U16s REPORTS
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Newton St Cyres 2-6 Blues
Having
a small 14 man squad Brixington have struggled to field the same eleven back to
back. This didn't stop them totally dominating this match from start to
finish. Nathan Hodge opened the scoring before
Squad:
Cort, Hansen, O'Sullivan, Mabin, Overton, Argent, Raistrick, Alford, Overton,
Hill, Hodge, Collinson
Scorers: Argent, Hill 2, Hodge 2, Cort
Report
by Paul Collinson
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Blues
2-0
This mid week fixture pitted two local rivals against each other. The first encounter was won by Brixington but they were pushed all the way by Sidmouth. The return fixture was never as close as Brixington stamped their authority on the game early on. Jacob Argent and Alex Raistrick did the damage as Sidmouth were contained with relative ease and the influential Hill picked out the killer passes. Another strong performance by Brixington to consolidate 4th spot.
Squad:
Cort, Nolan, Mabin,
Scorers: Argent, Raistrick
Report
by Paul Collinson
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Blues 1-7 Twyford Spartans
Another hard game for eleven man Brixington as title chasing Twyford came to town. In a game where Brixington played well, they had no luck and were on the end of a drubbing. They say you make your own luck but Brixington felt hard done by going in 4-0 down. They created chances but the final ball eluded them all game.
The
second half was much the same with virtually everything Twyford hit finding the
net and Raistrick getting a well deserved consolation after charging down a
clearance. Brixington never let their heads drop and still played some
solid football but the final ball wasn't there as nothing fell for them in the
melee that was the Twyford box on occasion.
Squad:
- Cort,
Scorers: - Raistrick:
Report
by Paul Collinson
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Blues 2-0 West Hill Wasps
Having lost the away fixture this was a crucial fixture for Brixington in their quest to secure 4th spot. The well matched teams worked hard to gain the upper hand, with Nathan Hodge working hard to nullify the West Hill outlet before getting a rest and Maeson O’Sullivan took over. Joshua Hill and Alex Raistrick worked hard and started to get the upper hand as Jack Nolan, Sean Mabin and Chris Stirling protected Hugh Cort with a solid performance. A defence splitting pass from Hill, after winning the ball from a throw in, was meet by Jacob Argent to head home and open the score. The rest of the half had Brixington slightly edging it and Hill picking out players at will.
The second half was much the same with West Hill only having two shots on target and a cross bar for all their play and Brixington finding more and more room on the flanks as West Hill started to chase the game. Hill again won the ball and played in Jacob Argent who headed onto Matt Eversett who did the same and Collinson charged in to head home from close range. Nick Overton linked up well with Raistrick, Hill and Mabin and after switching play was on hand to shot just wide on three occasions before the final whistle went. A very good solid patient performance from Brixington.
Squad:
- Cort, Mabin,
Scorers: - Argent; Collinson:
Report
by Paul Collinson
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Barnstaple Youth 7-2 Blues
With
a bare eleven this was always going to be a hard game against high flying
Brixington
applied some pressure early on but the long ball clearance caught them out twice
and they found themselves 6 down and a mountain to climb. Nathan Hodge
created the first goal after collecting the ball form Hill and beating his
player his low cross was meet by Eversett who calmly found the corner.
With a ray of hope Brixington continued to push and a Jacob Argent carved out
several chances but was unable to find a finish. It was Raistrick and Hill
combining and giving Hodge a ball to run onto that enabled Collinson to score
close in. But the last call was
Squad:
- Cort, Hansen, Nolan, Mabin, Overton, Raistrick, Argent, Hodge, Eversett,
Collinson, Hill.
Scorers: - Eversett; Collinson:
Report
by Paul Collinson
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This
local derby was hard fought by Sidmouth with Brixington misfiring all over the
park but still securing the victory.
With no subs and a couple of players carrying injuries it was always going to be hard for Brixington to play at the levels they had over the last few weeks [Barnstaple result aside]. The game started with Sidmouth battling for everything and Brixington not able to string three passes together. However, Sidmouth couldn’t breach Jack Nolan and his defence of Ross Hansen and Maeson O’Sullivan, giving Hugh Cort a fairly easy opening 20 minutes. With Nick Overton and Nathan Hodge isolated on the flanks Alex Raistrick and Jacob Argent reverted to type one with little impact until a seemingly easy clearance was chased down by Collinson as he robbed the defender and finished brilliantly top left from 20 yds. This did little to settle Brixington as they continually overplayed the ball and continually lost possession, Sidmouth didn’t take long to capitalise and went in at half time on level terms after a neat lob over the advancing keeper.
The
second half was much the same, with Collinson and Matt Eversett chasing lost
causes and Joshua Hill drifting into midfield to help control the game.
It wasn’t until a well worked free kick by Hodge that was helped on by
Eversett that enabled Raistrick to out jump the keeper and make it 2-1.
Brixington started to play a little better but still laboured to really
get going, an early ball in by Hill was only cleared as far as Collinson, he
controlled it and seeing the keeper out of position easily beat him to make it
3-1. With 20 minutes to go Sidmouth
reverted to huge clearances that started to cause problems, but it was a well
worked piece of play down their left flank that got them one back as the ball
drilled low across the box and the unmarked Sidmouth attacker made it 3-2.
Sidmouth upped the tempo and Brixington couldn’t relieve the pressure
as they just cleared their lines rather than find feet.
Another long ball forward was being marshalled back by Nolan who was
impeded by the Sidmouth attackers who then scored.
The ref called it back for the foul and the Sidmouth support [parents and
girlfriends] spent the rest of the game verbally abusing the lines man and
Brixington players and soured what was an entertaining fixture.
The game ended 3-2 to Brixington. Sidmouth
played a high pressure game that worked well and they deserved at least a draw
however, the foul and abusive language used by the players, parents and
girlfriends was offensive and disgraceful and spoilt a pleasant morning.
Squad:
- Cort,
O’Sullivan, Nolan, Hansen, Overton, Raistrick, Argent, Hodge, Eversett, Hill,
Collinson.
Scores: - Collinson
2, Raistrick.
Report
by Paul Collinson
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Exwick 4-7 Blues
Another exciting fixture between these closely matched sides, until Brixington took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half and capitalised on two keeper errors.
On a balmy Easter Saturday morning, both sides started as if they would prefer to be on the beach and who wouldn’t. Until Brixington sprang into life and started to press Exwick back, after some good play involving Maeson O’Sullivan, Joshua Hill and Matt Eversett, Jamie Alford whipped the corner in and Eversett flicked the ball on to Hill whose strong header was goal bound but Argent interjected and stabbed it into the roof of the net to open the scoring. Brixington settled into the game and found time and space as they comfortably dealt with the Exwick game, but it was Exwick who levelled after a lazy pass was intercepted and lashed home. Within 5 mins another lazy short ball was intercepted and though Hugh Cort saved the initial shot, the rebound eventually ricocheted into the Brixington goal and Exwick took the lead. The ever present Alex Raistrick started to stamp his authority on the Midfield and a strong challenge enabled him to find Eversett who helped the ball on with his head to Argent whose strength enabled him to beat two defenders and equalise. The half had Brixington playing some fantastic two touch football and Hill continued to pick out the Brixington strikers almost at will, the half ended 2-2.
However, the second half was only minutes old when a breakaway Exwick attack was sharply finished to restore the Exwick lead. Brixington stepped up the pace and Nick Overton started to find lots of room and linked up with Sean Mabin to exploit the space, with Ross Hansen and particularly Jack Nolan breaking up the Exwick counter attack Brixington continued to play the better football. After Nolan intercepted he quickly found Alford who interchanged with O’Sullivan before winning a throw in. A rehearsed thrown between Alford and O’Sullivan allowed the former to pick out Raistrick who headed home the equaliser. With Brixington winning several corners Exwick started to defend in numbers which allowed Mabin to join the action, a drilled corner from Alford was headed home by Mabin and Brixington took the lead. Exwick them had a mad 10 minutes as they gifted the hard pressing Brixington side two goals in quick succession. The first came when the free playing Hill slipped the ball through to Eversett but an Exwick defenders attempted interception back to his keeper ended up in the net alia Paul Robinson, the second was from a speculative through ball that the keeper should have held but it bounced free and Eversett who had gambled anyway picked up the ball rounded the keeper and made it 6-3. Exwick appeared to give up temporarily and Brixington kept playing the same fast football, with O’Sullivan beating one player he was clumsily challenged on the edge of the area, Alford stepped up and drilled the ball under the keeper for 7-3. With 10 minutes left Brixington kept the ball easily and even a late Exwick goal didn’t spoil the day as they ran out comfortable 7-4 winners. Undoubtedly the best football I have witnessed from a Brixington side, some of the play was breathtaking.
Squad: -
Cort, Mabin, Nolan, Hansen, Overton, Raistrick, Alford, O’Sullivan,
Hill, Eversett, Argent.
Scorers: - Argent 2; Raistrick; Mabin; Everett; Alford; OG:
Report
by Paul Collinson
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Blues 4-3 Culm Utd
Another dry but very winding Saturday saw Brixington dominating the vast majority of this fixture but misfiring in front of goal, but eventually edging this fixture.
Brixington started the first half playing into a strong head wind; they kept the ball low and played some great one touch football down both flanks. With Alex Raistrick and Jamie Alford dominating midfield with their workman like performance and Maeson O’Sullivan and Matt Eversett linking up on the flanks Brixington soon gained the upper hand. Joshua Hill was soon playing some scintillating through balls and it was first Jacob Argent and then Nathan Hodge with strong runs into space that capitalised on Hills vision and both finished in quick succession. Culm were not to be out done and pushed forward, the wind played havoc with their long ball, but it was from one of these that the bounce and wind deceived the Brixington defence and Culm got one back. Some quick one touch involving Sean Mabin, Ross Hansen, Alford and Eversett had Argent going just wide before the half finished.
Brixington started the second half the strongest as they took the game to Culm, Hill was given space and lots of ball from Raistrick and Alford and gave Argent lots of opportunities, it took several missed chances until an Alford cross was meet strongly by Hill, a great double save by the Culm keeper couldn't stop Argent making it 3-1. Culm then came to life as Brixington appeared to relax and a 70 yd run had Culm scoring without a challenge being made. With new hope Culm pressed on and another mazy run finished with a cross and the unmarked Culm player made it 3-3. With 10 minutes left Brixington shook of the lethargy that had temporarily set in and camped in the Culm half, only the cross bar, post and lapse shooting keeping Culm in the match. Jack Nolan intercepted the Culm attack and strode forward the ball into Argent allowed him to turn his player but his shot was blocked by the keeper again, but this time Hill had followed the run and swept home the ball to cap a great personal game and the win for Brixington.
Squad:
- Cort, Mabin, Hansen, Nolan, O’Sullivan, Alford, Raistrick, Eversett, Hill,
Argent, Hodge.
Scorers: - Argent 2, Hill, Hodge.
Report
by Paul Collinson
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Blues 6-5 Exwick
This was certainly an entertaining fixture
between two teams in mid table. After
two solid back to back results and personal performances getting the better,
Brixington started relaxed and played some nice quick football.
Exwick however, had just beaten
The second half started with Exwick flying out the blocks and catching Brixington cold as the gifted Exwick strikers made the score 4-2. Brixington kept going and slowly got the upper hand. Raistrick, Hill and Collinson combined and the later volleyed the ball in from the edge of the box to start the fight back. With pressure mounting Brixington won several corners, Overton’s bending corner was cleared only as far as Argent who smashed it home to level the scores. Brixington started to string the passes together and stretched Exwick looking for the opening, after a sixteen pass move it was Hodge that crossed to Hill who finished with panache and Brixington had the lead. Within moments Alford cleared an Exwick attack and Argent headed the ball on, the defender was put under pressure by Collinson who won the ball and beat the keeper putting the ball in the bottom corner doubling his score and making it 6-4. The game wasn’t over as neat play and cross by Exwick on their left flank had Brixington unable to clear and the ball was rifled home for 6-5 and a thrilling end to the fixture. Brixington needed to concentrate in defence all the time or they will be punished.
Brixington: -
Cort,
Scorers: - Collinson 2; Hill; Raistrick; Argent; Eversett:
Report
by Paul Collinson
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Culm Utd 1-3
Blues
Brixington started this game the better
and kept the ball for large parts of the first half, some neat football was only
foiled by the heavy pitch that soon had the ball take a mind of its own.
It was Jamie Alford who opened the scoring when the ball set up perfectly
and he whipped the ball into the top left corner with so much swerve the keeper
was left rooted to the spot.
Brixington Keeper Maeson O’Sullivan was troubled on a couple of occasions but collected the ball comfortably, but Jack Nolan, Sean Mabin and Ross Hansen protected him and feed the dominate Alex Raistrick, Nick Overton, Alford and Nathan Hodge in midfield. It was some last minute dot com blocks and a bobbling ball that kept Culm in the tie until Overton played in Joshua Collinson who found the bottom corner to make it 2-0 at half time.
The second half had Brixington loose some shape as they all wanted to be involved, Hodge took over from O’Sullivan in goal and the latter showed his versatility on the right flank linking with Joshua Hill, Jacob Argent and Alford. Culm found an outlet from the keeper with his mighty kicks and a miss-control allowed Culm to finish well and the game was back on. Brixington continued to dominate though never really got up to speed, Collinson and Hill got lots of ball from Raistrick and gave Argent several good chances but it just wasn’t his day. With the game drawing to an end Collinson played Argent through and with his first shot parried, a clumsy challenge allowed Raistrick to stroke home the penalty and round of the game. Hill and Alford appeared to relish there roles and worked hard, with Raistrick as industrious as ever. Culm never gave up but rarely threatened as Brixington in 2nd gear, something they won’t be able to do next week at Central.
Squad:
O’Sullivan, Mabin, Hansen, Nolan, Overton, Alford, Raistrick [c],
Hodge, Argent, Hill, Collinson. Subs:
None
Scorers: Alford, Collinson, Raistrick
Report
by Paul Collinson
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Blues 5-2
Beacon Knights
With both teams out of action for several weeks due to the weather this was always going to be tense affair.
The first half was played at a frantic rate as both teams tried to get the upper hand. It was Brixington that opened the scoring, from a Matt Eversett throw in Jacob Argent showed good strength to collect the ball and burst through two strong tackles, a measured pass found Alex Raistrick in the six yard box free to side foot home. Knights pushed for the equaliser and hit the cross bar and Hugh Cort was on top form pulling of two match winning saves, Beacon paid for their missed chances when the defence of Sean Mabin, Chris Stirling and Ross Hansen intercepted a Beacon attack, the ball was played early to Argent who beat his marker and burst free, Beacons keeper saved twice before Argent buried his third [time lucky] shot for 2-0. Beacon were not out of the hunt and hit the bar twice more and the post, Cort was inspirational in goal winning three one ones to keep Beacon at bay. Some woeful finishing close in meant Brixington went in 2-0 up but Beacon playing the better football.
The second half started with Brixington
not at the races and Beacons strikers started out pacing the Brixington defence
and they were back on level terms within 15 minutes with two well taken goals.
Squad: -
Cort, Mabin, Hansen,
Scorers: - Argent 3, Overton, Raistrick
Report
by Paul Collinson
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Kenn Utd 2-9 Blues
Sidmouth Junior Vikings 3-4 Blues
Cup
weekends are always great fun [for those involved] and this fixture between
local rivals Sidmouth and Brixington certainly entertained the crowd.
The game set of at a hectic pace as players tried to win their personal battles, the ball flowed from end to end as both teams counter attacked at speed. It was the home side that opened the score with a break down the right; a great low cross had defenders facing the wrong way and the unfortunate Tom Smith turned in for an OG. Sidmouth with their tales up and full of running matched Blues in all departments and soon won a free kick 35 yds out, the cross was flicked on and Sidmouth doubled the score from a close range header. Instead of panicking Blues settled into their usual style and soon had wing men Nick Overton and Jamie Alford racing down the flanks. Jack Nolan settled the Blues defence of Ross Hanson, Sean Mabin and Smith and they easily dealt with the few attacks in the rest of the half. Midfield partners Alex Raistrick and Luke Pollard started to get on top and Joshua Hill and Nathan Hodge soon started to get good ball to feet and the tide started to turn. Nolan swept up the ball deep in his owo half and glided past the on rushing attacker a square ball to Smith set up the well practised move as Alford and Pollard combined with the latter beating a couple of players strongly and his accurate deep cross enabled Hill to one touch the ball back across the defender and fire home to open his account. Sidmouth appeared shell shocked and Blues pressed on, a great interchange between Mabin and Overton had the latter beating his man and his cross was only partially cleared to the grateful Hodge who stabbed the ball home to equalise. The rest of the half was all Brixington and Sidmouth struggled to compete. An Alford throw in was played back and his whipped cross was neatly controlled on the chest of Hodge who then volleyed the ball home and ensure Brixington lead 3-2 at the break.
The second half was still young when a Sidmouth free kick was meet by a strong header and the scores were level. But for sporadic long balls Sidmouth never really looked like threatening as Brixington threw everything at Sidmouth with Hill, Hodge, Overton, Alford and Raistrick all creating great opportunities, but were denied by some fantastic last ditch defending, Sidmouth fought hard and the game was edging towards extra time when another great break down the left involving Mabin and Overton had the latter beating the keeper with a square ball to Hill on the edge of the six yard box who fired into an empty net, the celebrations hadn’t even started as a Sidmouth defender launched himself along the line and trapped the ball between his thighs and then stabbed the ball out for a corner. The resultant corner was cleared for a throw in and time ticked on. Alford found the industrious Hill who stepped away from the defender and looped the ball into the six yard box to be meet by the grateful Raistrick who out jumped a defender and Keeper to head home the winner.
The game ended and the heavens opened, great timing. A really good game, played in the best of spirits and with the right attitude.
Scorers:
- Hodge 2; Hill 2; Raistrick:
Report
by Paul Collinson
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Kenn Utd 2-9 Blues
The pitch was deemed playable, but was actually more conducive to fishing [with JR Hartley]. This meant this game wasn't for the purist and some fairly scrappy play in the mud pursued.
Kenn capitalised straight from the kick off and within 30 secs had opened the score when a speculative kick off was latched onto and buried. This not only bemused the Blues but also seen them totally dominate the rest of the half and made Kenn pay, the strike partnership of Josh Hill and Josh Collinson made light work of the Kenn defence with Jamie Alford linking with Collinson who played a selfless square ball which had Hill notching his first, within moments it was Alex Raistrick who found Alford wide a quick ball set Hill up and he finished with relish from range to double the score. Sean Mabin found Hill from a throw in, Hill beat two players with ease and his early shot sneaked under the keeper for a first half hat-trick. Luke Pollard intercepted a rare Kenn attack and drove up field, his chip caught Kenn napping and Collinson raced clear to make it 4-1 at the break. With Collinson twisting a knee in the deepening mud Ross Hanson replaced him and stepped into the back four allowing Pollard to move into midfield and Nathan Hodge to partner Hill up front.
Though
in control Blues, didn't start playing their normal game until the second half
when the wing men started to pin Kenn in their own half.
Nolan had an excellent game marshalling the Blues defence of Tom Smith,
Mabin and Hanson who all had solid games in not ideal conditions.
Hanson played a delightful ball into the path of Nick Overton from the
restart, Overton beat three players before whipping in a cross, the clearance
fell to Hanson and a neat interchange via Raistrick to Hodge had the keeper
saving well but Hodge had continued his run and tapped the ball into the empty
neat. Overton was finding more room
on the left flank and another strong run had him square the ball to Hodge who
deftly chipped the keeper from distance to double his tally.
Blues keeper Jacob Argent saved strongly on the edge of his box and the
ball fell to Mabin who passed to Raistrick, a smart cross to Alford was first
chipped over a defender before being smashed home.
Mabin and Smith were able to push forward and Kenn struggled to contain
them with Smith, Hill, Argent and Pollard all going close before a long run by
Mabin found him clear and sliding the ball home for 8-1 and his first of the
season. Kenn eventually got a
consolation goal when they beat the off side, but Blues responded instantly with
Alford sending in another great deep cross that was meet by Overton on the
half-volley, the ball dipped in front of the keeper and bounced pass him to
finish the game 9-2.
Scores:
- Hill
3; Hodge 2; Collinson; Alford; Overton; Mabin:
Report
by Paul Collinson
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Blues
2-5 Central FC
Brixington started full of confidence for this match and started brightly, unfortunately it was not to continue when after 5 minutes a Central striker drifted of his marker and a quick ball had him giving Brixington Keeper Jacob Argent no chance with a well taken goal to open the scoring. Brixington didn't give up and pushed for the equaliser with the midfield of Alex Raistrick, Nick Overton, Nathan Hodge and Jamie Alford battling hard, but over cooking the play and it continually broke down, however chances started to be made with Overton playing in the hard working Joshua Hill a smart turn enabled him to release Josh Collinson to race through, Centrals keeper pulled of a great save to prevent the equaliser and the rebound bounced away to safety. Within moments the Brixington defence of Sean Mabin, Luke Pollard, Ross Hansen and Tom Smith stopped a promising attack and Smith found Alford with an early ball, his neat ball inside found Raistrick who beat his player and a square ball to Collinson gave him time, but a poor shot sailed wide. Brixington in their haste started to make individual errors, holding the ball to long, not using the width and Central pressed on. From a corner three Brixington players left the ball and a grateful Central doubled the score then to add salt to the wound a speculative ball forward found the Brixington defence square and with no one taking control Central finished smartly for 3-0. Chris Stirling replaced Smith and shell shocked Brixington eventually started to play and Overton played the ball up to Hill and exquisite piece of control on the chest enabled him to lob the stranded keeper to open the Brixington account. Reverting to their normal game Brixington started to press and Argent launched the ball up to the half way line, Collinson flicked on to Hill who just missed with a great early strike.
The second half found Brixington again making too many mistakes and Central capitalised with two more goals at 5-1 down, injured Overton was replaced by Smith and arguable the goal of the match was scored. Argent threw the ball to Alford out wide, two touches had him control and then find Hill, whose smart run drew two defenders two touches made room to feed Collinson and an accurate first time shoot made the final score 5-2. Sheer training ground and with 5 touches the ball had moved from goal mouth to goal, if only Brixington had remembered earlier in the game. If they continue holding the ball to long, not using the width and not marking players and challenging for everything its going to be a long season.
Scorers:
- Collinson; Hill:
Squad: - Argent, Mabin, Pollard,
Hansen, Smith, Overton Raistrick, Hodge, Alford, Collinson, Hill.
Subs:
Report
by Paul Collinson
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Blues 8-0 Culm United
JV CUP
Culm United managed to pinch a point last season but in this one-sided KO Cup fixture the end result underlined the dominance Blues showed in all areas.
Blues started on the offensive from the first whistle and its was Luke Pollard who controlled the defence of Chris Stirling, Ross Hansen and Tom Smith in front of keeper Hugh Cort who intercepted a Culm attack he strode forward and an accurate ball split the Culm defence for Joshua Hill to open the score with a deft finish. Not to be out done Joshua Collinson then charged down the left back and won the ball a smart side step had him through and megging the keeper to double the score. With Alex Raistrick, Jacob Argent, Nick Overton and Jamie Alford winning the midfield battles a string of corners and chances put Culm on the back foot. An Alford corner to the back post was well finished by Pollard who was under more pressure from Hill than any defender. A quick throw in by Smith was headed by Alford to Argent who megged the centre half and calmly chipped the advancing keeper to end the half 4-0.
Blues kept their heads in the second half and it paid of in handfuls, Overton made many successful forays forward as did Smith who overlapped Alford and created some great chances that were lastminute.com’d to safety by the Culm defence. After an Overton attack the resultant throw in by Raistrick found Hill who played a perfectly weighted cross field ball which bounced perfectly for Alford who nicked the ball over the stranded keeper and swept the ball home for five. A poor goal kick was controlled by Collinson who out stripped the central defenders and rounded the keeper before shooting home from the edge of the box for six. Another Overton attack ended with a neat pass to Hill who went past the keeper only to be fouled. The penalty was dispatched confidently by Hill for 7-0. Minutes latter a quick ball from Cort to Alford enabled him to beat two players before whipping the ball forward, the clearance was pounced on by Collinson and a deft flick to Hill enabled him to thump the ball home for a well deserved hatrick and a final score line of 8-0.
Squad: - Cort,
Scorers: - Hill 3, Collinson 2,
Alford, Argent, Pollard.
Report
by Paul Collinson
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Beacon
Knights 2-3 Blues
Having
pushed
Half
time had Jack Nolan being replaced by Ross Hanson in defence and Joshua Hill
sitting in the midfield along side Nick Overton, Nathan Hodge, Alex Raistrick
and Jamie Alford. With a few choice
words of encouragement Blues started the second half strongly and took the game
to Beacon from the first whistle. Hugh
Cort picked up another back injury and Jacob Argent took over in goal with Tom
Smith taking over at right back. Luke
Pollard marshalled the Blues defence of Sean Mabin, Hanson and Smith with
authority and ensured Beacon had no shoots on goal for the rest of the match.
Meanwhile the hard working Joshua Collinson started to find space and
Overton, Raistrick, Hodge, Alford and the exceptional Hill started to pull
Beacon apart. A strong run by
Overton linking well with Hodge then Hill had him playing in Collinson on the
angle; a strong run had him clear and megging the keeper as he slid home his
first. A strong challenge from Mabin
allowed him to play in Raistrick who beat his player and passed to Hill a neat
one two with Collinson set Hill free and he cleverly chipped the keeper for the
equaliser. Blues were know on the
ascendancy and pushed home the advantage, on the right Alford created some good
chances and Beacon struggled to contain the Blues midfield.
Smith intercepted a Beacon attack and played in Alford who neatly beat
his player an early ball to Collinson found him under pressure but he rode the
tackle strongly and smashed the ball beyond the keeper to win the match.
A much improved second half by the Blues after a poor start.
Man
of the Match was given to Hill and Alford.
Scorers: Collinson 2, Hill 1.
Report
by Paul Collinson
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Blues 1-2
With
Brixington collapsing in the last 10 minutes of their last two games and
conceding 13 goals inform
The second
half had Town pushing further up the pitch but the Blues held firm counter
attacking at speed. A neat ball
caught out Smith who was judged to have impeded the Town striker.
A poor penalty was saved and the ball cleared up the flank to Hill, s
neat inter change resulted in another strike but the keeper was up to the task.
With time running out a seemingly last ditch cross by Town from the
corner flag was helped into the top far corner by the wind and Town had won it
with the last kick of the game. Football
can be a cruel game. A much better
performance from the Blues, they showed they can compete at the higher level
required this season.
Report
by Paul Collinson
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West
Hill Wasps 6-3 Blues
After a solid 65 minutes against Heavitree but then losing concentration and conceding 4, Blues started this game with real spirit and soon had Wasps on the back foot with Nathan Hodge breaking down the right, some quick play to Jamie Alford and Alex Raistrick had the latter playing in Nick Overton to stick the ball into the bottom corner within 5 minutes of the start. Wasps attack was nullified by the Blues defence of Jacob Argent, Jack Nolan, Luke Pollard and Sean Mabin who calmly set up the quick moving counter attacks. Joshua Collinson and Hill combined to win a corner which was whipped into the box and Argent was the first to react to double the score. Blues continued to defend well until Pollard hand balled in his area and West Hill scored to get a lifeline.
The
second half had both teams attacking and defending with passion but a mix up in
the Blues defence allowed West Hill to equalise. Not perturbed Blues
struck back instantly with a strong run by Hodge, the movement of Hill and
Collinson created space for Raistrick to head the Blues back in front.
Blues shut up shop and controlled the play untill 10 minutes to play and West
Hill brought on their City player and Blues completely capitulated. A
flurry of 4 goals left Blues reeling and completely shell shocked. As a
manager I was annoyed and disappointed with their lack of commitment in the last
10 minutes of a game they dominated for long periods. A pointed debrief
straight after the game left the players in no doubt their places were not
secure and they needed to get serious if they wanted to win any games this
season.
Report
by Paul Collinson
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Heavitree 7-2 Blues
Heavitree
opened their season with [on paper] a convincing win against the Blues.
But the final score line did little justice to a Blues side that competed
well and with 15 minutes to go where only 1 goal adrift after goals from Alex
Raistrick and Josh Hill which kept them in striking distance.
However
another injury forced another rejig and Heavitree capitalised on the situation
and scored 4 goals in the last 15 minutes and hit the post 3 more times as they
punished the Blues defence who where shell shocked at the final whistle.
Blues
Team: Cort, Mabin, Argent, Pollard [Nolan 10mins],
Score's: Raistrick [10mins], Hill [25 mins]
Report
by Paul Collinson
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