Bishops Cleeve Colts FC - Festival of Football - June 2014

With two teams entered into the tournament, a splattering of new
players and no real goalkeepers (no offence to the lads that took
between the posts) this was going to be a difficult day. That said the
emphasis was on getting the lads to gel, have some fun and just enjoy
the day...I think that we achieved that and with Team Mark making the
final of the plate did come away with some silverware for finishing
runner up in that competition.

The format was an 8 team league with everyone playing each other. The
top 2 would then play off for the trophy with the 3rd and 4th placed
teams competing for the plate.

Team Marcus (doesn't sound that cool now) was made up of Lewis,
Freddie, Luca, Finn, Ryan, Taylor and Max.

Our first game was against Bishops Cleeve Colts Utd Greens, we won 2-0
with both goals from Max. The first a penalty after a handball
decision, the second a strong run down the right and fine finish. 2-0
and tails up. This Cleeve team would go on to win the 3rd/4th place
plate competition. There then followed a run of games where we
struggled to get anything and in fact didn't.

Losing 3-1 to Bishops Cleeve Colts Utd Blacks saw Finn in goal prove
that he is no 'keeper. To be fair to him he's not alone in that
particular club. Taylor showed some quality with a fine finish.

That was followed by a 3-0 defeat to Charlton Rovers Reds where Luca,
in goal, proved equal only to Finn in terms of goal keeping ability.
There's little to say about this match!

We then had the Leckhampton Derby v Team Mark. This looked to be going
for a 0-0 honours even, no bragging rights here, move along nothing to
see. Until a shot that was going wide was turned in off the keeper. It
should be noted though that Freddie had played very well in goal and
was certainly the best keeper in this team.

With heads down we started to turn it around, bizarrely against
Churchdown. Setting up with a false 9 formation the plan was just to
frustrate and essentially park the bus. It worked well, we played with
defensive discipline and although we never mustered a shot we didn't
want to either. Max in goal was only beaten by a header for a long
throw that looped up and dropped into the corner Over his
out-stretched hand. We lost 1-0 but the lads got their confidence
back.

We won the next two matches 1-0 with Luca scoring the winner in both.
Against Charlton Rovers Blues A's finishing from close range following
very fine work from Max out wide to evade a couple of tackles and play
the ball across the goal. The second against Charlton Rovers Blues B's
finishing from the inside right channel after an excellent cross from
deep played by Taylor on huge left wing.

We finished on 9 points, winning 3 and losing 4 matches. Scoring 5
goals and conceding 8.

As always there were positives, Lewis was excellent at the back and
never more so than when breaking forward and taking on the opposition.
He was very unlucky not to score with a couple of thunderous efforts
from distance. Freddie showed good skills and strength to be a very
important player to this team whether in midfield or at the back. Luca
played with discipline in midfield positions and had enough energy to
get forward to score two goals. Max showed flashes of his ability to
jink and weave his way through crowded penalty areas and was at the
heart of a lot of good that we did. Finn has tekkers to burn and can
shimmy and stepover as good as anyone. He was unlucky not to score
with a couple of efforts following fine skills. Ryan was solid in
midfield and defense and settled in as the tournament progressed. A
good debut and plenty more to come. Taylor was also making his debut,
he scored a couple of nice goals. The second of which squeezed into
the smallest gap beyond the keeper. Both lads have undoubted quality
and tournament football not necessarily the best place to show it,
short games and a whole new set of team mates. That aside these were
excellent debuts.

A report on Team Marks performances will follow separately.....

Thanks to the parents for their support and banter through the day....
It seemed an overly long tournament but everyone was smiling.

Cleeve Tournament - Sunday 29/06

This Sunday is the Bishops Cleeve FC tournament. We have two teams entered, Team Mark and Team Marcus! Details of the squads are further down in this update. 

Entry to the tournament will be via Kayte Lane. Please be there for 9:30 with the first fixtures kicking off at 10. 

Subs for this tournament are £3 per player to cover entry costs. 

Please make sure the lads have some snacks and plenty to drink, although there will be a tuck shop there too. 

The following is from the organisers.....

"...As in previous years, the tournament will be based at Bishops Cleeve FC, Kayte Lane and we will also be using our usual home ground adjoining.  Please make sure that you access the ground via BCFC, Kayte Lane and not our usual car park as it will not be in use on the day.   Parking will be available in the field opposite BCFC, but to help minimise congestion, and also in the interests of environment, please car share where possible.

(The police will be enforcing a no parking zone on the adjoining roads.)

There is an Entrance Fee of £2.50 per family attending.  This charge will include the Tournament Programme and also goes towards provision of the many trophies that are presented to the teams.

Changing facilities for players will be available at the ground.  There will also be a range of hot food, including burgers, hot-dogs, chips etc. available to purchase plus full bar facilities for the over 18s..."

Team Mark

George (Captain)

Dan G*

Tom*

Louis

Will T*

Alf

Marlowe

Lewis HF*

Team Marcus

Lewis C

Freddie*

Ryan

Max

Luca (Captain)

Finn

Taylor

We have some spare kit that we can let the new lads have. If they have a green kit that they can use or socks then please wear it. We are also playing without recognised keepers, if the lads have goally gloves please ask them to bring them so we are covered. We have one goalkeeper shirt borrowed so, again, if anyone has a spare please bring it.

One final comment.........the end of season training and open trials have been a real success with real interest in the team from good players. Unfortunately we will not be able to take on all the new lads so difficult decisions will have to be made. We will make these early next week after the tournament.

If there's any issues or problems ahead of Sunday please contact Marcus on 07973 659628.

Final Training Session

​Tonight (25/06) is the final training session and open trial of the season​.

This is as the Cleeve Tournament on Sunday marks the end of our season. We have had a good turnout to sessions through June and excellent interest in joining the team for next season as we move into U15's.

This will all be finalised in the early part of next week as we look at how many players we need tro recruit versus who has shown the interest.

We have two teams entered into the Cleeve tournament and will be confirming the squads by Friday.