MATCH REPORTS: BUILDING BELIEF, 14 – 20 NOVEMBER

BOYS ACADEMY

U18 BOYS v. SOMERS TOWN // Coach Steven // 2-4

FAVOURITE MOMENT: As has been the case so often this season, the team have always shown real belief and resilience despite going behind in matches and continued to show their fighting spirit once more twice clawing their way back level after falling behind!

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Ritchie. His free kick for the second equaliser in particular stood out and was well deserved, continuing his scoring run, rewarding his positivity up to that point!

THIS WEEK’S LEARNING: We continue to do the basics brilliantly despite the pressures we may face (scoreline, time etc) as ensuring continued quality in our passing, movement and receiving will help secure momentum, retain possession, progress better and ultimately continue to create clear cut goal scoring opportunities.

U14 BOYS DEVELOPMENT TEAM v. AFC SOUTHGATE // Coach Ignacio // 2-2 

FAVOURITE MOMENT: Beni Latelabwe played a fantastic game both defensively and offensively; Not only did he hit the cross bar from 25 yards out, he scored the winning goal in the last seconds of the game by nicking the ball from the goalie. Unfortunately, the referee called a foul and the goal was disallowed.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Adam Elsayed because we asked him to play a position he’s not used to playing and he asked questions, listened for feedback, adapted his playing style, and ultimately scored the equaliser that put us back in the game.

THIS WEEK’S LEARNING: We started the game with low intensity and by the time we got going, we were two goals down. We need to do a better job imposing ourselves in the match from minute 1.

U11 GOLD BOYS v. APB WINGATE // Coach Jerome // 4-3

FAVOURITE MOMENT: A game where the scoreline doesn’t reflect the performance but that’s football sometimes. An absolutely dominant performance from the whole team in Kingsley’s farewell game for the u11 boys as he is joining West Ham. 3 goals conceded from set pieces, but superb football from the boys throughout.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Jake Saffer stepped up with 2 goals and 1 assist but Ayan Pula was fantastic with his on and off the ball energy and was a constant threat finding space and being direct, going at the opposition.

THIS WEEK’S LEARNING: Taking more of the chances we create in game and also switching on and picking up quickly when defending set pieces.

U12 BOYS GOLD v. AC FINCHLEY // Coach Milo // 5-0

FAVOURITE MOMENT: Start of the 2nd-half BLITZ. I gave the lads a challenge of going out, doing the business, & killing off the game off. They did just that. As usual, the pressing was phenomenal & has become an important foundation of the side. Kurt-Deniro linkup was fantastic.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Have given a few to D, who was phenomenal again, but alongside him Basti has hit a terrific run of form of late & deserves the award. Been working really hard lately & excelled in a new left-midfield role.

THIS WEEK’S LEARNING: Our 1st-half build-up could be better. Managing certain moments, looking to play quickly in midfield, & respecting the press when necessary.

U12 BOYS GOLD v. LFS // Coach Milo // 7-3

FAVOURITE MOMENT: Start to finish I thought we were phenomenal, really proud of the performance yet again. As such, it’s hard to pick out a moment. Joao’s goal, courtesy of an inch-perfect dinger (clearance) from Andi is up there, as was another one of Kurt’s majestic slalom runs through their core.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Joao. Best performance from him in a new CM role—his awareness was top, as was his ability to drive with the ball, breaking lines, & bringing others into play. Nice to chip in with a couple goals too.

THIS WEEK’S LEARNING: Sometimes our decision making can be a bit too impatient, looking to play forwards when we could look to be patient & attract more pressure. But this was much better 2nd-half.

U18 BOYS v. OMONIA WHITE // Coach Steven // 1-5

FAVOURITE MOMENT: Without a recognised goalkeeper in the squad , Lior stepped up and took responsibility between the sticks! A tough job and massive respect to him for putting the teams needs first! Real display of Bloomsbury Values!

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: A tough defeat but the whole team kept their belief throughout!

THIS WEEK’S LEARNING: Our dedication needs to be better. In terms of arriving on time, showing up for the team and being well prepared on the day! We have seen what a difference that can make!

U21 MEN v. WOOD LANE // Coach Steven // 1-4

FAVOURITE MOMENT: Peter Marment’s debut in between the sticks and saving not only a penalty but the rebound as well! One for the highlights reel!

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Essau on debut in defence! What a warrior. Literally left the field dripping in blood, sweat but thankfully no tears!

THIS WEEK’S LEARNING: Keeping our belief and sticking to our principles while still being able to do the basics brilliantly despite unfavourable circumstances, knowing that we have the quality to get us over the line if we don’t stray from our values!

U21 MEN v. CANDI // Coach Steven // 3-3

FAVOURITE MOMENT: The way we rallied together at half time, despite being 2-0 down against a really strong, organised team from a division above. Clawing ourselves back to 2-2 and eventually 3-3, through some neat passages of play! Goes a long way to show what a goal, a good mentality and bit of belief will give us!

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Jaime Sacopon! Handed the armband for the evening in the absence of Luca and Ollie and really shone in the leadership role! Playing in a more central position as well, he was able to affect the game a lot better both with his technical abilities and tactical understanding but as well as his motivation and guidance to the younger players in the squad around him! Really appreciate you lad!

THIS WEEK’S LEARNING: Maintaining our intensity in and out of possession for longer periods during games! Being able to deny the opposition time and space to be able to progress whilst setting ourselves up to build up the attack and penetrate opposition defences a bit quicker!

LET’S KEEP STEPPING UP, BLOOMS! 💪