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.
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 !!!!!
10 January 12 - 12:1608/01/2012 Warriors 1 Furngate 5, So near yet so far !
Our first game back in the new year saw us take on high fliers Furngate in a repeat of our opening game of the season.Just like then we took the game to them only to be undone by some very slick pass and move stuff. With Woodie missing in central defence we changed things at the back and played Connor in the middle and Callum on the right. For long periods we matched Furngate but we were unable to score that all important goal.We came in at half time only 2 nil down and our message was to pressure the ball and have a go at their defence as this seemed to be their only weakness. With that in mind the boys went out and gave it a real go, Jools and Max working hard and looking for the killer ball, Andy and Brandon flying the wings and Charlie and Luke P trying to beth the goal while at the back Ben, Ollie, Connor, Callum and Zak tried to keep their attack at bay. With the score at 4-0 we decided to make some changes Harry came on for Luke P and Luke E came on for Ollie. Harry started to worry their defence and we started to look like we were going to get the goal we deserved. After putting their defence under real pressure without joy we put Luke P back on to have a final run at them and after a sublime cross field pass from Max we got the goal we had worked so hard for !!!! The barmy army went mad, including a couple of new members, (a quiet) Tim and Sheena. That was the last action of the game and after a tough game all the boys put all they could in this week and without the Man of the Match Zak and the help of the post a few times the score could have been worse. Well done boys
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
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
04 December 11 - 22:404/12/11: Eastbourne Boro 7 B.Oak Warriors 2 'Heavy Scoreline hides Superb Warriors Performance'
What a game! A big crowd of Warriors fans descended on Priory Lane to see our side take on high flying Eastbourne Boro. After 6 games unbeaten the boys were in confident mood and hit our opponents hard from kick-off with some thumping challenges all over the pitch and some breathtaking attacking football - the guys were on FIRE!! In an even first half the Warriors had three superb chances to take the lead, however it was Eastbourne who went ahead first from the penalty spot. however within 10 minutes we equalised by way of a superbly clipped ball down the left wing to Luke Parker by classy centre back Ben Skinner. In controlling the ball and crossing it inside to strike partner Harry Kelf, Harry powered forward towards goal with the keeper rapidly advancing. In holding off the challenges of both centre backs Harry brilliantly controlled the ball, set himself and fired low and hard into the far corner for an outstanding finish of great class - the Barmy Army went nuts!!
With our opponents on the rack we kept trying to exploit their poor defence with some more awesome attacking. Max Stapley had an unbelievable game with some sublime trickery, passing and tackling, Jules Walker also flew about all over the pitch with unreal skill and passion, and Ollie Taylor too played a variety of positions to an amazingly high standard - battling the whole game until he dropped. And it was another defender, Connor Clevett, who played an absolute blinder in throwing himself into challenge after challenge - especially in the air, to clinch this week's Man of the Match award.
Half-time at 1-1, and we didn't want the break. We were pumped and flying, however after the break the boys legs tired in having worked so hard, and the cracks started to appear. Max tucked away a penalty to bring thr game back to 4-2 with 15 minutes to go, but it wasn't enough as our opponents turned up a gear to fire 3 late goals and as their Coach said - 'create a very flattering scoreline.'
So our unbeaten run ends with us still in 5th place with 2 more games to go before the Xmas break A really fabulous effort from all 13 players today, and an extremely proud coach as well!
Tim Brown - Head Coach
21 November 11 - 00:4520/11/11:Hollingbury Hawks 1 B.Oak Warriors 2 "Hawks Shot Down by Warriors Fire Power..."
Another 3 points from a convincing win down on the coast, and so our unbeaten run extends to 5 games on the trot with 11 points from a possible 15....
This weeks opponents were Hollingbury Hawks JFC from Brighton, and a chance for the boys to move up several places in the table. With 14 players out of 16 to choose from we took the unusual decision to take all of them to the game, and give returning striker Charlie Busby a run out in the second half as he continues to find his fitness after a month out with injury. So with a brilliant bench of three very strong players in Andy, Callum and Charlie, we had cover in defence, midfield and attack that proved useful on a very big pitch.
Straight from kick-off the Warriors settled into some good interplay around the pitch, with wide men Ollie Taylor and Brandon Pestano swapping wings at will to terrorise their full-backs by getting in decent quality crosses. At the back, Woodie had a superb game as always, winning everything in sight and using the ball well all match. Max and Jules were extremely disciplined in the centre of the pitch, taking it in turns to attack their defence, and so it wasn't long before this weeks Man of the Match Max Stapley bagged a superb strike from outside the box for our opening goal. Still the boys attacked at will with Zak having very little to do in goal, and after a fine pass out wide to the superb Ollie Taylor, he took on the fullback, raced past him at speed only to be tackled late just as he was about pull the trigger. Max coolly slotted home the penalty for a 2-0 lead at half-time, and despite several other attempts on goal we went in at the break in a comfortable position.
The second half saw Hollingbury come more into the game after they shuffled their side about, however they seemed to lose their cool with the ref on so many occasions that our lads simply remained focussed on the 3 pts we had come for and nver really got involved. Ben Skinner drew a superb save from their keeper with a superb shot going top corner, Charlie came on and muscled through several challenges on a mazy run before the keeper again came to the rescue, and despite several attempts to release the speed of Luke Parker up front he was unlucky not to bag a few goals either. A very late goal in injury time prevented another clean sheet for us, however the win was secured and the 3 points moves us up to 6th in the table with games in hand on those around us. Next up is hopefully a repeat of last weekend when we play ASC Strikers again - this time at home, and with it is the chance to climb even higher up the division.
Thanks for everyones support today, well played the Warriors, and see you all on Tuesday for training.....
Tim Brown - Head Coach