U16's Home Page
Manager: John Querry
Mobile: 07906 009847
Email: obbits@tiscali.co.ukCoach: Gary Allen
Mobile: 07808 003105
Herts County Cup Final
Sunday 27th April 2008
St Margaretsbury 3 Bishops Stortford 0
The U16's deservedly won the final of the Herts FA Challenge cup recording a hard fought 3-0 win over holders Bishops Stortford in the final played at the County Ground Letchworth on Sunday.
Both sides struggled to settle, which not helped by numerous changes of the match ball by the referee, before a suitable ball could be found. However Bury, playing down the slope in the first half, started to impose themselves on the game and had the first serious effort on goal after 10 minutes as Chris Sargent's left foot volley from just outside the area went narrowly wide. Shortly after a fine move finished with Jack Barrett feeding Tom Querry who screwed his shot just wide.
Stortford then came close to scoring as Harold Craston picked out Sheldon Sellears in space on the left and his curling right foot shot went just wide of the far upright. The first corner of the game did not arrive until almost 30 minutes but Bury almost took the lead from it as Tom Bruno's deep cross found Jack Lampe whose first time shot was cleared off the line by a Stortford defender. Stortford responded immediately and following a good passing movement George Wappett found space in the area shooting narrowly wide again as he was closed down by a Bury player.
The crucial opening goal arrived 5 minutes before half time as Stortford failed to clear another Bruno corner from the left and the ball fell to Chris Sargent in space just inside the area, who was allowed time to control the ball and fire a left foot volley through a crowded area into the roof of the net.
Playing down the slope Stortford started the second half strongly and for 10 minutes had their best period of the game, passing the ball well and pinning Bury back in their own half. The turning point in the game came on 62 minutes as the ever dangerous Wappett brushed off the challenges of two defenders before taking the ball round Lewis Mackay in the Bury goal and crossing from the by line to the arriving Sellears who somehow managed to hit his shot over the bar from only 5 yards out with an empty goal at his mercy.
Let fortuitously off the hook Bury then noticeably upped their game and came close to extending their lead as Tom Querry's curling free kick from the right side of the box came cannoning back off the far upright. Bury introduced Dominic Ferrol, for the unfortunate George Lacey who had to go off injured with a hamstring injury, and his pace started to cause problems to the stortford defence. With 15 minutes remaining and the pressure mounting, a Harry Fromet corner from the right was headed on by Sargent and the ball fell to Jack Barrett who turned and hooked a close range shot past Nathan Cox for the killer second goal.
Unlike the league game earlier in the week when Stortford came back from two goals down to draw, a comeback never looked likely and as Stortford pushed forward for a consolation goal gaps opened up in their defence. The 3rd goal arrived late on as following a fine move, Ferrol released Connor Williams on the right and his crisp low shot found the corner of the net to wrap up a fine win.
The team have also secured the Eastern Junior Alliance North Western Division title following Hoddesdon being unable to field a team last Thursday and now proceed to the league play off semi finals details of which are currently awaited. Next up Bury now have the opportunity to acheive a superb treble when they play Southend Manor on May 7th at Ware's Wodson Park ground.
Monday 21st April
St Margaretsbury 2 Bishops Stortford 2
In a rehearsal of Sunday's County Cup final, Stortford came back from two goals down to earn a point in this entertaining encounter. Bury made 5 changes to the starting line up from the previous day's win at North Greenford but it was Stortford who started the game better passing the ball well. However in the early exchanges neither side created any clear cut scoring opportunities although the pace of the Bury front pairing of Dominic Ferrol and George Lacey caused trouble in the Stortford defence.
Bury took the lead on 22 minutes when a mishit corner from Tom Bruno was flicked on by Harry Fromet and Ted Llewellyn arrived to head powerfully past Nathan Cox in the Stortford goal. Ferrol continued to look dangerous on the break but his final shot or cross were just lacking. The closest Stortford came to scoring in the first half was when a mishit cross from George Wappett hit the bar with Lewis Mackay beaten in the Bury goal.
Bury started the second half brightly with Harry Fromet hitting the right hand post and Connor WIilliams just failing to connect with the follow up. However Bury extended their lead on 55 minutes in controversial circumstances as Dominic Ferrol sprung the offside trap to finish well, with the referee ignoring the linesman's flag and protests from the Stortford dugout.
However the referee soon evened things up as he harshly adjudged that Chris Sargent had handled and Wappett scored the resulting penalty off the underside of the bar. Wappett then hit the outside of the post although Bury also had a number of chances to extend their lead with Ferrol's touch letting him down when through on goal and Cox saving well from Tom Querry.
The equaliser arrived with 10 minutes remaining as Bury's Jack Barrett beat the offside trap and Cox saved well at his feet, then launching a long ball forward. Bury failed to clear and Sheldon Sellears picked up the loose ball firing a low shot past Mackay. Bury pressed for the winning goal and Cox pulled of a superb save tipping over Tom Bailey's 30 yard cross come shot when the ball looked destined for the back of the net.
With Bury having the much better of the chances on the night they will be disappointed not to have won the game although Stortford passed the ball better, played the better football and in the end were deserving of their point.
After another league game on Thursday against Hoddesdon Bury meet Stortford again on Sunday in the County Cup final at the County Ground Letchworth 2.30pm KO.
Sunday 20th April 2008
North Greenford 0 St Margaretsbury 2
With North Greenford's usual ground not available the U16's travelled to Walthamstow for this fixture and came away with the three points with what in the end was a comfortable win.
Bury initially struggled to come to terms with the narrow and bumpy pitch and despite having the better of possession created little in the final third with their best effort a Jack Lampe header that went just wide following a corner. Just before half time Arthur Collins came off the bench for his St Margaretsbury debut and made an immediate impression being involved in the opening goal. Collins ball into the box found Connor Williams who headed the ball into the path of Jack Barrett who finished well firing low into the left hand corner of the net to give Bury a narrow advantage at the break.
At half time Bury changed their forward line up with George Lacey and Dominic Ferrol replacing Barrett and Williams and shortly after the restart Collins found Ferrol in space in the box and he finished well past the advancing Greenford keeper.
Bury then dominated proceedings with Ferrol's pace down the left causing havoc in the Greenford defence. First he set up Lacey who fired just wide when well placed & then Tom Bailey shot just over. Ferrol's touch then let him down when he was put through and Collins fired just over following a defensive mix up. Greenford had to wait until 85 minutes for their first shot in anger as they fired just over from the edge of the area.
Bury now face a busy week with league games against Bishops Stortford on Monday and at Hoddesdon on Thursday before they face Bishops Stortford again next Sunday in the County Cup final at the County Ground in Letchworth.
Sunday 13th April 2008
St Margaretsbury 3 A.C. Finchley Select South 1Following two previous postponements of this game after the recent bout of poor weather, the U16’s eventually got this County Cup semi final played, emerging victorious by a score line of 3-1 at the Country Club in Cheshunt, with the usual home ground being unavailable due to the club hosting cup finals for the Mid Herts League.
Bury got off to the perfect start taking the lead on 8 minutes as Harry Fromet benefited from a mix up in the Finchley defence to take the ball round the keeper and slot the ball into the empty net.
This should have settled the Bury side although they struggled to break down a strong and physical Finchley side that had arrived with a game plan to defend in numbers and hit Bury on the break. Whilst Bury dominated possession they were restricted to half chances and long shots but failed to seriously test the Finchley keeper. The best chances saw Connor Williams fire just wide after good build up play down the right, Fromet’s low shot go just wide of the left upright and Tom Bruno’s 25 yard shot go just over the bar.
Finchley rarely threatened the Bury goal but looked dangerous on the break and had a great opportunity to equalise just before the interval when Lewis Mackay failed to gather the ball from a free kick and a Finchley player hit the ball wide when well placed to score.
The second half saw Bury push Finchley back from the start and they were rewarded with a second goal on 45 minutes. A quickly taken free kick on the right saw play switched to Ted Llewellyn, whose cross fell to Williams who should have scored. However following a goalmouth scramble the ball fell to Chris Sargent who calmly slotted a left foot shot through a crowd of players into the net.
Finchley however were soon back in the game on 52 minutes as a mix up in the Bury defence saw a foul on a Finchley forward with the result a penalty that was scored with ease. This raised the visitors hopes and they started to sense an upset although these were soon deflated as Bury restored their two goal advantage on 57 minutes. A quick break following a Finchley corner saw Williams released on the right and bundled over just inside the area. The result another penalty that was calmly slotted away to the keepers left by George Lacey for 3-1.
Coach Gary Allen then made a number of changes and the tempo of the game dropped and whilst Bury remained dominant they failed to test the Finchley keeper. However as the visitors tired in the final minutes of the game their defence opened up and Lacey and Ted Llewellyn had golden opportunities to extend the lead but failed to score when well placed.
Whilst this was not a vintage performance from Bury they have now reached their second cup final of the season and they will now meet current County Cup holders Bishops Stortford, who defeated Stevenage Borough 3-2 in the other semi final, in the final at the County Ground Letchworth on Sunday 27th April.
Sunday 30th March 2008
Clapton 1 St Margaretsbury 3The U16’s reached the final of the Eastern Junior Alliance League Cup with a 3-1 win over current Southern Division leaders Clapton, coming from behind for the 8th time this season to win a game.
With the St Margaretsbury pitch waterlogged on Friday it was agreed to switch the game to Clapton which proved to be the right decision as the Recreation Ground pitch was unplayable on Sunday morning.
However Bury got off to the worst possible start on 2 minutes as they gave away a free kick on the right side of the penalty area and Clapton’s Aaron Matthews hit an unstoppable left foot shot into the top left hand corner of the net. However Bury were soon level on 4 minutes as a Clapton defender was penalised for handball on the left and Tom Querry’s excellent free kick was powerfully headed home by Jack Lampe.
Bury then pushed Clapton back for most of the remainder of the half but failed to take advantage of a number of good opportunities to take the lead. Jack Barrett had an excellent chance but shot over and the Clapton keeper then saved bravely at the feet of George Lacey. Lacey then just failed to score from close range as Chris Sargent headed a Tom Bruno corner back across the goal and Sargent then headed just wide from another Bruno corner. As the half time whistle blew Clapton were relieved to be on level terms.
Bury came out strongly in the second half and effectively won the game in the first 6 minutes of the half. Firstly after good build up play on the left the ball was fed to Barrett who was unfortunate to see his shot from just inside the area rebound back off the bar. However the ball fell to Harry Fromet in space on the right who had time to drill a right foot shot into the top left hand corner of the net. Shortly after Barrett was released on the left by Charlie Dean and went on an excellent run beating three defenders before crossing from the by-line to Lacey who scored at the second attempt from close range.
Bury then relaxed a little allowing Clapton more possession and territory but despite this they created few clear cut opportunities with keeper Lewis Mackay dealing well with a number of high balls into the area. As Clapton pushed forward Bury became increasingly dangerous on the break with Jack Barrett missing the best two chances to extend their lead.
Overall this was a good performance by Bury who were worthy winners on the day and who will meet the winners of the outstanding semi final between Hornchurch and Southend Manor in the final at Wodson Park Ware on Wednesday 7th May. This Sunday Bury are in cup action again as they play their rearranged County Cup semi final at Broxbourne Borough FC against A.C. Finchley Select South.
Finally we would like to thank Clapton for hosting the game, their excellent hospitality and wish them every success for the rest of this season’s league campaign.
Sunday 9th March 2008
St Margaretsbury 1 North Greenford 1In this top of the table clash against North Greenford on Sunday, the U16’s were left to rue missed chances as a late own goal ended their 11 match winning run.
Bury started well and nearly took the lead as early as the second minute when Jack Lampe headed just over from a free kick on the right. Bury created a number of further openings, the best falling to Tom Bailey, whose shot from the edge of the area was excellently tipped onto the bar and over for a corner by the Greenford keeper, when it looked to be heading for the top corner.
The opening goal eventually arrived on 20 minutes when Jack Barrett found George Lacey on the right hand side of the area, and his low shot across goal found the left hand corner of the net. Bury pressed for a second goal with the best opportunity falling to Ted Llewellyn whose shot across goal from the left failed to hit the target.
Greenford pushed Bury back in the last ten minutes of the half, having their best spell of the game. However a snap shot from just inside the area hit straight a Lewis Mackay proved to be their best effort on the Bury goal.
Bury started the second half strongly however despite dominating possession and territory failed to seriously test the Greenford keeper. Their best effort fell to Tom Bruno whose excellent shot from 25 yards hit the bar with the keeper beaten.
As Greenford pushed forward in search of an equaliser Bury threatened on the break and Dominic Ferrol twice came close to extending the lead. Firstly the keeper saved well when Ferroll was clean through on goal and then his touch let him down when put through in a similar position.
With time running out, a Greenford free kick from the left was hit into the six yard box and the ball bundled home. However the goal was ruled out by the referee for a foul on keeper Mackay. However almost immediately from the restart, a hopeful high ball forward into the centre of Bury’s defence was sliced by the Bury defender over Mackay into the right hand corner of the net for the equaliser.
This was unfortunate on Bury who on the day deserved victory, however with 5 league games left they remain top of the North Western Division.
This week Bury face their biggest game of the season so far when they travel to Berkhamsted Town FC to play A.C. Finchley Select South, from the Watford Friendly League, in the semi final of the County Cup.
Sunday 2nd March 2008
St Margaretsbury 4 Hullbridge Sports 1Despite putting in an under par performance, the U16's proved too strong for Hullbridge Sports, running out 4-1 winners to reach the Semi Final of the League Cup.
Hullbridge started the stronger and nearly took an early lead as their striker burst into the area, but his first touch let him down and the ball was hooked to safety. Bury struggled to settle but took the lead on 10 minutes when a move down the right broke down and the ball fell to Chris Sargent whose excellent left foot volley from 25 yards found the left hand corner of the net.
Hullbridge forced a number of corners and free kicks around the box but their final delivery failed to test the Bury defence, while the pace of the Bury attack was causing problems to the visitors back line. On 35 minutes the lead was extended as a high ball forward was well closed down by George Lacey and as the Hullbridge keeper failed to gather the ball, it fell to Tom Bruno who lofted the ball over the covering defenders into the empty net.
Bury started the second half strongly and came close to extending their lead with Bruno volleying just wide from the edge of the box and Tom Bailey placing a free header from a Bruno corner straight at the Hullbridge keeper. The third goal eventually arrived on 67 minutes as the Hullbridge keeper misjudged another Bruno corner from the left and the ball found the far corner of the net.
Hullbridge pulled a goal back on 70 minutes scrambling the ball home following a corner from the right but Bury secured a comprehensive victory with just under 10 minutes remaining when Connor Williams outpaced the left back and crossed the ball from the byline to Bailey who fired home from the edge of the six yard box.
Bury now face Clapton at home in the semi finals on a date still to be decided. This week we are back in league action as we entertain second place North Greenford in a top of the table clash.
Sunday 24th February 2008
St Margaretsbury 2 St Albans City Youth 0
The U16’s reached the semi finals of the County Cup with a well deserved 2-0 win over 2006 champions and last years loosing semi finalists St Albans City North.
Bury started well and came close to taking the lead when Jack Lampe headed narrowly wide from Tom Querry’s corner. Shortly after St Albans Harry Crawford shot straight at Lewis Mackay who saved well. Bury continued to press & Chris Sargent volleyed just wide from 20 yards and Tom Bailey also shot wide after being released down the right. Just before half time Crawford had another opportunity but his header failed to hit the target when well placed.
Bury came out strongly in the second half dominating possession and were unlucky not to score as Sargent’s looping header came back of the inside of the post and Connor Williams just failed to score with the rebound. George Lacey then headed just wide from Bailey’s cross from the right.
Bury then lost their momentum letting St Albans back into the game however they failed to create any clear cut opportunities with both Lampe and Sam Weaver outstanding at the heart of the Bury defence.
With the game looking set for extra time the game was won and lost in the last five minutes as first St Albans James Yates saw his excellent 25 yard shot rebound out from the corner of the bar and post to safety. Then shortly after Bury won a freekick just inside the St Albans half and Tom Bruno’s cross found Lampe who arrived behind the defence to power a header into the roof of the net. With just two minutes remaining George Lacey ran on to a long kick from keeper Mackay to lob the ball over the St Albans keeper Tom Channing to secure a hard fought win.
Bury now face A.C. Finchley Select from Barnet, who like St Albans play in the Watford Friendly league, at home in the semi final on Sunday 16th March. This week we have another home cup game as we entertain Hullbridge Sports in the quarter final of the league cup.
Sunday 17th February 2007
St Margaretsbury 3 Hoddesdon Town 1
With part of the Lowfield pitch frozen and in the shade it was agreed by both sides and the referee to move the game down the road to St Margaretsbury where the pitch was not shaded and therefore able to defrost in time for an 11am kick off.
Bury pushed forward from the start and had two strong claims for penalties turned aside by the referee as first Ted Llewellyn and then Connor Williams appeared to have been bought down. However for the third game in a row Bury conceeded the first goal of the game on 16 minutes as a Billy Barnes free kick from the left edge of the area was knocked in at close range by Conner Reddy. Bury initially struggled against the five man Hoddesdon midfield who denied Bury space and closed down well. However Bury gradually imposed themselves on the game and came close to equalising as George Lacey fired a free kick over the bar and Tom Bailey headed just over following a corner.
The equaliser eventually arrived on 35 minutes as Hoddesdon failed to react to a quickly taken short corner and Tom Querry’s left foot cross found Connor Williams whose fierce shot was well saved by Grant Halsey only for the ball to fall to Bailey who fired home the rebound.
With Hoddesdon playing with a lone striker Bury reverted to three at the back and with the extra player in midfield were able to exert pressure on the Hoddesdon defence in the second half. Bury had another strong claim for a penalty denied them as Harry Fromet appeared to have been bought down in the area, but the referee again waived away their appeals and Jack Lampe headed just wide from a corner.
With the game reaching the final quarter Bury forced a number of corners and free kicks in dangerous areas around the Hoddesdon area and their pressure eventually paid off on 70 minutes as Querry’s excellent cross from a free kick on the right edge of the penalty area was headed in at the back post by Lampe.
With three minutes remaining, as Hoddesdon pressed forward in search of an equaliser, Querry was released on the left and his cross found Bailey in space, who slotted home to complete his brace and secure a well deserved victory.
With North Greenford loosing at Eton Manor Bury moved back to the top of the EJA North Western division having played two games less that their closest rivals.
This week we are back in cup action as we entertain St Albans City North in the quarter finals of the Herts County Cup.
Sunday 10th February
St Margaretsbury FC 2 Dagenham & Redbridge 2 (St Margaretsbury won 3-2 on penalties)
Goalkeeper Lewis Mackay was the St Margaretsbury hero as he saved three penalties for the U16’s as they fought back from two goals down to beat Dagenham & Redbridge in a penalty shoot out, to reach the quarter finals of the EJA League Cup.
The Daggers who are the current Essex County Cup holders and who were unbeaten in 47 league and cup games started the better of the two teams and took the lead on 12 minutes. Bury failed to clear a long throw from the left and the ball was knocked in at the second attempt by the Dagenham player after his first shot had been parried by Mackay. For Bury a Jack Lampe snap shot following a corner hit the outside of the left upright and Jack Barrett’s slide just failed by inches to connect to a header across goal following another corner.
Bury started the second half strongly with the pace of substitute Connor Williams troubling the Dagenham defence. However the lead was extended on 55 minutes as a long speculative cross/shot from wide on the left eluded Mackay and found the far corner of the net.
However Bury showed great character as first Connor Williams reduced the deficit on 62 minutes prodding the ball home at the near post from Tom Querry’s corner and then with just under 20 minutes remaining Chris Sargent header from Jack Lampe’s long freekick found the corner of the net for the equaliser.
From the restart Dagenham almost retook the lead as a cross from the left found the head of a Dagenham forward and Mackay pulled of an excellent point blank save. Both sides pressed for the winning goal and Bury came closest as Williams shot was well saved by the Dagenham keeper.
Extra time provided few clear scoring opportunities. However as Bury tired in the second period Dagenham pushed for the winning goal and won a number of free kicks in dangerous areas although their delivery from the set plays failed to test the home defence.
In the penalty shoot out Querry, George Lacey & Tom Bailey were on target for Bury while Mackay made superb saves from the second, fourth & fifth Dagenham kicks to secure a well deserved win for Bury.
Bury will now face Hullbridge Sports at home for a place in the semi finals. This week we are back in league action as we make the short trip to Hoddesdon Town.
Sunday 3rd February 2008
St Margaretsbury 3 Needham Market 1
The U16’s recorded their first win in Group B of the Chairman’s Cup with a 3-1 win over Northern division side Needham Market from Suffolk.
Bury started slowly and the visitors were gifted a lead on 10 minutes as a poor back pass was intercepted by the Needham Market striker who rounded Lewis Mackay and scored with ease. Bury gradually got back into the game but despite having the better of the possession created few chances although Jack Lampe did strike the post after a goal mouth scramble following a corner. The equaliser eventually arrived on 35 minutes as George Lacey’s free kick from the right was flicked in by Chris Sargent via a deflection off a Needham Market defender.
Whilst the first half was a fairly even affair Bury dominated the second half but failed to convert their possession and territorial advantage into goals. Connor Williams was unlucky to have what looked like a perfectly good goal ruled out for offside and Needham Market defended well to restrict opportunities for the home side. The second goal eventually arrived with just under 20 minutes remaining as a Lacey corner from the left was headed in at the back post by Lampe.
Further chances were created and squandered as Needham Market tired, but Bury eventually secured victory in the last minute when a Ted Llewellyn cross from the left was headed into the top corner of the net by Jack Barrett.
Having drawn their first game against Woodbridge Town, Bury still have games to play in this competition against Bishops Stortford, Eton Manor, Stevenage, Ware, Enfield Town & Newmarket Town with only the top side progressing to the semi finals.
This week Bury are at home to unbeaten Eastern division leaders Dagenham & Redbridge in the second round of the League Cup.
Sunday 27th January 2008St Margaretsbury 3 Hexton Colts 1
After an imposed 2 week break due to the poor weather the U16’s got back to action and despite putting in an under par performance, reached the quarter finals of the County Cup with a hard fought 3-1 win against a determined Hexton Colts side.
Bury started the game well and it came as no surprise when they took the lead after 12 minutes when Tom Querry fired home from close range after good work from Tom Bailey down the right. However Hexton bounced back and equalised on 20 minutes as Bury gave away possession in midfield and the ball was fed to the Hexton striker in space who finished well slotting the ball past Lewis Mackay in the Bury goal.
Bury retook the lead on the half hour mark as a corner from Tom Bruno was headed on at the back post by Jack Lampe and Jack Barrett slotted the ball home from close range. The lead was nearly extended when Chris Sargent headed just wide from Ted Llewellyn’s pin point cross and the referee adjudged that Sam Weaver had fouled as he headed home from another Bruno corner.
Hexton, who play in the Chiltern Youth League, started the second half well taking the game to Bury and should have equalised on 50 minutes when they headed over from a corner. However Bury gradually took control of the game and nearly extended their lead as the Hexton keeper made a fine save to deny Barrett and then Bruno had a goal ruled out for offside and also hit the right upright. It therefore came as no surprise when Bury scored the third and decisive goal as Bruno slotted home with a quarter of an hour remaining following good work down the right by Connor Williams.
The match was played in an excellent spirit by both sides and it was a shame that the game was marred by a late injury to one of the Hexton players who fell awarkwardly and had to be taken to hospital by ambulance. We have subsequently learnt that he has suffered severe ankle ligament damage and we all wish him the very best and a speedy recovery.
Bury now face 2006 winners & last years loosing semi finalists St Albans City North at the Recreation Ground on Sunday 24th February for a place in the semi final.
Sunday 6th January 2008
St Margaretsbury 5 Sawbridgeworth 0
The U16’s got 2008 off to a fine start with a convincing 5-0 win in this EJA North Western Division game. However it was Sawbridgeworth who nearly took an early lead when a long free kick was knocked behind the Bury defence and the Sawbridgeworth striker blasted just over bar from a narrow angle. Bury took the lead on 5 minutes when Tom Querry’s corner was headed on by Chris Sargent and a Sawbridgeworth defender inadvertantly guided the ball past Bert Greenwood in the Sawbridgeworth goal.
Sawbridgeworth came close to equalising on two ocassions as their long ball tactics put the Bury defence under pressure but the resulting finish was just lacking as shots went just wide of each upright. The lead was extended on 30 minutes as a fine ball from Sargent picked out Charlie Dean in space on the left & his first time cross found George Lacey who finnished well from close range.
Whilst our opponents were probably unlucky to be two goals down at half time the second half was dominated by Bury from start to finnish as they played some excellent free flowing football. Following fine build up play shots from Connor Williams and Lacey were blocked and the ball fell to Tom Querry who fired home from close range for 3-0. Jack Ayling then scored his first goal of the season direct from a corner on the left on 75 minutes and Harry Fromet rounded off the scoring late on cutting in from the left and curling a right foot shot into the far corner.
In the end the margin of victory could easily have been greater however Bury will be pleased overall with this performance with some important cup games coming up later in the month.
This week we travel to Stevenage Borough to play our second match in the Chairman’s Cup competition.
Sunday 16th December
Croxley Guild Youth Falcons 0 St Margaretsbury 10The U16’s returned to competitive action after a 4 week break with a visit to Watford Friendly League side Croxley Guild Falcons in the 3rd round of the Hertfordshire County Cup. Due to holiday’s and sickness the squad had already been reduced to only 11 outfield players which was reduced to 10 with the late withdrawal of Tommie Rawlings with a painful injury. We were however able to welcome back Callum McCabe at right back after a long lay off who put in an excellent performance.
Playing free flowing creative football Bury raced into a 3 goal lead with Tom Querry bagging a brace (one from the penalty spot) and Tom Bailey scoring with a classic overhead kick. Bury continued to create plenty of chances and Harry Fromit added a fourth with an excellent strike from long range. Querry completed his hat trick and Bailey scored his second, both following excellent build up play to give Bury a 6-0 half time lead.
To give credit to our opponents they never gave up and they kept the second half scoreless for nearly 20 minutes before Chris Sargent scored the seventh with a shot into the corner from the edge of the box. Bailey completed his hat trick before late goals from Tom Bruno (this was his first goal for the club & saved him the cost of his new boots at the expense of his Dad) & a header from Jack Lampe completed a comprehensive 10-0 win.
After three away games in the competition Bury will now host Hexton Colts in the 4th round on 27th January.
In the meantime over the Christmas break the team has been kept active being involved in three friendly games. In the first game under floodlights Bury played against Omonia who play in Premier Division of the Watford Friendly League and who were bolstered by a number of players from their U18 squad. The side put in a good performance running out 2-0 winners with goals from Tom Querry & Jack Barrett. The other 2 games were played against the U17's with both matches ending in draws. In the first game the U16's came from behind twice to earn a well deserved 2-2 draw with Ted Llewellyn scoring both goals. In the second game a second half goal from Jack Barrett secured a 1-1 draw.
This week we are back in league action when we entertain Sawbridgeworth at the Recreation Ground 11am kick off.
Sunday 18th November
Ware 2 St Margaretsbury FC 3The league encounter between these two sides just over a month ago was a one sides affair, however this game was always likely to be a lot closer and so it proved as Bury ran out narrow winners in freezing cold conditions at Wodson Park on Sunday.
Bury started the game strongly with the pace of strikers Connor Williams & George Lacey causing problems to the Ware defence. However it was Ware who took the lead against the run of play on 12 minutes as Kieran Barfoot fired home from the edge of the area after being put through by Ross Tyrrell. Ware then settled well but the game was turned on its head in the space of 2 minutes.
Firstly on 26 minutes Lacey found Harry Fromet in yards of space on the right who had time to advance & hit a pinpoint shot into the corner for the equaliser. From the resulting kick off Ware lost possession to Williams whose strong run down the left flank ended with a foul by a Ware defender & Lacey made no mistake from the spot firing home into the roof of net for 2-1. Bury were unlucky not to extend their lead as Bradley Pope saved well from Lacey and looked to be heading into the break with a slender advantage. However Ware were gifted an equaliser on the stoke of half time as a misplaced goal kick was knocked into the path of Barfoot who made no mistake for 2-2.
Bury started the second half well but Ware then took control and in a sustained period of pressure were unlucky not to score. First Barfoot shot narrowly wide from an acute angle, Jamie Fearey's shot from 25 yards that hit the upright and then a goal mouth scramble saw keeper Lewis Mackay gratefully claim the ball. However Bury regained their composure & then started to impose themselves again on the Ware defence who were also grateful to clear from a similar scramble in their own goalmouth with Pope then making an excellent block from Williams shot.
With extra time looming Ware, looking for the winning goal, reverted to three at the back and shortly after with just nine minutes remaining Tom Bruno's fine run and excellent cross from the by-line found Fromet in space and his crisp left foot shot found the corner of the net for the winning goal. Jack Barrett nearly extended the lead late on but headed over and Bury held on for a hard fought win.
Bury now travel to Croxley Guild Falcons in the 3rd round on 16th December & this week travel to Eton Manor in what will be our last league game in 2007.
Sunday 11th November
Sawbridgeworth 2 St Margaretsbury FC 4
The U16’s returned to league action after a 4 week break winning a hard fought encounter at Sawbridgeworth, to move them back to the top of the EJA North Western Division.
Playing downhill on a narrow slopping pitch Bury took time to settle but took the lead with a fine counter attacking move on 20 minutes. A free kick from near the corner on the left was hit straight at keeper Lewis Mackay who quickly found Connor Williams. Williams excellent flicked on header found George Lacey in space down the right and whilst his shot was well blocked by the Sawbridgeworth covering defender the fall fell kindly to Tom Querry who slotted home from 10 yards. Bury extended their lead shortly after as a needless handball gifted them a penalty and George Lacey fired home from the spot for 2-0.
Bury then took control of the game playing some excellent football & were unlucky not to extend their lead with Tom Bailey firing over the bar from close range. Sawbridgeworth however had a good spell towards the end of the half with their best chance coming on the stroke of half as a free kick into the box found a Sawbridgeworth player who shot just wide.
The lead was extended on 55 minutes as Lacey found Querry in space on the left and he hit a first time volley across the goal into the top hand corner for 3-0. However Bury’s tendency to give away free kicks in dangerous positions & their inability to defend set pieces let Sawbridgeworth back into the game. Firstly, on 65 minutes, a well delivered free kick from the left was knocked in from close range and then 10 minutes later an excellent struck free kick from an almost identical position found the far top corner and Sawbridgeworth sensed an unlikely draw.
The final 15 minutes saw the hosts route one aproach put the Bury defence under severe pressure however fine defending at the heart of the defence from Jack Lampe, who had an excellent game & Chris Sargent limited Sawbridgeworth to only a couple of half chances. With only a minute remaining Harry Fromit beat his man down the right cut in & beat the keeper at his near post to secure a well deserved 3 points.
This week we travel to Ware FC, who will be looking to repeat the cup successes of their senior team, in the second round of the Herts County Cup.
Sunday 28th October
St Margaretsbury FC 5 Billericay Town 2
U16’s progressed to the 2nd round of the EJA League Cup with a comfortable 5-2 win over Billericay Town.
Bury started the stronger and should have taken the lead in the first minute but George Lacey shot tamely at the Billericay keeper. Further chances were created, the best falling to Jack Lampe who blasted over the bar following a corner. However on 25 minutes Bury took the lead in fortunate circumstances as the Billericay keeper slipped allowing Lacey to shoot into an empty net. The lead was extended on 40 minutes as a quickly taken kick from keeper Lewis Mackay found Connor Williams, who turned, beat his man and crossed for Lacey to score. Bury looked set to go into half time in control but in stoppage time they failed to clear a corner, allowing Billericay to reduce the deficit.
An improved second half display however put the game beyhond the visitors as first Williams fired home on 52 minutes following a Tom Querry corner and then Ted Llewellyn scored with a fierce shot that went in off the underside of the bar following good work down the left by Charlie Dean.
Lacey spurned a number of opportunities to complete his hat trick but he eventually got his third goal with 10 minutes remaining before Billericay scored a late consolation from the penalty spot.
Due to a mix up with the fixtures we are left seeking a friendly this week but are back in league action on 11th November when we visit Sawbridgeworth.