Bradley Stoke Youth FC’s U10 Colts played Mangotsfield in the Hanham League Minor League Cup on Sunday. As U9s last season they reached the final and obviously haven’t lost their flare and ambition!
The first game was a real success, with the team playing some great passing football. Some strong running down the right hand side of the pitch from Tom Chambers helped the team create most of their chances. That joined with some excellent midfield play from Jack Broadhurst.
The first goal came from Jack Broadhurst himself when he burst through the Mangotsfield defence and unleashed with a powerful strike which flew past an excellent Mangotsfield keeper. The side were confident that their match was going well as they entered half time with a one goal lead. This was doubled by Tom McMahon who also let fly with a strike which left a strong keeper that had been good all game with no chance.
After the goal, Bradley Stoke continued to put pressure on the Mangotsfield defence with some strong forwards play. However these were the only goals in the first game and the team had a 2-0 advantage going into the second game.
The second game looked a bit more even. Mangotsfield started very brightly but some stronger passing from Bradley Stoke gave Daniel Miller the chance to score, putting the ball just under the crossbar.
Some excellent midfield play from Sophie Molinue and Bradley Gittings kept Mangotsfield at bay. Mangotsfield got a goal back when they were awarded a free kick in their own half. Up stepped Hasan Ali who blasted the ball into the bottom corner; this livened up the Mangotsfield players and coaches.
Photo: Action from the BSYFC v Mangotsfield game. [Photo credit: Connor Summers]
The second half of the second game saw the match get even tenser. Some strong passing play from Bradley Stoke saw them finally take the lead through Bradley Gittings who pressured the keeper into making a slight mistake which ended up with him watching the ball painfully role over his line.
The aggregate score of the match was 4-1 to Bradley Stoke, who sealed their place in the next round of the competition.
More football: BSTFC Firsts claim first three points of the season
Bradley Stoke Town FC’s First Team played Hambrook on Saturday at Bradley Stoke School as the Jubilee Field was declared unplayable. Bradley Stoke didn’t have to wait long before they got the first goal. A simple through ball looked to be dealt with by the defender, however striker Lukas Entoundi was on the case; he chased the ball down and ended up being one-on-one with the keeper. He was able to slot the ball into the net to give the home side an early lead.
Just a couple of minute later Hambrook got a goal back when a lovely free kick was played into the box. There was a bit of a goal mouth scramble but the ball was eventually nodded in by Matt Wallace.
The visitors then went a goal ahead when a defensive error from BSTFC let Hambrook through, the ball was played into Andy Moore from the wide left, he was in acres of space! Replacement keeper Yea came rushing out! Moore was able to place it under him to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.
They didn’t have to wait long before Hambrook added another goal to their lead as Tom Smythe beat the keeper in a good effort. This goal saw Bradley Stoke put their heads down, but they soon got them back up when Lukas Entoundi forced another goal for BSTFC. He battled his way through the defence and struck the ball low and hard. The keeper should have done a bit better but Entoundi saw it bounce under him and into the goal for 3-2.
Bradley Stoke had a new face in the team with Shad Esimeng; he got Bradley Stoke’s third goal and the equaliser was scored with a fantastic strike outside the penalty area which saw the ball fly into the bottom corner.
This brought the score back to 3-3 and was one of the last kicks of the half. The teams went into the interval with three goals each.
The second half started brightly, both teams had equal possession and the teams looked evenly matched. Bradley Stoke had more chances but had trouble finishing.
Shad Esimeng had the first real chance when he rounded the keeper, he had done all the hard work, he just needed to poke the ball over the line but Hambrook’s defence were able to get back and clear the ball.
The home side had to battle hard but the winning goal could have come sooner if simple passing had been employed by the forwards. Their goal didn’t come until the last two minutes of the game. Ben Osbourne made possibly the biggest throw in Bradley Stoke’s history! He launched it into the box. The ball was headed clear but only to Sam Chilcott who struck it on the half volley. It struck a Hambrook defender on the back and looped over the goalkeeper and into the net!
At full time Bradley Stoke were relieved that they had got the goal! They finished with a slender lead of 4-3 and their first three points of the season.
Photo: Lukas Entoundi skips past a challenge. [Photo credit: Connor Summers]
Listen to Connor Summers’s interview with BSTFC First Team manager Jon Welsh:
Audio clip courtesy of Connor Summers and Bradley Stoke Radio
Bradley Stoke Netball Cub
Bradley Stoke First Team 22 – 44 Imperial
“A strong fight against a top premier league side. Strong zoning defence from the opposition made it difficult to bring the ball down into the attacking zone. It was a tough match for Bradley Stoke, probably the most challenging game so far. They put up a good fight and never let their heads go down.”
Bradley Stoke Third Team 34 – 34 Manor Farm
“A hard fought game against an old adversary! The team were relieved to get some points. A good performance from all players for keeping their heads.”
The Bradley Stoke Sport Report is written by 15-year-old Connor Summers, who hosts a weekly Sports Show on Bradley Stoke Radio (BSR). Listen to Connor’s radio show from 6pm every Sunday.
If you would like to see your club’s news and/or match reports appear in future editions of the Bradley Stoke Sport Report, please email your contribution to our newsdesk by 6pm on a Monday.
