Television Replays

Charlie Oakley | 27 February, 2011

Watched MOTD last night and I cannot believe how dire some of the referee’s decisions were. Even with the help of their officials the ref’s still seem to get it wrong a lot of the time! With the memory of the recent American Football Super Bowl still fresh in my mind, I cannot understand why the footballing governing bodies don’t incorporate television replay facilities into the game? I mean, the technology is super fast these days and it doesn’t seem to cause a problem for other sports.

Anyway, I’m going to throw caution to wind and invite all of your opinions on this highly topical and controversial talking point.

Catch y’all later

C

Bridgewood High 2–1 Heathcote High

Timothy Houghton-Smith | 25 February, 2011

Bridgewood High FC were determined to beat Division 2 side, Heathcote High, in the quarter-finals of the London Schools Cup Competition.

A composed Bridgewood settled into the game, despite Heathcote blasting the ball forward from kick-off. Defenders Sam Smith and Charlie Oakley soaked up the pressure comfortably and sent Bridgewood on attacking raids with accurate passes to the midfield players.

Bridgewood’s unshakeable composure and dominance in the first half didn’t stop Heathcote High from taking the lead with a lucky goal before the half time whistle. A powerful punch from Peter Schirtzer cannoned off the back of Timothy Houghton-Smith’s head and ricocheted into the back of the net.

A determined Bridgewood side jogged back onto the pitch for the second half – the equaliser was not long coming. George Lucas played a one-two with Salam Chalabi, took the return pass and placed a side-footed shot into the corner of the net. The Bridgewood back four remained calm despite Heathcote’s seemingly relentless aerial bombardment of their eighteen-yard box.

After soaking up the pressure, Bridgewood’s Hamit Erbakan scored the winning goal by breaking up a Heathcote surge on the halfway line, ploughing forward on a solo run, before hitting a scorching shot into the roof of the net. Bridgewood High were through to the semi-finals of the London Schools Cup Competition

Timothy Houghton-Smith reporting from Heathcote High

Musical Mayhem

Charlie Oakley | 21 February, 2011

Last night I experienced a musical moment of epic proportions thanks to my dad!

Now I appreciate that listening to your dad’s CD collection is not the coolest thing in the world (was really, really bored), but it turns out that my dad has very good music taste and then some! Of course, there is a fair amount of rubbish in his collection (there really is no excuse for Bryan Adams and Spandau Ballet), but I unearthed some real gems. From Nirvana and the Slick Rick to Underworld and the Prodigy my old man obviously used to like banging tunes!

I’ve loaded a lot of the tracks onto my MP3 player and plan to quiz pops about his youth. Perhaps he wasn’t as boring as I’d imagined!

C

Bridgewood Players Record Cup Song

18 February, 2011

Miss Green reporting for Bridgewood High School Music Department

Inspired by their brilliant win in the first round of the cup, three Bridgewood High FC players have combined their passion for football with music and have recorded a cup anthem. Timothy-Houghton Smith, Angelo Del Paggio and Aaron Jacobs have worked to produce the song which they hope will be adopted and sung by supporters at future games. The song will also be entered, for assessment, as part of each student’s GCSE coursework.

Using the state-of-the-art music facilities at Bridgewood High School, the three students are pleased with the end result which is available as a free download on this site.

I am sure that I speak on behalf of the entire school by wishing the Bridgewood team the very best of luck in their second round match against Wapping Bow. It would be good to hear the catchy song echoing from the touchline in future games!

‘We’re black, we’re white, our team is dynamite … Bridgewood High!!!!’

Bridgewood High 2–2 Mile End Academy

Timothy Houghton-Smith reporting from Mile End Academy.

The Bridgewood High FC Squad is now injury-ridden in the aftermath of a highly charged fixture against arch-rivals Mile End Academy.

Prior to the match, Mile End had received an official warning from the London Schools Football Association in relation to their poor disciplinary record. However, within a few minutes of the whistle it was apparent that the warning had fallen on deaf ears.

The first half was a scrappy affair with the run of play being continually halted due to fouls being committed. Conceding a poor goal just before half-time, away-side Bridgewood looked relieved when the referee blew his whistle, signalling the end of a ferocious first half.

Bridgewood changed their tactics in the second half, opting to play Total Football. The new style of play worked well for the first fifteen minutes, with Mile End failing to put in a single bone-crunching tackle. Emboldened by their domination in possession, Bridgewood created several chances in the space of just a few minutes. This renewed vigour was soon rewarded when a sensational move between Angelo Del Paggio, Salam Chalabi and George Lucas produced a breathtaking equaliser.

Ten minutes later, Timothy Houghton-Smith charged up the wing and skilfully slotted the ball to Dougie Butt. Butt smashed the ball into the back of the net to give Bridgewood the lead, much to the disgust of the Mile End players.

After the restart, a scything tackle on Christopher Coggins just outside the penalty area saw him collapse and writhe in agony. Coggins was stretchered off the pitch and taken to hospital, where it was confirmed that he had a broken tibia. Shaken by their teammate’s injury, Bridgewood never fully recovered and with twenty minutes of the game to go, their appetite for competing was lost. Five minutes after the injury, Mile End drew level and only a heroic display at the back by Charlie Oakley and Sam Smith saved Bridgewood from suffering a runaway defeat.

Bridgewood Boys Bring Home the Bacon!

South of England 2 North of England 0

Bridgewood High FC players, Sam Smith and Charlie Oakley represented the South of England in a highly anticipated match against the North of England team earlier today.

The intense rivalry between the two teams was apparent from kick-off. Nerves and tension were high as scouts from all of the top professional clubs were present, carefully observing every move of the players.

The South of England side took the upper hand immediately, with a long-range pass from midfielder Don Fisher setting up striker, Alex Clarke, who smashed the ball into the back of the net. The South continued to dominate throughout the whole of the first half. During this period of domination, the rare North of England attacks were admirably rebuffed by the combined efforts of Charlie Oakley and Sam Smith.

Despite maintaining possession it was not until the last five minutes of the second half that the South of England team scored again. After many attempts at goal, substitute midfielder, Bertie Hines, performed a beautiful mazy run along the touchline, passing to Clarke, who cannoned it off the bar. The ball bounced onto the waiting head of Matt Williams and into the back of the net, securing a 2–0 victory to the southern boys.

Charlie Oakley and Sam Smith both had an excellent game and withstood a barrage of attacks and defended the goal admirably.

Miss Cranson reporting from Prenton Park, Tranmere, on 14th January 2009

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