Champions!

Charlie Oakley | 9 April, 2011

I can’t believe it!! After the devastation of cup defeat, Bridgewood High FC are now champions of league division three and are promoted – not bad for a first season! Who would have thought that we would be champions back in December? I like to think that I have a positive outlook, but things seemed pretty bleak back then!

Anyway, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of the BHFC fans for their touchline support, kind posts and letters of encouragement. It may sound like a bit of a cliche, but me and the boys really couldn’t have done it without you! I had also better take this opportunity to thank all of the mums and dads that have helped to cart us all around and to our PE teachers for coaching us to victory!

Finally, if you’ve only followed BHFC online, you can get the detailed lowdown on the team’s performance on and off the pitch in the three BHFC books. You can buy them from all good bookshops or can order them online (via the link on this site) or from the usual online retail suspects.

This will be my final blog of the season, as I’ve got exams to swot up for (aaarrghh). Catch you all next season!

Best
Charlie

Bridgewood High 4–3 Stanford Park Academy

Mr Mansell | 7 April, 2011

Bridgewood High FC Are Champions of Division Three

With the top spot and promotion in sight, Bridgewood gave everything they had in an explosive conclusion to the season.

The atmosphere was electric as the fired-up players of Bridgewood High and Stanford Park ran onto the pitch. With both teams at full strength, the match was guaranteed to be exciting and the tension was felt by both teams.

The first fifteen minutes was peppered with elementary mistakes due to nervousness, none of which led to either side conceding a goal. Captain Charlie Oakley was called upon by Mr Mansell to steady his side, which seemed to work, as Bridgewood became the first team to enjoy a spell of possession. Stanford could not get the ball back and several desperate tackles led to free kicks being awarded against them. An infringement on the edge of the eighteen-yard box meant that Salam Chalabi tried one of his curling free kicks, bending the ball around the wall. The keeper didn’t see it coming and Bridgewood took the lead, much to the delight of the cheering crowd.

Minutes later, George Lucas powered a twenty-five yard drive that crashed its way through the keeper’s hands. Just as Bridgewood were daring to dream about winning the league, the quality of Stanford Park shone through. A five-player move ended up with their striker, Jovan Maliqi, bringing the ball down on his chest and volleying into the top right hand corner.

Immediately after the goal, Maliqi left Houghton-Smith on his backside with a swift turn and gave Dominic Jasinski no chance with a clever tap-in. Bridgewood had squandered a two goal lead again.

During the second half, George Lucas was on fire. With ten minutes played, he was given a clear goal scoring opportunity when Duc Duong delivered an accurate pass to him just outside the eighteen-yard box. Lucas coolly connected with the ball on the half volley causing it to rocket past the rooted Stanford goalkeeper.

Bridgewood’s celebrations were short-lived. After the restart Stanford were awarded a free kick. A powerful header from a set piece move levelled the scores again.

With time running out, Angelo Del Paggio went on a solo run to the edge of the eighteen-yard box, where he put his foot on the ball and stopped. His marker slid to the ground and Del Paggio dug under the ball, causing it to rotate up and over the keeper’s outstretched arms and into the goal. The final whistle blew sharply, securing a 4–3 win and the title championship for an ecstatic Bridgewood High FC.

Mr Mansell reporting from Stanford Park Academy

Design a Mascot Competition – Winners Announced!

Mr Reeves | 1 April, 2011

Today the Bridgewood High FC squad had the difficult task of deciding the winner of the BHFC Design a Mascot competition. After much chin scratching, the players took a vote to decide the five winners:

  • Harley Johnson from Greater Manchester
  • Stuart Smith from London
  • Louis Illingworth from Ashtead
  • John Hollingsworth from Mansfield
  • Kate Thomson from Birmingham

Each winner will have their design featured on this website and will also receive three fabulous books – congratulations! Read more »