Football: Senior A v Beachborough

This week the teams combined for the last fixture of the term. There was a mixture of emotions on the bus as the boys took the short trip Beachborough, with excitement and nerves filling the air. As the match kicked off, the boys sprung into action and started the match focussed and determined. This was the best start to a match I had seen all term, with the boys working for one another, battling for every ball and at times playing some nice free flowing football. Bruern were having the better of the play, with Balthazar B proving to a nuisance upfront. He was linking up well with wingers Bruno T and Alex DB and the boys were finding success going down the wings. At the back, Ethan G and Larry W were proving to be too strong and quick for the opposition strikers and were being ably supported by Narayan B and Jack W at full backs. In the middle of the park, Lorcan O and Jago B were industrious at breaking up the play, as was Frank J who was playing in the 10 role. Bruern had a couple of chances to score, but their best chance came just before half time when substitute Xavier L found himself with a free shot from 10 yards out., following great work from Ben L and Balthazar B down the left hand side. However he was unable to find the target and the scores remained 0-0 at half time. The boys were confident at half time that a victory was on the cards and the team talk was based around staying focused, working hard and taking our chances when they came. A brief chat with the opposition coach showed how close the game was. “This is a cracking game, it could go either way” we’re his words. The second half started in a similar vein to the first, but Beachborough began to find gaps in the Bruern defence. It was Beachborough who were able to break the deadlock, their celebrations a testament to the Bruern boys as it showed how much the goal meant to the home side following Bruerns dominance in the match. Disappointment was clear to see on the boys’ faces, but they rolled their sleeves up and pressed forward. The chance of the game fell to Balthazar B when he broke through the Beachborough defence and found himself one on one with the keeper. Despite his best efforts though, he couldn’t keep his shot down and the ball sailed over the bar. Bruern fought to the end and as they searched for an equaliser the game became stretched and there were chances at both ends. Rafer S made some fantastic saves in the Bruern goal to keep the score to 1-0, but was powerless to stop the second goal going in following a wicked deflection. The game finished 2-0. The boys were gutted to have finished on the losing side and the bus ride home was full of chats of what if's and maybe's. Once the dust settled though, the boys were proud of the performance they put in and the season that we have had. A big thank you to all the parents who have come along to watch this term, especially to Mrs Boswell who travelled all the way from the Isle of Wight to watch this week! Your support has meant to world to the boys.