First Half Thriller Enough for The Green

Bedfont Green 4 - 3 Chessington & Hook United
Combined Counties Premier Division
Saturday 5th April 2008

With a cup final to look forward to there was always a danger of The Green's mind being elsewhere. Craig White and Chris Henry were both unavailable and Tom Merritt may now miss the remainder of the season following his injury versus Egham Town.

Chessington & Hook couldn't have wished for a better start going ahead with only 4 minutes on the clock. However Green responded on 22 mins when Phil Merritt (centre-back and cup goalkeeper today playing in midfield!) levelled the scores. Watkins put C&HU back in front only 2 mins later but it was that man Merritt who again pulled The Green back on level terms with an outstanding 30 yard freekick. Adie Barrance put the home side in the lead on 32 minutes and if everybody in the ground thought Merritt's second was special the strike from 35 yards of skipper Gary Brown was unbelievable, flying into the top corner making it 4-2 at the break.

C&HU edged a second half that failed to live up to the first. They hit the post and had a goal ruled out for offside but finally got a lifeline when Watkins finished from close range on 85 minutes but The Green held on for the much welcomed win.

We travel to a rejuvenated Sandhurst Town on Tuesday night and then on to Cobham on Saturday.

James Hennessey and Adam Turner were both on target for the Reserves as they defeated Chessington & Hook United 1-2 on Saturday. With games in hand and favourites Staines Lammas still to play twice Mark Carpenter and his team remain optimistic of their chances of success this season.

Dramatic Semi-Final finish sends Green to Woking to meet Merstham!

Egham Town 1 - 2 Bedfont Green
Combined Counties Premier Challenge Cup
Tuesday 1st April 2008

A last gasp strike from Luke Craig against Egham Town on Tuesday night took the first team into the Premier Challenge Cup Final where they meet league champions Merstham.  The Green took the lead through leading scorer Adie Barrance on 25 minutes when he converted a precise through ball from strike partner Aaron McLeish.  The Green looked the more likely to score again and went close on a number of occasions but it was Egham who managed an equaliser with 20 minutes remaining from a corner and 6 yard box scramble that failed to be cleared.  Manager Dennis Bainborough made a tactical change by introducing striker Luke Craig for midfielder Steve Coultas which proved the turning point.  Barrance scuffed a shot from 8 yards out, McLeish shot off target and Craig White’s effort from 3 yards was saved, all in the last 5 minutes!  However The Green continued to press and in injury time with virtually the last kick of the game Ray Sherwood’s measured ball through to Craig saw the young forward strike into the bottom corner to win the tie 2-1.

The cup final is being held on Thursday 17th April at Woking FC. There will be full details shortly on travel arrangements with coaches being laid on etc.

Green denied by organised City
 Bedfont Green 0 v 1 Guildford City
Saturday 15th March 2008 - CCL Premier Division

BGFC gaffer Dennis Bainborough called upon Reserve Team boys Tom McCarthy and Lee Morley to make their first starts of the season this week against second placed Guildford City at The Warren. Suspension ruled Stephen Coultas out of the match so skipper Phil Merritt deputised in centre midfield with Ray Sherwood returning to the back line. Gary Hedges, Ronyal Benjamin and Jon-Barrie Bates were among those absent through work commitments, illness or injury.

The changes would need time to settle but Guildford flew out of the traps with a higher tempo to their game and forced Lee Pearce into action within the first few minutes. Aaron McLeish had Green's first chance on goal but was unable to work the keeper and this set the pattern of the match in truth. On the half hour mark City won the ball in midfield switched the play to the right where Sam Parrott ran through on goal and his powerful shot took a deflection off Chris Emmons to fly past Pearce. Green had two shouts for penalties shortly afterwards, McLeish's fairly obvious but were denied the chance to level up.

The second half saw Green ride their luck at times with Pearce and the woodwork coming to their aid on more than one occasion, however it was Guildford that were forced on the back foot for much of the 45 but Adie Barrance was unable to stretch and turn in a chance from close-range. McLeish was having one of those days and continued to miss with some wild shots and Chris Henry's range was as bad as everybody elses in a navy shirt! When good positions were worked quite often either the wrong option was taken or the passes and shots were not up to expectation, work in training this week.

Bedfont Green will remain upbeat, we created enough chances to win the match but it wasn't to be our day so we will move on. Next up is away to Sandhurst Town on Saturday, the Fizzers beat rivals Bedfont this week to make it 7 points from their last 4 games so our finishing will need to be better to pick up some points.

All previous First Team match reports can be found here.

Barrance Brace Makes it Six on Spin
 Dorking 0 v 3 Bedfont Green
Saturday 8th March 2008 - CCL Premier Division

Bedfont Green welcomed back Ronyal Benjamin this week just in time to cover suspensions and injuries to the starting eleven and to help the team to extend their winning streak to six games.

Struggling Dorking were put under pressure in the first five minutes when Aaron McLeish crossed but Adie Barrance was unable to stretch far enough to tap-in. The front three of Barrance, McLeish and Chris Henry continued to ask questions and on 23 minutes got their answer as Barrance met a Henry cross from close range to put The Green 0-1 up. Dorking continued to battle hard and scrap for every loose ball but more often than not were reduced to speculative efforts that didn't worry Lee Pearce in the BG goal. Chris Henry had the final effort of the half when he found himself clean through but shot straight at the Chick's keeper.

The Green doubled their lead 2 minutes into the second half when McLeish lobbed the ball over the Dorking keeper only for it to be headed off the line but the persistent McLeish followed up and headed into the bottom corner to score. Dorking almost hit back moments later when their forward found himself through on goal and struck a shot that the whole ground thought was a goal however Pearce somehow flew to his right to turn it over the crossbar. It was always going to be a long way back for Dorking but to be fair they continued to try and play but the Merritt brothers were in full control at the back and Chris Emmons was at his best at fullback. On 68 minutes the match was put beyond reach when McLeish beat the left back and and centred hard and low 6 yards from goal where Barrance simply doesn't miss taking his tally for the season to 26 for the season and sealing the 0-3 win. Bainborough handed a season debut to Tom McCarthy and gave both Gary Hedges and Ryan Copeland some minutes as they played the match out comfortably.

First Team Coach/Assistant Andy Smith commented after the game "The difference between top six and bottom six is players that can finish. At the moment we have players that can score goals and sometimes that IS the difference between Bedfont Green FC and the teams we play. Hopefully we can keep all of our players for next season, add a few and have a good start to the season and challenge and be consistantly in the top four. The run we are on at the moment is a testament to the committee, the management team and the players all singing from the same hymn sheet, may it long continue and it will do whilst the present management team are in place. Looking forward to next week, enjoy football and every breath you take because you never know if it will be your last one." - Smudge.
King Henry Puts Green 6th!
Bedfont Green 4 v 1 Banstead Athletic - Saturday 1st March 2008 - CCL Premier Division

Following their fine form throughout February Bedfont Green hosted a much changed Banstead Athletic side from that they put 9 goals past back in November in the Premier Cup victory. Dennis Bainborough was forced to make two changes with Club Captain Gary Brown coming in for the injured Jon-Barrie Bates and Tom Merritt starting ahead of the suspended Ray Sherwood at the back. Last week’s scorer Luke Craig made way for top scorer Adie Barrance returning from a groin strain.

The Green started the game slowly, Brown was dominant in the air but both defences cancelled out any early attacks. The game threatened to burst into life on 23 minutes when Aaron McLeish raced inside the BA left back and fired across goal, the keeper stuck out a foot and cleared to the edge of the box but Chris Henry was waiting and finished with a sweet curling shot into the top corner. The remainder of the half was fairly non-eventful with away side forcing Lee Pearce into a few routine saves.

Whatever Bainborough said at half time appeared to fire up his troops as they started the second period with pace and intent. McLeish and Barrance were clearly getting the better of their markers and both had chances to score before Henry was put through on 57 minutes and made no mistake with the well placed finish. McLeish was having one of those days where he was thwarted time and time again by Athletic’s experience keeper but he turned provider on 72 minutes finding Henry who dispatched his hatrick goal with aplomb. Minutes later McLeish latched onto a defence splitting ball by Craig White only to smash against the underside of the bar! However, on 80 minutes his persistence was rewarded when yet another shot was saved but this time fumbled to his feet to clip home from close-range to make it 4-0. A mix-up between the Merritt brothers at the back allowed Banstead’s leading scorer Michael Corbett to net a consolation goal but the goal difference was enough to lift the team to 6th in the league.
Promotion Chasers "out-classed" by Green
Camberley Town 0 v 4 Bedfont Green - Saturday 22nd February 2008 - CCL Premier Division

The Green travelled to much fancied 3rd placed Camberley Town this week looking to continue their recent run of good form which has seen them win 4 out of 5 matches in February with their only loss coming against the champions-elect and runaway league leaders Merstham. Like Merstham, Town have applied for promotion to the Rymans and like The Green have only suffered 1 defeat in February. The first half started at a fast pace with much of the match being played in the Bedfont half but the home side failed to create any clear cut chances against the in-form BG defence. On 19 minutes Chris Henry jinxed his way through two Town defenders and stroked home to give Bedfont the lead. The goal clearly lifted the team and they continued to attack and carve out openings and on 31 minutes Luke Craig, in for the injured Adie Barrance, scored the goal of the game with a sweet struck shot on the outside of his boot from 25 yards into the top corner and was mobbed on mass by his team-mates in a celebration that lasted over 2 mins! In-form striker Aaron McLeish then got in on the act and raced through to round the keeper and fire the ball into the net and the scoring was completed on 38 minutes when Chris Henry headed in the rebound of a McLeish shot that was too hot for the Camberley keeper to handle.
Like the Chertsey match 2 weeks earlier this match was won by half time and the second half produced few chances for both teams but the score remained 0-4 to The Green.
Unfortunately the win was overshadowed by the news that the late injury sustained by influential midfielder Jon-Barrie Bates has been confirmed to be a broken ankle and will miss the rest of the season, a major blow and everybody at BGFC wishes Jon a speedy recovery.

Green defeat Vale
Bedfont Green 2 v 0 Raynes Park Vale - Saturday 16th February 2008 - CCL Premier Division

A first half brace from Aaron Mcleish was enough to see off this week's visitors Raynes Park Vale at The Warren. In a match where The Green wasted several opportunities to score it was Lee Pearce that stood out above all others as man of the match pulling off a string of top class saves in the second half. Bainborough commented after the game "I'm happy to win ugly, I know we can play better and we will work with the forwards this week at training. I'm very pleased to keep a third clean sheet in a row". The win keeps Bedfont Green 7th in the league table and closes within 2 points of Ash United.

Green edged out by league leaders
Bedfont Green 0 v 1 Merstham - Saturday 2nd February 2008 - CCL Premier Division
Bedfont Green will feel they deserved a share of the spoils this week in their encounter with Step 4 bound Merstham FC. Ryan Copeland started his first game at left fullback with Dammel St John and Anil Arri also being called up from the Reserves to fill the voids left by 4 key players missing through suspension. The only goal that seperated the sides came from a Kevin Locke header on 40 minutes. Merstham are a good hard working team both on the pitch and off it and Bedfont Green wish them all the very best with their promotion and FA Vase ambitions.
Late equaliser as Egham hold Green
Egham Town 2 v 2 Bedfont Green - Saturday 26th January 2008 - CCL Premier Division
A 94th minute Jack McKinley header denied The Green all three points this week in a hard fought encounter that really should have resulted in an away win.
Bedfont should have took the lead in the opening few minutes when top scorer Adie Barrance made a mess of a great chance laid on by Chris Henry, however 10 minutes later Henry was put through by Jon-Barrie Bates and made no mistake with the finish (see pic). Despite the better of the play and a few missed chances the sides went into the break 0-1 to the visitors.
The second half began with Egham fired up and on 57 minutes McKinley headed home the deserved equaliser. Town continued to press until Bainborough decided to shuffle his team introducing Chris Emmons to left fullback and moving Phil Merritt into centre of midfield that had become a real battle with Dan Lucas and Bates. The Green got back on top and Bainborough was delighted when Ray Sherwood turned home a corner that Egham keeper Simon Kent should have cleared. With time running out Anil Arri had a great opportunity to end proceedings but opted to pass when a shot was perhaps the better option. To use a football cliché, if you don't take your chances you will eventually get punished, Bedfont failed to keep the ball in the 94th minute and the home side won a corner which McKinley powered home unmarked. Dropping two points and missing the chance to climb to seventh in the table is a harsh way to learn a lesson in closing matches out but this team have shown that they are learning and improving all the time and no doubt they will not be so careless in future.
Man of the match was without question Jon-Barrie Bates, he dominated the midfield and dictated the play for much of the 90 minutes.
Bookham hit for SIX
Bedfont Green 6 v 1 Bookham - Sat 19th January 2008 - CCL Premier Division

The Green played their second home game of 2008 this week against opposition who defeated the team back in August. This match would prove a good marker for how the squad has developed over the past 6 months, even with Arron McLeish and Gary Hedges both suspended.

Bedfont started very fast and were ahead on the 4 minute mark when a John-Barrie Bates freekick was met by Luke Craig to cushion to leading scorer Adie Barrance who smashed home from 10 yards. An immediate lapse of concentration led to Lee Pearce being called into action with a one on one but the big stopper made a fine tackle with his feet to save. With BG pressuring the Bookham goal a hurried clearance fell to Bates 20 yards from goal, a great first touch and snap-shot was too hot for the Bookham keeper to handle to make it 2-0. Barrance doubled his tally for the day on 28 minutes converting the most simple of chances when Craig showed good strength holding off the Bookham centre half as he dribbled into the area, with the keeper drawn he cooly slipped the ball into the path of the unmarked Barrance to tap in from 6 yards. Bookham played several long balls forward in an effort to claw themselves back into the game before half time but Ray Sherwood and Dwayne Golding were tidying up along with the returning Phil Merritt and Steve Bainborough, again marshalled by the excellent Pearce in goal. On the stroke of half time Barrance completed his hatrick when he latched on to a through ball and made no mistake with the finish into the bottom right corner making it 4-0 at the break.

The second period started with Bookham looking more determined and going close with a few set-pieces, however it was The Green who again scored on 55 minutes when Craig got the goal his performance deserved as he shot into the bottom corner. At 5-0 Bainborough introduced two of the unused subs from the previous game who had been called up from the Reserves, Ryan Copeland at left-back and Jimmy Major in midfield. With 20 minutes left Youth and Reserve player Anil Arri made his debut replacing the impressive Craig upfont. On the 80th minute the instrumental Bates picked out another Barrance run who squared to young Arri to fire home from close range. Within two minutes a Bookham break down the left flank resulted in a cross which M.Jarman met with his head to bag a comsolation goal.

In summary, a good attacking performance from a squad that are growing stronger every game, opportunities taken by the players stepping in and plenty to give the gaffer to think about for next weeks trip to Egham Town.