15 March 12 - 11:11Shoreham 2 Warriors 3 - High five for the Warriors

Wow, what a game we had this week. We knew Shoreham would not give up after conceding a last minute equalizer in the return fixture earlier in the season but this showed everything that we want from a warrior. We started today in 6th place and knew a win would secure 5th place and a to half finish which was our target. We told the boys that they needed to be calm and keep a clean sheet and we would be fine. We started the game like a house on fire and after some excellent wing play Andy burst into box and fired in a powerful shot that took a deflection and flew in. From that moment on it all got a bit scruffy like the first game but we got to half time 1 nil up.  The message for the second half was to keep it tight and get the 3 points but from the outset we were on the back foot and soon conceded to make it 1-1. We then dropped Max back into midfield to steady the ship as a point would be good enough for 5th, we also put Harry on up front to see if he could get us another goal. Soon after Jools picked the ball up and hit a sweet shot into the top corner from 25 yards to make it 2-1, again Shoreham came back at us and after one of their striker burst into our box Jools touched him and a la Drogba he fell over and the penalty was given, what made it worse was he picked up our first booking as well. The penalty was converted to make it 2-2. From that moment on the boys were fired up and felt that they had been hard done by and flew into every tackle as if their life depended on it. we started to pepper their goal and Ben T, Harry, Connor, Luke P and Max were unlucky not to score. Just as we thought it was going to be one of those days we got a corner, Jools swung it in and it fell to the feet of Woody who thumped it in from 6 yards, the barmy army went mad, if we were to win I could not think of a more fitting player to score the goal than Woody after another fantastic season. there were 2 minutes on the clock so we sat tight and held on for the win and 5th place was ours.

All the boys have put in a huge amount of effort and showed the D.A.D when required all season and they got the top half finish they deserved so well done to all of you.

A huge thanks to all the parents/barmy army who ferry the children around and support them in all weathers.

A special thanks to Tim Brown who started this journey and was there at the end to see it come off as a fan.

We will now be taking a break until the tournament season starts so keep an eye out  for teamer updates.

Thanks again and see you soon.

Alistair, Kevin & Andy

Tim Brown -

27 February 12 - 15:28"High 5 for the Warrior's" Warriors 5 Langley 2

After a 2 week break this week saw the Warriors take our friends from Langley. Having drawn 0-0 at their place we knew we were in for a tough afternoon. Our team talk before the game was all about the boys desire. In a change to the line up we changed Max to striker and Charlie to midfield to freshen things up. From the off the boys looked right up for the fight. In our first attack Max laid the ball out to Brandon on the wing then ran into the box to collect the cross and sweep the ball home with a neat finish (I have to explain as his mum missed it !!!). Soon after Langley started to put pressure on us as we knew they would and made it 1-1 after a mix up at the back. This made the boys angry and they were soon on the attack again and went 2-1 up after some good play and a thumping shot from Jules. soon after Brandon put us 3-1 up with a long range effort from the edge of the box. We were well on top at this stage and Jules scored again before half time to make it 4-1.Our message at half time was to keep the effort up and see the game out for a valuable 3 points that would see us move up the table. The second half was a much more even affair with both sides creating chances. After some tricky wing play between Jules and Ben T, Jules crossed the ball for Luke P to get the goal his hard work had deserved to make it 5-1. Even a late goal from Langley could not take the shine off todays display. The boys came off at the end to cheers from the "Barmy army"

All the boys put in 110% and got the result they deserved but Jules all round performance and two goals bagged him Man of the Match so well done to everyone to.

Next week sees our last game of this season away at Shoreham, a win would move us up to 5th in the table and a top half finish which was our aim at the start of the season.

See you at training on Tuesday.

Kevin, Alistair & Andy

Tim Brown -

30 January 12 - 13:54Warrior's 3 Chailey & Newick Colts 3, "Warriors taught a warriors lesson ! "

Today saw the Warriors take on Chailey & Newick Colts in a game that could have seen us start to climb the table again after some tough games at the start of the year. With Chailey only having 10 players this week the message to the boys was not to be complacent and to go for the win. The boy set out and before long we were camped in their half peppering the goal. A combination of luck good goalkeeping and poor finishing saw the score remain at 0-0. Just before half time Chailey broke, man of the match Callum Brown broke the attack down and launched a long ball which Charlie ran on to to score, at last a goal for all our efforts. At half time we told the boys to use the wings more as the midfield was packed, the boys went out and soon broke and a last ditch tackle send Luke flying, a penalty and a chance to put some distance between us, Max stepped up but the keeper saved his spot kick but Harry followed in to bury the rebound. From that moment on I am not sure what happened,  a combination of the boys taking their foot off the gas and Chailey's spirit as we soon conceded a quick response and then a penalty to make it 2-2. They boys dug deep and responded themselves by going 3-2 up with another goal from Charlie and looked good for the win, but again we conceded a late goal to make the final score 3-3. In truth both teams got what the deserved from the game.  We were just out battled buy the 10 and sometimes 9 boys of Chailey. Next week sees us take on Langley so the focus this week will be on ball retention and finishing, Thanks for your support and see you on Tuesday.

Tim Brown -

23 January 12 - 10:40Warriors 0 Eastbourne Borough 4 "A brave effort"

Today saw the Warriors face the last of the top three in our division in tough run of games, having been beaten 5-1 & 7-1 in previous weeks todays message was not to get thrashed again. Connor was missing this week with a knee injury sustained last week which could keep him out for the rest of the season, we welcomed Ben back and dropped Harry back to right back in our 3rd back four since Christmas. We also welcomed Ben Thetford back in attack. In a change Max & Woodie took the team talk to fire the boys up before the start of the game. This seemed to do the trick as we came out of the blocks fast which surprised our opponents. Before long Eastbourne started to take control and pepper our goal and went 1-0 up, we then dropped Charlie back into midfield to stem the attacks. Zak was our man of the match this week as he commanded his area, acted as sweeper and made countless saves to keep the score down. All the boys battled through the game but Eastbourne took control in the second half and scored 3 more goals. Next up is 3 games against teams that are around us, if we win these then the top half finish will be possible, well done today boys and see you on Tuesday.

Tim Brown -

17 January 12 - 18:54Old Varndeanians 7 Warriors 1, "A game of two halves"

This week saw the BOHJFC Warriors take on the league leaders in another tough fixture.Ben Skinner was missing this week so Conner slotted into central defence with Woodie. Boyed by the fact we only just lost 3-2 at home we decided the attack was our best form of defence, With this in mind the boys went for it from the off and were unlucky to be 1-0 down early on. Man of the match Conner was a rock at the back along with Callum,Woodie and Ollie. Zak was pulling off save after save and setting up our attacks, from a long goal kick their defence headed the ball out, Max took a quick throw which caused chaos and they conceded a corner, Jools took the corner and Woodie scored with a thumping header. Luke P and Harry worked hard upfront and were nearly rewarded with a goal close to half time but it was not to be so we went in 1-1 at half time. We praised the boys for their efforts but warned them that the slope was now against us. We changed things around in the second half and bought Luke E and Charlie on to freshen things up. We were soon 2-1 then 3-1 down and the boys heads started to drop, Woodie & Max tried to drive the boys on but from a goal kick Conner took he damaged his knee and whilst in a crumpled heap on the floor our opponents struck again to make it 4-1, after some more changes we could not contain them anymore and we ended up on the end of a 7-1 defeat which the boys first half efforts did not deserve, Their manager even said that our heads went down in the second half which was a shame. Next week we have Eastbourne Borough at home so 3rd time lucky !!!!!

Tim Brown -

10 January 12 - 12:1608/01/2012 Warriors 1 Furngate 5, So near yet so far !

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Tim Brown -

18 December 11 - 23:2018/12/11: Adur Athletic 4 B.Oak Warriors 4 "Thank You and Goodbye..."

A superb performance in the second half from the Warriors, ensured that points were shared in a pulsating match that had everything. A lack of any real pressing or tackling in the first half brought back bad memories of Warriors games of old, as we found ourselves out-battled from the first minute and a goal down. A superb equaliser from joint Man of the Match Charlie Busby saw him hold off some strong challenges before smashing the ball into the back of the net, however we were extremely porous in the first 40 mins and went another goal down soon after. Again we equalised with a classic Luke Parker finish as he outfoxed their back four, but again we went behind from an incredible volley from their keeprs kick downfield - one bounce, volley and in. Despite a third equaliser from Jules Walker we went in at half-time 4-3 down - and some serious thinking to do against a side we have already beaten twice this year.

With a couple of minor tweaks with fullbacks Luke Evans and Callum Brown introduced, we suddenly tightened up, conceded no more goals, bagged an equaliser from super skipper Max Stapley and went on to look like the only side likely to win the game as they sat deeper and deeper to our onslaughts. Chances went begging, and joint Man of the Match Brandon Pestano played his socks off in creating countless chances for us. But it was a last minute rounding of the keepr by Luke Parker that caused huge controversy - a defender racing back to dive and tip the ball round the post for an immediate red card offence. Up stepped Max to huge pressure, and having never missed one his luck had to run out one day - and today was the day. Nevertheless a brilliant performance by our skipper YET AGAIN, and overall a useful point that keeps us 4th and in touch at the turn of the year. 7 wins, a draw and one defeat in our last 9 matches is a superb turnaround having found our feet in the first few weeks, so the boys should be really proud of themselves.

So that's it for 2011 - and the end of an era as I have decided to bow out of coaching after 24 years - 7 seasons being with the Warriors squad. I have decided that it is time to focus all of my time with my wife and family, and so many things will change for me including my football. I have enjoyed every single second of my time with the lads, and we have been on an incredible journey from 12-0 thrashings in Rotherfield right through to tournament semi-finals and promotion last season. The boys I hope have learnt not only about Desire, Attitude and Dedication but also many lifeskills that will stand them in good stead in only a few years time. Teamwork, grit & determination, high standards and mental strength - to me it has never only been about the football, but the responsibility I've felt in helping to shape their futures. I wish everyone a safe, happy and peaceful Christmas, and Sheena and I look forward to occasionally cheering on the boys and especially my inspirational son Callum right through to the end of next season. Thank you all and goodbye.....

Tim

Tim Brown -

12 December 11 - 00:1111/12/11: B.Oak Warriors 3 Hollingbury Hawks 1 'Warriors Discipline Wins the Day...'

A very difficult game for our Warriors today. Our opponents completely lost the plot as their indiscipline ensured they capitulated midway through the second half. Appalling foul and abusive language towards the ref, our boys and coaches from a few of their players made for a nasty atmosphere that threatened to see the game abandoned on occasions. However our Warriors stuck to our game plan of not being sucked into a war, playing quality football and staying out of trouble. To their credit they did precisely this, despite intense provocation, and came away with another 3 points.

On a heavy pitch the boys got off to a great start with some wonderful high tempo pass and move - going up a goal after 10 minutes with a tidy finish from striker Harry Kelf. Fellow forward Charlie Busby started up front this week and played superbly for us, terrorising their defence with excellent energy and commitment that created several opportunities for other players around him to score, and he was incredibly unlucky not to score a few himself with some of his brilliantr attacking play.

Half-time came and went, with Luke Evans and Andy Goswell introduced at the break to give a breather to heavy legs on the muddy surface. Callum Brown too came on soon after, and it was to be a memorable performance from our right back. A breakaway from their striker saw him bear down on Zak's goal, and just as he was about to pull the trigger Callum raced in from the right to slide in with a superbly executed last ditch tackle to thwart an almost certain equaliser. The Barmy Army went crazy and his teamates high fived him for an incredible block - and within minutes a carbon copy situation saw the same player about to shoot again. But yet again Callum chased back to time his tackle brilliantly once more and receive grateful pats on the back from the rest of the side. With some excellent passing to his game as well, Callum was only beaten to Man of the Match by Skipper Max Stapley, who bagged two second half goals to ensure the win and that their final late consolation counted for nothing.

So 7 wins out of the last 8 games, and next Sunday sees our last match of 2011 away at Adur Athletic. C'mon the Warriors!!

Tim Brown - Head Coach

Tim Brown -