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A great team performance from Bedford Park Rangers saw us get three thoroughly deserved points. BPR started very brightly and with slightly more composure in front of goal we could easily have been three up in the first 10 minutes. We were camped in their half but just could not find the break through but Tom Mills dominated midfield and with Andy Darnell marshalling the back four, we looked comfortable. After 35 minutes the ball was crossed to Richard Patterson in acres of space on the right of their goal and just when it seemed he had taken too long to get his shot away he lobbed the keeper for 1:0. This is when Stewartby seemed to wake up and the match ebbed and flowed with them making one clear chance which Rob Mason headed off the line. This spurred them on and with the half almost up they found some space wide on our right and what was clearly a cross cleared everyone and dropped into the far corner of the net for the equaliser. We kicked off and the ref blew for half time.

The lads were a little despondent knowing that we should have been out of sight but with no changes at half time we picked up where we left off. Steve Slater working tirelessly harried their defence into a series of mistakes. Alan Harvey had a header cleared off their line.

We took the tiring Richard Patterson off and pushed Jimmy Jacob up front bolstering the midfield with Roger Goff. Thirteen minutes from time we swapped Steve Slater for Mike Burke. Mike picked up where Steve left off, harrying defenders. Then with 5 minutes to go, wide on their left and two metres from the goal line Mike won the ball from the left back and dribbled directly towards goal, the left back recovered but could only drag him down in the box for a penalty. Jimmy, who has missed a couple of spot kicks this season, stepped up and duly scored the penalty. We almost got a third and the final whistle sparked celebrations.

Report by Paul Mason
Manager BPR Seniors

Bedfordshire Mini Soccer League U10 Division 4
BPR 8 Mid Beds Tigers 2

A great win for the under 10's against the Tigers who were a place above us in the league and on a four win streak. We took the lead when Jay headed home a Jennings cross. Green then ended a great run with a goal for number two. The Tigers got back to 2-1 straight after the break and had us defending. Another goal for Green before Tigers hit back again for 3-2. Two quick goals from Jay put us back in the driving seat before Jennings and Box (2) rounded off a great performance by the team.

Man of the Match: Jay

Report by Marcus Jennings
U10s Manager

Milton Keynes & Border Counties Youth Football League U15 Division 2
Milton Keynes City 3 BPR Tomcats 5

With three boys away on a school trip, and a number of other lads unavailable, it looked even more ominous when we had a further player drop out because of sickness this morning. We therefore travelled over to Milton Keynes with only nine players and feared the worst. The pitch was like a quagmire and I knew that it would be exhausting for our boys playing against eleven players on such a boggy pitch.

Incredibly, our nine boys took the lead through Defeo after ten minutes only to see MK City level at 1:1 ten minutes later. Sattar scored on 25 minutes and Defeo got his second on 35 minutes. We went in at half time looking good for our 3:2 lead. Our boys were playing out of their skins and we put together some of the best football I have seen us play, which was amazing given the lack of numbers.

In the second half, we continued to dominate and scored two more goals with Defeo completing his hat-trick after five minutes and Sattar getting his brace on 15 minutes. Battle was on top form in goal making some tremendous saves throughout the match. We naturally tired as the second half progressed and MK scored their third goal. With ten minutes to play, I feared that MK would overrun us but to the great credit of every lad on the pitch, we played some intelligent football, keeping possession and looked quite likely to score a sixth! We ended up winning 5:3 and I wouldn't like to single out any player as they were all magnificent.

Report by Ray Mcauley
U15 Tomcats Manager

U12 Division 2
BPR Bobcats 6 Moretonville Rangers 0

We started the day one place above Moretonville, so we were cautiously optimistic, and became more so when they arrived with only ten players. Despite taking an early lead when Alfieri tapped in from close range after 7 minutes, we were not making the most of the possession we had. We were again guilty of putting shots straight at the keeper, plus we hit the frame of the goal three times. Moretonville had the occasional break, but Kvilums at the back was clearing up most of the danger. The lead was increased after 22 minutes when A Dembicki made one of his quick bursts into the area and finished coolly.

As we were reasonably comfortable, at half-time we changed from 3 centre backs, 2 wing backs, 3 midfielders and 2 strikers, to 4-4-2. Moving Gordon from right wing back to right midfield paid dividends almost immediately. Two identical runs into the area on the right side saw him finish clinically in the 36th & 37th minutes. We took our foot off the gas for a while, and Moretonville had a number of breaks and several corners, and did get the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside.

Alfieri rounded off a good day for the team and himself when he tapped in another goal after 53 minutes, and placed another effort well passed the keeper in the 56th minute. It helped him pip Gordon for the MOTM award.

Report by Kevan Clark
U12 Bobcats Manager

Chiltern Youth Football League U12 Division 5
BPR Sabres 5 EB Lions 2

We played at Moor Lane today against EB Lions. Once my boys had overcome the fact that most of EB Lions were 6' plus, we played some very good football taking the lead with a well worked goal. Our second goal was reminiscent of Messi/Maradona as B Goulding walked though most of the team to slot the ball past the keeper. By half time we were 3-0 up. They returned one for 3-1 but we extended the lead to 5-1 with two more well worked goals.

Then the most obscure goal I've ever seen saw the score go to 5-2. Their striker shot and the ball hit the cross bar bounced down and out and our defender kicked it away. The linesman didn't give it. None of their team claimed for it; even the away support didn't claim it. The game carried on for a few seconds for the ref to blow for what we thought was a hand ball by them in the box, but he gave a goal. Everyone was bemused!

Scorers: M Goulding 3, B Goulding, Rounding. Man Of The Match: Rounding

Report by Andy Rounding
U12 Sabres Manager

                                                        

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