5 minutes with a spectacular 25 yard free kick. He completed his hat tick on 35 minutes with a looping header from a Charlie Moone cross.
The second half saw Hampshire trying to get something from the game, but had to wait until the 80th minute for their reward. However, within 2 minutes substitute Stefan Brown collected a great pass from Aiden Lewis to slot pass the keeper to make the final result 4-1.
Berks & Bucks will be away to Oxfordshire FA in the semi final, the date and venue still to be arranged.
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Saturday 21st October 2006 -- Berks & Bucks travelled to Wroxham on the Norfolk Broads for their Second Round Tie in the FA County Youth Cup. Norfolk had progressed to the first round thanks to a 3-0 away win over Dorset FA, Berks & Bucks receiving a bye.
The game opened at a quick pace with both sides eager to gain the early advantage. The home side went into the match as favourites following their visitors last below par performance against Northamptonshire FA.
After 19 minutes the visitors took the lead following good work down the left from Matthew Jones for James Prince to slot home. It took the home side less than a minute to draw level with B&B still in celebratory mood following their opening goal.
Berks & Bucks recovered well and soon began to gain authority in all areas of the field. On 31 minutes when Bradley Holt ran on to a loose ball and lobbed the advancing keeper only to see the ball fall inches the wrong side of the post. However within 2 minutes their advantage was turned into a goal when James Prince ran on to a right field cross to head home from 6 yards.
Within another 2 minutes the score line was 3-1 to Berks & Bucks when the home keeper was caught out by a back pass which allowed Steven Scales to score. The visitors went further ahead on 42 minutes when Charles Moone added a forth, running on to a loose ball he hit a 20yard shot that the home keeper failed to reach.
Half Time: 1-4
The second half opened with the home side trying to increase the pressure on Corin Evans in the B&B goal; however anything he was asked to deal with was competently dealt with. As the second half continued, Norfolk became increasingly resigned to loosing, and slowly Berks & Bucks regained control and were happy to hold out for full time. B&B added a fifth and final goal after 86 minutes when Tino Siragusa beat the home defence with a 20 yard run and shot to the right of the keeper to make the final score 5-1 to Berks & Bucks.
A fine team performance with every player playing his part. Their reward for this win is another away tie to the winners of Northamptonshire v Kent, the game having to be played before 10th December.
Team:- Corin Evans, Thomas Osborne, Matthew Hall, James Prince, Simon Dickenson, Scot Latham, Charles Moone, Aiden Lewis, Steven Scales, Matthew Jones, Bradley Holt.
Substitutes:- Rory Brabant, Scott Dewar, Tino Siragusa, Adam Bell, Mark Piper.
UNDER 18 REP TEAM REPORTS
30 April 2007