U13s 'Bls' Reports

U13s 'Bls' REPORTS

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Brixington Blues 1-3 Brixington United
“Blues lose Valentines Derby ”

There is usually no love lost in local derby matches and this Valentines day game between Brixington Blues and Brixington United was no exception – but the game was fought with a fine competitive spirit. In a game of missed chances, it was really a game that the Blues lost more than United won. While the Blues struggled to find their scoring touch, in frustrating contrast local rivals United managed to score three goals from three attempts on goal. United initially start the livelier, and in setting the early pace were rewarded with a quick goal – a long cross dropping agonisingly inside the far post. After twenty minutes of midfield sparring, the balance of the game then shifted as Jordan Bennington, Ryan Bunn, Thomas Evans and Harry Douglas began to impose themselves on this game. From this platform the Blues began to dominate, only to be stunned by a second breakaway goal for United. A long ball floated ‘over the top’ bounced awkwardly and a back-peddling Connor Gilby could then only get his finger tips to a following up header - but not enough to stop the flight of the ball into the net. Undaunted, the Blues continued to pressure and shortly before half time a purposeful handball inside the box gave Jordan Clapp the opportunity to pull one back with the spot kick.

The second half started much as the first half had finished, with the Blues piling on the pressure. United were again pinned back deep in their own half. However, despite the best efforts of a Liam Dickinson, James Byrne, Peter Wright, Nathan Fowler and Tim Dunn the Blues just couldn’t penetrate the wall of United players now packing the defence. Missing the pace of Mark Godfrey on the right and the battling efforts of George Toomey and Rob Smith in midfield, the Blues nonetheless continued to hurl themselves forward, but they just couldn’t find that extra yard needed to fully test the United keeper. Byrne headed onto the bar, and shortly after a corner from Clapp dropped just the wrong side of the crossbar onto the top netting. A seemingly certain shot from Fowler then cannoned off a United defender, deflecting harmlessly wide. For a time an equalizer looked inevitable, but as the clock ticked by, the Blues were drawn to commit everything to all-out attack, only to get caught (as so often happens) by a third breakaway goal. A flattering 1-3 score-line in favour of United, but this was no Valentines day massacre. Unlucky Blues can be proud of a strong and, what really should have been, a winning performance.

Goal scorers: Clapp (1) pen.

Squad : Jordan Bennington, James Byrne, Ryan Bunn, Jordan Clapp, Liam Dickinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas (capt), Thomas Evans, Connor Gilby, Jack Gilhooly, Mark Godfrey, Rob Smith, George Toomey, Peter Wright.

Terry Wright

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Brixington Blues 3-0 Broadclyst

“Blues repeat Broadclyst win”

Following last weeks home win, the away leg again saw the Blues in dominant form. While it was Jordan Clapps’ finishing that again saw the Blues safely home, it was a total team effort that delivered this win in the face of a fine Broadclyst performance. With a strong defensive line absorbing whatever Broadclyst threw at them, the Blues midfield were able to play the ball wide. Sitting just in-front of the midfield, playmaker Peter Wright worked hard throughout , chasing back to regain possession, then intelligently holding and spreading the play out to the wings, or through to Clapp up on strike. For along time the Blues possession didn’t manifest a reward until a Clapp shot was parried away by the keeper, only to be pushed home by the ever-eager Nathan Fowler. For a time Broadclyst then threatened. After a goal-line clearance, Connor Gilby just managed to palm away the follow-up strike at the near post allowing the Blues to keep their slate clean and stay one goal up going into the break. The second half then started as the first half ended with Broadclyst pressuring for an equalizer, but breaking out of defence Jack Gilhooly found Clapp who again finished well to make it two up to the Blues. Brixington then shifted up a gear and after a period of sustained pressure a thumping shot from George Toomey cannoned off the post, before Clapp finally put the game out of reach taking his second and the Blues third, without reply just before the close. A satisfying home and away double over Broadclyst, but most encouraging was the way that the Blues won both of these challenging games.

Goal scorers: Clapp (2), Fowler (1).

Squad : Jordan Bennington, James Byrne, Ryan Bunn, Jordan Clapp, Liam Dickinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas (capt), Thomas Evans, Nathan Fowler, Connor Gilby, Jack Gilhooly, Mark Godfrey, Rob Smith, George Toomey, Peter Wright.

Terry Wright

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Brixington Blues 3-1 Broadclyst

“Blues batter Broadclyst”

From the outset the Blues tore into Broadclyst who simply could not handle Brixingtons’ passion and commitment. The stalwart defence of Jordan Bennington, Ryan Bunn, Harry Douglas and Thomas Evans – simply turned back any move by Broadclyst to get into a goal scoring position. In midfield George Toomey, Nathan Fowler, Jack Gilhooly and Tim Dunn all worked hard allowing some excellent wing play by Rob Smith and Mark Godfrey. This set Jordan Clapp free to masterfully catch the keeper off his line with a superb drive from just outside the box making a deserved lead for the Blues. After the restart, the Blues recaptured possession deep in their own half. Surging forward an excellent through-ball from Thomas Evans sliced between the Broadclyst central defenders into the path of a sprinting James Byrne who obliged with a low hard drive that gave the diving keeper no chance. Having dominated the first half in every department the Blues looked set for a fine win, however an undaunted Broadclyst battled back hard. Their efforts were rewarded just after half time - a well placed corner slotted nicely inside the near post, past a sliding Ryan Bunn, and a stranded Connor Gilby. For fifteen minutes of the second half the game then hung in the balance, until Byrne put the game beyond doubt with a clinical finish, following some good work in midfield by Fowler.

Goal scorers: Byrne (2), Clapp (1)

Terry Wright

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Blues 6-0 Ottery St. Mary

“Blues hit Ottery for Six”

On a freezing winters morning the Brixington Blues warmed to a spirited challenge from Ottery, before turning up the heat to dominate this game. For the first twenty minutes the two teams matched each other almost stroke for stroke but gradually the Blues gained the lions’ share of possession and used this to best advantage, scoring three goals in each half without response. Storming in through the centre, Harry Douglas was first on the score-sheet, picking up a rebound just outside the penalty box to power home. Jack Gilhooly’s through-ball over the central defenders was then met by Jordan Clapp who finished with what is fast becoming a signature strike for the Blues. A battling run from Rob Smith was then finished by him for the Blues third.

After half time, stalwart play by Jordan Bennington, George Toomey, Nathan Fowler and Mark Godfrey continued to take the game to the Otters, but it was James Byrne that skilfully made and then took the Blues’ fourth. Minutes later Ryan Bunn’s excellently timed ‘last man’ sliding tackle denied the Otters their only real chance of the game before Thomas Evans, linking well with Smith, created the space that allowed Peter Wright to curl in a shot that took an edge off the last defender for the Blues fifth. Just before the close, Byrne scored his second and the Blues sixth. A committed all-round performance.

Goal scorers: Byrne (2), Clapp (1), Douglas (1), Smith (1), Wright (1).

Terry Wright

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Blues 4-1 Kentisbeare Colts

“Blues defeat Colts”

In a tough but well contested match , Brixington Blues regained winning form with an excellent win over Kentisbeare Colts. Both teams fought hard, but the vital breakthrough didn’t come until midway through the first half. Controlled ‘one touch and go’ passing at pace finally played in Jordan Clapp who calmly chipped an advancing Colts keeper. The Colts then drew two fine saves in quick succession from an alert Connor Gilby, before finally working a well deserved equalizer. However the Blues reasserted their growing dominance of this game from almost immediately from the restart – the pace of Mark Godfrey, holding play from Peter Wright and through balls from Jack Gilhooly continually turning the Colts defence - before a glancing header from Liam Dickinson guided the ball home passed a stranded keeper who had been diving the other way to meet a distance shot from George Toomey.

After the break, a combination of defensive resolve and midfield battling proved the difference between the two sides. In the centre of defence Ryan Bunn and Jordan Bennington stifled any movement through the centre, while Thomas Evans on the left matched Harry Douglas on the right in halting any possible wing play from the Colts. Determined running from James Bryne and Rob Smith in midfield led to Nathan Fowler striking a shot that was only just parried away by the Colts keeper, and into the path of Liam Dickinson who seized on the opportunity to push home the Blues third. Just before the close, Clapp cut in from the right wing to power home an unstoppable shot into the top left hand corner. A three goal margin and a deserved win for the Blues.

Goal scorers: Clapp (2), Dickinson (2).

Squad : Jordan Bennington, James Bryne, Ryan Bunn, Jordan Clapp, Liam Dickinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas (capt), Thomas Evans, Nathan Fowler, Connor Gilby, Jack Gilhooly, Mark Godfrey, Rob Smith, George Toomey, Peter Wright.

Terry Wright

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Westexe Rangers 5-1Blues

“Rangers outshoot the Blues ”

In a highly competitive game, Rangers finished the winners with a runaway score-line that didn’t reflect the balance of play. While Rangers took their chances, frustratingly the Blues simply couldn’t find the net. Rangers scored first. The Blues piled on the pressure to get back on terms, but after Thomas Evans pulled up with a hamstring injury, Westexe took advantage of the break in play to regain the initiative and scored from the restart. Once again Jordan Bennington, Ryan Bunn and Harry Douglas made some great saving tackles at the back, while George Toomey, Jack Gilhooly and Mark Godfrey fought hard to regain lost possession in midfield. After a period of sustained Blues’ pressure, Thomas Evans pulled up with hamstring problem and Westexe took immediate advantage of the break in play, regrouping and scoring shortly after the restart.

Two-nil down at half time and missing Tim Dunn and Rob Smith in midfield the Blues now had it all to do - but this game was far from over. Jordan Clapp picked up a delightful through ball from Jamey Bryne to pull one back for the Blues. Bryne then went close heading a Clapp corner onto the bar, the rebound then being headed clear. Within minutes Clapp volleyed in front of goal, but straight into the keepers’ arms. Frustratingly, chance after chance went begging and the Blues inability to tuck the ball away was then punished as Westexe scored a third breakaway goal against the run of play – a deflected shot that completely wrong-footed keeper Connor Gilby. Throwing caution to the winds in an effort to get back on terms, the Blues were then caught by a fourth goal (a penalty) that effectively sealed the match. A fifth goal then followed just before the close. The disappointing score-line disguises the fact that the Blues played well against a solid Rangers side. However, the Blues have a chance to redress the balance against Westexe in a return (cup competition) match next week.

Goal scorers: Clapp (1)

Squad : Jordan Bennington, James Bryne, Ryan Bunn, Jordan Clapp, Liam Dickinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas (capt), Thomas Evans, Connor Gilby, Jack Gilhooly, Mark Godfrey, Rob Smith, George Toomey, Peter Wright.

Terry Wright

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Blues 5-0 Brixington United

“Do it” Blues Outclass United

Combining passion and skills the Brixington Blues simply outplayed local rivals Brixington United to score five without response. After 20 minutes of sustained pressure, with Rob Smith raiding up the right wing and Mark Godfrey on the left it was Tim Dunn that opened the scoring from distance with a deflected drive that beat the keeper, dropping just under the crossbar. Jordan Clapp was then held back just inside the box – resulting in a penalty that he calmly took, making it two up for the Blues. Linking the Blues attack with defensive trio of Harry Douglas, Ryan Bunn and Thomas Evans, man-of-the-match Jordan Bennington raised the standard in terms of work-rate and passing – showing a maturity that belied his years. As a result, United couldn’t contain the Blues for tactical play, quality of passing, individual skills, or pace. Following a succession of strikes on goal, newbie Nathan Fowler finally belted the ball home to make it three.

After half-time, having been put through by a combination of Bennington and Jack Gilhooly - another fantastic strike from Dunn was touched onto the crossbar by a stretching United keeper. After a series of blocked close-in strikes on goal, scrambling the ball home, Clapp then made it four . Hardworking Peter “just do it” Wright then made it five – a measured strike from outside the penalty area angled between the reach of the diving keeper and the near post.

Once again the number of goals scored outweighed the number of touches by Connor Gilby in the Blues’ goal - reminiscent of the best of the Blues play in last seasons’ extra-ordinary League and Cup double winning season. A convincing new season win for the Blues.

Goal scorers: Clapp (2), Dunn (1), Fowler (1), Wright(1).

Squad : Jordan Bennington, Ryan Bunn, Jordan Clapp, Liam Dickinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas (capt), Thomas Evans, Nathan Fowler, Connor Gilby, Jack Gilhooly, Mark Godfrey, Rob Smith, Peter Wright.

Terry Wright.

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Blues 9-2 Crediton Youth

“Positive Blues Outpace Crediton”

Glorious sunshine heralded a confident first half performance by Brixington. Tearing into Crediton from the outset the Blues quickly reached an unassailable lead, wracking up seven goals without response by half time.

With Tim Dunn on the left, Mark Godfrey on the right and Jamey Byrne carving through the centre, the Crediton defence simply couldn’t hold the pace of the Brixington midfield. Latching onto a decisive through ball from Jack Gilhooly, Byrne neatly sidestepped the two central defenders before releasing the ball to Clapp who powered home the Blues’ first of the day.

Within minutes goals followed from George Toomey and another from Clapp. Byrne then powered home an unstoppable shot just under the bar. Ryan Bunn then neatly headed home a pinpoint cross from Clapp making it five, before Liam Dickinson’s long distance shot looped over the keeper for the Blues’ sixth.

After angling the ball just past the far post and striking over the bar, Peter Wright finally added the Blues seventh just before the break.

A ton of credit to Crediton then, who came out fighting in the second half – giving a previously untroubled Connor Gilby in the Blues’ goal something to think about, scoring two goals in ten minutes to remind the Blues not to get complacent. Following some good link play between Thomas Evans and Jordan Bennington, Rob Smith then carried the ball through to Jack Faulkner who set up Clapp for his hat trick. Just before the close - Byrne unleashed an unstoppable run and finish to score his second and the Blues ninth.

This game was effectively over by the end of the first half. Thereafter the Blues struggled to hold their concentration, but proved comfortable winners on the day.

Goal scorers: Byrne (2), Bunn (1), Clapp (3), Dickinson (1), Toomey (1), Wright (1).

Squad : Jordan Bennington, James Bryne, Ryan Bunn, Jordan Clapp, Liam Dickinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas (capt), Thomas Evans, Jack Faulkner, Connor Gilby, Jack Gilhooly, Mark Godfrey, Rob Smith, George Toomey, Peter Wright.

Terry Wright.

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Blues 1--4 Pinhoe Lightning

“Lightning shocks the Blues ”

The final score belied a good performance from the Brixington Blues in what proved a highly competitive game. Caught by an early goal, Lightning had the Blues instantly on the back foot and playing catch-up through most of the first half. Recovering from the shock of the early score, the Blues pressured in search of an equalizer and were finally rewarded just before half-time - when an accurate long ball through from Ryan Bunn picked out newbie Jack Faulkner, who at pace slipped home his first goal of the season.

At 1-1 the teams went in at half time with the game hanging nicely in the balance. Rob Smith and Mark Godfrey again played well on the right side of midfield, complemented by George Toomey and Tim Dunn on the left, with Jack Gilhooly and Jamie Byrne playing though the centre. Sitting in front of the excellent defensive line of Thomas Evans, Ryan Bunn and Harry Douglas - Jordan Bennington began to assert himself in his new role at the heart of this team, linking well with Godfrey to create some enterprising runs through the centre. But with a largely unfamiliar line-up the Blues struggled to find real cohesion - leaving Liam Dickinson, Peter Wright and Jordan Clapp struggling to find the service needed upfront to turn this game.

The Pinhoe keeper gathered a couple of well-taken free kicks from distance by Clapp and Bryne went close with a superb header from a Clapp corner - the ball just glancing off the wrong side of the post. But it was Pinhoe that then broke the deadlock – a corner at the other end saw a diving Connor Gilby stranded as the rebound was scrambled into the net. The Blues showed real commitment, but in the effort to get back on terms began to get increasingly caught out on the break.

Evans was forced to head clear of the line, before Pinhoe snatched a third and a flattering fourth followed just before the close. You couldn’t fault the commitment shown all over the pitch, but it may take another few games before this rebuilt team finally finds its’ form – but the signs are promising and there is everything to play for in this league.

Goal scorers: Faulkner (1).

Terry Wright.

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Blues 6-1 Alphington

“Blues Season starts with Thunder Clapp”

Last seasons’ League and Cup winning double side Brixington Blues opened the new season with a convincing win, banging in six goals past a skilful, determined Alphington side who struggled to contain them. Three new players all made impressive debuts in key positions. Two of the newbies - Rob Smith and Mark Godfrey played well on the right of midfield, picking up the play from Harry Douglas at right back. On the left of midfield George Toomey made an equally impressive start, combining well with Jack Gilhooly and linking well with Thomas Evans at left back. With Jordan Bennington playing just in front of Ryan Bunn at the centre of defence and with Connor (commander) Gilby in goal - a different, but rebalanced Blues has emerged from pre-season training.

The Blues started tentatively, but working hard up the flanks, soon settled to their task, releasing Liam Dickinson, Peter Wright and Jordan ‘thunder’ Clapp on strike. Following a delightfully timed through-ball from Smith, Clapp turned to power past the Alphington left back, only to see his shot canon off the bar – but this served to signal what was to come. Within minutes, Clapp hit his first and quickly added a second before a stunned Alphington began a spirited fight back hitting the post - only to be punished by Smith at the other end who received the ball just outside the box to striking low and hard to make it three up to the Blues.

However Alphington were not to be denied a goal in this match and for once an over-committed Blues defence was rounded, the pull back ending with a shot that left Gilby no chance of saving. At the restart a pinpoint pass from Bennington carved through to Clapp who slotted home his third and the Blues fourth. After half time Alphington took the game back to the Blues, but with some stalwart defending requiring Gilby to make some fine saves, the Blues weathered the storm, rallying to raise their own game one stage further – allowing Clapp to strike home his fifth and then a sixth just before close.

Playing enterprising football encouraged by coach Denny, the team should be encouraged by this good start to the season.

Goal scorers: Clapp (5), Smith (1).

Squad : Jordan Bennington, Ryan Bunn, Jordan Clapp, Liam Dickinson, Tim Dunn, Harry Douglas (capt), Thomas Evans, Connor Gilby, Jack Gilhooly, Mark Godfrey, Rob Smith, George Toomey, Peter Wright.

Terry Wright

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