U12s 'Bls' REPORTS
Friendly League
Cup Final
Brixington Blues 4-1 Lympstone
“Brixington Blues - U12’s Cup Winners”
On a glorious English summer’s day at the home of Crediton FC - defending champions Brixington Blues faced a Lympstone side determined to avenge their loss in a replay of last years’ final. But from the outset the Blues signalled their attacking intent. Within seconds of the kickoff – Peter Wright latched on to an early cross from Aarron Denny, heading just over the bar. Tim Dunn then went close, heading wide a similar cross – this time supplied by Seb Jones. Total commitment brought impassioned play from both sides and some disputed decisions led to two yellow cards being shown for dissent. For a while the game then settled and a clear difference in styles of football emerged. The Blues pressured forward, playing the ball to feet and recycling well in midfield - while Lympstone struck back on the break, their counter attacks ending with long balls over the Blues’ back four. Midway through the half – a deceptive shot from Jason Pope cleared the retreating keeper and under the bar, opening the scoring in the Blues favour. Winning the midfield battle, it seemed only a matter of time before the Blues would stretch their lead and within minutes, an almost carbon copy strike - again from Pope made it two. Despite some hard work from Lympstone to get back on terms it could have been three when Jordan Clapp was brought down just outside the box. The subsequent free-kick saw Cubby Tinsley rising to head - but wide of the mark.
After the break, Lympstone raised the tempo of their game and began to threaten down the wings. In goal for the Blues, Connor Gilby was called upon to time his runs to narrow the angles, forcing the strikers to go wide, or commit to taking early shots. Lympstone nearly pulled one back, but Gilby made a fine diving save to tip the ball onto the post. The combination of Harry Douglas at right back and Thomas Evans on the left working in tandem with Jack Gilhooly and Tyler Dobinson now running the lines – closed the door on Lympstone going wide. This forced play back into centre and here Jordan Bennington and Jones formed a near impenetrable barrier. Just in front of this base, Denny motored all over the pitch to re-cycle possession – allowing Pope who had previously been playing deep to push up with the strikers. Cutting in from the right Josh Wadham picked out Pope arriving in the centre, who laid the ball off to Wright on the left - who set himself before making sure of the Blues’ third. After some super link play involving Denny, Tinsley and Wadham the Blues fourth goal soon followed. Dunn’s shot was partially cleared – but only as far as Wright who tried to dribble round the last defender and keeper – but as the angles narrowed he was forced to turn and retrace his steps to shoot, and there was Dunn following in to push home the rebound. Four goals up, this game was effectively over. Limestone’s ‘never say die’ effort was finally rewarded with a consolation goal - a neatly taken penalty given after a shot cannoned off a defender’s arm just inside the box. Just before the close Liam Dickinson’s shot curled just outside the post. At 4-1 the final scoreline accurately reflected the balance of play - the Blues had simply proven too powerful for Lympstone.
League Cup (U12) champions for the second
year in succession, the Blues can now focus back onto their two remaining league
matches with every chance of securing an elusive League and Cup double.
Goal scorers:- Pope 2;
Wright; Dunn:
Squad :- Jordan Bennington, Ryan Bunn, Jordan Clapp, Aarron Denny, Liam
Dickinson, Tyler Dobinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas, Thomas Evans, Connor Gilby,
Jack Gilhooly, Sebastian Jones, Jason Pope, Jacob Tinsley, Peter Wright, Josh
Wadham.
Report by Terry Wright.
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Blues 3-0 Crediton
“Blues Trio Tops Crediton”
Three goals separated these teams when the Blues met Crediton at home in December. Although Crediton fought well in this return (away) tie - the Blues again finished 3 goals to the good. A spirited, controlled passing game from Crediton initially took the game to Brixington, and for a time the teams were evenly matched. But another splendid defensive performance from Harry Douglas, Thomas Evans and Jack Gilhooly and man-of-the-match Jordan Bennington, created the platform for another classic Blues performance. Crediton were limited to a single strike on goal in the first half - gathered comfortably in by a commanding Connor Gilby in goal - while upfront Liam Dickinson, Jordan Clapp, Josh Wadham and Peter Wright on strike seized on anything that managed to emerge from a midfield tussle. Towards the end of the half Crediton lifted the pace of their game and looked threatening as the Blues midfield again dropped back too deep – leaving any cleared ball for Crediton to simply recycle and sustain their attacking pressure. But again the quality of the Blues’ back four held the balance of the game, with Seb Jones driving the play forward out of defence. After twenty minutes, the Blues secured their only real chance on goal – Tim Dunn unleashing a shot from the right wing that looped over the stranded keeper into the top corner.
Early
in the second half a scything run from Cubby Tinsley led to the ball being
pulled back across the goal mouth for Jordan Clapp to volley home. With a two
goal cushion the tempo of Creditons’ game dropped, and with Jason Pope now
commanding the centre midfield, the Blues began to push forward and play a more
effective game – but finishing chances proved rare as Crediton continued to
tackle well. But in the best attacking move of the match Gilhooly recycled the
ball up to Dunn who held the ball up just outside the box. As Jordan Clapp and
Peter Wright ran a scissors movement that confused Crediton as to the direction
of play, spreading their defence wide – there was the ever–eager Tyler
Dobinson seizing on the eventual lay off to power home the Blues’ third and
the Blues 21st consecutive win on the trot. The Blues now face
equally tough end of season opposition with top of the table run-in matches
against Lympstone, Westexe and Buckland.
Goal scorers:- Dunn; Clapp; Dobinson:
Squad:-
Jordan Bennington, Ryan Bunn, Jordan Clapp, Aarron Denny, Liam Dickinson, Tyler
Dobinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas, Thomas Evans, Connor Gilby, Jack Gilhooly,
Sebastian Jones, Jason Pope, Jacob Tinsley, Peter Wright, Josh Wadham.
Report by Terry Wright.
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Blues 5-4 Buckland
“Nine Goal Thriller Sees Blues Through to Final”
Brixington ran out winners in a nine goal end-to-end thriller against Buckland to secure their place in the final of the Friendly League cup competition. The two teams were evenly matched in the quality of their skills and in sheer effort and determination. This produced a game that had everything - delightful one-touch passing at pace, fine finishing, superbly timed tackles, excellent goal keeping and a battling performance from both sides and even a hint of controversy at the final whistle. Laying to rest the ghost of losing to Buckland in the opening (league) game of the season – the Blues bounced back from going a goal down to equalize through Josh Wadham after ten minutes. Connor Gilby then made an excellent save to deny Buckland before Wadham sprinted in to round the keeper and tuck away his second off the inside of the post. Just before half-time, Jordan Clapp held the ball at the edge of the box before confidently releasing a delightful pass to Seb Jones who steamed through to thump home the Blues’ third.
But
at 3-1, this game was far from over. As in the first half, Buckland caught the
Blues cold, with an early score to cut the deficit back to a single goal.
Buckland now dominated the midfield, recycling well. In maintaining good
pressure an equalizer looked imminent, but against the run of play the Blues
finally broke back. Aarron Denny and Tim Dunn combined well on the left
culminating in a neat one-two allowing Denny the freedom to shoot into the
opposite corner. Two goals up again, the Blues now looked in control – but not
so, as within minutes of the restart a a deflected shot defeated an already
committed Gilby. The Blues absorbed more Buckland pressure before Clapp, on a
loping run, unexpectedly hit an opportunistic strike from distance to make it
five, once again re-establishing the two goal cushion. But Buckland came back,
Gilby saving well - but as the ball was recycled and a low hard drive brought
the deficit back to a single goal again. Right up to the final whistle Buckland
continued to pressure for an equalizer, but the Blues held on. At the close of
play, a Buckland corner was headed home – but this was after the final whistle
had gone so the goal didn’t count. The Blues now go on to meet either
Lympstone or Westexe Athletic in the final of the cup competition and achieving
the league and cup double is now a tangible possibility.
Goal
scorers:- Wadham 2; Clapp; Denny; Jones:
Squad:- Jordan Bennington, Ryan Bunn, Jordan Clapp, Aarron Denny, Liam
Dickinson, Tyler Dobinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas, Thomas Evans, Connor Gilby,
Jack Gilhooly, Sebastian Jones, Jason Pope, Jacob Tinsley, Peter Wright, Josh
Wadham.
Report by Terry Wright.
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Blues 4-0 Broadclyst
“Fab Four Best Broadclyst ”
The Blues battled determined Broadclyst and the intermittent hail to grind out their twentieth consecutive win of the season. In a game that lacked lustre, by half-time only a neatly headed goal by Cubby Tinsley separated the two teams.
After
the break, Josh Wadham went close - hitting the side-netting from the narrowest
of angles and then hitting the bar after a looped shot from range. Aarron Denny
then scored the Blues’ second with a superbly curled strike beyond the
despairing dive of the keeper. And within minutes of the restart, Denny made it
three - slotting home after a nicely angled run across the box that carved
through the central defenders. Just before the final whistle Wadham made it
four.
Goal
scorers: Denny 2; Wadham; Tinsley:
Squad:- Jordan Bennington, Ryan Bunn, Jordan Clapp, Aarron Denny, Liam
Dickinson, Tyler Dobinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas, Thomas Evans, Connor Gilby,
Jack Gilhooly, Sebastian Jones, Jason Pope, Jacob Tinsley, Peter Wright, Josh
Wadham.
Report by Terry Wright.
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Blues 6-0 Alphington
“Blues Rack Up Six Against Alphington ”
The Blues silenced hostile away fans in a positive display of attacking football that first subdued, then defeated an Alphington side looking to avenge their early season 7-0 drubbing by the Blues. However, within minutes of the kick off - a Jason Pope corner was met by Cubby Tinsley who powered home an unstoppable header to give the Blues the early break through. But Alphington fought hard throughout the first half to get back on terms, and going in at half-time a single goal still separated the two teams.
In
the second half - an unlucky bounce led to a handball in the box and the award
of a penalty that Aarron Denny stepped up to tuck away for goal number two. This
effectively sealed Alphington’s fate – although strong defensive tackling
from Jordan Bennington, Thomas Evans, Ryan Bunn and Harry Douglas at the back
was required to stifle any possibility of Alphington staging a comeback. Denny
played with real strength and determination in midfield, setting an example that
the whole team began to respond too. After a number of chances Josh Wadham made
it goal number three. Goal number four came from an own goal edged across the
line following another Pope corner. Peter Wright then set up Liam Dickinson who
needed no invitation but to thump home goal number five. After some direct
running, Denny then powered through the centre to strike low and hard for goal
number six.
Goal
scorers: Denny 2; Dickinson; Wadham; Tinsley; O.G.:
Squad:- Jordan Bennington, Ryan Bunn, Jordan Clapp, Aarron Denny, Liam
Dickinson, Tyler Dobinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas, Thomas Evans, Connor Gilby,
Jack Gilhooly, Sebastian Jones, Jason Pope, Jacob Tinsley, Peter Wright, Josh
Wadham.
Report by Terry Wright.
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Blues
4-0 Pinhoe
“Blues Win takes them into the Semi’s…. ”
In a controlled display, the Blues powered their way past the stiffest of opposition in Pinhoe Lightening to reach the semi-finals of the U12’s knock out competition In a game reminiscent of their league match against Pinhoe back in January- Pinhoe started the livelier of the two teams, forcing the Blues to play deep in their own half for the first fifteen minutes of the game. Harry Douglas, Jordan Bennington and Ryan Bunn stood strong, making saving tackles to deny Pinhoe the possibility of an opening goal. Having withstood sustained pressure in defence, the Blues midfield began to ease forward up the pitch and the game slowly turned. Josh Wadham and Peter Wright both went close, but it was Seb Jones running through from midfield who powered home a measured strike to make it one-nil just before half time.
The
second half started much as the first, Pinhoe closing down and recycling
possession well, once again penning the Blues back, drawing sound defensive play
from Jack Gilhooly and Thomas Evans. Committed to attack and looking for an
equalizer, Pinhoe started to leave gaps in midfield which the Blues began to
exploit on the breakaway. Playing with composure, the Blues patience under
pressure was rewarded when Jason Pope freed up Time Dunn who went on a typical
‘Dunn run’, cutting inside from
the left wing to thunder home the Blues second. Despite two goals down Pinhoe
looked to get back into contention and Connor Gilby was called upon to make a
couple of finely timed runs to save and gather in. But at the other end the
Blues always looked the more likely team to score. Following a nicely weighted
through ball from Aaron Denny, with his back to goal Jordan Clapp held up the
ball just outside the penalty area, before releasing to Cubby Tinsley arriving
at pace on the left who then side-stepped the left back to slot home the
Blues’ third. Just before the closing whistle, with a mirror image goal –
this time it was Wadham in the centre that laid the ball off to Clapp arriving
on the right, who then rounded the right back to strike home the Blues’
fourth. The Blues now face Buckland in a semi-final clash. The Blues run of 17
league wins in a row has made them firm favourites to lift the Friendly League
crown, but coach Denny’s team is strongly motivated by the prospect of a
unique season double - the possibility of lifting both the U12’s Friendly
League Competition Cup as well as the League crown.
Goal
scorers:- Clapp; Dunn; Jones; Tinsley:
Squad:- Jordan Bennington, Ryan Bunn, Jordan Clapp, Aarron Denny, Liam
Dickinson, Tyler Dobinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas, Thomas Evans, Connor Gilby,
Jack Gilhooly, Sebastian Jones, Jason Pope, Jacob Tinsley, Peter Wright, Josh
Wadham.
Report by Terry Wright.
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Blues 6-1 Sidmouth Vikings
“Dickinson Leads the Way”
When these two sides met in the away leg a month ago, Liam Dickinson opened the flood gates for a Blues goal-fest. In this return home tie, Dickinson was again first on the score sheet, thumping the ball home at the far post. But a goal down, the spirited Vikings fought back, attempting to stem another tide - and for a time the Blues were held in midfield. Driving up the right wing Josh Wadham brought more width to the Blues attack and cutting inside, struck home the Blues’ second, with Tim Dunn ensuring the ball carried fully into the back of the net. But Dunn wasn’t to be denied getting onto the score-sheet himself. Within minutes of the restart, driving in from the left wing and laying the ball off to Jordan Clapp before taking the return pass, Dunn then powered home inside the far post for the Blues’ third. Three-up, the Blues’ midfield lost focus and the game drifted – until the Vikings, taking full advantage of the developing opportunities, snatched a superbly taken goal, giving the previously untroubled Connor Gilby, no chance. On came super-sub Jack Gilhooly into the left of midfield and with Dunn switched into centre and Seb Jones on the right - a revitalized Blues midfield once again provided an effective channel through to the strikers.
After
half-time, some sterling defence by centre halves Jordan Bennington and Ryan
Bunn led to Jones powering up through centre midfield. Sustaining his run, Jones
then took a neatly returned ball from Peter Wright to take the Blues’ fourth.
Gilhooly and Jones then linked up to lay the ball through to Wright who struck
low and hard inside the right hand post for the Blues' fifth. With a jinking run
that took him past 3 defenders, Wadham then hit the Blues’ sixth, his strike
finding its way under the diving keepers’ body.
Maintaining
an average of more than six goals scored per game, this is the fifteenth game
that the Blues have now won on the trot – taking them to the top of the
league, leap-frogging Buckland.
Squad:- Jordan Bennington, Ryan Bunn, Jordan Clapp, Aarron Denny, Liam
Dickinson, Tyler Dobinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas, Thomas Evans, Connor Gilby,
Jack Gilhooly, Sebastian Jones, Jason Pope, Jacob Tinsley, Josh Wadham, Peter
Wright.
Report by Terry Wright.
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Blues 5-1 Ottery
“Blues Fire Five Past Ottery”
The last time these two teams met the Blues ran in thirteen goals without response – but this was a very different Ottery team in the rematch. Playing with conviction Ottery fought for every ball and with firm tackles flying in from both sides - the midfields struggled to gain and then hold any real possession. The first half was therefore very tight, with few openings coming either way. However on balance the Blues could have gone two or three up, except for an inspired performance by the Ottery goalkeeper who made an excellent sequence of superb saves. The game stayed deadlocked until Josh Wadham timed a run to beat the offside trap, ending in a neat sidestep at pace to slot home past the diving keeper. For a time the match then reverted back to the former midfield tussle - until Ottery broke through with their first real strike on goal to make it one-all going into the break.
A different Blues side emerged after half time. Tyler Dobinson and Tim Dunn worked hard up the wings and the Blues began to make better use of the full width of the pitch. In midfield Sebastian Jones and Jason Pope were then instrumental in forging an effective link through the centre up to the strikers. With this channel in place, the Blues didn’t look back. Wadham was again released to drive in between the centre halves to power home his second – a shot that the keeper got his hands too, but simply couldn’t hold. Within minutes, having driven play through to the by-line Wadham pulled the ball back for Jordan Capp to then volley home. A spirited Ottery now had no answer to the sustained Blues’ pressure and at three-one this game was looked over. Five minutes before the end a direct free kick from Pope found the top corner to make it four and in open play just before the final whistle - Pope struck hard and low from a similar distance to make it five. With league trophy rivals Buckland dropping two points by drawing at Westexe, the Blues are now only one point behind in the title race.
Scorers:- Pope 2; Wadham 2; Clapp:
Squad :- Jordan Bennington, Ryan Bunn, Jordan Clapp, Aarron Denny, Liam
Dickinson, Tyler Dobinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas, Thomas Evans, Connor Gilby,
Jack Gilhooly, Sebastian Jones, Jason Pope, Jacob Tinsley, Peter Wright, Josh
Wadham.
Report by Terry Wright.
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Blues 6-1 Heavitree
“Four for Wadham”
Goals from Josh Wadham, Peter Wright and Aarron Denny saw Brixington home in a largely one-sided game. Within seconds of the kickoff, a Denny through ball found Wadham who clipped the inside of the post to open the Blues’ tally. His second soon followed, the Heavitree defence struggling to cope with the sheer pace and quality of the Blues’ hard running attack play. And the Blues were soon three up - Wright volleying home at close range after Liam Dickinson’s header came back off the underside of the crossbar. With the game effectively in the bag, the Blues started to cruise - always dangerous. Not unsurprisingly they began to get caught on the break. This drove man of the match Connor Gilby in the Blues’ goal to make some excellent judgement calls – claiming threatening through balls whenever Heavitree slipped past the Blues back four. With their foot still firmly off the gas in midfield, chances kept being gifted and despite the best efforts of Gilby and the Blues back four – Heavitree pulled one back.
The second half continued in the same vein, with the Blues still not quite firing on all cylinders. Gilby was then forced to make a couple of superb diving saves to keep Heavitree from getting back into this match. But at the other end, a Dickinson one-two with Wadham, finished with Wadham powering home the Blues’ fourth. Strong running from Tim Dunn on the right and Tyler Dobinson on the left ended with a through ball from Denny who found Wright in the centre - who unselfishly pulled the ball back for Wadham to sweep home his fourth and the Blues’ fifth. Just prior to the final whistle Denny struck from distance to make it six – keeping up the Blues goal scoring average of at least six goals per game.
Scorers:- Wadham 4; Denny; Wright:
Squad :- Jordan Bennington, Ryan Bunn, Jordan Clapp, Aarron Denny, Liam
Dickinson, Tyler Dobinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas, Thomas Evans, Connor Gilby,
Jack Gilhooly, Sebastian Jones, Jason Pope, Jacob Tinsley, Peter Wright, Josh
Wadham.
Report by Terry Wright.
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Blues 13-0 Sidmouth Vikings
“Blues Sink Valiant Vikings”
In a match awash with goals the Brixington Blues swamped, then sank, Sidmouth’s Vikings. A brace of goals from Liam Dickinson, plus ten other goals from the Blues simply overwhelmed Sidmouth. However the valiant Vikings never stopped trying, but their attacking play was repeatedly turned back as Aarron Denny, Sebastian Jones, Jack Gilhooly and ‘Cubby’ Tinsley combined to recapture possession - launching wave after wave of Blues’ pressure. Dickinson was first to score, calmly and confidently slotting home a ball laid on by Clapp – who was soon on the score sheet himself, half-volleying home a pinpoint cross from Tinsley. After the restart, Gilhooly then threaded a seemingly impossible ball fully 30 yards and between the two central defenders, to pick out Clapp who scored again. Tim Dunn’s shot then crashed off the post, and having maintained his drive forward Tinsley then picked up the rebound – cleverly chipping the Vikings’ keeper to make it four. Josh Wadham then buried the ball in the back of the net to make it five, following an opportunistic snapshot from outside the box.
After half time, Peter Wright then dribbled through the last line of defenders to make an angle and ease the ball home. But even though six up – the Blues weren’t about to let Sidmouth of the hook, but instead went fishing for even more goals. A cross from Wadham saw Wright’s close range volley spectacularly tipped onto the bar by the keeper. This time it was Denny who latched onto the rebound to head home number seven. Following some strong running, Dunn then released the ball through to Dickinson who clinically took his second. His hat trick goal soon followed – a Denny shot drawing another fine save from the keeper, but there was Dickinson following in to tuck home the Blues’ ninth. Harry Douglas was next to score, picking up a super pass from Tinsley that left the Viking’s keeper exposed. Thomas Evans, cutting inside from the wing, then pulled the ball back into the path of Ryan Bunn surging through the centre – to smash home his first goal of the season. After the best move of the match - neat ‘touch and go’ passing involving Wright, Denny and Evans ended with Jordan Bennington thundering home a low drive. Just before the close, Tinsley made it thirteen after a superb solo effort – finally tucking home after his initial strike had cannoned off the post. This game said as much about the valiant ‘never say die’ spirit of the Vikings - as it did about the quality of the Blues play and their ability to keep adding to their already awesome goal tally without conceding.
Scorers:- Dickinson 3; Clapp 2; Tinsley 2; Bennington; Bunn; Denny; Douglas;
Wadham; Wright:
Squad : Jordan Bennington, Ryan Bunn, Jordan Clapp, Aarron Denny, Liam
Dickinson, Tyler Dobinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas, Thomas Evans, Connor Gilby,
Jack Gilhooly, Sebastian Jones, George Locke, Jacob Tinsley, Peter Wright, Josh
Wadham.
Report by Terry Wright.
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Pinhoe
0-2 Blues
Blues Pacify, then Punish, Pinhoe
An excellent Pinhoe performance proved a real test for Brixington. In the first half, an intermittent tail-wind behind Pinhoe added to the swift pace in which this game was played. Connor Gilby was called upon to make a number of timely diving saves as Pinhoe continued to threaten. Ryan Bunn and Jordan Bennington held the centre of defence, but Pinhoe pulled wide in an effort to round the Blues back four. This drew fine saving tackles from Harry Douglas on the right and Thomas Evans on the left – often making the vital connection at pace and at full stretch. At the other end, Seb Jones linked well with Josh Wadham and Peter Wright who both went close. Jordan Clapp also had a fine shot saved and Liam Dickinson worked hard but the half a yard of space needed to score just wouldn’t come because Pinhoe were so quick to make closing tackles. But having lost possession - there was Aarron Denny supported by Jacob Tinsley just behind the strike force recycling well and for a time the Blues managed to turn this game and sustain a period of real pressure. Despite their best efforts, an opening goal proved elusive so the honours were even going in at the break.
With the matched poised for the taking by either team, the second half started with the wind now favouring the Blues. Some inspired running by Tim Dunn, Jack Gilhooly and Tyler Dobinson began to break down the tight defensive pattern maintained by Pinhoe. With barely five minutes to go the breakthrough finally came. Wadham seized on a delightful through-ball from Jones, thumping a blistering shot that the keeper simply couldn’t hold. Pinhoe never stopped looking for the equalizer, but an acrobatic finish from Wright to get on to the end of a Wadham cross made it two for the Blues, putting the seal on this game. In a nutshell, this match could have gone either way and was only finally settled in the Blues favour by the two goals scored in the last five minutes. After a sequence of ten straight wins in a row – it seems that only Buckland can now stop a determined Blues from topping this years’ U’12’s league.
Scorers:-
Wadham; Wright:
Squad:- Jordan Bennington, Ryan Bunn, Jordan Clapp, Aarron Denny, Liam
Dickinson, Tyler Dobinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas, Thomas Evans, Connor Gilby,
Jack Gilhooly, Sebastian Jones, George Locke, Jacob Tinsley, Josh Wadham, Peter
Wright.
Report by Terry Wright.
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Blues 4-1 Crediton
Blues take the Wind out of Crediton
In a close contest - a strongly gusting tail-wind favoured Crediton in the first half, but worked to the Blues’ advantage in the second. The strength of the wind restricted the movement of both teams who struggled to adapt to the conditions. Necessarily the ball had to be played to feet – long balls against the wind simply fell short, while wind assisted passes simply flew beyond reach. Ten minutes in, Connor Gilby was given no chance, beaten by the sheer pace of a wind assisted Crediton breakaway and the power of the finishing shot. So for the second game in succession, the Blues found themselves a goal down. Facing into the strong headwind, they dug in and battled hard to contain a rampant Crediton who played some enterprising, quality football. Tireless running from Sebastian Jones on the right and visionary play from Jack Gilhooly on the left, with Aaron Denny in the centre provided the midfield scaffold that mostly kept Crediton at bay. Going in at half time a single goal down was a fair position to be in. With the wind now in the Blues’ favour, an expectation of a reversal of fortunes kept the psychological battle between these two great teams hanging in the balance.
Early on in the second half, Josh Wadham signalled the changes that were to come - sprinting onto a through-ball from Jones to thunder a shot that drew a superb diving save from the Crediton keeper. Settling to the conditions, a characteristic one touch passing movement at pace then saw the Blues grab the long sought equalizer. In a move that started with Ryan Bunn – who played a commanding role in the centre of defence - an excellent angled pass found Peter Wright who dropping back touched the ball off to an overlapping Jones, who arrowed the ball through to Josh Wadham who needed no invitation but to bury the ball in the back of the net. At one each, Crediton began to struggle to match a Blues team now free to play their own style of football. Darting runs from Tyler Dobinson on the left and Tim Dunn on the right, freed Denny in the centre to find Wright up on strike - obligingly finishing with a clinical strike beyond the reach of the diving keeper to add to the Blues tally. Within minutes, and in a carbon copy move, Denny again played the critical pass through to Wright who struck home for his second and the Blues’ third. Having won the psychological battle, and with the wind behind them, at three-to-one this game was effectively over. Although Crediton never stopped fighting to get back on terms, the Blues were now in control. Just before the close, a considered shot from Jones at distance cleared the keeper to make it four for the Blues. This clash showed the real quality of the Blues - who maintain a record of having been beaten only once this season – away to Buckland in the opening game. Assuming both teams remain unbeaten until they meet again - a Blues’ home win in a top of the table clash with Buckland could well prove a league decider and sweet revenge.
Scorers:-
Wright 2; Jones; Wadham:
Squad:- Jordan Bennington, Ryan Bunn, Jordan Clapp, Aarron Denny, Liam
Dickinson, Tyler Dobinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas, Thomas Evans, Connor Gilby,
Jack Gilhooly, Sebastian Jones, George Locke, Jacob Tinsley, Josh Wadham, Peter
Wright.
Report by Terry Wright.
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Westexe
3-5 Blues
Blues Purple Patch Wins the Day against Westexe
Brixington were stunned by an early goal from Westexe Rangers. Undaunted, the Blues kept their heads and played their way back into this game – Peter Wright equalizing after ten minutes - his shot deflecting over an unsighted keeper. Centre halves Jordan Bennington and Ryan Bunn closed down everything from Westexe that threatened through the centre, whilst Thomas Evans and Harry Douglas stood strong against any movement taken wide. Capturing the ball in defence, Bennington placed an accurate pass to Aarron Denny in centre midfield – who released a long through ball to Jordan Clapp who at the end of a familiar galloping run thundered the ball past the keeper for goal number two. Quick defending by the Rangers continued to thwart Liam Dickinson, but an angled run from Tim Dunn took the ball into the box where he was brought down for a penalty. Captain Denny coolly slotted home goal number three. With another goal similar to his first Clapp then made it four. Jack Gilhooly then angled a superbly weighted pass over the Rangers’ defence turning them inside-out, the ball falling to a sprinting Tyler Dobinson who struck it low and hard to make it five.
At half-time a Blues’ victory looked assured, but after the break the pattern of the game changed. Rangers fought back. Douglas and Bennington were called upon to make excellent saving tackles, denying Rangers again and again and the match turned in to an end-to-end tussle. In attack Josh Wadham hit the post, while Rangers had a shot headed off the line by Thomas Evans. Rangers then scored their second from an excellent pull back across the box, giving Connor Gilby in goal little chance. In a late revival of fortune, the Rangers then took their third. However within minutes the final whistle denied the possibility of a continuing comeback. Westexe Rangers managed to achieve something that eight previous league teams had failed to do – score against the Blues – and not once, but three times. Having equalized, the Blues didn’t look like losing this match, but it was their purple patch - scoring five goals the first half - that gave them the cushion needed to carry the day.
Scorers:-Clapp 2; Denny; Dobinson; Wright:
Squad:- Jordan Bennington, Ryan Bunn, Jordan Clapp, Aarron Denny, Liam
Dickinson, Tyler Dobinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas, Thomas Evans, Connor Gilby,
Jack Gilhooly, Sebastian Jones, George Locke, Jacob Tinsley, Josh Wadham, Peter
Wright.
Report by Terry Wright.
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Broadclyst 0-6 Blues
Blues Better a Battered Broadclyst
Broadclyst
never stopped trying but rarely threatened in this match and the Blues took full
advantage - scoring four goals in the first half and two more in the second. In
commanding form, the Blues took the lead after five minutes. Cutting in from the
left, Peter Wright played a measured through ball to Sebastian Jones, slicing
through the defensive line. Jones’ return pass found Wright who had continued
his run – and a neat first-time strike made the first goal of the day. With
Jones, Aaron Denny, Cubby Tinsley and Jack Gilhooly dominating the midfield –
penetrating runs from Tim Dunn and Josh Wadham gave Jones the opportunity to get
on the score sheet himself. With the keeper already committed from an earlier
strike, Jones recycled and then rifled home number two. Jordan Clapp then
stepped up to take a corner kick – and obligingly curled home goal number
three. Good support play between Gilhooly and Ryan Bunn led to another corner,
which Clapp took again. This time the ball fell tantalizingly a yard in front
the keeper. Timing his run to perfection, Liam Dickinson met the ball with a
deft first-time touch to make it four.
After a half-time, a re-inspired Broadclyst came out fighting and for a time they raised their game to match the more rapid tempo of the Blues, who continued to move the ball around at pace. But battered Broadclyst just didn’t have the fire power to breech the defensive bastion of Jordan Bennington, Ryan Bunn and Thomas Evans - although in the Blues’ goal Harry Douglas was forced to make a single diving save midway through the half. Wright then made it five, shooting home after picking up a well-angled pass from Wadham. Clapp then made it six - a chipped shot from distance leaving the keeper with little to do except to pick himself up, and then pick the ball up from the back of the net. Just before the close Wadham crashed a shot off the crossbar - another clean sheet in the league for the Blues (that’s eight in a row), whilst their goal scoring average is still more than six per game.
Scorers:-
Wright 2;
Clapp 2; Dickinson; Jones:
Squad:- Jordan Bennington, Ryan Bunn, Jordan Clapp, Aarron Denny, Liam
Dickinson, Tyler Dobinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas, Thomas Evans, Connor Gilby,
Jack Gilhooly, Sebastian Jones, George Locke, Jacob Tinsley, Josh Wadham, Peter
Wright.
Report by Terry Wright.
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Blues 1-0 Westexe Athletic
Seven Up for the Blues
Against well-organised Westexe Athletic the Blues were made to fight hard, eventually overcoming their opposition with a single goal late on in the game. In the first half, the goalkeepers had little to do as neither side were able to break through a midfield deadlock. The sterling efforts of both teams simply cancelled each other out, so despite an epic battle the teams went in exhausted, but with the honours still even at the break.
The
second half started as carbon copy of the first, but as the teams tired the game
began to open up a little and there was more movement from both sides. Midway
through the second half Tim Dunn finally managed to round the left back,
crashing in a shot that cannoned off the post. In the next attack, some neat
one-two passing between Jordan Clapp and Josh Wadham, finished with a delicate
through ball to Wadham who obligingly powered home what proved to be the only
goal in the match. A Tyler Dobinson cross then found Seb Jones who headed the
ball just wide at the near post. Late on Jacob Tinsley tried to chip the keeper
from distance – only to see his shot clear the cross bar. Hard fought, this
win makes seven league wins on the trot for the Blues.
Scorers:-Wadham:
Squad:- Jordan Bennington, Ryan Bunn, Jordan Clapp, Aarron Denny, Liam
Dickinson, Tyler Dobinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas, Thomas Evans, Connor Gilby,
Jack Gilhooly, Sebastian Jones, George Locke, Jacob Tinsley, Josh Wadham, Peter
Wright.
Report by Terry Wright.
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Blues
5-2 Westexe
Cup
Brixington
Started the brightest pressing straight from the whistle but went behind to one
of the many long balls over the top .This sparked the blues in to action who
were back level almost straight away with Seb Jones slotting home after a
7 man passing move. Westexes keeper was in fine form making numerous saves to
thwart the blues strike force and keep them in the game before yet again another
long ball over the top caught the defence out making it 2 1. Coming
out after half time the blues pressure told with an Aarron Denny volley
from outside the box to the top corner where the keeper had no chance.
This was quickly followed by a Jordan Clapp strike. Peter Wright and Josh
Wadham then added to the score sheet sending through to the next round where
they meet Hemyock.
Scorers:-
Jones; Denny; Clapp; Wright; Wadham:
Ottery 0-13 Blues
Blues Make it 'Unlucky Thirteen for Ottery
The Blues defensive line of Jordan Bennington, Harry Douglas, Thomas Evans and Ryan Bunn did more than just enable the Blues to keep another clean sheet - they were instrumental in recapturing possession and driving attacking play out from defence at pace, whenever Ottery threatened. Evans and Douglas overlapped as 'oldfashioned' wing backs down their respective lines - Iinking through to upfront pairings of Josh Wadham, Peter Wright, Jordan Clapp and Liam Dickinson. Within five minutes, Dickinson was first off the mark, a well taken header at the near-post following a pinpoint cross from Tinsley - who took the next goal himself, neatly chipping the ball over the keepers reach. Dickinson then hit the post before Clapp stepped up to slot inside the post and outside the goalkeepers despairing dive. As the game progressed it was clear that Ottery had no answer to the aJI round strength in depth of the Blues - who simply went about their tasks in a measured way, leaving Con nor Gilby, little to do in goal. Relying on the strollg defensive platform, the midfield of Jacob Tinsley, Aarron Denny, Tim Dunn, Jack Gilhooly and Sebastian Jones assumed full control of the destiny of this game. At three nil, the game was already beyond the reach of Ottery, who struggled manfully on - only to be punished three more times (with two goals from Dunn and a second goal for Clapp) before the respite of half time.
After the break a relentless Blues continued to dominate. Evans took a fine half- volley from a Wad ham pull-back to make it seven. Wright then curled a shot that hit the post, before Tinsley took a rebound from a Dickinson effort to make it eight. Goal number nine came after some neat one-two passing at pace between Wad ham and Tinsley, finished with a low cjrive inside the post by Wad ham. Jones then made it ten and goals in quick succession from Dickinson, Wright and finally Douglas from a goal mouth Scramble made it an unlucky thirteen on the day for Ottery. Another clean sheet for the Blues and another fine victory.
Scorers:- Clapp 2; Dickinson
2; Dunn 2; Tinsley 2; Evans; Douglas; Jones; Wadham; Wright:
Squad:- Jordan Bennington, Hyan Bunn, Jordan Clapp, Aarron Denny, Liam
Dickinson, Tyler Dobinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas, T~omas Evans, Connor Gilby,
Jack Gilhooly, Sebastian Jones, George Locke, Jacob Tinsley, PeterWright, Josh
Wadham.
Report by Terry Wright.
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Lympstone 0-4 Blues
Gilby Outstanding for Bring ’em On Blues
Two goals in each half settled this hard fought struggle against local rivals Lympstone. Showing personal skill and determination, Sebastian Jones first made and then executed the first goal within seconds of the kick-off. In so doing, he set the pattern for this match - flashes of enterprising individual skill from the Blues’ players making the difference between the two teams. Having gone one down, an initially stunned Lympstone pushed back looking for the equalizer, but Connor Gilby in the Blues goal responded to the increasing pressure by imposing his presence on this game. Taking command of anything that came his way, he competently and confidently directed out his back four to create structured passing out of defence. With the spirited combination of Jack Gilhooly, Tim Dunn, Aarron Denny and Tyler Dobinson then striving to make the most of the opportunities – the Blues then went two up. New signing Jordan Clapp ran on to an accurate through pass from Jacob Tinsley to score in his debut game with a well struck, unstoppable shot. Going in at the break the game seemed to have reached a conclusion – but the half-time talks from the respective team coaches clearly meant something to both sets of players.
Lympstone rallied again and for a time looked more threatening – but the Blues then moved up another gear. Harry Douglas and Jordan Bennington made superb ‘last man’ tackles as Lympstone began to look for more long balls ‘over the top’ to bypass the midfield and negate any possibility of off-side. Yet whenever the Blues defence was breached - there was Gilby in outstanding personal form at the back, bravely coming forward, often diving at the feet of Lympstone strikers to deny them that elusive goal. Josh Wadham also showed what a determined and skilful player he is, running with the ball from inside his own half and riding the challenges of three defenders to power home the Blues’ third - and undeniably the best goal of the match. Lympstone to their credit never stopped trying to get something out of this game, but goal number four and the final goal of the game also went to the Blues. Liam Dickinson and Peter Wright had few chances upfront, but a nicely weighted through-ball from Aarron Denny split the Lympstone centre halves, leaving Clapp to thread home with just the keeper to beat.
Five
clean sheets from five games says much for the defensive qualities of this team,
but with the Blues now averaging seven goals a game – the Blues have a real
determination not just to win, but to win well – and against any opposition so
“Bring ‘em On!”
Scorers:-
Clapp 2; Wadham; Jones:
Squad : -Jordan Bennington, Connor Breslan, Ryan Bunn, Jordan Clapp, Aarron
Denny, Liam Dickinson, Tyler Dobinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas, Thomas Evans,
Connor Gilby, Jack Gilhooly, Sebastian Jones, George Locke, Jacob Tinsley, Peter
Wright, Josh Wadham.
Report by Terry Wright.
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Blues 8-0 Heavitree
“Wadham “hat trick” Cuts Down Heavitree”
From the kick off, the Blues scythed through a flat-footed Heavitree midfield, Josh Wadham taking an early goal with a low driven strike of real quality. Wadham’s second soon followed after some measured one-touch passing play involving Jordan Bennington, Jack Gilhooly, Tim Dunn and Tyler Dobinson. With superior all round vision, individual ball skills and pace, the Blues continued to steam-roller plucky Heavitree. Liam Dickensen took goal number three for the Blues, neatly gathering a through ball from Ryan Bunn to turn and slot the ball past a stranded keeper. Driving out from defence, Thomas Evans maintained his run to take a delightful return pass from Dunn to power home his first goal of the season and the Blues’ fourth. Wadham’s hat trick and the Blues’ fifth then came soon after - an awesome strike that threatened to power right through the back of the net. Just before the end of the first half a shot from Jones spun off the underside of the bar to be pushed home by Peter Wright and the Blues went into the break six goals to the good, without reply from Heavitree.
After
the composed first half display, the second half was then marred by a lack of
focus, leading to poor passing and finishing. Despite the lion’s share of
possession the Blues simply squandered opportunities. Thankfully Heavitree
rarely threatened although Harry Douglas was called upon to make a couple of
‘last man’ saving tackles, denying Connor Gilby in the Blues goal something
to do apart from having to keep his concentration. After a series of runs at the
defence by Jacob Tinsley, Aaron Denny seized on across from Sebastian Jones to
strike home from the edge of the box – to score his first goal of the season.
With the Blues now seven up, some persistent running from Dunn carved through
the Heavitree back line affording him the opportunity to make and then take goal
number eight, thumping home an unstoppable shot. In the last four games the
Blues have scored thirty one goals without conceding a single goal – which is
simply awesome.
Scorers:-
Wadham 3; Denny; Dickensen;
Dunn; Evans; Wright:
Squad:- Jordan Bennington, Connor Breslan, Ryan Bunn, Aarron Denny, Liam
Dickinson, Tyler Dobinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas, Thomas Evans, Connor Gilby,
Jack Gilhooly, Sebastian Jones, George Locke, Jacob Tinsley, Peter Wright, Josh
Wadham.
Report by Terry Wright.
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Blues
10-0 Exeter Central Scorpions
“Blues Goal Avalanche Buries Scorpions”
After a spell of excellent football that was joy to watch, the Blues started a goal scoring rush that overwhelmed staunch resistance from the Central Scorpions. Jacob Tinsley led the scoring with a well taken strike from just outside the box, followed soon after by an equally well taken goal from Sebastian Jones. The quality of the Blues play pegged the Scorpions back into their own half. For a while the lack of room this created stifled creative play, although darting runs from Josh Wadham on the left, Tyler Dobinson on the right and Tinsley through the middle continued to threaten. Showing good individual skill Tinsley then grabbed his second and the Blues’ third goal just before half time. In the second half the positioning stalemate resumed, until the Blues finally began to go wide, with Harry Douglas, Jack Gilhooly and Ryan Dunn tackling back to recycle whenever possession was lost and giving Connor Gilby very little do in goal except keep his concentration. But the more open play gradually began to draw Central out and the Blues were finally able to exploit the new found space. An avalanche of goals then followed.
The first goal of the second half was a superb strike from Tim Dunn who ran through at pace to thump home an unstoppable shot. From the restart, the Blues quickly regained possession and surged forward as a unit, Liam Dickensen running on to finish with a well taken, low struck, shot to the corner. Goal number six was arguably the best goal of the match, the Scorpions unable to touch the ball as the Blues carved their way up the pitch with a passing quality that some premiership sides would envy. Working well with Jordan Bennington in defence, Thomas Evans seized the ball, sweeping the ball down the line to Jones who turned and masterfully laid the ball into the path of Tinsley sprinting through the off-side line. Taking the ball to the by-line, Tinsley pulled the ball back across the goalmouth to reach Liam Dickensen arriving at the edge of the six yard box to neatly volley home. Tinsley then made it seven with a solo effort from distance for his hat-trick. In the next attack, Wadham laid the ball through to Peter Wright who jinked between two players to score. Another ‘Tinsley special’ from distance then made it nine. Before the final whistle halted the goal deluge, Wadham was finally rewarded for all of his efforts, tucking in the rebound from his own header that had previously cannoned off the post. The plucky Scorpions never stopped trying, but the Blues never stopped scoring.
Scorers:- Tinsley
4; Dickensen 2; Jones; Dunn; Wadham; Wright
Squad:- Jordan Bennington, Connor Breslan, Ryan Bunn, Aarron Denny, Liam
Dickinson, Tyler Dobinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas, Thomas Evans, Connor Gilby,
Jack Gilhooly, Sebastian Jones, George Locke, Jacob Tinsley, Peter Wright, Josh
Wadham.
Report by Terry Wright.
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“Pure
Grit from Breslan as Blues hit Six of the Best”
Brixington played cultured football to sweep Pinhoe aside. Evenly matched in their enthusiasm for the game, Pinhoe struggled to convert, while Brixington struck six of the best – the difference between the two sides being the quality of the Blues passing play at place. Once again, the impenetrable defensive barrier of Jordan Bennington, Jack Gilhooly, Harry Douglas, Thomas Evans and Ryan Bunn masterfully covered for each other in front of the commanding presence of Connor Gilby in goal. With this level of security at the back, the midfield of Tim Dunn, Aarron Denny, Sebastian Jones and Jacob Tinsley were free to drive play forward, linking well with the strike force of Connor Breslan, Liam Dickensen and Peter Wright. Surging runs from Tyler Dobinson and Josh Wadham continually opened up scoring opportunities. Wadham scored the opening goal, running onto a superbly weighted through ball from Jones to finish with a powerful strike. Pinhoe pressured back looking for an equalizer, but the Blues exploited the extra space this created, scoring their second. Carving through the midfield, Tinsley directed the ball to Wadham who drove to the by-line before pulling the ball back to find Wright in the centre, who then volleyed home. Following some delightful ‘one-touch and pass’ movements goal number three came just before half-time, Tinsley striking home.
After the break the game regained a more even balance as an undaunted Pinhoe redoubled their efforts to break the Blues stranglehold on possession. However an accurate pass from Dunn freed up Wadham who surged passed two defenders to blast an unstoppable shot making it four to the Blues. Dobinson was next on the score sheet – the rebound from his shot falling to Breslan who collected the ball before accurately laying the ball back to Dobinson who this time made sure. Goal number six was born of pure grit and determination. Riding strong defensive challenges, Breslan persevered, kept his composure and was rewarded by an excellently taken goal that left the goalkeeper stranded.
Scorers:- Wadham 2; Breslan; Dobinson; Tinsley;
Wright:
Squad :- Jordan Bennington, Connor Breslan, Ryan Bunn, Aarron Denny, Liam
Dickinson, Tyler Dobinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas, Thomas Evans, Connor Gilby,
Jack Gilhooly, Sebastian Jones, George Locke, Jacob Tinsley, Peter Wright, Josh
Wadham.
Report by Terry Wright.
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“Blues Magnificent Seven Outgun Alphington”
In a spirited game, Alphington were overwhelmed by a Brixington Blues team that simply played their best early season football. Keeping their shape at the back and moving to cover whenever needed, a superb defensive line of Jordan Bennington, Thomas Evans, Harry Douglas and newbie Ryan Bunn proved an impenetrable barrier – giving Connor Gilby very little to do in the Blues goal. With Josh Wadham and Tim Dunn driving hard on the left wing and Tyler Dobinson and Connor Breslan reciprocating on the right Alphington were continually spread wide, creating space in the centre. After ten minutes, a typical thrusting run from Wadham on the left led to the first goal of the game, a calculated strike over the head of the Alphington keeper coming off of his line in an attempt to narrow the angle. Liam Dickensen and Peter Wright eagerly seized on anything squared back across the box, often holding the ball up in the centre in order to feed Aarron Denny or Sebastian Jones surging up from midfield to strike on goal. From a blocked Denny strike, Wright then stole the ball back just outside the penalty area, turning and slipping between two defenders to slot the ball beyond the despairing reach of the diving keeper. Now dominating possession and recycling well in all areas of play, the Blues maintained high tempo, pressure football and were soon rewarded with a carbon copy of the first goal. This time Jones broke through to blast an unstoppable drive over the keeper and into the top of the net for number three. Just before the break, Wright made his hat trick and the Blues’ fourth, picking up a Denny cross and thumping home.
In the second half, a beleagured Alphington were once again penned back in their own half by an unrelenting Blues who applied wave after wave of continual pressure. Excellent tackling back and recycling of possession sustained the winning platform and it wasn’t long before Dunn, linking well with Wadham, angled the ball to the far post where Breslan arriving at pace, volleyed home. Shortly before the close a pinpoint cross lofted from Wadham saw Wright providing a superbly weighted header to guide the ball into the net making it a magnificent seven on the day. Alphington played with real passion throughout, but the Blues were not to be denied a convincing win.
Scorers:-
Wright 4; Breslan ; Jones; Wadham:
Squad:- Jordan Bennington, Connor
Breslan, Ryan Bunn, Aarron Denny, Liam Dickinson, Tyler Dobinson, Tim Dunn,
Harry Douglas, Thomas Evans, Connor Gilby, Jack Gilhooly, Sebastian Jones,
George Locke, Jacob Tinsley, Peter Wright, Josh Wadham.
Report by Terry Wright.
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