Broadstone Braves Vs Poole Town Wessex Rovers

Broadstone Braves 2 - Poole Town Rovers 1

Our first away match against Poole Town Wessex Rovers was held despited dreadful weather conditions over the weekend that meant the Braves training was cancelled the Saturday before the match.

Despite the down pour over the weekend the pitch held up surprisingly well...probably 'cause it all flowed into the lake at one end of Ashdowns pitch...you know...the one were we keep losing our balls. I lost count of how many match balls Poole TWR's got through during the game!

Despite the fact that Tristan and Aston were unable to play our defence performed extremely well. Ben Blades put in an excellent debut as left back, putting in some well timed tackles and knocking the ball forward in order that we could dominate the play. Well done Ben...excellent!

Mark Donachy did well in controlling the defensive line, Marks' pace and consistency in defence has stopped many an opposing attacker in his tracks...keep it up Mark!!!

Chris Birrell scored our two goals, fantastic pace together with the ability to monopolise upon the game play generated by Joe Jordan who has just returned after a number of weeks away due to injury, meant we were 2 nil up by the end of the second half....brilliant!

All in all a great effort by the Braves who once again demonstrated that with only eleven players they can take it to 'em and come out on top!

...Just imagine what we can achieve with Tristan, Jack and Aston back!

Man of the Match was Ben Blade...well done Ben.

Broadstone Braves Vs Bearwood United

Broadstone 2 - Bearwood United 2

Those that know me will know that I don't believe in making excuses and that I'm a firm believer in the thinking that 'you make your own luck'...The problem is that in order to make your luck you need to have the odds stacked for you. The Braves have got two team members off with a broken wrist and another with the lurgy...all three boys are strong players in their own ways which is making it harder for the rest of the team to 'keep the pressure on'.....despite all this they are doing exactly that!!!

With no substitutes and and two or three of the lads playing outside their normal positions we put the Bearwood United boys under pressure from the off. Bearwood are third in the league at this time and performing well...with the odds 'stacked up for us' we'll be making our own luck when we play them away and I'm confident that the Braves will deliver some winning goals.

Ben Stocker made his debut in goal this match and produced some outstanding saves...I can see why he plays in goal for the School Team, albeit he had kept that quiet up until recently...;-) well done Ben!!!

Chris Birrell scored both our goals demonstrating once again that pace counts for everything...not to mention control under pressure. Those opportunities that were maximised by Chris would not have come about had the wingers and midfield not produced some great game play...The fact that Paul, Andy and I keep telling the boys to get their heads up and look for the pass seems to be sinking in............gradually.

Luke Woodhouse was unfortunate to have missed a number of opportunities at goal...I still think that if that blummin' slope didn't exist on pitch 1 we would have had a different result today. It's hard work running up hill and even harder when you've got to do it in the second half! Never mind Luke..plenty more opportunities coming your way I'm sure. Matt Lonnen deserves a special mention today, Matt played mid-field and put in some great cross balls and clearances...well done Matt!

Whilst a little bit woolly at times I thought our defenders put in a valient effort; Sam Klein, Aston Wright, Alex Sharp and Mark Donachy had to work really hard in the second half as Bearwood dominated our half coming down hill with the wind behind 'em...well done fellas, some strong tackles being made!

Man of the Match: Chris Birrell.

Captains Comment: Ben Stocker; " Bring it on Poole Town Wessex Rovers....'aint nothin gonna get past me!"

Braves are joint 5th in the league with the fourth highest goal difference....New Milton are still top and we all know how we did against them eh! Onward and upward!!!!

All in all another good result....