Bermondsey
& Rotherhithe P.S.F.A District Team
Background
We have
organised a District team for the past fifteen seasons. We can
only select players for the District team from affiliated schools. The team
plays matches against other District teams in and around the
As an Association, we are required to affiliate to the
English Schools Football Association (ESFA) and the Inner London County Schools
Football Association (ILCSFA). One of the benefits of affiliation to the ESFA
is that our District team is covered by insurance. Some of our better players
may be invited to play for the ILCSFA representative team at the end of the
season.
The District Team is under the management of Mr. R.
James, Mr S. Storrie and
Mr. J. Maycock. Bob James is a teacher with over thirty years
experience. For most of those years he has been involved with the organisation of Schools
Football at all levels, running his first District Team in 1980/81! Sonnie Storrie is well known
through South London youth football has also been involved in schools football
for many years previously with the Wandsworth Schools
Football Association. Jim Maycock is also a qualified and experienced primary
teacher with coaching and refereeing experience and this is his tenth season
working at this level. All are committed individuals, with FA CRB checks, who
give freely of their time to work with local children.
As well as playing a number of friendly fixtures
against other District teams, the side competes in the following competitions:
ESFA/Tesco Inter Association Cup:
This is a National 7 a-side competition. The first
stage is a tournament in November for Inner London District teams organised by
the ILCSFA. The winners of that
tournament represent Inner
The Kay Trophy:
This is an 11 a-side competition organised by the
ILCSFA which is played initially on a league basis. Group winners and runners
up play semi finals with the final normally taking place in April or May. This
is a strong County competition in which we have been runners up on a couple of
occasions and, in the past two seasons; we have managed to reach the semi
finals.
The Lester Finch Trophy:
This is another 11 a-side invitation competition
organised by the Hackney Primary Schools FA. This is also organised on a league
basis initially. There is one league for Districts north of the river and
another for teams south of the river. The two league winners play a final in
April or May. We have been both winners and runners up in this competition in
recent seasons.
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|
Name |
School |
Position |
|
Harry Payne |
Redriff |
Goalkeeper |
|
Jack Wild |
Alfred Salter |
Defender |
|
Shayon McQueen-Cocoran |
St James |
Defender |
|
John O’Reilly |
St Josephs Borough |
Defender |
|
Turkay Korkmaz |
Redriff |
Defender |
|
Jack Mosey |
Southwark
Park |
Defender |
|
Ben Wood |
Pilgrims Way |
Midfield |
|
Timi Folarin |
Grange |
Midfield |
|
Akli Moussi |
Pilgrims Way |
Midfield |
|
Dylan Ashton |
Alfred Salter. |
Midfield |
|
Henry Adeniran |
St Josephs Gomm Rd |
Midfield |
|
Nathan Obels |
Southwark Park |
Midfield |
|
Archie Mehmet |
Redriff |
Forward |
|
Conor Parker |
St James |
Forward |
|
Kevin Maresi |
Rotherhithe |
Forward |
Return to
top of District Page
|
DATE |
COMPETITION |
|
OPPONENTS |
SCORE |
SCORERS |
|
|
8/10/11 |
Friendly |
H |
Camden |
|
|
|
|
15/10/11 |
Friendly |
A |
Hackney |
1-3 |
Archie |
|
|
29/10/11 |
Friendly |
A |
Bexley |
|
|
|
|
5/11/11 |
Friendly |
H |
Bexley |
|
Akli, Kevin |
|
|
12/11/11 |
Friendly |
H |
Islington |
|
Henry 2, Conor |
|
|
19/11/11 |
Friendly |
A |
Brent |
2-1 |
Conor, Archie |
|
|
26/11/11 |
ESFA
7 a side |
N |
Inner London Round |
|
||
|
Group |
Camden |
1-0 |
Timi |
|
||
|
Group |
Islington |
0-0 |
|
|||
|
Group |
South London |
2-1 |
Archie, Dylan |
|
||
|
Semi |
Lewisham |
0-0* |
*Won 6-5 on pens |
|
||
|
Final |
Westminster |
1-1* |
Dylan *Trophy Shared |
|
||
|
3/12/11 |
Friendly |
H |
Barking & Dagenham |
3-0 |
Kevin, Archie, Henry |
|
|
10/12/11 |
Kay
Trophy |
A |
Hackney |
1-1 |
Archie |
|
|
17/12/11 |
Kay Trophy |
H |
South London |
3-1 |
Conor, Archie 2 |
|
|
14/01/12 |
Kay Trophy |
A |
Camden |
|
Turkay |
|
|
21/01/12 |
Friendly |
H |
Orpington |
|
|
|
|
28/01/12 |
Friendly |
H |
St Albans |
0-0 |
|
|
|
11/2/12 |
Friendly |
A |
Tower Hamlets |
|
||
|
TBA |
Finch
Trophy |
H |
Bexley |
|
||
|
TBA |
Kay
Trophy Semi |
A |
Lewisham or Tower Hamlets |
|
||
|
TBA |
Finch
Trophy |
A |
Orpington |
|
||
|
TBA |
Finch
Trophy |
A |
Croydon |
|
||
|
TBA |
Finch
Trophy |
H |
South London |
|
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Current Tables
Kay Trophy 2011/12
|
League A |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
|
Lewisham |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
1 |
6 |
|
Tower
Hamlets |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
10 |
3 |
3 |
|
Islington |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
|
Westminster |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
16 |
0 |
|
League B |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
|
Camden
(Q) |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
7 |
4 |
7 |
|
Bermondsey (Q) |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
5 |
3 |
5 |
|
Hackney |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
5 |
4 |
|
South
London |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
9 |
0 |
Lester Finch Trophy 2011/12
|
Lester Finch Group NORTH
A |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
|
Thurrock |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
4 |
|
Hackney |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
4 |
|
Camden |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Harrow |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Tower
Hamlets |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
10 |
0 |
|
Lester Finch Group NORTH
B |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
|
Islington |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
8 |
5 |
6 |
|
Barking
& Dagenham |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
|
Brent |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Westminster |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
|
Lester Finch Group SOUTH |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
|
Croydon |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
|
Orpington |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
|
Bermondsey |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
South London |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Bexley |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
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Match reports will
usually appear on site by Saturday evening following each game.
Saturday 21st January
Bermondsey &
Rotherhithe Primary Schools FA 0 St Albans Primary Schools FA 0
Bermondsey & Rotherhithe Primary
Schools Football Association’s District team battled well to gain a creditable
goal less draw with a strong St Albans side in a friendly fixture played at
Dulwich Park.
The visitors had generously
volunteered to make the long journey across London to give both sides a fixture
and were rewarded for their effort with a competitive and entertaining game
despite the lack of goals. Bermondsey looked to play more on the counter attack
and despite a strong start with Henry almost sent free, this allowed the
visitors to press forward using the advantage of the slope keeping Harry busy
between the sticks, where he made several good saves as the fast St Albans wide
players got in round the back of the Bermondsey back four to get shots away.
However Kevin looked a constant threat in the lone striker role and a neat turn
saw him scurry away down the right flank from where his cross just evaded the
red and white shirted bodies streaming into the box.
The half ended though on a very
unfortunate note, as with Bermondsey starting to exert some pressure of their
own, Archie bravely challenged for a loose ball in the area and in the
resulting blameless collision was seriously injured causing a length delay
whilst he was taken care of by managers and parents. Naturally we all wish
Archie a speedy return to action.
The second spell saw Bermondsey
compete with more effect in midfield, with Timi and Dylan contributing well,
and the game became a more even affair. Harry saved well again although an
offside decision had already been given and Kevin continued to trouble St
Albans with his pace. As both sides midfields cancelled each other out it was clear
that the game would be settled by a very small margin. St Albans came close
when a free kick from twenty yards sailed just over the bar and in the dying
moments the visiting keeper made a magnificent save to deny Henry after
Turkay’s cross had found him on the far right of the area with the goal in
sight.
The final whistle arrived though
before either side could find the elusive goal and Bermondsey left knowing
their lengthy unbeaten run had come under a stern test but still survived.
Saturday 21st January
Bermondsey &
Rotherhithe Primary Schools FA 5 Orpington Primary Schools FA 0
Bermondsey &
Rotherhithe extended their unbeaten run to nine games with a comfortable
victory over Orpington Schools B team in this friendly match at Dulwich Park, but
it was one of those times when the game was far more important than
the result!
The hosts took to the field with just 10 players as a combination of illness,
injury, and a secondary school entrance exam took their toll on the squad. With
the players completing their warm up, the Orpington management showed great
consideration and sportsmanship - something that is sometimes hard to find
outside the realms of schools football, but which is not uncommon within it -
and offered to play the game, as it was a friendly, with a player less
themselves to make the sides even. The resulting match was a testament to that
gesture of goodwill, producing a thoroughly entertaining match of
high quality, despite the efforts of the wind to spoil it!
The visitors started well, but a somewhat reorganised Bermondsey team with
the two Jacks steady in the centre of defence, and Archie impressing with his
work rate and skilful distribution from a deeper than usual midfield position,
started to settle. It was Archie's incisive pass that sent Kevin clear of the
Orpington defence to slip the ball past the advancing keeper to give the home
side the lead, and it was Archie himself who firstly doubled the lead by
arriving at the near post to flick on Akli's well-delivered corner, and then
to add another when he picked up a loose ball on the edge of the visitor's
penalty area and drove it home.
Archie's first half industry had been matched by central midfield partner
Nathan who picked up just about every loose ball and recycled it effectively. The
home side found space down the left flank with Akli being well
supported by Turkay's accurate passing and with a less than fully fit Henry
showing great courage and determination to play through his discomfort, getting
forward to support Kevin's fluent and pacy movement up front, Bermondsey were a
constant threat to the Orpington defence.
However, at this level, a game is very rarely won by half time, and a
determined Orpington team came out strongly at the start of the second half and
began to move the ball around with quick, smart passing. Harry had to be at his
best on three occasions when Orpington got clear of the Bermondsey back line,
firstly coming out of his area to clear the ball safely, and then twice diving
at the feet of oncoming Orpington forwards to secure the ball and thwart any
clear goal scoring attempts. Midway through the second half Kevin increased the
lead to give the hosts a four goal cushion, but he was not finished yet. With
seconds left, Henry broke clear only to see his shot parried by the
keeper. The rebound fell to John whose goal bound shot was blocked on the line
to deny him his debut goal, but Kevin was the first to react and tap the ball
over the line to complete his hat trick, and cap a fine all-round performance.
Orpington can feel a little hard done by in terms of the scoreline, but they
can take great pride and satisfaction from the way in which their players
conducted themselves both on and off the pitch, and the contribution that they
made to an entertaining match, which was played in an excellent spirit
throughout! The Orpington manager and coach are to be congratulated and
thanked for their sportsmanship and positive, friendly attitude, enabling
parents and supporters to witness not only an entertaining and exciting match,
but all that is good about schools representative football!
Saturday 14th January
Camden Primary Schools
FA 1 Bermondsey & Rotherhithe Primary Schools FA 1
In their first game of the New Year
the Bermondsey & Rotherhithe Primary Schools Football Association’s
District team secured themselves a semi final appearance in the Inner London
County Schools Football Association’s Kay Trophy by gaining a draw at group
leaders Camden.
Bermondsey went into the game needing
at least a draw to confirm qualification but knew defeat could see them edged
out on goal difference, so a nervy game was in prospect. However those nerves
were calmed by an encouraging start which saw the side so no ill effects from
an extended lay off over the Christmas break. Kevin’s pace and Archie’s
strength caused the hosts problems from the start and the opening ten minutes
was played predominantly in the Camden half with Timi in midfield constantly
driving the side forward with some powerful runs with the ball and sensible passing.
Despite the pressure and forcing several corners Bermondsey had to wait till
midway through the half before the goal finally came when Camden half cleared
yet more pressure and from twenty five yards Turkay lofted his shot over the
keeper and into the net. The goal was no less than Bermondsey deserved and Kevin’s shot on the turn,
another long range effort this time from Shayon and Timi’s fine run into the
box on the left all may on another day had led to further goals as Bermondsey
turned on the style.
The second spell however was a quite
different affair with Bermondsey not finding the fluency to their attacking
play that they had in the first half and Camden looking more determined to get
to the ball first. The hosts lively forward found space on the left and posed a
constant threat with his pace and ball control but each time he advanced into
the danger area safe hands from Harry thwarted his effort at goal. However ten
minutes in the equaliser arrived when Bermondsey only half cleared and the ball
was recycled high into the box where a high bounce on the still frost firm
pitch left Harry with little hope of clawing it out from under the bar and
despite his best efforts the ball had clearly crossed the line as it bounced
out off the goal stanchion.
The goal had changed the momentum of
the game and Camden pushed on looking for a winner creating several good
shooting chances and forcing a series of corners but Bermondsey stood firm and
in a late rally may well have put themselves back in front with Kevin just
failing to find a finish when his pace again sent him clear and the Camden
defence hastily clearing when he slipped Archie through following another
lightning run as his chipped the last defender to send himself clear and from
the resulting corner Conor saw his effort blocked by a goal line defender.
The final whistle saw success for both
sides with the draw sealing their respective semi final spots with Bermondsey
travelling to meet either Tower Hamlets or Lewisham.
Saturday 17th December
Bermondsey &
Rotherhithe Primary Schools FA 3 South London Primary Schools 1
Bermondsey & Rotherhithe Primary
Schools Football Association’s District team strengthened their chances of
qualification for the semi finals of the Inner London Kay Trophy with an
impressive 3-1 victory over neighbours South London Primary Schools FA at
Dulwich Park.
A bitterly cold morning was brightened
by some fast flowing attacking football by both sides and the opening exchanges
were very even with the pace of each sides respective set of strikers promising
goals. Both sides had already made decent chances before Bermondsey took the
lead when Henry’s cross form the right struck a defenders arm and Conor
confidently dispatched the resulting penalty kick. Bermondsey a good chance to
extend the lead when Kevin’s electric turn of pace sent him clear and
sportingly stayed on his feet when clipped as he entered the area saw his shot
pass inches wide of the post as the referee played a good advantage for what
appeared a straight forward penalty decision had he gone down and a difficult
decision about the fate of the last defender. A second burst through from Kevin
drew a terrific save from the South London keeper before at the other end the
pace the visitors left winger levelled the game as a quick counter attack sent
him clear and he raced into the penalty area before slipping the ball inside
the far post.
Shortly before the break though
Bermondsey were back in front as Henry found space on the right and his drilled
cross found Archie arriving at the far post to tuck the ball home and restore
the lead.
The second spell saw Bermondsey playing with
the slope in their favour and again the pace of Henry and Kevin looked a
continual threat for the visitors. Indeed it was Kevin who provided the opportunity
for the first goal having forced a corner he then delivered an inch perfect
ball for Archie to emphatically head home at the near post. Timi and Nathan
worked well in central midfield to stop South London gaining the upper hand as
they looked to salvage a point to keep their own qualification hopes alive and
they received a chance to get back into the game when awarded a penalty of
their own after their forward was upended in the left of the penalty area.
However Harry saved the spot kick with his legs and the defence had learnt
precious lessons of games earlier this season by following up well to clear the
rebound. With John and Turkay both in impressive form at right and left back
Bermondsey never looked in danger of relinquishing the two goals lead and aided
by both Jacks and Shayon in the centre of defence and confident handling from
Harry the game was seen out with minimum alarm and with Akli and Ben both
introduced from the bench supplying good balls forward Bermondsey could have
grabbed a fourth during some late pressure of their own but settled for three
goals and the three points they gave that leaves the side a point away from
certain qualification as they take on group leaders Camden in the New Year.
The win caps a magnificent first half
to the season for the side who have improved week on week and can go into the
Christmas break proud of the efforts so far and looking forward to some big
games in the second half of the season.
Saturday 10th December
Hackney Primary Schools FA
1 Bermondsey & Rotherhithe Primary Schools FA 1
Bermondsey & Rotherhithe Primary
Schools Football Association’s District team demonstrated the significant
progress they have made so far this season with a closely fought draw in their
opening Kay Trophy group game. Having lost to today’s opponents Hackney earlier
in the season, the Bermondsey side showed the development in their game by more
than matching their hosts in an entertaining and fast flowing game that both
sides will feel they might have edged.
Hackney made the stronger start on a
cold morning with the Bermondsey defence hampered by the sun shining straight
down the pitch, but with the back four all showing good commitment to win the
ball they were able to keep Hackney at range
and as Dylan became a growing influence in midfield the visitors settled
and started to produce some attacks of their own, forcing a goal line clearance
after Archie’s free kick was saved and Kevin’s follow up hit the post before
rolling along the goal line from where a defender cleared. With Bermondsey
looking to use the speed of Kevin and Henry the momentum of the game switched
to the visitors and with Timi keeping the midfield pushing forward effectively
the Hackney defence were now the busier before the resistance was finally
broken when good work from Timi, Henry and Kevin saw the ball fall to Archie
who was able to hook home powerfully on the volley.
Bermondsey looked set to take the lead
into the interval but were pegged back by what proved to be the last kick of the
half with the goal very much of Bermondsey’s own making as some hesitancy in
playing the ball out from the back allowed a Hackney forward to steal
possession and nip behind the back line to stab home causing the Bermondsey
side to rue the extra time rightly added to the half to allow for several
Bermondsey players tying and retying laces that had not been properly secured
prior to kick off - proving in games as close as this that small margins decide
outcomes and issues such as correct preparation become key.
However the side quickly lifted
themselves from the disappointment of conceding so late and emerged for the
second spell with renewed zest and energy with Dylan’s non-stop tackling and
ferrying of the ball in midfield giving them a platform to attack. Henry on the
right wing became a growing threat for the Hackney defence, getting around the
back and sending over good crosses on several occasions but the finish would
not quite come. Kevin fired in a cross come shot from the right which passed
narrowly over and both Timi and Archie jinked their way through tackles on the
edge of the box only to see their shots blocked as Bermondsey looked to find a
winner.
Just as Bermondsey had turned the tide
in the first half Hackney managed to do so in the second and it took an
impressive performance from John at right back to quell the threat of Hackney’s left winger and a
terrific full stretch save to tip a long range effort over the bar from Harry
to keep the scores level.
The game had been played at great pace
and there was no let up right through to the final whistle as both sides
attacked and counter attacked looking for a winning goal but the final whistle
saw the points shared keeping alive both sides hopes of qualifying from what
looks a tight group, with Bermondsey due to meet South London next week, where
a win would see them go into their final game against Camden in the New Year
with the chance to top the group.
Saturday 3rd December
Bermondsey &
Rotherhithe Primary Schools FA 3 Barking & Dagenham PSFA 0
A stunning second half performance saw
Bermondsey & Rotherhithe Primary Schools Football Association’s District
team gain a thoroughly deserved victory over Barking and Dagenham Primary
Schools FA at Dulwich Park cracking in three excellent goals in a terrific
display of attacking football.
With the visitors traditionally a very
strong Association a tough game was expected with the Essex side able to boast
a list of former players that includes World cup winning managers and England
captains past and present in Sir Alf Ramsay, Sir Trevor Brooking, Bobby Moore
and John Terry. Without doubt the football on display was the highest quality
seen this season with Barking & Dagenham coping well with Bermondsey’s
opening attacks before settling into some good attacking lay of their own with
their left winger a constant threat with his quick feet and good delivery and
as the half wore on the visitors looked in the ascendency teeing up several
shooting opportunities from the edge of the box which though struck cleanly and
powerfully rose over the bar. At the other end Kevin and Henry’s pace was
giving a glimpse of things to come with Kevin almost getting round the keeper
having shown the central defenders a clean pair of heels and Henry cutting in
from the right just forced to wide to shoot and seeing his cross cleared.
Despite having the advantage of the
slope few would have expected the homes ides second half goal rush but early in
the half Kevin ran onto a long clearance nudged it forward and from fully
thirty yards took his shot early to surprise all with the bounce deceiving the
keeper and settling in the back of the net. The goal gave the hosts energy and
Kevin and Henry looked threatening with every touch almost adding a second
immediately as they linked up on the right to power forward and brought a good
block from the keeper as Henry squared for Kevin.
With Dylan continuing his excellent
from last week’s tournament Bermondsey had a strong hold in midfield and his
constant industry kept Bermondsey on the front foot winning a corner that
following Akli’s delivery saw several shots blocked before Dylan calmly laid
the ball into the path of Archie who buried his shot to double the advantage,
Within minutes Bermondsey had the game wrapped up as Kevin and Henry again combined
with Henry sprinting in from the right past his marker before calmly chipping
home.
Barking rallied but the back four
stood firm to give the side a clean sheet to go with the magnificent win.
There was a bonus game for the sides
as Bexley had been let down by their planned opposition this weekend so played
mini 10 minute each way games with both sides on the conclusion with Shayon’s
rebound finish after Kevin had struck the bar cancelled out almost immediately
by an emphatic header before Bexley hit a second half winner.
Saturday 26th
November
Inner London Schools
County FA District Seven A Side Tournament
After a twelve year wait Bermondsey
& Rotherhithe Primary Schools Football Association’s District team got
their names back on the Tower Hamlets trophy as joint winners of the Inner
London County Schools FA Seven A Side Tournament at the Marathon Sports Ground
in Charlton after a 1-1 draw with Westminster in the final.
A day of tense matches began with
Bermondsey being drawn in what looked an open group and a tough first game
against Camden. Some terrific defending blunted the impact of Camden’s
threatening forwards as the side quickly settled into the patterns of play
required for the seven a side game and midway through the second half they
grabbed the crucial goal when Timi was on hand to turn in loose ball following
a corner from the left.
Winning the opening game put them in
control of the group but another tough encounter with Islington who had also been
successful in their opener saw Bermondsey have to absorb a lot of pressure as
Islington made good use of the slope and pushed forward but found Nathan and
Shayon working well at the back to keep them at bay. The second spell saw more
attacking intent from Bermondsey but the teams had to settle for a point a
piece which left the group wide open and with a game to play Bermondsey knew
they needed a least a point to qualify for the semi final. Their hopes were
given a setback when South London took an early lead and as the score stood
would have involved a play off with Islington for qualification but a vastly
improved second half saw Archie strike home a magnificent free kick in off the
post and then Dylan sublimely break through on goal and lob home a winner to
see Bermondsey top the group.
The semi final saw them take on the
traditionally strong Lewisham side in a thrilling game which saw both Harry and
his Lewisham counterpart make several outstanding saves in each goal as both
sets of forwards were denied. Extra time could not find a winner for either
side and so penalties were required to find the finalist which were still
deadlocked at 4-4 when Nathan converted to seal a sudden death win.
With Westminster coming through the
other semi final it was Inner London’s two smallest Associations who battled it
out to win the county crown and with it the Tower Hamlets Cup. Again the game
was tight but as the first half wore on Bermondsey seemed to be just having the
upper hand and early in the second spell took the lead when Dylan fired home
from John’s drilled corner. Bermondsey looked to be holding out with some
determined defending but two minutes from time Westminster threw players
forward and the strategy paid off as they worked an equaliser from a good run
down the right. Extra time saw Bermondsey push for a winner with John, Archie
and Timi all having good shots well saved or pass narrowly over the bar and
with the final kick of the game they saw the keeper tip Archie’s effort onto
the post and away.
The final whistle meant the title and
trophy was shared, although a penalty shoot was required to decide which of the
two joint champions was going to represent Inner London in the regional
competition in the New Year. Again the shoot out was close and went to sudden
death before ending in Westminster’s favour. Whilst disappointed to not have
won the right to compete in the next stage the side can look back with pride on
their performances throughout the tournament and treasure their well earned
County champions medals which they received when going up to collect the Tower
Hamlets Cup which each district will now hold for six months.
Saturday 19th November
Brent Primary Schools FA
1 Bermondsey & Rotherhithe Primary Schools FA 2
Bermondsey & Rotherhithe Primary
Schools Football Association’s District team endured a torturous journey to
North West London but travelled home with a pleasing victory on board after a
2-1 win over Brent Primary Schools FA.
A serious police incident had closed
many of the roads around the hosts ground and caused the late arrival of the
side as they tried to find a route around the blockages but despite having to
make a quick change and start immediately on arrival they came out the stronger
of the two sides using the slope to their advantage to pin the visitors into
their own half. A small pitch meant space was at a premium and despite their
territorial advantage Bermondsey could not find a route through a crowded
defence. Dylan Ashton looked likeliest to help the side make the breakthrough
with an energetic performance in midfield but even with his prompting the final
ball would not sit for any of the forwards to fire home. Archie Mehmet went
close with a long range free kick just wide of the post. Ten minutes prior to
the break the goal finally came when a high ball fell for Conor Parker in
midfield and meeting it perfectly on the volley his shot flew over the keeper
and dropped into the net.
With the slope to contend with in the
second spell Bermondsey were also faced with the introduction of two speedy
wingers from the hosts and were pushed deeper than in the first half and played
on the counter attack. Nathan Obels almost doubled the lead when he fired just
wide after Kevin Maresi had worked an opening from the right as Bermondsey
linked up play well. However despite their good passing the second goal came
from a more direct route as Harry Payne’s quick release after catching a cross
carried deep into the Brent half with the bounce deceiving their centre halves
and Archie Mehmet gambled correctly on the keeper not collecting to roll the
ball into the net.
The importance of the second goal was
shown when the hosts pulled a goal back from a lofted shot from the edge of the
area and only a terrific covering tackle form John O’Reilly stopped them
getting a shot off minutes later. Brent pushed hard for an equaliser and
Bermondsey had to absorb some late pressure but held on to record their third
win of the campaign and stretch their unbeaten run to four games.
Saturday 12th November
Bermondsey &
Rotherhithe Primary Schools FA 3 Islington Primary Schools FA 1
Bermondsey & Rotherhithe Primary
Schools Football Association’s District team stretched their unbeaten run to
three games with another comeback victory over Islington Schools at Dulwich
Park after they had fallen behind to an early goal from the visitors.
The hosts had started slowly and
playing up the slope allowed Islington to press them into their own half and
the first goal seemed on the cards before with eight minutes gone it duly
arrived when Islington’s rangy centre forward strode clear on the right to
powerfully finish. However the goal seemed to be the wake-up call Bermondsey
needed and the introduction of Timi in midfield saw more possession and purpose
to their play as he continually drove the side up the slope. The eager of
running of Kevin up front and Henry on the right started to give Bermondsey an
outlet and they used this to good effect to create an equaliser as Kevin played
in Henry who burst into the box and his pace allowed him to reach the ball
seconds before the keeper to tuck the ball into the net. Minutes before the
break Bermondsey were in front for the first time as Again Kevin’s running saw
him nip onto the end of a through ball and as he looked to round the keeper he
was sent tumbling with Conor stepping up to convert from the resulting penalty
kick.
Whilst the side had done well to turn
the game round the message was clear at half time that they could not start the
second half as slowly as they had started the game and the warning s were well
heeded as a far hungrier home team emerged, allowing Islington little space or
time to build from the back. Henry was able to feed on a continual supply of
through balls from Timi and Nathan and whilst the keeper saved well on two
occasions he was powerless to stop the third as Henry neatly doubled his tally
and secured the game.
Islington looked to mount a comeback
and as can happen playing down the hill with a lead Bermondsey lost their shape
and pushed too high but Nathan capped a very strong game with some magnificent
covering tackles and on the one time the visiting forwards saw a route to goal
they only found the base of the post from a hopefully effort from the left.
Bermondsey could have added further
goals as they looked dangerous in every attack but some determined defending
kept them at bay and when Akli was fouled as he looked to convert a rebound the
keeper made a terrific save to tip over Archie’s well struck penalty kick but
by this stage Bermondsey were already home and dry.
A convincing win, but still some work
to be done on the shape of the team and positional play in the final few
friendliest before the season moves towards the competition games in the Kay
Trophy and Lester Finch Trophy.
Saturday 5th November
Bermondsey &
Rotherhithe Primary Schools FA 2 Bexley Primary Schools FA 2
Bermondsey & Rotherhithe Primary
Schools Football Association’s District team were held to a draw by an improved
Bexley side at Dulwich Park, fighting back to twice equalise in an entertaining
game.
The visitors had several new faces
from last week’s games which had seen Bermondsey victorious and defended with an eagerness and determination they had not shown seven days
earlier. This meant that whilst Bermondsey had the greater share of possession
and territory they were blocked in their route to goal and when shooting
chances game they were quickly closed down with Archie’s long range effort from
the edge of the box after Jack had flicked the ball into his path the closest
they came to scoring before midway through the half they found themselves a
goal down. The opener arrived when Bexley earned a corner and as the ball was
delivered a slight push was spotted in the box to see the awarding of a penalty
kick. Harry dived to his right to save well and recovered to dive left to even
more impressively save the rebound shot, but could not perform heroics a third
time as the Bermondsey defence has not reacted quickly enough to help clear
allowing a Bexley forward to slot home.
Going in a goal down at the break may
have been a little harsh in terms of the possession seen but had demonstrated
the desire of the sides to protect their own goals and a more determined home
team emerged after the break. They were soon level when Akli was sent away down
the left and evading the last tackle stormed into the area before firing a low
left footed shot inside the near post.
With the slope in their favour Bermondsey pushed forward looking to take
the lead with the midfield quick to the ball and keeping their visitors pegged
in their own half. Yet having
overcommitted, a long through ball saw Bexley’s nippy forward win a tussle for
possession deep in the Bermondsey half and whilst his initial shot hit the
inside of the post the rebound fell kindly and he tucked the ball away to again
put Bexley in front. The lead was to last less than a minute though as from
their first attack after the restart Kevin scampered through to capitalise on a
defenders hesitancy and carried the ball into the box before slipping it neatly
past the keeper to roll in at the far post.
Ten
minutes remained for Bermondsey to find a winner but they found a well
organised Bexley defence who coped very well with the hosts delivery into the
penalty area and withstood a series of
late corners. Bermondsey thought they had won it at the death when Timi’s lob
over the keeper was tucked home by Kevin but amidst the celebrations the referee
had correctly given a offside decision and an entertaining game played in great
spirit ended all square.
Saturday 29th October
Bexley Primary Schools
FA 0 Bermondsey & Rotherhithe Primary Schools FA 2
Bermondsey & Rotherhithe Primary
Schools Football Association’s District team secured their first victory of the
season with a 2-0 away win against Bexley Primary Schools.
Despite playing up the slope
Bermondsey were quickly on top and trapped their hosts in their own half in the
early exchanges before taking a third minute lead when Archie picked up a loose
ball twenty five yards out and drove into the penalty area before firing off a
rising drive which beat the keeper’s outstretched hands to fly into the far
corner.
The goal saw no let up and Bermondsey
continued to press with Akli finding plenty of space on the left causing Bexley
concern with a series of through balls and crosses but a second goal would not
come. Timi went closest to doubling the lead when skipping out of a tackle in
midfield he exchanged passes on the edge of the box and having just managed to
slip his shot under the out coming keeper saw it roll just past the post.
At the other end Bermondsey got a
reminder of the levels of concentration required in District football, where a
small lapse can change a game, as a Bexley forward found a sight of goal and
got away a well hit shot which Harry did well to turn round the post.
The start if the second spell saw
little change to the pattern of play with Bermondsey having plenty of
possession and when Archie pushed the ball wide right, Henry was able to pick
out Dylan to emphatically fire home a low shot to double the lead.
Bexley rallied and produced their
better football after the second goal, but good defence performances from Jack
and Turk meant they rarely got a clear sight of goal and on the counter attack
Bermondsey always looked likely to add a third with Archie, Akli and Timi all
seeing shots safely handled by Bexley’s keeper as the visitors could not quite
find the lethal touch in front of goal to extend their lead. However with
Nathan always mopping up in front of the back four and driving the side forward
there was little danger of them relinquishing the lead and game finished with a
satisfactory 2-0 scoreline to provide Bermondsey with their first win of the
season.
Saturday 15th
October
Hackney Primary Schools
FA 3 Bermondsey & Rotherhithe Primary Schools FA 1
Bermondsey & Rotherhithe Primary
Schools Football Association’s District team gave a much improved performance
in their second game of the season but against a strong Hackney side still went
down to a 3-1 defeat at the Douglas Eyre Sports Ground in Walthamstow.
Hosts Hackney made much of the early
running and Bermondsey were forced to soak up some strong pressure with Harry
showing some confident handling in goal to deny the home forwards long range
efforts. However having held out for ten minutes the visitors resistance was
broken when a sliced clearance allowed Hackney to break down the left and the
squared pass gave a straight forward chance for their centre forward to
convert. Despite the goal Bermondsey still remained solid at the back and dealt
well with a series of Hackney corners. Hackney continued to press however and
only a terrific diving save from Harry and equally impressive sliding block
tackle from John, as a Hackney player appeared set to convert the rebound,
stopped them adding to lead. Having absorbed so much pressure Bermondsey looked
to have done enough to go into the break still in the game with just a one goal
deficit but virtually on the half time whistle Hackney added a second as
Bermondsey dallied in clearing and in the hesitation the ball fell to a forward
who stabbed it home from close range.
The second half saw a far more
determined Bermondsey side appear and a tigerish midfield display from debutant
Timi saw Bermondsey win far more ball allowing the pace of Kevin and Henry on
either flank to be seen. Tackles that previously were being missed were now
being made and the game became an even contest with Shayon trying his luck from
distance to bring Hackney’s keeper into the action.
Just as Bermondsey appeared to be
creating a platform to get back into the game they were hit by a third goal for
the hosts as their forward capitalised on a short back pass to round Harry and
score. However almost immediately Bermondsey hit back with a quick break
winning them a free kick on the left of the penalty area which was perfectly
flighted by Archie over the keeper and into the far corner of the net to give
Bermondsey their first goal of both the match and season. With the goal came
some real belief from the side and they pushed forward in search of a second.
Kevin shot from distance but could only find the well placed keeper, Henry got
round the back of this marker on the right but saw his cross gathered and in
some sustained pressure in the Hackney goalmouth several players saw their
efforts blocked in an exciting scramble before the full time whistle brought a
halt to the spirited fight back.
The improved performance showed the
side are starting to adjust to the rigours of District football and if they can
take their efforts from the last quarter of today’s game into their next
outings their first win surely cannot be too far away.
Saturday 8th
October
Bermondsey & Rotherhithe
Primary Schools FA 0 Camden Primary Schools 5
Bermondsey & Rotherhithe Primary
Schools Football Association’s opening fixture of the new season saw the side
given a tough introduction to schools district football and the standard it
requires after a 5-0 defeat at home to Camden Primary Schools at a blustery and
chilly Dulwich Park.
With both sides putting together new
Year Six squads it was expected both would take time to gel together however
despite an initial bright start by the hosts it was visitors Camden who got to
grips with playing at this level the quicker and were eager to get to the ball
first and stronger in the tackle giving them the larger share of possession.
However good defensive work from John
and Shayon appeared to be keeping Camden at bay until midway through the first
half when an indirect free kick was awarded on the edge of Bermondsey’s six
yard box and whilst the initial shot was well blocked Camden were quicker to
the rebound and the ball was buried into the back of the net from close range.
The goal appeared to deflate the hosts
and they were shown the clinical nature of representative football when two
errors were capitalised on in quick succession to give Camden a three goal lead
going into the break.
With Bermondsey now having use of the
slope it was hoped an early goal in the second half would see them able to
build some momentum and get back into the game and the team certainly showed
a little more desire to compete for the
loose balls and win challenges but had given themselves a far too big hurdle to
climb. The quality of Camden’s midfield and forward running allowed them to
confidently play up the slope and game was over as a contest when ten minutes
into the half they added two further goals in quick succession.
Bermondsey did manage to force a
couple of corners but without the delivery to cause alarm in the Camden back
line and it took a couple of fine saves from Harry in the Bermondsey goal to
stop the visitors adding to their tally in the closing moments.
Although the game was a difficult
introduction to District football for the side the real test will be if they
can learn lessons from the game and the focus on next week will need to be on
being sharper to the ball and stronger in the tackle as well as working harder
off the ball to keep shape, close down and provide options as they take on the
traditionally strong Hackney Schools side.
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