Match Report

Earls Colne 1 – Heybridge Youth 4
(J Burrage)

This week it was the turn of top of the table Heybridge to visit our humble abode. After last week’s goalfest, we knew that this week was going to be a more frugal affair as they had more coaches than Brandons.

The weather was dry but cold and blowy. Unfortunately we lost the toss and started downhill, which meant we were going to face a tough second half. More of that later, but in the meantime we started well, forcing HY on their collective back foot. We should have had a penalty within the first few minutes, when their defender played basketball, however, the ref was still asleep, and let it go.

We went in at half time (if only we could!) with the score at 1-1. For the majority of the half we had played well, competing all over the pitch. To be fair we did not create much, and we certainly did not make enough of the advantage of playing with the wind down the slope, but we were doing well. George was playing well, and little got passed him. If it did, Thomas was there with a string of fine saves. With ten minutes of the half remaining our old weaknesses surfaced. HY had a period of sustained pressure, due to our inability to win a physical challenge, kick a ball or defend properly. I stood on the touch line and said ‘They will now score.’ And they did.

To our credit we fought back, and Harry led the way with a sliced shot that fell to James who thumped it home. Jake had a monster free kick and Louis snapped a shot that the keeper saved, but the whistle went with the scores equal.

We knew we were in for a torrid time, and within minutes of the second half starting we went behind. In fact HY scored three goals in the second half, and each of them were well finished. The problem was that we were overrun in midfield, and when we did clear, the ball just came back. It was a shame that some of the lads worked so hard whilst some others shirked the physical challenge. Two players stood out – James and George. Both fought for every ball, and for James it was his most physical and positive performance of the season, for which he won man of the match.

HY were a good team, and a nice bunch. I look forward to meeting them again soon.

Thanks to Rob Harrison, the Dixons, Mr Burrage and Val for helping out, and to James for running the line. Please don’t be shy about offering help, it shouldn’t always be the same people doing everything.

Man of the Match – James Burrage – The tiger is out!




		Under 12s Match Report



		Earls Colne 1 – Heybridge Youth 4 (J Burrage) This week it was the turn of top of the table Heybridge to visit our humble abode. After last week’s goalfest, we knew that this week was going to be a more frugal affair as they had more coaches than Brandons. The weather was dry but cold and blowy. Unfortunately we lost the toss and started downhill, which meant we were going to face a tough second half. More of that later, but in the meantime we started well, forcing HY on their collective back foot. We should have had a penalty within the first few minutes, when their defender played basketball, however, the ref was still asleep, and let it go. We went in at half time (if only we could!) with the score at 1-1. For the majority of the half we had played well, competing all over the pitch. To be fair we did not create much, and we certainly did not make enough of the advantage of playing with the wind down the slope, but we were doing well. George was playing well, and little got passed him. If it did, Thomas was there with a string of fine saves. With ten minutes of the half remaining our old weaknesses surfaced. HY had a period of sustained pressure, due to our inability to win a physical challenge, kick a ball or defend properly. I stood on the touch line and said ‘They will now score.’ And they did. To our credit we fought back, and Harry led the way with a sliced shot that fell to James who thumped it home. Jake had a monster free kick and Louis snapped a shot that the keeper saved, but the whistle went with the scores equal. We knew we were in for a torrid time, and within minutes of the second half starting we went behind. In fact HY scored three goals in the second half, and each of them were well finished. The problem was that we were overrun in midfield, and when we did clear, the ball just came back. It was a shame that some of the lads worked so hard whilst some others shirked the physical challenge. Two players stood out – James and George. Both fought for every ball, and for James it was his most physical and positive performance of the season, for which he won man of the match. HY were a good team, and a nice bunch. I look forward to meeting them again soon. Thanks to Rob Harrison, the Dixons, Mr Burrage and Val for helping out, and to James for running the line. Please don’t be shy about offering help, it shouldn’t always be the same people doing everything. Man of the Match – James Burrage – The tiger is out!