11th November
Earls Colne 7 – Bergholt Heath 1
Luke 2, Harry 2, Louis 3.
The wind was whipping the temperature down and black clouds hung ominously to the north, but the foreboding signs were for Bergholt and not for us.
We started with Luke up front with Harry, with James moving to right midfield, Sam in the centre and Cameron on the left. It soon became apparent that the match could repeat the pattern of the previous week, with Bergholt packing the midfield forcing much of the play to resemble scenes from The Who’s Tommy. When we did break through Bergholt proved to have fast and strong defenders who stifled Harry on a number of occasions.
Then, a breakthrough. Luke crossed the ball but their keeper could only spoon the ball in the air, for Harry to scramble a header over the line. Bergholt were turning us but a key difference was that we at least attempted to pass our way out of trouble. There were a couple of our customary slices but the combined work of Patrick, George, Calum and Jake protected Thomas from any serious threat.
Our second goal was deserved and delightful. Sam controlled a goal kick and flicked the ball to Harry, who jumped and cushioned a fabulous header down to Luke. Despite having defenders on either side Luke collected the ball and thumped it passed their keeper. We went in at half time three up following Harry’s second strike – his persistence paid off as he latched onto a through ball and drilled low into the net.
The three goal cushion allowed some changes to be made, so Callum was sent on as left midfield, Jamie as right back and Daniel as centre midfield. The first quarter of the half saw much endeavour but little goal mouth action. Once again the game was being drawn into the middle. It was as if a huge plug hole was dragging the ball and the boys to all swirl around in the centre. ‘More width’ I kept crying, but to no avail.
Callum probably had the best chance, suddenly finding himself with time and space with only the keeper to beat. Such was his fortune that he seemed stunned, but recovered well to fire a shot that was neatly saved by the well positioned keeper.
Then Louis switched with Harry, and the goals arrived. I am not too sure of the order, but certainly Luke picked up his second, beating the offside trap, advancing at pace and coolly slotting the ball home. The through ball had come from Calum, who commanded Jamie to leave the ball as he had already spotted the excellent movement from Luke. Louis scored three very similar goals from an inside left position. One was with his left foot, but the pick of the trio came following a quite brilliant run from Harry. Such was the ease as he glided past at least three defenders that I recalled Archie Gemmel weaving his way past Dutch defenders. (Kids – ask your parents.) Unselfishly he knocked the ball inside for Louis to score.
The value of George in defence was highlighted when he was substituted. ( Each substitution was to ensure all the lads got a game and kept warm – I don’t think anyone deserved to come off). Anyway, Bergholt attacked our left wing. Jake had been concentrating on attack for most of the half and was stranded up field. The Bergholt striker had too much pace for our defence and hit a powerful strike low into the corner of Thomas’ net. It was the least that Bergholt deserved. Our advantage was so great that we shrugged our shoulders and got on with the game.
Patrick, Daniel, Jake and Calum all had particularly good games, but the three goal scorers were the difference between the sides. Luke was the pick of the bunch and picked up Man of the Match.
Harder days will follow, but today we can bask in the glow of consecutive wins. Well done boys.
Thanks to Kevin, Rob and Paul for practical help, Val for snacks, and all others for cheering us on.
DLA
