WEEK 1 | GOALS GALORE IN SEASON OPENER
Featured FIXTURE
3-2
Goals from Kierfer, Sonny and Che helped Bloomsbury’s U13s secure a brilliant 3-2 win against Bromley FC in their opening Junior Premier League game of the season.
With a tough first fixture, not only for the 2021/22 campaign but their first in 11-aside football, the team stepped up to the challenge and very quickly adapted to having an extra four players on the pitch and a new formation. The whole team performed fantastically and recognised when to press high and it was this that directly led to the momentum of the game swinging our way. The players were comfortable executing the game plan to build the attack from the first third and were relaxed and secure in possession, essential when trying to play through the thirds. Even when 3-2 up conceding with five minutes remaining, the players persisted with the plan, recognising the right times to clear, and the right times to find the pass. The demonstration of a high level of maturity and management of their own game, with concise and clear communication embedded throughout, incredibly encouraging to observe.
Some of the many notable performances include Zac; playing at left-wing back as if he was a seasoned vet, Albert with a superb central midfield showing assisting the first goal with a beautiful pass into an active area, Dante solid on his debut at centre-back stopping any counter and matching their number nine for pace and power, Che who was so exciting and energetic to watch, beating players with the ball at his feet and carrying the team 30 metres higher up the pitch every time, and also to the support from the Bloomsbury faithful, as the player’s response at the full time whistle emphasised their passion which was driven by the constant support they’d received from the parents and guardians throughout the game, especially after going 1-0 down.
U7 VS East End Lions
6-8
Coram’s field the lucky venue to host what was a 14 goal Friday thriller in the Camden and Islington Youth League, with Bloomsbury’s U7s gut-wrenchingly finding themselves on the wrong side of the score line.
Braces each from Olly and from Guy, who had a particularly impressive performance that was capped by a quality free kick, added to by goals from Sean and Ayman, wasn’t enough to leave with all three points as East End Lions left as 6-8 victors.
Despite the result, it was a very good team performance with attacking moments and positional understanding from the players that greatly encouraged the coach, with a special mention for Morrie, a superb display for someone playing two years above his age group.
U8 VS ACADEMY FC
7-6
A not so unlucky 13 goal thriller for Bloomsbury’s U8s saw them win 7-6 against Academy FC in the Camden and Islington Youth League: with Franco, Tommy, Pax courtesy of a double, and Misha all on the scoresheet. Misha particularly impressive, not only bagging a hattrick with goals coming from a goal kick and a direct free-kick deep inside our own half, but the showcasing of selflessness to become supplier as well scorer by assisting his teammates, rounded off a wonderful individual performance.
Considering that what had been worked on during the week focused on ‘building the attack’ with ‘positive passing and decision making’, it was especially rewarding that half our goals were scored through build up play that began with the goalkeeper passing to one of the two wide defenders. Brilliant to see our boys taking on the information and the key aspects worked on in training and translating it so successfully in-game.
An extra special mention to Marcelo, for representing the opposition during the second half and playing in a very mature manner for them as well.
U9 VS TG FC
6-4
The 11am kick-off in the Camden Youth League home at Coram’s Field saw Bloomsbury’s U9s take the three points as braces from both Lukas and Amir added to by goals from Yasser and Moaz cemented a 6-4 win against TG FC.
A game where, considering this was the first of the season and a new format which can always be difficult to adjust to, the players worked well together and rotated positions nicely. Especially Jacob, who showcased a solid defensive display in his 1v1 defending and made positive decisions by always progressing the ball forward. The confidence and effort shown by Jacob in recent times has allowed his footballing ability to flourish and is synonymous of the application demonstrated by the team as a whole who have gained a lot of confidence since the end of the last lockdown as they continue their fine form.
U9 VS EFA SOUTH
7-1
In football and indeed life, nothing is ever faultless and as such we always strive for improvements, especially at Bloomsbury Football, but as it goes, it was a near perfect start to the campaign from our U9s as they smashed their way to their to a 7-1 victory at home to EFA South in the Camden and Islington Youth League.
Starting the new season in a new format can always be challenging, yet the U9s rose to the occasion and were brilliant. They consistently worked the ball into space when the option to dribble wasn’t available and showcased their ability to set themselves up in an effective shape to receive the ball from goal kicks, something that had been worked on hard in training and so was especially pleasing to see executed so well. Pleasing also to see that all the boys were happy to play in a number of different positions, something that will continue to be vital for the players’ development.
All seven of the goals were scored in the first half, thanks to Bastian, Deniro, Joao with a double and Christian. Christian especially impressive, coating a performance of versatility playing multiple positions and selflessness by always trying to find a pass to his teammates, with a fantastic hat-trick.
U11 VS TG FC
6-0
The scintillating 6-0 start to the season from our Bloomsbury U11s against TG FC was a performance worthy of the coach’s approval as the ‘best they’ve watched from the age group’, with goals from Linus and Harvey and braces each from Ardi and James.
A superb all-round team performance where the learnings from the topic and theme of ‘building the attack’ with ‘positive passing and decision making’, emphatically evident throughout from start to finish. Special mentions for a few individuals: including the skipper Luke Bahia, a real captain’s performance leading by example from minute one, goalkeeper Jorge playing up an age group and keeping a clean sheet and Leonardo who was a constant threat on what was a superb debut.
U12 VS ARSENAL FC WOMEN
1-8
An unfortunate result in Junior Premier League 11:15 kick off for our Bloomsbury U12s as they lost 8-1 away from home to Arsenal’s U13 Women.
Victor in the 68th minute grabbed our only goal of what was a challenging Saturday morning for the team, compounded by a slow start conceding two goals which ultimately cost us the game and forced us to chase for the rest of the duration, plus a limited selection compared to the many options Arsenal had at their disposal.
A tough result but nonetheless a great experience playing against great opposition with many positives, one of which being Seb who was very effective and showed grit to win his individual midfield battles and support his teammates all whilst playing an age group up.
U14 VS WOKING FC
9-2
A disappointing Saturday afternoon for Bloomsbury’s U14s as their trip away to Woking FC in the Junior Premier League ended in 9-2 defeat. Conceding five in the first quarter ultimately lost us the game, however the team reacted very well in the next two quarters and won both thanks to goals from Elijah and Joel, but then fatigue hit, and the final quarter was lost.
Despite the result, it was not a day to forget, but a day to learn from. Understanding that anything can happen if you believe. The boys cannot be faulted for their effort and heart right to the final whistle, especially proud that they continued to try and play football as they were very impressive in possession, as was their use of fuses. The foundations for a very successful season are evident and the team will bounce back. Performances from Jorge Brito, playing through injury to help the team, and Joel on his first game with the team made penetrative runs beyond and yielded him his goal, showed just that. Big thank you to those who represented the badge on a long trip to Woking.
U15 VS AI FC
4-2
Despite a fantastic four goal haul from Dylan (who was unfortunate not to bag a fifth with a missed penalty) to secure Bloomsbury’s U15s a 4-2 win in their second game of the season, it was a performance where teamwork was key to win the game.
Two early goals rewarded the team for their bright start. The third was scored just before half-time and was crucial for the second half, proving to be the catalyst for the match.
Ten minutes before the final whistle, the fourth and final was scored, and was necessary as the in the last five minutes AI FC scored their two. Contrary to the start of the game, the performance towards the end was disappointing and lack of concentration and focus nearly unknotted all the positive work prior, and is something to work on as we progress through the season.
A pleasing performance however, characterised by team ethic as all players worked for and each other and tried to cover and one with many positives – one of which Matteo, who led the team to victory through his exceptional positioning and intercepting.
U15 VS WOKING FC
3-11
A 3-11 defeat at home to Woking FC for our Bloomsbury U15s in the Junior Premier League epitomised an extremely tough Saturday morning.
Firstly, we wish Bloomsbury’s Oscar Cameron a speedy recovery. Oscar fractured his wrist during the game and has had to have surgery. A big thank you to the parents who were brilliant and responded calmly to Oscar’s injury which in the moment was tough to be in. He’s a player that impacts the game heavily and was a big loss on the day and will be a big loss for the team going forward, but we will eagerly await his return.
Certainly a match to learn from. A poor start saw us let the opponent attack us without any pressure from ourselves, and the first three goals conceded came from individual mistakes. We gave the opposition too much respect, had we approached the game with the confidence we know we have, the performance and result could have been a very different story. Special mention goes to Becket, who scored two on the day and did really well in possession despite playing an age group up.
U16 VS AC FINCHLEY SOUTH
1-5
Easy like Sunday morning never sounded so good for Bloomsbury’s U16s, as they won their 9:30 kick off 5-1 away to AC Finchley South in the Watford Friendly League.
An own goal in the fifth minute gave the team the momentum to continue their pressure and what followed were some beautiful goals.
Alexey bagged Bloomsbury’s second a quarter of an hour in, and Philo just before the half-hour mark scored a goal epitomising his performance. His intensity was consistent throughout the match and after winning five to six 50/50 challenges in his own defensive half he finished by lobbing the ball over the goal keeper. Luke scored the fourth, five minutes after the restart, a glorious spin around the defender after a pass from Alexey to then finish on 1v1, and Luca ended proceedings with a first-time left-footed strike outside the box.
A motivating performance and a great way to start the 2021/2022 campaign.