WEEK 3 | GUNNING AGAINST THE GUNNERS
Featured Fixture
1-0
In a game where both sides missed numerous chances, with just five minutes remaining Pax cut in from the left and finished down to keeper’s right to clinch the victory for Bloomsbury’s U8s against Arsenal. A seriously impressive performance from the team, especially from Mathias who typified the many excellent examples of 1v1 defending on display, and Franco who not only scored a fantastic free-kick but showcased his relentless determination on many occasions to work back and win the ball: a particularly memorable moment which epitomised just that saw him track back from the opposition’s penalty area to our own before perfectly timing a sliding challenge.
U8 vs East End Lions
A great performance, especially from Marco who at any opportunity got at the opposition and gave them problems, as well as for three-quarters of the game the team played with one less player due to injury. But excuses shan’t be made and it’s important we learn from our losses and translate this into motivation for training, and the next game as this match proves a vital lesson on our long journey to become a better team.
U8 vs Parkes Academy & PA FC
3-2, 2-1
Though the 1-0 victory against Arsenal deservingly takes the crown as the featured fixture this week, it was in fact just one third of what was an all-round fantastic hour’s work from Bloomsbury U8’s at the Arsenal Football Festival as they won all three of their 20 minute games 3-2 and 2-1 against Parkes Academy and PA FC respectively, and of course the game reported prior. The double-act of Franco and Misha headlined both games as Pax who scored against Arsenal got himself on the scoresheet once again to seal the victory against Parkes Academy.
The boys played brilliantly throughout the three games, a great achievement to beat three strong teams, remaining organised in defence and ruthless in attack: outstanding displays from Matthias Vargas making strong tackles before playing forward and Tommy Woods who was outstanding in goal and outfield displaying excellent dribbling and close control when taking on opposing players 1v1, emphasising just that.
U9 vs Sport London E Benfica
In a first 7-a-side game for many of our Under 9’s, the Bloomsbury boys were at least able to get a goal in a game that saw Benfica net 5 in the Camden Youth League at Coram’s Field. After spending the week working on defending 1v1, targets were made pre-match about winning our individual battles. The U9s did this superbly, executing our ‘delay/deny’ principle to great effect. Our goal came from Lucas late in the first half, with Amir and Lachlan with some great interchange to get us into the final third where Lucas slotted the ball home in the bottom corner.
Special mention goes to Fernando, who was insistent he wanted to play in goal this game, not surprising considering how much he enjoys it in training, and did him fantastically proud, making multiple saves and kept the team in the game many a time. His communication was also super, helping to keep the defence organised.
It’s a long season where the whole group can learn every week with new experiences they’ll enjoy as a result of making the jump from five to seven-a-side. The coach made it clear how proud he is of the team and that he cannot wait to help them develop this season.
U9 vs EFA North
10-0
A smashing performance by Bloomsbury’s U9s as they blasted their way to double digits against EFA North in the Camden and Islington Youth Football League (CIYFL).
Three braces from Riku, George and Joao were added to by a goal from Basti, and a hat-trick from Deniro more than reinforced Bloomsbury’s goal difference. One of Riku goal’s in particular made for great spectacle: from a free-kick in our half George plays a pinpoint long ball to Kurt who lays it first time into Riku who finishes it beautifully in the top-left corner. A thoroughly enjoyable, highly technical goal requiring minimal yet effective touches.
An especially exceptional game for DeNiro: more than worthy of the players’ pick as man-of-the-match, not only bagging a hat-trick but performing with an incredible coolness that emphasised the current confidence level of the team; attempting an acrobatic overhead kick towards the end of the game and telling the coach at half-time that he wanted to score a header and then five-minutes after the restart after a great cross Bastian, well for Deniro it’s not much easier said than done.
As the topic in training this week was 1v1 defending, there were many moments where the boys were aggressive yet intelligent in their tackling. A very fine balancing act. The focus was delaying opponents, then picking the right moment to deny. There are however moments where players are diving into tackles, but great progress is being made. In fact, this season is progressing very well for the squad as the continue their strong start, another matchday that has shown their development in the new format aided by the boys’ selflessness to take on the challenge of playing multiple positions with no complaints.
A huge thank you to the parents for their positive support on the side-line filled with encouragement and praise.
U11 vs Vale FC
3-1
A Jacob Bell brace added to by Ardi’s strike gave Bloomsbury’s U11s a fantastic 3-1 victory against Vale FC in the Camden Youth League, with Ardi’s goal coming as a direct result of a high press, showing very good approach speed and correct body position to force the goalkeeper into losing the ball, resulting in the goal for Ardi.
Remaining unbeaten is one thing, constantly raising the standards are another. Every week the team performs to a higher level than the week before whilst still implementing what’s been learnt during the week. Going from strength to strength in every sense of the word, and the number of class performances in this game exemplifies that: Rupert was a standout for a second week running, this time excelling in a different role to normal showing his versatility by slotting in as part of a back two with ease. A very good display, solid defensively and intelligent going forward. Also Zac Calvert-Bull who made his first appearance of the season and slotted in very well, and finally Luke Bahia who lead by example as captain in an unfamiliar central midfield role, which he dealt with extremely well in another assured display.
U12 vs Bracknell Town FC
0-9
As a whole, a lot of this game was a great advert for how strong the U12s can be, especially with the game 0-0 at half-time. With the majority of the goals scored in the last 20 minutes, the lads were able to put a very strong and well-coached Bracknell side under pressure throughout stages of the game, with the opposition manager complimenting the U11s on how they play.
Regardless of the score-line, it was two teams playing some great football, with one team showing more consistency than the other. Some of the notable performances included Eitan, who produced some fantastic saves and Ford Hartman and Sebastian Darnell who together showed their ability to win their midfield battle and allowed Bloomsbury to be the team that posed the questions.
Alas, though a defeat to take pride in, there are lessons to be learned and lots to do on the training ground.
U14 vs AFC Nasaa
4-2
In what was a compressed pitch, the U14s had to adapt quickly to the lack of space beyond the defence and began to find solutions to our attacking efforts. This was an extremely competitive game despite the first half ending 0-0 and reflecting a stalemate, one in which we won all our 1v1s particularly in midfield with Prince and Victor who were excellent. The third quarter also wasn’t as fortunate to us, as we hit the bar and missed a chance from one yard which goes without saying that it should have been converted. The missed chances were rued, and we conceded four in the third quarter, but the U14’s not disheartened continued to push, their efforts and response rewarded by two goals as we created as many opportunities as we had all game.
A 4-2 loss away from home against AFC Nasaa in the Junior Premier League is a result that on reflection is tough to take, but because of the effort and quality of our performance in most parts, is also encouraging. The tide is turning for this group and our efforts will return results and subsequent success, but only if we address our shortcomings and convert our chances.
Special mention goes to Prince-Denzel Kitaka. Credit to AFC Nasaa for having such a well organised and physically strong team, but Prince was combative and simply sublime in numerous moments. Winning the ball back, taking players on and creating opportunities for the team. A great performance and one which he’ll hope to use as a launchpad to build from this season.
U15 vs Highbury Wolves
9-0
Four goals from both Matteo and Dylan added to by Saul’s strike gave Bloomsbury a stunning 9-0 victory in the CIYFL at home to Highbury Wolves.
However despite the flattering score-line, for the coach it was a performance that didn’t please, one that should have yielded many more goals as too many times during the game sloppiness showed and so is something that has to be worked on. But it’s importance we respect the feat of the score-line that was rather than the score-line that could have been, it was a fantastic performance, especially after the tenth minute as we began to move the ball quicker and this helped us break the opponent’s compactness.
The team spirit is growing week by week, it was great to see both Matteo and Dylan on the scoresheet again and even better to have Oscar Cameron and Joao Paolo Ferreira with the team as though they’re currently injured they arrived at the venue at the same time as the players and supported them to till the very end.
U15 vs The Eight Football Academy
2-2
A frustrating result for the U15s at home in the Junior Premier League as they drew 2-2 with The Eight Football Academy. Especially because of the last quarter, where the concentration levels dropped and consequently we lost control of the game. The opponent managed to score twice from two avoidable set-pieces, a corner and free-kick, had we kept focus. We managed to create lots of clear chances but unfortunately failed to take them, thus an area we need to work on in the next couple of weeks to be more clinical in the attacking third. Despite that, it was a super performance from Saul De Botton after a month away because of injury.
U16 vs St John’s Wood
2-0
Solid, professional performance and victory for the U16s in the CIYFL as they beat St John’s Wood 2-0 at home, with Alexey scoring a brace in the second half. On a week that saw the academy working on their defensive capabilities, a clean sheet shows the increasingly resolute attitude and mentality of our flag-bearing U16’s as they continue to set the tone for their younger Bloomsbury teammates.