07/12/08

Cambridge & District Colts U13 Knockout Cup

NST Strikers ‘A’       1             Brampton Spartans U13B  2

Brampton produced a superb performance to cause a cup upset and defeat NST Strikers to advance to the quarter finals of the competition.

Spartans took the game to the League C side from the opening whistle as they strung some lovely passing moves together, looking extremely comfortable playing in a revised formation for the first time.  The first attempt of goal came on six minutes when Tim Gladding sprinted down the wing before sliding a ball into Mike O’Connor whose shot drifted agonisingly wide of the far post.

The midfield unit of Josh Mutter, Harrison Maggs and Jake Burrill were controlling midfield as they read the game superbly, closing players down and showing real determination and fortitude in the tackle. On the rare occasions that the ball bypassed them and NST sought to advance on the Spartans goal, the defensive strength of Messrs Ball, Murray, Parker and Wooff proved more than equal to the task, holding a firm line and clearing without any undue alarms for Connor Campbell between the sticks.

As the half progressed, Brampton continued to create good chances and but for a bit more luck in front of goal would have taken a deserved lead into the interval, but it was not to be.  This is not to say that NST did not create chances of their own, and just before half time, Connor Campbell produced two high class saves to ensure that honours were even at the break.

The second half commenced at pace with NST obviously emerging from the break with a message to step up on their first half performance.  They certainly did this and it was not a surprise when this pressure yielded the opening goal after just 2 minutes play.  The reaction from the Brampton players to falling behind was fantastic, as not one player’s head dropped, instead every player looked even more determined to compete for the ball and get themselves level again.  Josh Mutter was having an immense game in midfield, and it was fitting that he netted the equalising goal, as he rounded off a team move that involved five players breaking and passing at pace, which had the large and enthusiastic travelling support warming applauding.  Five minutes later Spartans had their noses in front as this time Josh turned provider, playing a ball over the top for Tim Gladding to volley powerfully into the back of the net.

The closing 15 minutes were pure excitement and tension as the game ebbed and flowed from either end, Brampton searching for a third goal to make the game safe, and NST pushing forward looking for that equalising goal.  Spartans have been on the wrong end of late goals in recent matches but today they were not going to be denied and at the final whistle were rightly elated with a deserved and impressive victory.  Similar performances for the remainder of the league season will yield rewards of equal pleasure – well done boys!

Brampton Spartans Team

Connor Campbell, David Ball, George Wooff, Josh Mutter, Jamie Wick, Tom Nicholls, Mike O’Connor, Harrison Maggs, Kierren Murray, Chris Parker, Tim Gladding, James Thackray, Jake Burrill (captain)

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26/10/08

Cambridge & District Colts Football League – U13E

Chatteris Town Youth B         1             Brampton Spartans U13B  3

Some simply outstanding saves from Connor Campbell, and a fantastic second half comeback saw Brampton emerge worthy victors in a truly thrilling game of football at Chatteris.

Few who watched the first half however would have predicted such a score line, as Chatteris dominated possession and created chance after chance in a pretty one sided first half.  Spartans were struggling to match the commitment and cohesion of the home side, and had their backs to the wall as they consistently struggled to clear their lines or produce football of any quality.  Connor Campbell was imperious in the Spartans goal, pulling off save after save to keep his side in the game, and one finger tip save over the bar late on in the first half was simply amazing and had both sets of supporters standing up and applauding.  However there was nothing he could do on 32 minutes when the pressure finally resulted in Chatteris taking the lead after a corner failed to be cleared effectively.

Brampton emerged for the second half and looked a different side, buoyed by the half time break and now looking far more focussed and committed to the task in hand.  The change in attitude and commitment was immense, and it was now Spartans who started to really dominate, and they drew back on level terms after just 4 minutes when Kieran Bruce, who has started the season in such tremendous form, stole in at the far post to skilfully steer the ball over the advancing keeper.  This strike seemed to finally restore belief into the Spartans team, and they began to play as a team once again, which as a result saw Chatteris struggle now to break out of their own half.  When they did manage the odd break, Josh Mutter was quick to the tackle, as was George Wooff, who put in his most impressive display to date with a fine performance at the back, reading the game superbly and intercepting the ball on several occasions to halt any potential threat.

Looking so firm at the back, the midfield combination of Mike O’Connor and Harrison Maggs found their stride and started to add some bite in the centre of the pitch, before spraying balls out wide when James Thackray, Chris Parker and Tom Nicholls were all enjoying fine second halves.  Chris Parker and Kieran Bruce have a fine understanding down the left side and look a constant threat, and it was from this area that a cross was converted on 60 minutes when Jake Burrill scored his 13^th goal of the season to give Spartans the lead.  Another goal 2 minutes later by Charlie Brazier completed the scoring and was to allow Brampton to see out the closing minutes on the heavy pitch in relative comfort.

This game had everything and the whole team deserve credit for turning what looked a likely defeat based on their first half display into a thoroughly deserved victory at the final whistle.  Chatteris could easily have scored more in the first half, but the defenders, and particularly Connor in goal, kept the side in the match, and thankfully the team responded superbly to the task in the second half with what must be considered their best 35 minutes of football this season – such an attitude will serve you well in the tough League matches to come - well done.

Brampton Spartans Team

Connor Campbell, David Ball, George Wooff, Josh Mutter, James Thackray

Tom Nicholls, Mike O’Connor, Kieran Bruce, Harrison Maggs, Kierren Murray, Chris Parker, Charlie Brazier, Jake Burrill, (captain)

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12/10/08

Cambridge & District Colts Football League – U13E

NST Strikers            2             Brampton Spartans U13B  5

Brampton secured their fourth win of the season with an away victory that definitely bore witness to the old catchphrase that football really is “…a game of two halves”.

In a first half performance to match the heat of the sunshine, Spartans took the lead on 6 minutes when Harrison Maggs lobbed the keeper from fully 30 yards, much to the delight of the large travelling support.  The lead was doubled on 21 minutes when Tom Nicholls was alert in pouncing on a defensive mistake to steer the ball into the open net.  Spartans continued to attack with vigour and speed, but kept falling foul to the offside trap until Charlie Brazier timed his run superbly just before half time to break clear down the left wing and slot home with aplomb to make it 3-0 at the break.  Special mention must also be made of the Spartans defence who never looked troubled with some very polished and controlled performances in what was probably the best 35 minutes of football the team have produced this season.

The second half was to prove a different story, but it could hardly have started better for Spartans who added a further two goals in the opening 6 minutes of the half, firstly when Jake Burrill slid the ball home, and then via James Thackray who converted a sharp chance after some determined work by Jake Burrill.

The remaining 30 minutes saw the pendulum swing firmly towards NST Strikers who showed great resilience and determination to fight back, and were totally deserving of the two goals that they secured.   It would be unfair to say that this was just Brampton easing off the gas, although a few “job done” heads were definitely in evidence, and this was just the incentive that the hosts required.  The energy levels of the Brampton players started to hit empty, due in part to the superb first half effort and the blistering heat, but this should not disguise the fact that the final whistle was definitely a welcome arrival for the Spartans team, who nevertheless, thoroughly deserved their victory.

Brampton Spartans Team

Connor Campbell, David Ball, George Wooff, Josh Mutter, Jamie Wick, Tom Nicholls, Kieran Bruce,

Charlie Brazier, James Thackray,Harrison Maggs, Kierren Murray, Chris Parker, Jake Burrill, (captain)

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28/09/08

Cambridge & District Colts Football League – U13E

Comberton Crusaders 1             Brampton Spartans U13B  6

Brampton produced a superb performance to secure their third win of the season on their visit to Comberton.  It was a well deserved victory and was testament to a strong defensive unit, exhilarating attacking play and some clinical finishing.

Spartans took the lead on 9 minutes with arguably the best goal of the game - a move of the highest quality.  Jake Burrill won the ball just inside his own half and skilfully beat two players before his run was abruptly ended when he was unfairly tackled.  The referee played a good advantage however, with an alert Kieran Bruce seizing the opportunity to sprint down the left wing before delivering a pin point cross into the box that was converted into the top corner of the net by a rare, but superbly directed, header by Johnny Wrycraft that left the Comberton keeper motionless.  All watching could only stand and deservedly applaud.

Two further goals were to follow in quick succession on 18 minutes, one at either end.  It was Spartans who were to double their lead with a cool Jake Burrill finish the end result of a fine breakaway from Johnny Wrycraft, but this was cancelled out immediately from the restart as Comberton broke with speed and precision before converting a well taken goal.  This goal, although the hosts only breakthrough, should not disguise the fact that this was a well contested game and Comberton were not without chances and periods of possession.  However what should be recognised is the performances of all in the Brampton defence who were just outstanding in closing down and limiting the opposition to long range and speculative efforts.  When the occasional breakthrough did look like threatening the Spartans net, Connor Campbell was more than equal to the task with another polished and imperious display.  Jake Burrill secured his second goal of the game on 22 minutes when, receiving the ball with his back to the goal, he swivelled on a sixpence and volleyed the ball with unstoppable velocity into the far corner of the net.

There was no further addition to the score line for the remainder of the first half and Brampton emerged from the break knowing that in leading 3-1, the next goal was going to be crucial in deciding the direction for the rest of the game.  It took just 1 minute for Spartans to seize this opportunity and the momentum as Jake Burrill secured his second hat trick of the season.  Johnny Wrycraft joined in with his second of the game after 10 minutes and Brampton, with the game now well in control, were happy to control possession, thanks to assured work in midfield by Harrison Maggs, Mike O’Connor and George Wooff, before Tom Nicholls was to crown his impressive performance with a deserved goal 3 minutes from time.

Great credit must go to the squad for this performance against quality opposition, and it clearly showed the benefit and confidence they gained from their terrific second half comeback 7 days earlier against Eaton Socon, when they were unlucky not to emerge with a share of the points.

Brampton Spartans Team

Connor Campbell, David Ball, George Wooff, Josh Mutter, Jamie Wick, Tom Nicholls, Mike O’Connor,

Kieran Bruce, Jonathan Wrycraft, Harrison Maggs, Kierren Murray, Chris Parker, Jake Burrill, (Captain)

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14/09/08

Cambridge & District Colts Football League – U13E

Chatteris Town Youth C   0             Brampton Spartans U13B  6 

Brampton continued their fine start to the season with a Sunday afternoon visit to a sunny Chatteris where they emerged victorious by a six goal margin, and without reply.

It was certainly a case of blink and you’d missed it with the opening goal as Brampton seized the lead within just 45 seconds, as a handball inside the Chatteris box saw Jake Burrill confidently step up to the spot and convert with aplomb for his 3^rd league goal of the season.  That lightning start was sadly not to be a catalyst for further early goals however as frustration become the theme for the remainder of the first half, with Brampton consistently failing to convert their midfield possession and defensive strength into clear cut scoring chances, thanks to a mixture of dogged defending and squandered opportunities – an approach that may cause problems in future matches unless lessons are quickly learnt.

The tension of holding such a tender lead was finally to be eased however just before the break when fine work up front by Johnny Wrycraft resulted in his cross being deftly flicked home by Jake Burrill’s glancing header.  Having made the crucial second breakthrough, a greater cushion was secured straight from the restart, as a break down the left wing by Chris Parker saw him beat 3 players with silky skills and quick feet on the touchline.  Chris then selflessly laid off the perfectly weighted pass to Johnny to slot home for the third goal of the game, a move which was very warmly received on the touchline by the impressive travelling support.

In a repeat of events a week earlier, Brampton emerged for the second half with real enthusiasm and a cutting edge to their football, stringing together a fine array of passing which saw them bombarding the Chatteris keeper with shots and crosses from all angles of the pitch.  This pressure was to be rewarded 7 minutes into the half when a corner rebounded out to Charlie Brazier and he managed to lob the ball back over the keeper into the roof of the net.  Fine work on the wing by James Thrackray 2 minutes later saw Jake Burrill secure his hat-trick as he finished off a fine team move.  Connor Campbell had been a spectator for much of the game in the Spartans goal but his concentration and alertness were called upon on 55 minutes, as he quickly rushed off his line to intercept a swift break away move by the home side.  Indeed as the final minutes of the game approached, Chatteris started to create more chances, as the work rate that Brampton has maintained throughout the second half started to take its toll.  The home side threw caution to the wind in all out attack in search of a deserved consolation goal, and it was only fantastic a number of last ditch cover tackles by both David Ball, Josh Mutter and Kierren Murray that prevented clear goal scoring opportunities from being presented.  Inevitably as Chatteris pushed forward, gaps were to appear at the back, and it was only the crossbar, the Chatteris keeper and unlucky efforts just the wrong side of the post that prevented a further increase in the score line, all before the final goal of the game came in stoppage time, as Charlie Brazier grabbed his second of the day, following up a great Johnny Wrycraft effort.

 Brampton Spartans Team

Connor Campbell, David Ball, George Wooff, Josh Mutter, Jamie Wick,

Tom Nicholls, Mike O’Connor, Charlie Brazier, Jonathan Wrycraft,

James Thackray, Kierren Murray, Chris Parker, Jake Burrill, (captain)

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07/09/08

Cambridge & District Colts Football League – U13E

Brampton Spartans U13B  4             Bar Hill Colts  2

An impressive team performance from Brampton Spartans saw them emerge with a well deserved victory over Bar Hill Colts in the opening game of the season.  Brampton were quick out of the blocks and a fine break down the right wing by Charlie Brazier ended with a whipped in cross being met on the half volley by Tom Nicholls to open the scoring.  The celebrations of an early lead were cut short almost immediately however when a well worked corner from the visitors resulted in a bullet header flying high into the Spartans net – you just had to applaud a well taken set piece.  Brampton fell behind just 4 minutes later however as the visitors started to exploit the space that the home side were allowing them, and it was only fine work by Connor Campbell that prevented the lead being extended further.  It was proving a physical battle and minor tactical changes were made to combat this and these were to yield fruit just before halftime, when Jake Burrill deftly slide the ball past the advancing Bar Hill keeper to round off a terrific team passing move, and restore parity to the scoreline at the interval.

The second half proved to be a complete contrast to the first, as Brampton, buoyed by their equaliser on the stroke of half time, and benefitting from the  opportunity to refocus, started to really dominate possession and exploit the gaps that were starting to appear in Bar Hill side as their legs began to tire.  Fine defensive displays by George Wooff (on debut), and Jamie Wick, who was a colossus at the heart of the defence meant that further breaches of the defence were not to be entertained, and with the midfield combination of Mike O’Connor and Harrison Maggs continually starting to thread passes through the eye of a needle, it was only a matter of time before chances would be taken.  However it was from another source, a fine individual effort by Charlie Brazier, who was enjoying a great second half on his league debut that saw Brampton deservedly take the lead on 55 minutes, as he burst through the centre and showed strength and composure to slot home with aplomb.  Jake Burrill thought that he had doubled the lead a few minutes later only for the offside flag to be raised, but he was not to be disappointed for too long in his search for his second of the game, as this time Charlie turned provider for Jake to score and make the points safe.  Further goals could, and maybe should have followed, not least when Jonny’s goal bound effort was cleared off the line late on.  The final whistle blew with Brampton well on top and this promises much for the season to come and sets the standard for future performances – well done.

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Brampton Spartans Team:

Connor Campbell, David Ball, George Wooff, Josh Mutter, Jamie Wick,  Tom Nicholls, Mike O’Connor, Charlie Brazier, Jonathan Wrycraft,Harrison Maggs, Kierren Murray, Kieran Bruce, Jake Burrill, (captain)

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