Tuesday, 31 July 2018

My Season Review 2018/19: Part 5 July 2018 (Game 7)

I concluded my July pre-season adventure, with a trip to Thurlow Nunn Premier Division side Stowmarket Town, who finished 3rd in the league last season.

GAME 7 of 2018/19:
PRE SEASON FRIENDLY:
Tuesday 31st July 2018
Stowmarket Town 2-2 Maldon & Tiptree- Greens Meadow- 19:45
(Stow: Meelanson 24', Mayhew 69';
Tiptree: ?? 30', ?? 82'.)


Stowmarket Town concluded their pre-season campaign with a home game against, higher league Maldon & Tiptree, and more than matched the Bostik North outfit.

Tiptree had the first shot at goal, on the second minute as, their free-kick on the right wing (and just outside the box), was curled wide off the far post. The visitors then went close again two minutes later, as their shot from the edge off the box, which pee-rolled through to Robinson in the home goal. Maldon continued the early pressure, on 12 minutes, as they had a third shot at goal, and a second on target. Following a nicely passed ball into the box, they forced Robinson into another save, as he parried the ball behind, low down to his left. The corner was then swung in, but was headed away by a Stow defender at the near post. Two minutes after, another Tiptree had another shot, taken again from the right (inside the box), but was blocked on this ocassion.

Sixteen minutes in, the home side got a foothold in the game, as a dangerous cross from the right was cleared where it fell to a Stow player, but his shot was cleared away as well. The Gold and Blacks went very close, five minutes later, as an inviting cross to the back post met the head off an unmarked Stow player who could only head not far wide off the top right corner. However, the home side went a goal up on 24 minutes, as a free-kick from the left edge of the box was taken short by Max Meelanson to Josh Mayhew, the No.9 passed it back, for Meelanson to curl a great strike into the right corner from inside the box.

Tiptree levelled the scores on the half-hour mark, though, as a shot from the right byline, from inside the box was arrowed into the bottom left corner. The Essex side then had a shot from outside the area deflected out for a corner on the rigjt, two minutes later. Eight minutes before the interval, Stow fired a shot over the bar from outside the box, as they hunted a second goal. Sixty seconds later, a Stow ball in from the right forces the goalkeeper into a save down off his line, at the near post.

That was Stow's final chance of the half, with Maldon having the final two, on 40 and 42 minutes respectively. The first saw Maldon's No.9 through on goal on the right-hand side off the box, 8-yards out, but Robinson comes off his line well and blocks the shot behind with his left foot. The second forced Robinson to palm the ball away in the middle off his goal, direct from a corner on the left.

HALF TIME SCORE: Stowmarket Town 1-1 Maldon & Tiptree

Maldon went close to turning the game on it's head on 45 minutes, as a cross from the right was headed wide off the near post by a Maldon player. A minute later, Stow got through down the left on the byline, not far from goal, where Scott Chaplin's effort across goal was caught by the opponent shot-stopper down to his right. Cue end-to-end drama, which began on 47 minutes, as Maldon blasted a shot over the top right corner from distance.

Back came Stowmarket, though, two minutes later, with the hosts linking up well on the right, found Garrett through. He then exchanged a quick one-two with a teammate to work his way to the byline in the Maldon box, but the visitors are able to clear his cut back across the penalty area. On 51 minutes, Maldon's No.8 played a one-two off his own with a teammate in midfield, where on recieving possession the player turned to shoot at goal. However, the shot was wild, and ended up going well wide off the top left corner.

Stow then went 2-1 up on 69 minutes, as a terrific ball through to prolific goalscorer Josh Mayhew on the left picked out the striker onside (despite the Tiptree defence thinking otherwise), leaving Mayhew to dribble the ball towards goal with confidence, before firing an unstoppable shot into the top left corner.  Three minutes later, a Stow corner on the left was headed off target by a home player, as the hosts searched for a third goal.

With 13 minutes to go, a Maldon cross in from the right was touched onto the near post following a touch off a visiting player infront of the goal frame. The ball fell back to the player who put the ball in, whose first time effort went wide off the near post. A minute after, the hosts went close once more, as good one touch movement from Stow on the right found themselves in the box, but could only curl an effort just wide off the far post.

With 8 minutes remaining, Maldon tied the scores for the second time in the match. After Stow failed to clear the ball in their box, it fell to a Maldon player whose shot was deflected into the bottom right corner. Sixty seconds later, the Bostik North side had a chance to win it, but could only fire over the top far corner, from the left edge off the box. New Stowmarket signing, Ollie Canfer then a shot blocked on the right edge off the box, on 84 minutes. The ball fell to Garrett whose low cross from the left was put behind by a Stow player. The two sides then had an opportunity each to end a very closely fought encounter.

Tiptree had the penultimate shot, on 87 minutes, as their effort from the left edge of the box went wide off the near post. In stoppage time, Stow went inches close to winning it late on, as a corner from the left was headed wide by Tom Matthews. Full Time soon followed to signal the end off a well matched friendly.

TEAMS:

Stowmarket Starting XI: Robinson, Kempson, Weavers, Nunn, Matthews, Canfer, Melanson, Baker, Paine, Chaplin, Mayhew.

GOAL FOOTAGE:
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My Season Review 2018/19 Part 4: July 2018 (Game 6)

Game 6 of 2018/19 Season

Monday 30th July 2018- 19:45 Ram Meadow/Denny Bros. Stadium

Bury Town Under-18s v Cambridge United Academy U16s

Grab a drink or a snack, and hear about arguably my favourite game yet (yes, you will hear this a lot but this time I mean it for real)! 

Bury, who were rock hard, defensively, and lethal in attack had the opening shot of the game on 4 minutes, as their No.8's well hit strike, from outside the box, was caught by the 'keeper diving low to his right. Two minutes later, it was Cambridge's turn to go close as their No.6 had a shot blocked from outside the box, before the visitors had a goal ruled out for offside. Well worked goal, though, as a precise ball through the defence, from the left and, into the box found their No.9 through to slot into the bottom left corner, but as I said the flag was up. 

Eight minutes in, and Cambridge spurned a great chance to take an early lead, as their No.7 displayed great skill down the right wing, before reaching the byline to square the ball across to the No.9 who then skied his shot over the top right corner. United then had two shots in quick succession, a minute later, with the first being blocked from outside the box, the rebound was well hit low towards the bottom right corner only for Reynolds to produce a great save to palm it behind for a corner. From the following set-piece, Cambridge could only put the ball wide in front off the near post. 

Cambridge continued to have most of the early chances, on the eleventh minute, as more good skill from their No.7 saw him work his way to the right byline. He then fed the No.6 who tried to lift the ball into the area to a teammate, but overhit his pass. Eight minutes then passed before the home side had two chances in a minute. First of which, saw a Bury free-kick on the left whipped towards the far post, where Harris-Hercules tried a half-volley, but scuffed it wide off the target. Bury then had an effort from distance fired straight at the 'keeper, before taking the lead on 25 minutes, and in outstanding style!! 

Matty Harris-Hercules (who won the penalty v Spurs two days before) picked out Josh Revell, who held off the defender, before firing a verious, beautiful, jaw-dropping, goal of the season contender, half volley into the top far corner (postage stamp, or more known as top bins these days) to send the home side wild with joy! Half an hour gone, and Cambridge fired a shot over the bar, sandwiched inbetween two Bury goals, followed by a third soon after! 

Joseph Gunn doubled the home side's lead (2-0) on 33 minutes, with a cracking curled and dipped effort which fell equisitely into the bottom right corner. Two minutes later, and the wing wizard, Joshua Revell, had his second (and Bury's third)! Again, from the right wing, Revell arrowed another top class strike into the bottom left corner, that somehow did not break the net!! Cambridge then went close five minutes before the break, as their No.9's shot from the right edge of the box had to be deflected just over the bar for a corner. Sixty seconds passed before, United took it short, and hit a great strike of their own at goal from 30-yards out, but was again upstaged by their hosts. 

This time, however, by their goalkeeper, as Connor Reynolds dived superbly to his top right corner to pull off an incredible save to tip the ball past the post resulting in a well deserved round off appaulse from the supporters watching on. The visitors then had the final effort of their first half, a minute before the break, as they had another effort outside the box kept out, only on this occassion Bury headed it away.

HALF TIME SCORE: BURY TOWN UNDER-18s 3-0 CAMBRIDGE UNITED ACADEMY U16s

Bury started the second half by extending their lead to 4-0, just two minutes after Josh Revell got the second half underway. After Bury hit the post, the ball fell to substitute Charlie Cook, who on the turn fired another fantastic shot into the top left corner from 12-yards out! Fifty minutes in, and Bury almost made it 5-0, as a Bury ball down the right found JJ Tinde Junior, who at the third attempt, crossed the ball into a teammate. Who unfortunately, for Bury, could only fire over the bar from outside the United penalty area. A minute later, Bury clipped the outside off the post, as a cross-turned-shot from the left stayed in play off the far post. Three minutes before the hour mark, Cambridge's No.11 had a shot blocked from outside the box, which was preceeded by a Bury fifth.

Sixty-two minutes in, and Tinde got in on the act, as a great ball beat the defence on the left inside the area, where the Bury player (believe to be Chandler?) went for goal, but the 'keeper was off his line to narrow down the angle, and got down low to stop the shot. However, Tinde was on hand to tap the rebound into the unguarded net, at the back post (and into the bottom right corner) to round off the scoring.

Three minutes after that, United responded by hitting the post. Back down the other end, though  Cook saw his 30-yard effort blocked. Cambridge went instantly back down the other end, and hit a powerful strike at goal from range on the right, but it was straight at Shinn. Cook then whipped in a good cross from the left, on 69 minutes, but his delivery was missed by everyone. A minute later, Robinson (Tommy), danced his way to the edge of the box, where the ball fell to a teammate who could only fire over the top left corner.

With 16 minutes to go off this amazing pre-season match, Cambridge won a free-kick on the right, which picked out a player at the back post, who chested it back across goal where a Bury defender hoofed it clear. A minute after, Bury went on the counter, as Revell was picked out on the right just inside his own half, before the winger ran downfield, fed Z.Robinson but United easily dealt with his scuffed effort. Seventy-seven minutes in, and a Bury long ball over the top found Chandler through on the left in the United area, but the 'keeper came off his line to dive down and block the shot. Cambridge should've have done better with their next chance, with ten minutes remaining, as they headed a corner from the right wide off the near post. Four minutes later, and United slotted their No.11 through on goal down the middle, and would've possibly made it 5-1 had a Bury defender not taken one for the team (well, no card as it's pre-season) as he cynically took out the Cambridge forward just outside his own box. However, the visitors couldn't take advantage, with five minutes left, as they curled the free-kick over the top right corner.

Bury then had the last chance of the game, on 88 minutes, as they fired wide off the left post from outside the area. That signalled the end off a highly successful Bury pre-season which saw them overcome both Tottenham Hotspur and Cambridge United U16s in the space off just two days!

FULL TIME RESULT: BURY TOWN UNDER-18s 5-0 CAMBRIDGE UNITED ACADEMY U16s

BURY SQUAD (NOT IN ORDER): Connor Reynolds (GK),
Dan Shinn (GK) (replaced Reynolds on 52' mins),
Matty Harris-Hercules,
Joseph Gunn,
JJ Tinde,
Jack Stone,
Charlie Hughes,
Josh Smedley (No.8)
Tommy Robinson,
Zane Robinson,
Ralph Slaney,
Aidan Browne,
Charlie Cook,
Joshua Revell (c) ,
Tom Chandler,
Jack Wass.
Tyler Matthews (Left wing)

MATCH FOOTAGE:



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Saturday, 28 July 2018

My Season Review 2018/19 Part 3: July 2018 (Game 5)

Game 5 of 2018/19 Season- Bury Town Under-18s 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur U16- Saturday 28 July 2018 3pm, Denny Bros Stadium/Ram Meadow- Jake Paxton Memorial Match!

Bury GoalScorers: Harry Moore 3', Tommy Robinson (c) 90'+5'pen; Spurs: No.14 (78')

Bury Town Under-18s beat Tottenham Hotspur U16s in front of a large crowd in memory of, Bury U18 player Jake Paxton, who sadly died on December 26th. Both sides gave a great account off themselves in what was a closely fought match.

The game was lively from the off, as Spurs had an effort towards goal from close range on the right blocked by Harry Moore, after just two minutes. Bury went down the other end and won a free-kick, a minute later. Tommy Robinson, wearing the No.18 shirt in tribute to Paxton, took it where Harry Moore headed it home to give the home side an early lead. Spurs responded on the 4 minute, but their shot from the edge off the box was easy for Reynolds to save. Three minutes later, a Spurs shot from 25 yards out was fired wide off Reynolds' left post, as the visitors hunted an equaliser.

Tottenham then had a free-kick on the eighth minute, from 22 yards out, but the resulting kick was deflected wide off the left post for a corner, before they then had another free-kick sixty seconds later on the left wing, which found their No.9 at the near post, whose back heel towards goal was blocked. Bury looked dangerous from set-pieces throughout the the afternoon, as Robinson's free-kick on the right wing, 11 minutes in was deflected straight at the 'keeper. The Bury captain took another set piece a minute later, only this time from the opposite side. Robinson sent the ball towards the far post, which was spilt by the 'keeper who was let off when his defence cleared the danger. Bury then had their next free-kick with sixteen minutes on the clock, as Robinson almost replicated the free-kick before, but could only sent this one wide off the far post. Bury thought they had doubled their lead when midfielder, Harry Moore had the ball in the net eleven minutes later, only to be ruled out for offside.

On the half hour mark, Tottenham had a great chance to level the scores, as a cross from the left byline was headed away by Proctor, only for the wind to take it towards the far post. Reynolds then palmed the ball off the line, where the ball fell to Spurs' No.9 whose effort from close range was blocked and cleared by Harry Moore for a corner, on the right, who also headed the resulting kick away at the near post. Bury then went close with a good chance off their own, seven minutes later, as captain Robinson brought the ball up the pitch, where the Blues' No.7 took over and dribbled the ball right close to the edge of the box, but could only fire wide off the right post. Six minutes before the interval, Tottenham were awarded another free-kick. This time from 20-yards out, which forced Reynolds into a routine stop.  A minute later, Harry Moore again went close to adding another goal to both his and his team's score count, as the Spurs fan's effort from the edge of the box was deflected wide off the right post. Nothing else of note happened after that, as Bury went into the break a goal ahead at the interval.
HALF TIME SCORE: BURY TOWN UNDER -18 1-0 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR UNDER-16

Spurs were determined to grab an equaliser straight from kickoff, as they had the first effort off the second half, but could only force Reynolds into a routine scoop dive, from outside the box. Four minutes into the half, Bury had a penalty appeal waved away, as Bury's No.7 went down on the right side off the box under the challenge off a Spurs defender. Spurs instantly went on the counter, and had a shot 18-yards out, but it's saved by Reynolds down to his right at the near post.
Fifty-one minutes gone, and Spurs had a great chance to grab a leveller as their long range shot rattled the home crossbar. Two minutes later, Spurs had another free-kick from 22-yards, but the resolute Bury defence blocked the shot. Spurs then fired a shot wide off the right post and into the sidenetting. Hearts were in Bury mouths on 55 minutes, as a Spurs cross from the right hit the inside off the far post, and luckily, for Bury, came back out and into Reynolds' welcoming hands. On the hour mark, a great Spurs through ball past the Bury defence found their forward charging towards goal.

However, Shinn came off his line well to narrow down the angle, which coupled with a Bury defender getting back put off the visiting player, who could only stab the ball wide off the left post. Four minutes later, a Bury throw leads to a scramble in the Spurs area, where the ball falls to Wass whose shot was then blocked. The ball then came out to a Bury player outside the box who also went for goal, with his effort suffering the same result. With 25 minutes to go, following great pressure from Tottenham substitute goalkeeper Shinn was forced to clear with a Spurs player closing him down, who deflected the clearance towards the far post. Luckily for Bury, Jay Proctor was on hand to clear it off the line. Tottenham's No.18 then had an opportunity, on the 71st minute, as he shot wide off the far post.

Bury then went meters away from going two goals up, a minute later, as a fantastic ball from Moore finds No.7 on the right wing, which draws the 'keeper to come rushing off his line. The Bury player beat the visiting stopper to the ball, and instinctively tried to lob him. However, he couldn't get enough height on the ball as it went over the bar, rather than dipping under the crossbar. Within the following two minutes, Bury put 3 balls into the Spurs box, but couldn't force an effort on goal as the 'keeper dealt with all 3. Spurs, though, did get an equaliser on 80 minutes, as Harry Moore brought down a player on the edge off the box straight after Bury's No.7 seemingly was fouled. However, Tottenham were awarded a free-kick, which was taken quickly, and arguably too quickly, as the visitors picked out their No.14 on the right side off the box, who slotted the ball into the opposite corner- leaving Bury confused. On 92 minutes, the visitors' goalscorer went close to adding a second, as he had a shot blocked from outside the box.

The North Londoners then won a corner on the right, a minute later, which was headed wide at the near post. The drama wouldn't stop there though, as Bury won a penalty right at the death, five minutes into additional time. After the Spurs 'keeper brought down Harris-Hercules in the area, Tommy Robinson stepped up to dispatch the spot kick into the bottom left corner, sending the guilty goalkeeper the wrong way in the process.
The Full Time whistle soon followed, signalling a 2-1 Bury win on a day that will always be remembered in memory of Jake Paxton.

FULL TIME RESULT: Bury Town Under-18 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur Under-16
TEAMS:

Bury Town-

Connor Reynolds (GK)
Dan Shinn (GK)
Charlie Hughes
Ralph Slaney
Joseph Gunn
Archie Pether
Josh Smedley
John Tinde Junior
Jack Wass
Matt Glover
Aidan Browne
Marty Harris-Hercules
Tom Chandler
Harry Moore
Zane Robinson
Tommy Robinson
James Pan
Jay Proctor

Tottenham Hotspur-
Kallum Cesay,
Marqes Muir,
Alexander Laing,
Max Robson,
Alex Gibson-Hammond,
Tarrelle Whittaker,
Sashon Aird-Munn,
Eddie Carrington,
Dermi Lusala,
Thimothée Lo-Tutala,
Nile John,
Michael Craig,
Matthew Craig,
Romaine Mundle,
Oluwatobiloba Oluwayemi,
Albert Rachi,
Zanda Siziba
Jeremy Kyezu GOAL FOOTAGE:
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Wednesday, 25 July 2018

My Season Review 2018/19- Part 2: July (Game 4)


My Season Review 2018/19- Part 2: July (Game 4)


With less than a week left of July, I was yet to watch my home town club (first team) return to action for 2018/19. Of course, if you know me well, that team is Bury Town FC.

That changed just 3 days later....

Game 4 of 2018/19- Bury Town 1-2 Cambridge City- Tues 24 July 7:45pm- Danny Bros Stadium/Ram Meadow


My Report:

Bury Town lost their opening home pre-season encounter 1-2 to fellow Step 4 club, Cambridge City, as the viditors from the newly created (Evo-Stik)Southern League Central Division One, beat their Bostik North hosts, thanks to a goal either side of the interval with a late reply from Bury.

Bury, however, started well and showed great signs of attacking intent. This was shown on the 2nd minute, as the Blues' New No.7 chested down a through ball over the defence down the middle, before moving into the left side of the box, before seeing his low effort across goal saved well by Gooch in the Cambridge goal.

Four minutes later Jolland, got through inside the box for Bury, but saw his effort towards the top right corner saved by Gooch high to his left. On 10 minutes, a Bury player went on a great break downfield, after he picked up possession from his own half on the right, he ran all the way down to the Cambridge area, before cutting inside and shooting across goal. Despite his efforts, Gooch was equal to it, as he saved it low down to his left.

Cambridge then began to get a foothold in the game, as their first chance arrived on 13 minutes, as a free-kick was squared from the right wing to the edge of the box, but was deflected high and wide, off a Bury defender for a corner on the far side. Three minutes later, a break from the visitors saw them get an effort on target, which forced Bury's goalkeeper Luis Tibbles into his first major save of the evening, as he dived low to his right to keep put a shot from outside the box. Cambridge then dominated the play, restricting Bury to counter attacking only, as the visitors curled an effort over the top right corner on 17 minutes, from the edge of the box.

Cambridge continued their avalanch for an opener, on 18 minutes, as they blasted an effort over the top left corner from the right edge of the box. Back came the hosts, though, as three minutes later Bury won a corner on the left. Their New No.7 whipped it towards the back post, where defender Joe White headed the ball straight at Gooch in the visiting goal. Cambridge then missed a great opportunity to take the lead, two minutes before the half-an-hour mark, as their No.11 was found inside the box, but could only sky his effort over the top left corner.

On 33 minutes, Bury forced Gooch into another decent stop, as the home side won back possession via a throw in on the left, before a player cut in from the wing and into the box, only for the City stopper to save well down to his left. The Blues then went close again, 6 minutes later, as No.7's latest corner from the left was headed over towards the back post.

Three minutes before the break, City punished Bury for failing to take their chances, as a cross from the left picked out Ryan Sharman at the near post, who headed the ball inside the near post gave the away side the advantage at half-time.

Half Time Score: Bury Town 0-1 Cambridge City

‪ ‬
Shortly after the restart, Bury brought on their shining talent, Tommy Robinson, who was unable to really impact on the game until ten minutes had been played of the second half, such was Cambridge's second half dominance in possession. That dominance was made to count on 47 minutes, as they made it 0-2. After great attacking play forced Nathan Olukanami through on the right side of the box, where he slotted the ball into the near corner and passed Tibbles who was close to getting a hand to it.

The forementioned Bury midfielder was handed set-piece duty, as he was during last season, and it almost paid off 8 minutes after going 2 down. His free-kick effort, from the right, beat the wall as it curled towards the top far corner, but the impressive Gooch saved well, as he palmed it wide for a corner. He then took the corner, where he picked out White, but the Bury academy graduate could only head the ball wide off the far post.

Not to be overshadowed, Tibbles was forced into a great save off his own, after 71 minutes. As a Cambridge free-kick in a dangerous, central position, was curled around the wall and sent towards the, near, top left corner, where the Bury 'keeper got across quickly to palm the ball away. Back down the other end, three minutes later, and it was one of the home side's fan favourites chance to pull a goal back, as Ollie Hughes hit a powerful shot from the left edge of the box, only for the Bury captain to fire over the top far corner.

My Bury Man Of The Match, No.11, then created a great oppportunity on 76 minutes. As he ran down the right wing with possession, before cutting inside and then squaring the ball across to Robinson who was in a more central position (outside the penalty box). The Bury subsitute went for his latest effort on goal, as his well hit, low, effort towards the bottom right corner was deflected just wide. Six minutes later, the home side continued to hunt for a consolation, as good buildup from Bury on the right led to them feeding the ball to the edge of the box, where the shot was deflected wide off the far post.

The home side got their goal from the following corner, which was sent towards the back post, where a headed effort towards the bottom right corner was cleared just ahead off the goal line. The rebound then fell to Bury centre-back Kyran who from a yard out could not miss, as he passed straight it into the bottom left corner to give the home fans a goal to cheer. Cambridge responded to having their lead cut to a single goal on 84 minutes, as City were denied by the right post from outside the box.

Five minutes before the end, Cambridge had the final effort on goal, but was a tame one, as a cross from the left was headed straight at Tibbles. The Full Time whistle soon went to end what was a good pre-season friendly.

TEAMS:
Bury Town (Not Confirmed)

 1 Tibbles
2
3 Jolland?
4 JK
5 J White
6 Clements
7
8
9 c Hughes
10
11
Subs:
12 T Robinson
15
16 B Barber
17

Cambridge City-
1.  Liam Gooch
2.  Ben Robinson
3. Jack Wilkinson
4. Ryan Towner
5.  Ross Patterson
6. Adam Cadel
7. Isaac Maynard
8. Ebby Nelson Addy
9. Jack Vasey
10. Ryan Sharman
11. Nathan Olukanmi
Subs:
12.  Andre Olykanmi
14 Harry Farrow
15. James Badcin
16. Tyrese Baker
17. Dave Theobald

Attendance: TBA

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My 2018/19 Season Review- Part 1: July 2018 (Games 1-3)

My 2018/19 Season Review Part 1: July (Games 1-3)

Game 1: Bury Town Under-18s 1-0 Mildenhall Town Academy U18s- Thursday 12 7:45pm. Fornham All-Saints Community Centre/Abbey Saints FC

The new season began with a trip to Fornham All Saints Community Centre, for the first of many Pre-Season Friendlies. On this occasion, on Thursday 12 July, I watched a local Derby between Bury Town U18s and Mildenhall Town Academy U18s. Now, rather than carrying out my normal U18 Twitter duties, I was thrown into the deep end.

No, I'm too old to play for them now, I was given linesman duties. Luckily, I was running the line that Bury defended both halves, so I got some cheeky photos and the odd video in! Of which, Bury were awarded a penalty, which if I remember rightly was for handball, around 15 minutes in or so. Cameron Jay-Smith took the responsibilities, but his effort into the bottom left corner was kept out well by the impressive Mildenhall 'keeper (who then denied the forward's rebound at the right post from a couple of yards out).  Both 'keepers were tested throughout the game, with both No.1's making flying saves on multiple occasions.

However, Bury soon broke the deadlock on 29 minutes, as Bury's No. 9 in the old Ryman Kit, was found through on the left of the box and took advantage of a defensive mishap and slotted the ball home into the bottom right corner from close range. To be honest, Bury arguably were the better side, but Mildenhall posed a great threat on the counter, but just couldn't find a breakthrough as Dan Shinn kept out anything they threw at them in the Bury goal. .

Bury had the better chances of the second half, which the Mildenhall stopper kept out anything else that was sent towards his goal, including a few more spectular stops! That was how the game ended, as Bury edged what was a thoroughly entertaining game, despite the fact I had to focus on running the line!

Bury Squad:
GK No.1 Dan Shinn,
Charlie Hughes
Ralph Stanley,
Joshua Revell,
Matt Glover,
Freddie McCracken,
Jack Stone,
Cameron Jay-Smith,
Charlie Cook,
Harry Moore

Game 2: Needham Market Reserves 0-4 Harwich & Parkeston, Saturday 14 July- 3pm- Bloomfields 3G

Game 2 then followed two days later, but this time over at Needham Market's Bloomfields. Only this time on their new, lovely 3G facility. Unfortunately due to traffic issues I missed the opening 20 minutes, as Harwich & Parkeston took the lead through Pedro Tarling, so I was told, against Needham Market Reserves. Thanks to Harwich for putting my report on their website and giving me credit- much appreciated.
My MATCH REPORT

Young Marketmen Defeated by Harwich

Needham Market Reserves 0-4 Harwich & Parkeston

Despite the game being a Step 6 Non-League head-to-head between the Thurlow Nunn First Division North and South outfits, the visitors took full advantage of the game, as detailed in my match report, pasted below.

Needham Market's Reserves began their 2018/19 pre-season with a 0-4 defeat to Harwich (goals from Jordan Heath x2, Luke Barnard and Pedro Tarling), who went 0-1 up inside 20 mins thanks to a good strike from Jordan Heath, as the Thurlow Nunn North and South sides went head to head.

Harwich were by far the better team in the first half, shown by the amount of possession they retained. They could have gone 0-2 up on 21 minutes, but their No.11's effort clipped the bar and went over, from outside the box from a (left) central position.

Three minutes later, Harwich had another opportunity, as their No.9 backheeled the ball outside the box towards their No.11, only for a Needham defender to slice clear. The ball fell to a Harwich player who could only sidefoot his effort wide of the left post, with the goal gaping.

On 33 minutes, a Harwich ball through on the right, led to a cross into the Needham box, where the first effort was blocked from inside the box by a defender. Only for the ball to rebound off a Pedro Tarling player and into the bottom left corner, to make it 0-2.

The young MarketMen responded, however, as their cross from the right byline was headed over at the far post, just five minutes after conceding the second.

That was the end of what was a fairly lively 45 minutes of football, as the visitors led 0-2 at the break.

Half Time: Needham Market Reserves 0-2 Harwich & Parkeston

The second half started with much the same intensity as the first, despite the heat, with Harwich making it 0-3 on 58 minutes. As the ball was squared through the defence, and onto the right hand side of the host's area, where Luke Barnard hit his first timed left-footed effort in off the left post.

Two minutes later, it was 0-4 to Harwich, as Jordan Heath dispossessed a defender on the right wing, before finding the far bottom corner, with the 'keeper rooted at his near post.

With 68 minutes on the clock, Harwich had another chance, as an effort from outside the box, in a left central position, was curled right-footed over the far top corner.

However, Needham could've pulled on back on 74 minutes, as their No.2 got through just inside the box, but could only put his right-footed effort wide of the left post.

A minute later, Needham went close again, as a good crossfield ball picked out their No.17 on the left wing, who tried a first-timed left-footed lifted effort, but the ball went just over the bar. The hosts then had the final chance of the game, as a cross from the right was met by a player, who was desperately lunging at the back post, only for the ball to go agonisingly wide of the left post.

The Full Time whistle soon followed to signal the end of what was a good workout for both sides.

Full Time:  Needham Market Res 0-4 Harwich & Parkeston

Game 3: Needham Market Reserves 1-5 Hadleigh United, Saturday 21 July, 3pm, Bloomfields 3G

A week then passed before I had the matchday buzz that I enjoyed 74 times last campaign! This took me onto Game number 3 for the new campaign, which was again at Needham's Bloomfields 3G for their Reserves game, this time against Thurlow Nunn Premier Division side Hadleigh United.

The goals have certainly flowed in the two games I've seen at Neddham so far this season, with 6 more for me and others in attendance to enjoy. Needham grabbed one of those, in the 5th minute, to open the scoring. Hadleigh then battled back to run out 5-1 winners, again my Match report is below.

My MATCH REPORT:

Needham Market Reserves 1-5 Hadleigh United


Young Marketmen Beaten 1-5 by Hadleigh

Hadleigh United ran out 5-1 winners in what a very action packed pre-season encounter.

Hadleigh, who play in the Thurlow Nunn Premier, had the first chance after 2 minutes, as the visitors headed over from a corner on the left. Two minutes later, Hadleigh's No.10 saw his half-volleyed effort towards goal, from outside the box on the left, go just over the top far corner.

However, Needham took the lead in the fifth minute. As the Young Marketmen's No.8 won the ball in midfield, went on a run down the centre of the pitch, before picking out the No.9 on the right, who rounds the 'keeper before squaring it from the byline for a teammate to guide it home from a yard out at the near post. Hadleigh responded well to going behind, as they had a shot from outside the box from 20 yards out, but could only hit it straight at the 'keeper, with 9 minutes played.

A minute later, Hadleigh had another chance to equalise, but this time they shot wide, off the bottom left corner, from the edge of the box. On 13 minutes, Needham had another chance, as the hosts' No.11 had a shot saved well from the 'keeper at his near post, from the left of the box.

Needham then turned defence on the left into attack on the right, a minute later, as great pass and move play from the hosts leads to an effort in goal from the right side of the box was saved by the keeper, down to his right. Hadleigh then equalised through a well worked move, on 16 minutes, as their No.9's cross from the right byline was headed back across goal and into the net, by the No.10, who rose above everyone else at the back post.

Both sides then had an opportunity each on 20 minutes, with the hosts' having the first as a cross from the right was volleyed wide at the back post. Whilst the visitors chance saw them shoot straight at the 'keeper from outside the box.

Six minutes later, Hadleigh had a great chance to take the lead, as the ball was chipped to the back post, where it was volleyed back across goal, as it went over via the crossbar. Both sides then had half chances, that didn't result in anything major of note, until the 35th minute.

It was then that Hadleigh had a shot outside of the box, but could only fire wide off the left post. A minute later, Hadleigh at a free-kick in a central position just outside the box was deflected over the top left corner, which was then crossed in and headed onto the back post.

Hadleigh turned the game on its head on 37 minutes, as a good Hadleigh move took the whole defence out off the equation, before the ball was squared across goal from the right, where the 'keeper mistimed his interception leaving a Hadleigh player to tap home at the far post.

Three minutes before the break, Hadleigh went close to going 1-3 up, as the visitors again got through on the right, but the eventual effort cannoned back into play off the base of the post. On the stroke of half time, good buildup from Needham found them through on the left inside the area, but the hosts' could only shoot straight at the 'keeper.

Half Time Score- Needham Market Reserves 1-5 Hadleigh United

Hadleigh had the first major chance of the second half, as they made it 1-3 on 50 minutes, as the ball was squared from the left to the near post, where a visiting player lifted the ball over the 'keeper and into the net. Two minutes later, Hadleigh got through on the left of the box, where their No.9 fired low and straight at the 'keeper at his near post. On 53 minutes, it was 1-4 to Hadleigh United, as their No.17 squared the ball into the box from the right, where a teammate tapped it home from close range at the far post.

The next shot on target was again from the visitors as, two minutes later, as their No.4 fired a low effort straight at the 'keeper from outside the area. Hadleigh's second half dominance continued on the hour mark, as a corner on the left was headed over the top right corner.

On 66 minutes, a dangerous Hadleigh cross from the left narrowly evaded a player in thr middle, but the visitors then recycled possession before firing a low shot straight at the 'keeper. Seven minutes later, a Hadleigh cross from the left was headed wide at the near post. On 77 minutes, Hadleigh squared the ball across the box from the left founf their No.2 was blocked by the defender. Seconds later, Hadleigh's No.10 hit a half-volleyed effort towards the top left corner, from outside the box, but the Needham 'keeper did well to palm it away.

Hadleigh made it 1-5 on 78 minutes, as a corner on the left was headed back across goal from the back post, where a teammate tapped it in off the bar from close range. Needham then went close on 82 minutes, as a shot from outside of the box was curled over the top left corner. The last ten minutes saw plenty more opportunities fall Hadleigh's way, but they couldn't quite add to their scoreline.

Hadleigh had the first two of them on 84 minutes, with both falling to their No.14, whose first effort from the edge of the box was blocked, before he then curled the ball over the top left corner, from the rebound. Two minutes later, Hadleigh had their next chance, as a player was slotted through down the middle, but the 'keeper comes off his line and comfortably blocks the shot.

On 89 minutes, Hadleigh had another opportunity. As a left outswinging free-kick could only be put back across the face of goal and away to safety, for a minute until the final opportunity fell to Hadleigh as they had an effort on the left side of the box well saved by the 'keeper, at the near post.

That signalled the end of a goal-fest friendly, where higher division Hadleigh United won 1-5.

Full Time Result: Needham Reserves 1-5 Hadleigh United

With less than a week left of July, I was yet to watch my home town club (first team) return to action for 2018/19. Of course, if you know me well, that team is Bury Town FC.

Links to Website Posts of My Match Reports included in this:
http://www.needhammarketfc.co.uk/teams/184929/match-centre/0-4043660
http://www.needhammarketfc.co.uk/teams/184929/match-centre/0-4043662

GOAL FOOTAGE: NEEDHAM MARKET RESERVES V HADLEIGH UNITED:- GOAL FOOTAGE: NEEDHAM MARKET RESERVES V HARWICH & PARKESTON: VIDEO FOOTAGE: BURY TOWN UNDER-18 V MILDENHALL TOWN YOUTH U18

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