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Frys Colts 2 - 2 Brislington A

On the back of a good run of form Brislington took to the frozen plains of Frys Club this Sunday. Such is the confidence these days that a draw almost feels like a defeat and in truth the home side did well to nick a point.

The first team started solidly and the only surprise was that it took so long for us to score - Louis Jenkins poking home from a corner. Warren Lewton then had a terrific shot well saved by the keeper and soon after Conor Sheehan sent in a piledriver from distance which rattled the post. At the back we were rarely threatened. In the second half the home side stepped it up a bit, but once Billy Davis scored with a bullet header from a corner to make it 2-0 you felt that was that. Not so, as Frys' Charlie Smithers found himself in acres of space to fire in a low shot to make it 2-1 and then the home ref saw fit to award a penalty which was duly converted. Chances at either end followed, but it ended 2-2.

In the second match a description of one-way traffic would have been an understatement. Frank Feltham had the best of the chances but they were all dealt with excellently by the Frys keeper. When called upon the defenders Michael McCarthy and Jack Niblett were resolute and solid and it gave our regular stand-in keepers an easy, but cold, half each. Try as they might we could not get that elusive goal which would have seen us reach dizzy heights in the league. Nothing each it finished and credit to both teams for making it such an entertaining morning.

AEK BOCO 1 - 3 Brislington A

The Brislington juggernat rolled on to a quagmire of a pitch this Sunday and left a couple of hours later with three points in the bag and job done.

 The first team usually take a few minutes to get in their stride and right from the off they were clearly up against a very physical BOCO side once again. The home side created some dangerous moments for the A team and after a few corners they stole the lead after a fierce shot was parried out to the onrushing Nobby Barnes who slid in to score. From that point on the boys dug in and the midfield quintet (not all on pitch at same time) of Jacob Burt, Conor Sheehan, Matthew Maggs, Chris Badman, Jack Millard, nee Wheeler, all got to grips with BOCO and began to impose themselves on the game. We had to wait a long time for the equaliser, but it was well worth it. A short drop-kick from Owen Webster to Jacob Burt, lovely pass in field to Matthew Maggs who then beat all six of the outfield BOCO players, before beating them all again for good measure, then playing a delightful ball to Jack Millard who promptly slid it home. Top banana. Could have been more, but they did really well. Chris Badman was man of the match.

 There was a feeling that the B team were really up for the physical battle, and so it proved. Dean Howlett really makes the side tick and when we get a free-kick anywhere in the opposition half it is usually Deano territory. So it was once again as a fierce Deano free-kick was tentatively pushed away by the keeper, only for fox-in-the-box Dexter Cole to read it before anyone else and poke it home from about one yard out. Jack Niblett and Billy Davis worked faultlessly at the back, Warren Lewton and Curtis Lacey rolled the sleeves up and dug in superbly, whilst Michael McCarthy played his dual role of defender and keeper without fuss and with assurance. Frank Feltham put the proverbial icing on the cake in the second half, lofting it into an empty net. Pierce Rogerson had a couple of chances to light the candles but 2-0 it finished and that will do us nicely. Dexter Cole was man of the match.

Brislington A 3 1 Bradley Stoke Youth

It is a generally accepted principle that when you use capital letters in text such as in e-mails etc it signifies that you are doing the literary equivalent of shouting. Well get this. BRISLINGTON HAVE FINALLY BEATEN BRADLEY STOKE YOUTH.

LOL.

The first game took a while to get going it has to be said. In fact it didn't get going until the second half. The Stoke nearly scored in the opening minute as the ball hit the post and cannoned back off Owen Webster in goal back behind him for a corner. After that it was a bit of a struggle for both teams on a pitch that seems to be getting in a festive mood this team of year as it is resembling a Christmas pudding more and more each week. The second half was a much more lively affair and with 5 mins gone the Stoke scored a header from a corner - Albert Squarepeg getting the goal. Our boys rallied and impressive work down the right from Matthew Maggs (man of match) led to a corner which Billy Davis duly dispatched with a near-post volley. We had a few chances but one apiece was about the right result.

Our second team got stuck in from the off, tenacious tackling from Deano "Dean" Howlett set the tone and a lovely through-ball for Frank Feltham saw the latter's shot across the keeper nestle nicely in the bottom of the net. The boys worked hard to get another but it took a long time arriving. Pierce "Bacon Roll Scoffmonger" Rogerson took a quickly-taken throw which saw the ball whipped in across goal and Dexter "Fox-in-the-Box Cole" made no mistake, before wheeling away with a Frank Lampard-esque celebration. We could have had a few more but let's not be greedy, we've never beaten the Stoke before and they've knocked us out the cup for the last two years so it's nice to get one over on them at last. Michael "Mr Versatile" McCarthy was man-of-the match - excellent in defence and in goal throughout.

Bitton 6 - 3 Brislington A

Sickness, injury and absenteeism hit the Brislington squad on Sunday so the last thing they needed was a trip to Bolton, I mean Bitton, a side that had administered one or two sound beatings (non-physical) to some illustrious opponents this season. Given all the rain and stuff which had fallen from the heavens the pitch was a bit swampy in places and it wouldnt have been too surprising to see a hippo emerge for air every so often in the lower goalmouth.

Our patched-up first team did us proud, it has to be said. Right from the off Bolton dominated and played some really good football, which was an achievement in itself given the state of the pitch. We hung in there though, thanks to steely defending from Billy Davies and Jack Niblett. Louis Jenkins ploughed a lone furrow up front assisted when possible by Jacob Burt, Conor Sheehan and Dexter Cole and we had a few half chances throughout, but to be fair Bolton had the better opportunities and they managed to stick it away three times, one of them being a farcical goalmouth scramble. They also hit the woodwork, nay, plasticwork, on a number of occasions. Owen Webster in goal was man of the match.

The second game was a ripsnorter; despite going one-nil down early on the boys stayed in it thanks to great keeping from Pierce "Bacon Roll" Rogerson and stout defending from Michael "Mick" McCarthy. In fact we did more than stay in it, we equalised through Frank Feltham and then Deano "Dean" Howlett with a slide on the line made it 2-1. The second half was end-to -nd stuff, but it led to Bolton nicking a couple of goals to put their noses in front at 3-2. However, Brislington had the last word as Frank Feltham took an Ashley Pool pass to finish with aplomb. Mick McCarthy was man of the match for his defending in the first half and goalkeeping heroics in the second. He might make a good manager one day. Tremendous character all round boys. Nice one.

Ashton Boys 6 - 3 Brislington A

 

A tough encounter this week for the lads as they rolled up at a soggy Clanage to take on an Ashton Boys side that had been on the end of one or two hidings themselves this season.

Right from the off it was clear Brislington were in for a battle against some very physically-imposing 9 year olds in the Ashton side. I said last week that Bradley had some big lumps in their side, but there was some even bigger lumps in this Ashton team not least Kevin Fingers at the back. Ashton made a lot of the running and were two goals to the good by 15 minutes as mistakes were punished. Brislington were handed a lifeline on the stroke of half time as Chris Badman pounced on a mix up at the back to make it 2-1. The comeback was short-lived however and the Ashton scored a couple more in the second half to make it 4-1. No shortage of endeavour from Brislington but you cant say that Ashton didnt deserve it. Chris Badman was man of the match.

The second game was a much more different affair and Brislington really should have won it. The Boy Formerly Known as Jack Wheeler had a good chance early doors but his shot flashed wide. It wasnt though long before Deano Dean Howlett scored direct from a free kick and we were ahead. However, much has been the story in the last few weeks, Brislington couldnt turn their dominance to goals. As it was Ashton pinched an equalizer at the death, but by then it made little difference. I can remember us being on the end of a right hammering in this place once, so the performance by the boys was a marked improvement on that and the gap on Ashton has certainly been closed. Pierce Rogerson was man-of-the-match.

 

One word about the pitch very good. It was really, really good. Excellent pitch.

Brislington A 1 - 3 Bradley Stoke Youth

Back at the Mud Lane once more on an overcast Sunday morn, this time we entertained Bradley Stoke Youth in the cup. I dont know what cup competition it was, but it was the cup nonetheless. I dont think it was the FA Cup but if it was then we can stop dreaming of the march to the Twin Towers (nay, the Wembley Arch) as Brislington were dumped out of the competition, again, by Bradley Stoke Youth, again.

Bradley Stoke had had a few good results in the league and it was clear we were in for a battle. Indeed, they were a fairly tall side and had one or two very big lumps at the back and in midfield. The boys dug in well from the off, but although we were competing well in all areas of the field, the Stoke had the majority of the chances and were unlucky not to take the lead on several occasions. Conor Sheehan was yet again outstanding and Jacob Burt, Matthew Maggs and Chris Badman worked well in midfield to support Loius Jenkins up top. The second half pretty much mirrored the first, the only difference being that the Stoke scored twice good goals at that. Our boys kept battling and were unlucky not to get something out of it, but it ended nothing-two. Louis Jenkins was the games most valuable player.

The second team had some work to do and just as last week against Boco they tore into the other side and were so unlucky not to get anything from the game. Frank Felthams mazy dribbling left the slightly smaller lumps in the second Stoke teams defence mesmerised and our hopes were raised when Frank Oh what a great goal Feltham scored a great goal. One-nothing at half time and in the second we were set for a grandstand finish, but that elusive second goal was not to be. The boy Feltham (man of the match) had a great chance but went for placement not power on the shot and the keeper made a smart save. Jack Wheeler, Billy Davis, Dexter Cole and Deam Howlett knocked tirelessly at the Stoke goal but, like last week, it was just one of those days. To rub the proverbial salt in the wounds the Stoke popped up the other end and scored a sucker punch goal which extinguished our cup dreams for another year.

Never mind, easy game next week. Its Ashton Boys.

Brislington A 0 - 2 AEK BOCO

A fine sunny day at Ironmould Lane saw the Brislington boys take on the oddly-named AEK Boco.

 

The first game produced some very good football and it was clear the Boco were fielding one or two really good players in their line-up. Even so, Brislington matched them stride for stride and although Boco had the better possession, Brislington had the better chances with Louis Jenkins particulary unlucky with one effort. The back two of Conor Sheehan and Jack Niblett worked really hard and with Owen Webster (man of the match) making a series of fine stops to keep Boco out we went in at half time level at 0-0. No sooner had the referee blown for the second half when Boco scored straight from the kick off. A sweeping move upfield and a superb finish from the boy with the flash of peroxide in his hair. Take a bow, son. Brislington huffed and puffed but it just wasnt to be and shortly after we went agonisingly close once more for the umpteenth time Boco scored the killer goal again it was another fine finish. A 2-0 defeat in the end, which was perhaps a little harsh but we just hadnt taken our chances whereas Boco had taken theirs.

The second game was nothing less than one-way traffic but despite Brislingtons dominance the goals just didnt arrive. Chance after chance went begging Pierce Rogerson, Frank Feltham (welcome back) and Ashley Pool all could have scored but it was just one of those days when it wasnt going to happen. Jack Wheeler in goal was rarely threatened. Midfield dynamo Dean Howlett was man of the match. It ended 0-0 and on a bit of a downer. Now a word here about the ref. Presumably he was hungover and not that bothered, but there are rules of the game which need to be applied. Both teams were pushing and shoving throughout and were as guilty as each other in that respect. When it all boiled over at the end and the red card was shown (with regard to an offence for which no excuse can be made) it must be said that it wouldnt have happened in the first place had the boys been aware that there was an official on the pitch right from the start. End of.

Right, bring on next week.