Date

Our final home game of the season today (although being played at Patchway not AXA) as we entertain Hanham Athletic Youth A. We last played them on the first game of the season in September 2007 coming away with no points as we were beaten 5-1. Joe picked up a nasty injury as we battled against this well organised team. 

Since this game Hanham have experienced mixed fortunes. They are prior to this game 2 places above us in 5th place. They have played one more game than us winning 8, drawing 3 losing 5 and achieving 27 points. We have currently played 15, won 6, drawn 0, lost 9 with a total tally of 18. Last week Hanham played Deerswood away and drew 3-3. With only 2 games left after this game away to AEK Boco and Deerswood another important game where points must be a priority. 

1st Half
Bradley Stoke kicked off the first half but lost possession allowing Hanham to have the first shot of the afternoon in the first minute. Hanham continued to push winning a corner in the 3rd minute. As the ball was delivered into the box it was cleared out but met by a Hanham player who fired ball into the top of the net. Bradley Stoke 0 Hanham 1.  

Bradley Stoke immediately responded to this goal and were unlucky not to equal the score after Ben M found Kye who saw his shot saved by the Hanham keeper. 

The persistence paid off for Bradley Stoke in the 7th minutes as Joe C put a perfect ball down the middle to Kye. As Kye ran towards goal he shot hitting the inside of the post and into the back of the net. Bradley Stoke 1 Hanham 1. 

Within 1 minute, with Bradley Stoke again pushing hard, James S was brought down after a clumsy challenge in the box. The referee awarded a penalty. Joe C stepped up and made no mistake as the ball hit the back of the net. Bradley Stoke 2 Hanham 1.

Bradley Stoke continued to look in control and James S was again unlucky not to get his first goal of the afternoon on 11 minutes after the keeper was forced to save.

The clumsy tackles continued by Hanham and on 12 minutes James S was awarded another freekick just outside the box. Will stepped up to fire into the area. The keeper pushed the ball up off the bar but James C was ready to fire the ball into the net. Bradley Stoke 3 Hanham 1.

On 18 minutes it was necessary for Ben V to leave the field following another miss timed tackle a few minutes earlier. Due to the lack of substitutes it was necessary to continue on with 10 men.

Hanham surged forward and after another shot outside the box found the back of the net. A harsh goal to concede. Bradley Stoke 3 Hanham 2.

On 21 minutes Ben V returned to the action although his movement was severely hampered by the injury that he had picked up. On 24 minutes after another break from Hanham they found themselves in the box. As Bradley Stoke frantically tried to clear the ball, somehow it ended up in the back of the net. After being 3-1 up this was a severe blow. Bradley Stoke 3 Hanham 3.

Hanham continued to take control of the match and Bradley Stoke seemed second to every ball. After a few crunching tackles by Hanham it appeared to affect Bradley Stoke and the way they were playing.

On 34 minutes Mark T was one minute shouting from the side line then next he was on his 'ass' on the floor. A genuine highlight for all who witnessed this event.

As the final minute of the first half arrived Hanham again managed to break and find space in front of goal. Again Bradley Stoke frantically tried to clear the ball but the Hanham player connected with the ball as it went into the back of the net. As the whistle went for the first half Bradley Stoke had to reflect on scoring 3 goals, conceding 4, 11 corners to Hanham and the Bradley Stoke manager sat on his 'ass' on the touchline. Bradley Stoke 3 Hanham 4. 

 
2nd Half
Following the ongoing injury to Ben V it was necessary for him to go into goal and Fraser to take his place in midfield. Hanham kicked off the 2nd half.

After winning possession, James stormed down the wing before crossing to Kye. Kye knocked it back to Wesley who saw his shot go well wide. This early pressure continued and Kye was unfortunate not get his 2nd goal of the afternoon after he was tackled in the box.

Ben M, Will, Wes and Fraser all continued to battle hard in the midfield trying to get James and Kye away. On 8 minutes some great battling from Fraser won us our first corner of the afternoon. 

On 13 minutes, Bradley Stoke were still looking for the equalizer but the final ball was just missing. Hanham had the odd break but generally Bradley Stoke were in control. 

On 18 minutes Hanham were getting themselves back in the game and beginning to test Ben V in goal knowing his movement was difficult. The back four of Ollie, Joe C, Sam and James C cleared every ball they could. Sam in particular was not only clearing the ball but getting the ball up the field.

On the 19th minute, James S again picked up a perfect ball before releasing it up to Kye. As Kye controlled the ball he unselfishly passed to Ben M who fired the ball home for a well deserved goal. Back in the game, Bradley Stoke 4 Hanham 4. 

Hanham responded better from this goal and Bradley Stoke continued to back pedal. On 26 minutes after Hanham were awarded a freekick just outside the box they hit the crossbar.

On 32 minutes Hanham again came forward and after some good attempts to clear the ball we were again left to get the ball out the back of the net as somehow a Hanham player found the back of the net just inside the inside post. A cruel goal to conceded and certainly not deserved.   

As the final minutes were played out Bradley Stoke continued to battle to try and get this goal back. Heads had gone down and we looked tired as on 37 minutes Hanham were awarded their 17th corner of the afternoon. 

On 40 minutes the final whistle was sounded on a desperately disappointing afternoon. On the balance of play we deserved something out of this game. It appears that the physical challenge got Hanham the 3 points. On a positive note well done to every Bradley Stoke player  for at times keeping your heads and walking away from tackles. Next week we face AEK Boco away before our final game of the season away to Deerswood two weeks later after the Easter break. Final score Bradley Stoke 4 Hanham 5

MANAGER'S PHOTO CORNER

It is come to our attention we have no picture of Mark in the Manager's photo section. Ken has sent the below picture of Mark seen leaving a City centre nightclub last Thursday.....more to follow next week........

 Goals 1st Half  - Kye Worner (7th) Joe Coles (8th) James C (12th)

 Goals 2nd Half - Ben Morgan (19th)

 Bradley Stoke Utd                     2

  Hanham Athletic Youth A       17       

 This weeks award was chosen by Mark Snook.

 Fanfare Please !!!!!!!!!!

 Sam Maddocks

 Well Done

MAN OF MATCH AWARDS......(as picked by parents & friends)

 James Clayton (2), James Snook (4), Kye Worner (2), Ben V (2),  Fraser Organ (2), Will Tozer, Sam Maddocks

It's nice to get the award but don't forget you still need the other 10 players !!!!!! (not all matches played were covered)

Any queries or comments please email on:

dave.salter@blueyonder.co.uk

Thanks

Dave Salter