Under 16 Representative Matches

This was the last match for the Berks & Bucks U16 team, needing a win to maintain their 100% winning record, & finishing Champions of this competition this season.

A draw would also give them the Championship, but a win was what they were after.

They got off to a disastrous start. Somerset came off their blocks flying- & before

They new what had happened  Somerset were 2-0 up. The front runners of the Somerset side were causing havoc amongst the Berks & Bucks defence, who up to this point of the Competition had looked a good unit. Berks & Bucks looked tentative and unsure of their game, and were again punished – for being half hearted, when the Somerset number 7 broke through and scored their third goal. Berks & Bucks looked shell shocked at what had happened in such a short time. At this point it looked as though Berks & Bucks were going to get a very heavy defeat. The Berks & Bucks

Manager- Natalie Huntley - must have wondered what she was seeing. & what she could do to get Berks & Bucks back into the match. Making a couple of substitutions, and tactical changes, did quell the tide of attacks, & Berks & Bucks began to get some of their own attacks going. Berks & Bucks reduced the arrears when in the 30^th min. an attack down the Berks & Bucks right flank found Josh Poulter- who played his way into the Somerset “area” and produced a terrific shot  past the Somerset goalkeeper to make it 3-1 to Somerset. But having had a good spell & looking likely

to get back into the game- Berks & Bucks failed to deal with a long ball- and were

 again punished for  untidy defending, allowing Somerset to go 4-1 up.

The Berks & Bucks  “keeper” Gian Tonna   who had had no cover in front of him, had to produce Two very good saves, to stop Somerset going further ahead before half time. Berks & Bucks started the second half much brighter, and looked as if they meant business, putting the Somerset  defence under attack. The defence were looking a much better unit, and began to find runners off the ball. From a good wide ball which found Carl Self on the left flank, a good attack built up, to give Andrew Wells the chance to score, which he promptly did- reducing the arrears to 4-2 to Somerset.

The game was beginning to change with Berks & Bucks gaining more confidence, and Somerset not producing the form they did in the first half. Several more chances  came Berks & Bucks way , which they failed to turn into goals, but it was now the turn of the Somerset side to look under pressure and unsure of their game.

Berks & Bucks were now in control & producing their best form of the match so far-

Their pressure was rewarded in the 65^th minute- when substitute and ‘new boy’ Karl Prestige scored with a well taken goal- to make the score 4-3 to Somerset.

Berks & Bucks were now looking to get something out of the game.

Somerset began to create some chances, and only first class goalkeeping from Gian Tonna prevented Somerset from opening up the gap of goals again.

Berks &Bucks were desperately unlucky not to level up the score- when Karl Prestige produced a thunderous shot which smashed against the underside of the Somerset crossbar and out again, an almighty scramble took place- with Berks & Bucks having three further attempts to get the ball into the goal, but somehow.  Somerset got bodies in the way- and the ball was cleared. Berks &Bucks continued to take the game to Somerset- but in turn had to be resolute in defence to stem attacks from Somerset- Ginna Tonna again being called upon to keep his goal intact.

Try as they might- Berk& Bucks could not get that one extra goal they need to win the competition –and so when the final whistle went at 4-3 to Somerset- it meant that Berks & Bucks must rely on the results of two remaining games to see if they would be the champions. This was a game that Berks & Bucks could & should have won. For three and a half games Berks &Bucks were probably the best all-round side in this years competition- only a poor first half performance in this match stopped

them gaining four straight wins & being outright champions.

Report submitted by Mr. Richard Custance

for long- almost immediately Josh Pearson equalised, with a cleverly taken goal. Within 5 minutes Berks & Bucks were 2-1 up-as Josh Pearson again scored, with a shot that hit the inside of the Gloucestershire goal post- the ball went across the goal line and into the net. Try as they might the Gloucestershire attack could not get a shot on the Berks & Bucks goal. A pile driver of a shot from Carl self was well saved by the home keeper. Berks & Buck were now well on top. Just as Gloucestershire were beginning to get back into the game. Josh Pearson dealt them another blow- getting his hat trick goal & putting Berks & Bucks 3-1 up.

Berks & Bucks defence were working well & dealing with any potential dangers. Berks & Bucks goalkeeper Gian Tonna made a brilliant save at the feet of Gloucestershire’s No: 8 when he went through un-challenged. The whistle went to end the half- with Berks & Bucks doing well after their early set back. The trio up front of Carl Self- Lee Barney and

Josh Pearson having given Gloucestershire defence a torrid time.

Berks & Bucks started the second half with Kaine Murray in charge between the posts-Gloucestershire also making substitutions.

Un-believably the same scenario was played out as at the start of the match- Gloucestershire making the first break through to make it 3-2 to Berks & Bucks-almost immediately Berks & Buck restored their two goal lead when Ben Wickens was quick of the mark, beating the last defender to the ball, and then placed the ball under the home keepers body and into the net, to make it 4-2 to the visitors. This swift & telling reply for the second time in the match- seemed to disturb the home side’s rhythm, and once again Berks & Bucks were in control.

Berks & Bucks FA (3) – Dorset FA (2)

The game was played on an excellent Marlow FC surface. After winning their first match in this competition against the Guernsey U16’s- Berks & Bucks were looking to gain another victory to give them a good position in the league.

Dorset made the better start, putting the home defence under pressure, and almost scored when a very good cross on the Dorset right flank, landed on top of the

B&B net.   A breakaway by Berks & Bucks midfield led to Josh Pearson having a snap shot, but the Dorset keeper was well positioned to save.

Lee Barney chasing down a through ball made the visiting keeper mis-kick, but he

recovered to quell the attack.  The home side were beginning to trouble the

Dorset defence especially down the wings, where Lee Barney & Carl Self began to make chances which were not converted to goals. With the B&B manager

regularly changing these players to opposite wings- the visitors were finding it hard work to stop the home side from scoring. A corner was well held by the Dorset keeper. At the other end Dorset had a corner which in turn was well collected by Gian Tonna. The game was now going the home sides way, with Lee Barney causing all sorts of problems for the Dorset defence. The opening goal came for

Berks & Bucks-when Jamie Winter scored from a good pass by Lee Barney.

The goal gave Berks & Bucks the spur they wanted, and were well in control

with Dorset unable to quell the attacks coming fast and furious.

In the 25^th minute a free kick was awarded to home side, which Josh Pearson took with devastating effect to put his side 2 goals up.. At this point it was one way traffic,

with B&B having their best period of play. They went further ahead in the 38^th minute when the ball fell to Josh Pearson, 20 yards from goal, who unleashed a tremendous shot which gave the Dorset goalkeeper no chance.

The half ended with home side still on the attack, and good value for their 3-0 lead

The Dorset side had obviously been “Geed” up at half time and were instantly on the attack. Several of these attacks were repelled by good work from the home sides back line. A chance fell to the home side, which Lee Barney created , but the Dorset keeper pushed wide. Dorset were coming more into the match, with attacks being made at regular intervals. Substitutions were made by the Berks & Bucks  management in midfield- which seemed to upset  their flow of play. The visitors were pressing hard to get back in the  match, and it was not long before they got their first goal. From a corner taken by Dorset a mix up in the home “area” lead somehow to the ball being scrambled into the home net.

Berks & Bucks were finding it hard work repelling the Dorset attacks and the two central defenders for the home side were working heroically to stem the tide of these attacks-

Josh Poulter particularly remaining strong; further substitutions were made by both

sides as players became tired from their first half efforts. Berks & Bucks were beginning to get back into the game, when Dorset scored their second goal, after

breaking up an attack, and slack marking , leaving the Dorset  No.9 the easy task of putting the ball into the net.

With the re-introduction of  Josh Pearson, Lee Barney & Carl Self gave back Berks & Bucks some welcome relief in defence, and soon started to mount some well constructed attacks, from one of these Josh Pearson was left unmarked on the edge of the “area”, giving him the chance to make the game safe  for the Berks & Bucks- but his shot was directed straight into the Dorset keepers arms.

With time running out – Dorset almost drew level when another chance fell to them in the home “area” and only a reaction save with his left hand  by the home goalkeeper kept the ball out of the net. Berks & Bucks had now regained their composure and might  have got a fourth goal when Carl Self created his own chance, only to shoot wide. After their very good first half performance, Berks & Bucks were relieved that they didn’t throw it all away in the second half.

Natalie Huntley the Berks & Bucks manager was delighted to have  gained two

wins out of two games. With six points Berks & Bucks are n a good  position

in the league- and gives all concerned reason to press forward in the next two matches.

Report submitted by Mr. Richard Custance

DORSET F. A.  AWAY - Lost 3-2
A good all round performance was not quite good enough for the first ever match at under 16 representative level in Berks & Bucks away to Dorset. Due to the recent bad weather, the final trial had only taken place the previous Monday evening at Didcot Town. With the players all new to one another, they settled down well and quickly started to play some attractive football. Chances were few for both sides and it was not until the 38 minute that Lee Crowdy opened the scoring for Berks & Bucks after a tremendous save only seconds earlier from his keeper Luke Parker Hodds.

The defence were coping quite well with the home sides attacks, being well marshalled by Sam Byrne and Ross Miller. The half time lead was just about deserved.

The second half started with the home team looking to draw level early on, but more good defensive play frustrated the Dorset players. They eventually scored the goal that their play had deserved, with the B&B players stopping anticipating a free kick in their favour which allowed Dorset an easy opportunity to score.

Both managers had used the second half to take the opportunity to use the repeated substitutions rule, but with credit to players from both sides, this did not seem to alter the flow of play. Following some good approach work Dorset took the lead on 70 minutes. The visitors then mounted several attacks to try to even the score, and their endeavours were rewarded with 2 minutes remaining when James Bishop ran on to a through ball to slot home past the Dorset keeper. However, they were soon to realise that concentration is required for the whole match when within 30 seconds the home side scored the winning goal after a defensive mix up allowed an easy tap home.

The final whistle came too early for Berks & Bucks to mount another meaningful attack and so lost their first competitive match. However the signs for the future were good with some outstanding performances from several of the players, with possibly the pick of them midfielder David Bellis.