U13s 'Bls' Reports

Brixington Blues got the tournament season off to a flying start at St Martins, Exminster. This tournament has proved to be a happy hunting ground for the Blues who have now appeared in the final three years running. This year they had to settle for the runners-up spot, after being narrowly beaten 1-0 by the winners, Stoke Hill Juniors.

The Blues won four of their seven group matches (scorers in brackets), drew one and lost the other two. They beat Broadclyst A 2-0 (Luke Moody 2), Heavitree Dynamos 1-0 (Jake Preece), Dawlish Yellow 1-0 (Ben Walker) and Dawlish United 2-0 (Andy McInnes, Moody), drew 1-1 with Broadclyst B (Preece) and lost 0-1 to Stoke Hill Juniors and 0-1 to Colyton Youth.

Next they won their semi-final when a corner from Preece was deflected into his own net by a Colyton defender and the stage was set for another tough encounter with Stoke Hill Juniors.

As expected, the final was a hard-fought battle between two good, well-matched sides. Stoke Hill got the all-important goal, then defended desperately to prevent the Blues from scoring. Congratulations to Stoke Hill, tournament winners!

Blues: - Billy Zberowski, Andy McInnes, Jake Preece, Ollie Stowe, Ben Walker, Luke Moody, and Dan King.

Stoke Hill Juniors                  7          6          0          1          18
Colyton Youth                         7          5          0          2          15
Brixington Blues                    7          4          1          2          14
Heavitree Dynamos              7          3          2          2          11
Broadclyst B                          7          1          3          3             7
Dawlish Utd                            7         1          3          3             6
Broadclyst A                          7          1          2          4             5
Dawlish Yellow                      7          1          1          5             4

Having completed their league programme last week, Brixington Blues played this friendly match to help Honiton tune up for their cup final against Pinhoe on 20^th May.

With several players unavailable or injured (it borrowed one from Honiton to make up the number), the weakened Blues side was a credit to its club as it still managed to produce quality football and provided its opponents with an excellent workout.

Until he was injured in the second half, one of their Men of the Match, Ben Wiltshire, followed up last week’s ‘save of the season’ by looking unbeatable in the Blues goal. The other, Jake Preece, was again dominant in midfield breaking up many Honiton attacks with his well-timed tackles and starting many Blues attacks with his excellent distribution.

Blues took the lead when Luke Moody followed up well to beat a defender who was much closer to the ball and tap it into the net. He then scored his second with a superb shot into the top corner of the goal which gave the keeper no chance at all and the weakened Blues team thoroughly deserved their 2-0 lead at half time.

Honiton grew stronger in the second half and reduced the deficit before eventually equalising. Both sides pressed hard for the winner, but neither could score it and in the end a draw was a good result.

Blues: - Billy Zberowski, Jake Preece, Andy McInnes, Lewie Farrant, Ben Walker, Dan Reynolds, Luke Moody, Ben Wiltshire, Dan King, and Jamie Pinn.

Brixington Blues ended the season with a convincing victory over Countess Wear Dynamos. Some of the football they played was dazzling, but so were some of their misses in front of goal. The points gained enabled them to overtake Bow and finish in third place. A reasonable position, but lower than it should have been!

Although under pressure for much of the game, Countess Wear were unlucky not to snatch the lead when their superbly struck free kick, which looked unstoppable, was tipped over the bar by Blues keeper Ben Wiltshire at full stretch – a fantastic save and a magnificent effort!

The Blues opened the scoring when Ryan Fraser-Roe’s long free kick was played on by Luke Moody for Jacob Bellamy to provide the finish. Moody then ran the ball round the keeper before firing it home, making the score 2-0 at the interval.

Ben Walker received the ball from another Fraser-Roe free kick and took it on strongly before providing the perfect cross for Moody to tap home his second. He completed his hat trick when, with his back to the Dynamos goal, he shot on the turn giving the keeper no chance. Moody added his fourth goal when he followed up Andy McInnes’ shot and tapped the ball in from close range.

Countess Wear scored a consolation goal, but a superb ground passing movement ended with Billy Zberowski getting Blues goal number six, his first this season.

Blues Men of the Match were Jake Preece and Luke Moody.
Blues:- Billy Zberowski, Jake Preece, Andy McInnes, Ryan Fraser-Roe, Darryn Carpenter-Cossey, Lewie Farrant, Ben Walker, Dan Reynolds, Luke Moody, Ben Wiltshire, Dan King, and Jacob Bellamy.

Brixington Blues penultimate match of the season was interesting, to say the least. They dominated the first half and led 5-0 at the break. But were then unable to cope with the high balls bouncing down the slope which West Hill used to cause panic in their defence after the interval.

Luke Moody opened the scoring following a through pass from Ben Walker. Then central defender Lewie Farrant headed a great corner from Ryan Fraser-Roe powerfully into the net. Next came a superb goal from Fraser-Roe who beat two defenders, turned and hammered an unstoppable shot past the helpless keeper. Dan King sent an excellent cross to Moody who unselfishly passed it on for Walker to score the fourth. Then another great cross from King was tapped home by Moody for goal number five.

Moody completed his hat trick from King’s well-weighted cross, but then West Hill started a spirited comeback and scored the next two goals. They put the Blues defence under serious pressure for much of the second half, proving that although 2-6 down they were far from being out.

A superb passing movement across the width of the pitch involving Jamie Pinn and Billy Zberowski ended with a goal from King. Finally, defender Darryn Carpenter-Cossey scored his first goal this season by placing his penalty kick accurately into the corner of the net.

Blues: - Billy Zberowski, Jake Preece, Andy McInnes, Ryan Fraser-Roe, Darryn Carpenter-Cossey, Lewie Farrant, Ben Walker, Dan Reynolds, Luke Moody, Ben Wiltshire, Dan King, and Jamie Pinn.

This was make or break for the Blues and unfortunately they lost a match which they needed to win to have a realistic chance of the runners up spot in their league, which now seems almost certain to go to Honiton.

Only a week earlier, Bow had received the huge psychological boost of being awarded all three points against the league champions, Stoke Hill, who have not lost a match all season – three points Bow could never have expected to get, had the match been played.

Bow took the lead in the ninth minute and increased it to 2-0 at the interval. The Blues reduced the arrears through Luke Moody following a pass from Ryan Fraser-Roe, but Bow scored again to dent the Blues hopes. Shane Fyles scored with a well-placed shot from the right to set up an all-or-nothing bid by the Blues for the equaliser. Unfortunately, however, in pressing forward they exposed themselves at the back and were punished when Bow scored again to make the game safe.

Bow were really up for this match and worked very hard to prevent the Blues from settling and playing their passing football. Blues Man of the Match, Jake Preece, battled hard and tackled tenaciously. Ryan Fraser-Roe had another great match, was unlucky not to score with two tremendous shots and didn’t deserve to be on the losing side. But the Blues could not overcome the absence of Joe Harnick, sidelined through injury, and left huge gaps in the midfield for Bow to exploit.

Scorers: - Moody; Fyles:
Blues: - Billy Zberowski, Jake Preece, Andy McInnes, Ryan Fraser-Roe, Shane Fyles, Darryn Carpenter-Cossey, Lewie Farrant, Ben Walker, Dan Reynolds, Luke Moody, Ben Wiltshire, Jacob Bellamy, Dan King, Ollie Stowe and Jamie Pinn.

Countess Wear Dynamos 1-12 Blues

The Blues maintained their fine run of form in their push to be runners up in the league, which has already been won – congratulations to Stoke Hill.

A goal in the opening minute was just what the Blues needed, as the Countess Wear keeper fumbled the ball and Ben Walker was on hand to punish his error. Next, Dan King knocked the ball back for Ryan Fraser-Roe to score with a great cross shot. Luke Moody chipped the ball gently over the keeper into the net, then Jake Preece scored number four when the keeper failed to stop his shot at the near post. Shane Fyles found the target after receiving a pass from Moody. Then Lewie Farrant made no mistake by blasting his penalty past the keeper, and the score at half time was 6-0.

King scored the next two goals – the first after he had picked up a loose ball in the box and the second when he chipped the keeper following a neat little interchange with Moody.

Countess Wear then scored their consolation goal before normal service was resumed when Jacob Bellamy received a superb pass from Fraser-Roe and made the score 9-1. Fyles added his second by heading the ball over the keeper from Jamie Pinn’s pass. Dan Reynold’s then crossed the ball for Walker to score his second goal and Fyles completed his hat trick with the final goal of the match.

This was another superb all round team performance and the goals are starting to flow more freely from all the chances which are being created. The Blues Man of the Match went to Dan King and Ryan Fraser-Roe.

Scorers: - Fyles 3; Walker 2; King 2;Fraser Roe; Moody; Preece; Farrant: Bellamy:
Blues: - Billy Zberowski, Jake Preece, Andy McInnes, Ryan Fraser-Roe, Shane Fyles, Darryn Carpenter-Cossey, Lewie Farrant, Ben Walker, Dan Reynolds, Luke Moody, Ben Wiltshire, Jacob Bellamy, Dan King, Ollie Stowe and Jamie Pinn.

Brixington Blues started brightly playing excellent team football throughout the defence, midfield and attack. Despite all the goal-scoring chances they created, however, the goals themselves proved hard to come by, especially in the first half of the match. Shane Fyles finally put the Blues ahead after the Sidmouth keeper had fumbled the ball, but they failed to find the target again until after the interval.

The Blues maintained their pressure and were rewarded with four more goals in the second half. First, Jake Preece won the ball, beat a defender and sent a great cross over for Dan King to lash the ball into the net from close range. Then Joe Harnick took the ball past a defender and placed his shot accurately past the Sidmouth keeper. He scored again when the keeper dropped the ball and he was on hand to provide the finish. Finally, Sidmouth conceded an own goal when one of their defenders headed the ball into his own net.

The Blues had been outstanding from start to finish and should really have scored several more goals. Sidmouth deserve credit for battling right to the finish, but the Blues defenders refused to relax their grip or concede a single goal.

As well as the outstanding Blues team play, there were several excellent individual performances. Jake Preece was awarded Blues man of the match for his strong tackling, denying Sidmouth space in midfield and providing a supply of superbly weighted passes, opening up the Sidmouth defence on numerous occasions.

Blues: - Billy Zberowski, Jake Preece, Andy McInnes, Ryan Fraser-Roe, Shane Fyles, Joe Harnick, Lewie Farrant, Ben Walker, Dan Reynolds, Luke Moody, Ben Wiltshire, Jacob Bellamy and Dan King.

This sparkling performance was exactly what the Blues needed after last week’s disappointing display in the cup. From the first whistle to the last, they kept Pinhoe under constant pressure, playing quality football in every department and using both flanks much more effectively than they have done recently.

Jake Preece opened the scoring when he received a short corner from Ryan Fraser-Roe and beat two defenders to make space for his shot which struck a third on its way into the net. Jacob Bellamy scored the next goal, then Preece tapped a free kick to Joe Harnick, standing beside him, which Harnick placed coolly and accurately wide of the keeper into the corner of the net. Another goal, this time from Shane Fyles, and the score at half time was 4-0.

The Blues pressed on relentlessly in the second half and Dan King scored with a strong shot from the left flank. Fyles then collected a pass from Harnick to add the sixth goal and a great cross from Harnick, on the right, was headed home by Bellamy for number seven. Harnick ran the ball in to score from close range. Then Bellamy brought the ball down well and calmly placed it past the keeper to complete his hat trick and the scoring for his side.

Pinhoe deserve credit for battling to the finish, but the Blues continued to dominate and could have had several more goals. Now the Blues must find the consistency to maintain this superb all round team performance for the remainder of the season.

Scorers: - Bellamy 3; Harnick 2; Fyles 2; Preece; King:
Blues: - Billy Zberowski, Jake Preece, Andy McInnes, Ryan Fraser-Roe, Shane Fyles, Joe Harnick, Lewie Farrant, Darryn Carpenter-Cossey, Dan Reynolds, Luke Moody, Ben Wiltshire, Jacob Bellamy and Dan King.

Blues 1-9 Heavitree Youth
(Cup)

Although Brixington Blues started brightly enough, they failed to maintain their form as more and more went wrong and Heavitree coped much more effectively against the blustery wind in the first half than the Blues did after the break.

Blues took the lead in the third minute when Dan King followed up a great through ball from Jake Preece, challenged the Heavitree keeper and bundled the ball into the net. They continued to create chances, but failed to add to their score and Heavitree equalised. The Blues then conceded three more goals to trail 1-4 at half time.

Heavitree became more and more dominant and added five second half goals. Too many Blues players didn’t perform to anything like their true potential for much of the match. They were second to the ball far too often, making it easy for Heavitree to dictate far too much of the play. One of the Blues strengths is usually their passing ability, but this deserted them today and they gave the ball away far too cheaply.

For the Blues it was a very disappointing exit from the cup, with plenty of lessons to be learned. They certainly need to become much more resolute when things are going badly. The saddest aspect was the scoreline, because although Heavitree are an excellent side, passed the ball quickly and intercepted so many of the Blues moves before they were able to develop, the Blues are much better than today’s performance. Now they must overcome this setback and get back on track in the league, next week.

Scorer: - King:
Blues: - Billy Zberowski, Jake Preece, Andy McInnes, Ryan Fraser-Roe, Shane Fyles, Ben Walker, Joe Harnick, Lewie Farrant, Darryn Carpenter-Cossey, Ollie Stowe, Dan Reynolds, Luke Moody, Ben Wiltshire and Dan King.

This was a really great match and every player in both teams should be proud of the part they played in it.

The pitch sloped heavily from end to end, but dropped away even more viciously in the bottom corner. The Blues had the benefit of the slope in the first half, but failed to take sufficient advantage. So although Shane Fyles opened the scoring when he skilfully lobbed the Honiton keeper and the Blues maintained their pressure throughout the half, at times playing some superb football, they couldn’t find the net again. Then they conceded a goal and the score at half time was 1-1.

The second half started with Honiton piling on the pressure and they duly scored the next goal. The Blues dug deep, however, and Fyles equalised when he shot well past the keeper from the flank. Honiton continued to take advantage of the slope and again they went ahead.

Still the Blues refused to yield and eventually Joe Harnick ran on strongly up the slope, took the ball round the Honiton keeper and equalised at 3-3. Both sides then went after the winner and Fyles it was who scored it to complete his hat trick and share the Blues man of the match award with Harnick.

This thrilling match had everything, including great refereeing. Well done, everyone!

Scorers: - Fyles 3; Harnick;
Blues: - Billy Zberowski, Jake Preece, Andy McInnes, Shane Fyles, Ben Walker, Joe Harnick, Lewie Farrant, Darryn Carpenter-Cossey, Ollie Stowe, Dan Reynolds, Luke Moody, Jamie Pinn, Ben Wiltshire and Dan King.

This was a match the Blues could not afford to lose if they were to have a realistic chance of overhauling Stoke Hill, the current leaders, to win the league. Their failure to win the game, despite starting so brightly, means that Stoke Hill have still not lost a match and now look certain to retain the number one spot right through to the end of the season.

The Blues set the pace from the first whistle, playing great football and making their pressure count by opening the scoring early in the match when a superb corner from Ryan Fraser-Roe was headed down by Joe Harnick and Luke Moody reacted quickest to crack the ball into the net. The Blues continued to pile on the pressure, and Stoke Hill must have been very surprised when instead of going further behind they were presented with the softest of equalisers and half time arrived with the score at 1-1.

Shortly after the interval, more poor defending allowed Stoke Hill to score their second and take the lead. After that they never looked back as their confidence grew and their increased commitment and passion, together with their greater size and physical strength allowed them to dominate the rest of the second half with the rugged but fair football which has made them unbeatable so far this season and worthy winners of this match.

Stoke Hill proceeded to score two more and extend their lead to 4-1, before Harnick ran onto a great pass from Fraser-Roe to end the scoring for the Blues and the match. As Stoke Hill piled on the pressure, Blues keeper Billy Zberowski had to make a string of outstanding saves which resulted in his being awarded the Blues Man of the Match.

The main difference between the two sides this season is that Stoke Hill refuse to give anything away and make their opponents earn every goal, whereas half the goals the Blues concede are gifts. Unless the Blues can get much meaner, stop giving all these soft goals away and make it much more difficult for their opponents to score, they won’t even be runners up in the league and will make no further progress in the cup.

Blues: - Billy Zberowski, Jake Preece, Andy McInnes, Shane Fyles, Ben Walker, Ryan Fraser-Roe, Joe Harnick, Darryn Carpenter-Cossey, Ollie Stowe, Dan Reynolds, Jacob Bellamy, Luke Moody, Jamie Pinn, Ben Wiltshire and Dan King.

Brixington Blues expected a tough match away to Bow Eagles, second in the league table one place above them, but took all the points with an outstanding all round team performance.

The Blues started brightly when Shane Fyles turned and chipped the ball to Joe Harnick, who lobbed it into the net. Harnick scored again when he slotted home a great free kick from Jamie Pinn, on the left. The next goal went to Bow and the score was 2-1 at half time.

Harnick completed his hat trick when he collected the ball and took it on, brushing aside several tackles before placing his shot well clear of the keeper. Fyles then scored a delightful goal by turning and lobbing the ball high over the keeper. Harnick concluded the scoring with a long, high, left-footed shot which gave the keeper no chance.

As well as playing some superb football, the Blues had all worked very hard to achieve this excellent result. Their Man of the Match, Joe Harnick, had earned the award by putting in some great tackles all over the pitch, as well as scoring those four important goals.

Blues: - Billy Zberowski, Jake Preece, Andy McInnes, Shane Fyles, Lewie Farrant, Ryan Fraser-Roe, Joe Harnick, Darryn Carpenter-Cossey, Ollie Stowe, Dan Reynolds, Jacob Bellamy, Luke Moody, Jamie Pinn, Ben Wiltshire and Marvin Weir.

Heavitree Hammers 2-4 Blues

Brixington Blues had to work much harder to beat Heavitree Hammers than in their previous encounter at the opening match of the season.

The first half saw the Blues playing some decent football and making progress down the flanks, but not getting in enough telling crosses and lacking penetration in front of goal. Heavitree gained confidence from the Blues inability to score and found the net twice themselves for a 2-0 lead at the interval.

Ten minutes after the second half started substitute and Blues’ Man of the Match Dan King made his debut and the match was transformed. Suddenly there was pace in an attack which now looked as if it expected to score. Sure enough, the Blues reduced the deficit when the Hammers’ keeper failed to hold King’s shot and Joe Harnick was on hand to net the rebound. Shortly after, Harnick provided the well-weighted pass which allowed King to equalise with his first goal for the Blues in his first match.

Now the Blues meant business and Harnick put them in front when he latched onto the ball, ran on strongly and made no mistake with the finish. Finally, Ryan Fraser-Roe made the points safe for the Blues when he made space for the shot which he struck well, for goal number four.

Another second half Blues’ substitute, Jamie Pinn, again proved his worth as a big, strong, pacy, hard-tackling defender who allowed Fraser-Roe to venture forward adding even more thrust to the Blues attacks.

Blues: - Billy Zberowski, Jake Preece, Andy McInnes, Shane Fyles, Lewie Farrant, Ryan Fraser-Roe, Joe Harnick, Dan King, Ollie Stowe, Dan Reynolds, Jacob Bellamy, Ben Walker, Jamie Pinn, Ben Wiltshire and Marvin Weir.

As the pantomime season got under way, Brixington Blues finally awakened from their deep, early season slumbers and showed us why last season had been their most successful to date. Gone were all those defensive blunders and ineffective finishing. All that was left was a superb all round team display, particularly in the first half, which proved that the Blues are definitely well capable of beating any team in their league – and ending up at the top of it, come the end of the season.

The Blues started well with an early goal from Joe Harnick. Shane Fyles soon scored the second following Luke Moody’s pass and it wasn’t long before Harnick’s pass enabled Marvin Weir to add number three. Jake Preece provided Moody with the next goal and Fyles scored his second, giving the Blues their 5-0 lead at half time.

The Blues lost their way a bit after the interval when they mixed it with Pinhoe, instead of continuing to let their football do the talking. They still never looked like conceding any goals, but only scored two themselves when they should have had several more.

Moody added his second following a pass from Jamie Pinn who, like the other less established players Marvin Weir and Jacob Bellamy, proved that the Blues have quality in depth. Finally, Lewie Farrant completed his long fightback from injury by playing his first full match and starting the passing move, continued by Harnick, which ended with Moody achieving his hat trick.

The Blues Man of the Match was Jake Preece, for his hard work and creativity in the midfield.

Blues: - Billy Zberowski, Jake Preece, Andy McInnes, Shane Fyles, Lewie Farrant, Ryan Fraser-Roe, Joe Harnick, Luke Moody, Ollie Stowe, Dan Reynolds, Jacob Bellamy, Jamie Pinn, Ben Wiltshire and Marvin Weir.

The plucky Colyton team had to play most of this match with only ten men after one of their players suffered a badly cut leg. They never gave up, however, and their resilience, together with the Blues weak finishing and inconsistent defending made extra time necessary before the Blues were able to progress nervously to a home quarter final tie against Heavitree Youth.

The Blues again made life extremely difficult for themselves. Despite dominating the start of this match, they gifted their opponents the only goal of the first half, totally against the run of play.

Shortly after the interval Joe Harnick equalised for the Blues, but they fell behind again when Colyton scored their second. Harnick equalised again, then Shane Fyles put the Blues in front. Colyton scored twice to retake the lead, but Harnick completed his hat trick just minutes before the end of normal time.

Extra time saw Blues man of the match Harnick add his fourth, before Ben Walker finally made the game safe. Despite playing well enough to control most of the match, the Blues had come very close to exiting the cup.

Blues: - Billy Zberowski, Jake Preece, Andy McInnes, Shane Fyles, Lewie Farrant, Ryan Fraser-Roe, Darryn Carpenter-Cossey, Joe Harnick, Ben Walker, Luke Moody, Ollie Stowe, Dan Reynolds, Ben Wiltshire and Marvin Weir.

Stoke Hill 6-4 Blues

Brixington Blues took on league leaders Stoke Hill in a thrilling match which was packed with entertainment and drama from the first minute to the last. Unfortunately, however, the Blues are beating themselves this season by poor defending which is handing quality opponents far too many goals on a plate – something no team can afford to do.

Playing superb football, the Blues pressed hard from the start, only to gift Stoke Hill the softest of goals with their first real attack of the match. The Blues then snatched the initiative, however, when more sustained pressure was rewarded by two goals from Joe Harnick, the first from a goalmouth scramble, the second when he followed up well after his first shot had been partially saved.

The game swung back the other way as Stoke Hill scored the next two goals, to lead 3-2 at half time. They extended their lead by a further goal, before Harnick completed his hat trick with a superb long shot which gave the keeper no chance. Dan Reynolds

Both sides went flat out for the winner and it was Stoke Hill who regained the lead. The Blues threw everything forward in one last desperate attempt to get back on terms, but were punished for exposing themselves when their strong opponents, who are always dangerous, scored again to seal their victory.

The Blues men of the match were hat trick man Joe Harnick and defender Andy McInnes, who was back to his very best.

The Blues now have to rescue their season by conceding far fewer sloppy goals, starting at Bow next week.

Blues: - Ben Wiltshire, Jake Preece, Andy McInnes, Shane Fyles, Lewie Farrant, Ryan Fraser-Roe, Darryn Carpenter-Cossey, Joe Harnick, Ben Walker, Luke Moody, Ollie Stowe, Dan Reynolds, Jamie Pinn, Billy Zberowski and Marvin Weir.

Blues 3-4 Honiton Town

Having to play their first match after a gap of eight weeks against one of the best teams in the league was never going to be easy for the Blues. But despite the lack of match practice and conceding a penalty in the last minute of the game, it was only the Blues’ inability to find the net with more of the many excellent chances which they created, especially in the first half when they could have had the game won, that prevented them from taking at least a share of the points.

Honiton took the lead with the only goal of the first half and went further ahead at the start of the second. Then Luke Moody scored twice to put the Blues back on terms. Honiton regained the advantage, but Shane Fyles blasted in Ryan Fraser-Roe’s corner to level the match again at 3-3. Finally, Honiton took all three points when they converted that last-minute penalty.

Although the Blues could and should have done better, Honiton were rewarded for working hard and ensuring that they were first to the ball for much of the match.

The Blues’ man of the match, Ryan Fraser-Roe, was outstanding and combined great skill and powerful heading with a tremendous turn of speed in covering for his colleagues when they were beaten by the pace of the Honiton attacks.

Blues: - Billy Zberowski, Ben Wiltshire, Jake Preece, Andy McInnes, Shane Fyles, Lewie Farrant, Ryan Fraser-Roe, Darryn Carpenter-Cossey, Joe Harnick, Ben Walker, Luke Moody, Ollie Stowe, Jacob Bellamy, Jamie Pinn and Marvin Weir.

Brixington Blues started their first season in the Juventus League in fine style with a superb all round performance which resulted in a 13-1 victory against Heavitree Hammers. Had their finishing been more clinical, the margin would have been much greater.

Ryan Fraser-Roe opened the scoring when the Hammers’ defence failed to clear one of his many splendid corners. Shane Fyles then scored with a thundering volley following great work and an outstanding cross from Jake Preece. Fyles passed the ball to Luke Moody, who sent it on for Ben Walker to add goal number three. More good passes went from Joe Harnick to Preece to Moody, who scored the fourth. The fifth goal went to Harnick following a pass from Fyles, and he added his second following another corner from Fraser-Roe, giving the Blues a 6-0 lead at half time.

The second half scoring started with Harnick completing his hat trick after an Andy McInnes shot was saved. Moody latched onto a well-weighted through pass from Preece to add his second, and Fyles followed up a half-saved shot to pick up his own second goal.

Blues’ keeper Billy Zberowski saved a penalty before Fraser-Roe took the ball past two players and hammered a long range shot into the net for number ten. Fyles showed great persistence in holding off several challenges to complete his hat trick, before the Hammers scored their consolation goal through Connor Rees.

Jacob Bellamy then scored twice, the first following another Fraser-Roe corner, and the second after a pass from Dan Reynolds, to complete the scoring.

Although this was very much a team performance with great support, superb passing movements and plenty of goals, there were several outstanding individual contributions and contenders for the man of the match award, but in the end it was shared by the two hat trick players. Fyles, who had tormented the Hammers with his magical skills, superb passes and that spectacular volleyed goal which could well turn out to be the goal of the season. And Harnick, who once again displayed his inexhaustible work rate, his refusal to accept any cause as lost and his last-ditch tackling which ended a number of the Hammers’ attacks.

Blues: - Billy Zberowski, Ben Wiltshire, Jake Preece, Andy McInnes, Shane Fyles, Lewie Farrant, Ryan Fraser-Roe, Darryn Carpenter-Cossey, Joe Harnick, Dan Reynolds, Ben Walker, Luke Moody, Ollie Stowe, Jacob Bellamy, Jamie Pinn and Marvin Weir.

Brixington Blues played their first friendly match of the season, without three key players, against a Pinhoe team which was a year older.

It soon became clear that the odds were too great. Although some of the Blues’ players did show their quality, others allowed themselves to be intimidated by the age difference and failed to show what they are capable of. Also, Pinhoe had two or three excellent players who didn’t need all the space they were given to control much of the match.

The Blues played patches of quality football and with some players having to play out of position, shouldn’t be too disappointed with the result. Goalie Ben Wiltshire played well, despite the scoreline, until a dead leg meant that he had to be replaced by Jacob Bellamy, who also did a good job in goal.

Scoring their only goal when 0-8 down showed that they hadn’t given up. A superb left footed cross from Dan Reynolds on the right resulted in a penalty which was duly despatched by Jake Preece.

The Blues biggest problem, lack of penetration in attack, should be overcome when Luke Moody and Joe Harnick return from holiday. Despite the margin of defeat, there were some good individual performances, particularly from the Blues men of the match, stout defender Ollie Stowe and very creative midfielder Shane Fyles.

Blues: - Ben Wiltshire, Jake Preece, Andy McInnes, Shane Fyles, Lewie Farrant, Ryan Fraser-Roe, Darryn Carpenter-Cossey, Dan Reynolds, Ben Walker, Ollie Stowe, Jacob Bellamy, and Marvin Weir.

This was the last tournament of the summer for both Brixington United and Brixington Blues and both showed improved form in progressing beyond the group stage, to reach the quarter finals.

Unfortunately, however, both teams were then beaten. United lost to a very strong team from Plymouth Argyle 0-5, but can be very proud of their efforts in the group as they played some great football, beating Colyton 2-0 (West, Collinson), Twyfords 2-0 (Wardle, Collinson), Morley Rangers 2-0 (West, Plowman) and Stoke Hill 1-0 (Plowman). United’s only group defeat came at the hands of West Exe , 0-3. Well done, today, boys.

After losing their first match 0-1 to Twyfords, the Blues recovered well, beating Woolwell 1-0 (Fraser-Roe) and Kingfisher 2-0 (Fraser-Roe 2), before drawing with Elm Utd 1-1 (Fyles) and Moors Youth 1-1 ( Walker ). As a result, they went through as top of the group, but then ran out of steam and were beaten 0-1 after extra time by Stoke Hill in their quarter final.

Group C Table
	P	W	D	L	PTS
West Exe	5	4	1	0	13
Brixington United	5	4	0	1	12
Stoke Hill	5	3	1	1	10
Morley Rangers	5	1	1	3	4
Colyton Blues	5	0	2	3	3
Twyford C	8	0	1	4	2
Group A Table
	P	W	D	L	PTS
Brixington Blues	5	2	2	1	10
Elm Utd	5	2	3	0	10
Moors Youth A	5	2	2	1	9
Woolwell	5	2	2	1	9
Kingfisher Colts	5	1	1	3	5
Twyford B	5	1	0	4	3

United:- Dean Rawlings, Liam Wardle, Liam West, Thomas Philp, Jake Collinson, Matt Plowman and Ben Pratt.

Blues:- Billy Zberowski, Lewie Farrant, Jake Preece, Ryan Fraser-Roe, Marvin Weir, Ben Walker, Darryn Carpenter-Cossey and Shane Fyles.

A disappointing day for both United and Blues as the two Brixington teams wilted under the sweltering heat.

United failed to reach the level of performances they have achieved in previous tournaments and finished bottom of their group, winning only one game and losing the other three. They showed glimpses of their best form against Crediton A where two goals from Liam West and one from Harry Ody gave them a 3-0 victory, but below par performances against Woolwell A 0-3, the Blues 0-4 and Copplestone 0-2 meant an early exit.

The Blues fared slightly better, losing their first two group matches 0-1 to Crediton A and 0-1 to Woolwell A. Then they won the last two 1-0 against Copplestone (Marvin Weir) and 4-0 against United (Jake Preece, Weir, Luke Moody and Billy Zberowski).

They came third in the group and just failed to reach the semi finals, as only the top two teams went through.

	P	W	D	L	PTS
Woolwell A	4	2	1	1	10
Copplestone	4	2	1	1	10
Brixington Blues	4	2	0	2	8
Crediton A	4	1	2	1	8
Brixington United	4	1	0	3	4

United: Dean Rawlings, Jason Lehuray, Liam West, Harry Ody, Ben Pratt, Matt Plowman and Tom Sellick.

Blues: Billy Zberowski, Lewie Farrant, Jake Preece, Joe Harnick, Marvin Weir, Luke Moody and Shane Fyles.

Brixington Blues had little difficulty proceeding beyond the group stage of this tournament at Tiverton on a day that was glorious but too hot for football.

Having drawn their first match against Moors Chelsea 0-0, they beat Sampford Peverell 3-1 (Dan Reynolds, Ryan Fraser-Roe, Ben Walker), lost 0-1 to Moors Hotspurs and beat Cullompton Rangers 2-1 (Fraser-Roe 2). This meant they could afford to lose their last group match 0-2 to Bishops Lydeard and still take the third of four qualifying positions for a place in the semi finals.

Unfortunately, however, their semi final against Moors Chelsea was to be the end of the line for the Blues. After conceding the only goal of the match, they created and squandered so many golden opportunities to score that even though they controlled enough of the play to reach the final, the poor quality of their finishing didn’t allow it to happen. So the lesson from this tournament was that it doesn’t matter how many chances you create, it’s how many you take that matters!

Blues: Ben Wiltshire, Ryan Fraser-Roe, Darryn Carpenter-Cossey, Ollie Stowe, Ben Walker, Luke Moody, Dan Reynolds and Jacob Bellamy.

	P	W	D	L	Pts
Moors Hotspurs	5	4	0	1	12
Moors Chelsea	5	2	2	1	8
Brixington Blues	5	2	1	2	7
Cullompton Rangers	5	1	2	2	5
Bishops Lydeard	5	1	2	2	5
Sampford Peverell	5	0	3	2	3

Countess Wear Dynamos 1-12 Blues

Blues 1-9 Heavitree Youth (Cup)

Heavitree Hammers 2-4 Blues

Stoke Hill 6-4 Blues

Blues 3-4 Honiton Town

Blues 1-9 Heavitree Youth
(Cup)