Binfield Torpedoes 2 - 2 Camberley Town Raiders.  

10.30 kick off.  Saturday 31st March 2007.  Venue : Stubbs Lane.  League Match.  

Conditions : Sunny, Cool & Windy.  Pitch firm. 

Attendance - 24.  

Binfield Players : Adriano,  Angus, Billy, Jamie, Louie, Michael, Ollie, Seb.  

With the Torpedoes most influential player taking a well earned rest in his Alpine retreat, it meant that somebody had to "step up to the plate" and  stamp his mark on the game ....... today that person was Billy.  

First Half 

The match started with the Torpedoes a little sluggish and not quite at the pace of the game. Camberley were enjoying good possession, but slowly the Torpedoes started to get going. Louie and Seb battled hard and forced an early corner. Michael took the corner and hit a perfect cross deep into the penalty area. Ghosting in, unnoticed by the defenders, was Billy, who smacked a  volley into the back of the net. The Torpedoes grew in confidence but Camberley were not downhearted and fought back. Angus made three great tackles to stop attacks and Jamie was in control of his area with Ollie again running everywhere for the Torpedoes' cause. Adriano, Billy and Seb were battling in midfield, but just before half time a defensive mix up and some quick thinking by the Camberley attacker led to an equaliser. The half ended all square with everything to play for.  

Second Half.  

The Camberley late first half equalizer seemed to set the Torpedoes back, and only some wayward finishing stopped Camberley from taking the lead. Eventually the pressure told and Camberley scored the goal that their persistence deserved. The Torpedoes needed inspiration from somewhere and fast ! Adriano won a crucial tackle in the last third of the pitch - before he could release the ball he was knocked over and the ref gave a free kick. The management gave instructions for Billy to take the free kick. With his reputation from previous games this proved to be a very wise decision. From fully twenty-five yards out Billy powered the ball over the wall, hitting the inside of the post and over the line - a goal from nowhere to spark the Torpedoes back into action. Suddenly it was the Torpedoes that looked the more likely winners, Michael hit the bar, and when he sent over another great cross Louie leaped and powered a header that missed the goal by the narrowest of margins. The final whistle went and the crowd, mostly a large contingent from Camberley, applauded both teams off the pitch.  

This had been a very entertaining game between two evenly matched sides. A game the Torpedoes might have won, could have quite easily have lost, and in the end, a draw seemed a fair result.  

Man of the Match - Billy.

Goals - Billy (2)

Binfield Torpedoes 0 - 2 Ascot United Royals  

10.30 kick off.  Saturday 24th March 2007.  Venue : Stubbs Lane.  League Match.  

Conditions :     Very Cold & Windy.  Pitch firm.  

Attendance - 16. 

Binfield Players : Adriano,  Angus, Billy, Jamie, Josh,  Louie, Michael, Ollie, Seb.  

Today the Torpedoes came up against the ultimate challenge the East Berks League can offer ... a match against the mighty Ascot Royals.  

First Half

 Despite losing the game, all of the boys should feel very proud of the effort they made against one of the top teams. Always up against the quick passing and movement of the opposition the Torpedoes made a game of it, and could have taken the lead when a shot smacked against the post. The Torpedoes worked hard defending but in attack could never quite get the final ball right to get a shot on... the Ascot defence being very solid. Although going a goal down, heads did not drop, and they fought hard. 

Second Half 

Ascot knew they still had work to do. The Torpedoes produced some good moves but eventually Ascot made the game safe, taking a two nil lead towards the end. The boys should not be downhearted with this reversal, they will not meet Ascot every week and have learnt that they can play against the best and give them a good game.  

The team should get extra credit, as although losing the game, they still managed to pay remarkable attention to a lengthy post match team talk in near Siberian conditions.  

Man of the Match - Louie.  

Special mention  - Jamie - brave goalkeeping as usual. 

 Woodley Saints Lions 0 - 4 Binfield Torpedoes.  

10.45 kick off.  Saturday 17th March 2007.   Venue : Woodley.   League Match.  

Conditions :   Cloudy Cold & Dry.  Pitch firm.  

Attendance - 32.  

Binfield Players :  Adriano, Angus, Billy, Jamie, Josh, Louie, Michael, Ollie, Seb.  

A new tactic from the management worked a treat today. Instead of waiting until half time the boys were given their "rocket" before the match started. As a consequence they took to the field fully committed and  ready for the challenge that lay ahead. What followed was a pleasure to witness as the Torpedoes produced one of their finest ever displays.  

First Half. 

Undaunted by a physically larger opposition the boys kept their formation and worked tirelessly for each other. The game started with the Torpedoes defending as Woodley forced some early corners and had a few long shots. The Torpedoes defence was not only solid, but passed the ball out to the midfield, who in turn got the ball quickly up to Louie in attack. Where necessary Angus and Ollie put safety first and kicked the ball into "row Z". In his lone attack role Louie was strong and did a brilliant job of keeping possession and bringing his midfield into play. An early goal came as Michael pressurised his defender, won the ball, centred to Louie, who cushioned the ball perfectly into Seb's path, who coolly slotted home for the opener. The goal boosted the Torpedoes' confidence and it wasn't long before  they increased their lead. Louie played Josh in for a run at goal, that he finished with a neat near post shot. Seb, Michael, Billy and Adriano were tackling everything that moved and this backed up by Ollie and Angus in defence meant that the opposition were finding it hard to break through. Jamie held a powerful long shot, and tipped another over the bar. It was good to see him dominate his penalty area and marshal his defence. The third goal came as Louie received an intelligent pass from Seb, he held the ball up and drew the foul from the defender. The ref gave the free kick. Billy placed the ball, composed himself and curled a powerful free kick over the wall into the top corner - a great individual goal to complete a great first half team performance.  

Second Half.  

Adriano moved to defence with Ollie moving up to midfield. Ollie had a good run at goal and was unlucky not to get a shot on target. Adriano's tackling was a major factor in the team's victory - he may have been one of the smallest players on the pitch, but his tackles sure packed a punch.  The opposition seemed genuinely scared of him. The team continued to play well and kept Woodley at bay, only once did they have a chance in the second half, but Jamie rushed from his line to bravely dive for the ball to snuff out the goal attempt. The pre match corner practice nearly worked for Michael as he hit the cross bar direct from a corner. The final goal epitomized the way the Torpedoes had played the whole game, great team work. Another crunching tackle by Adriano won the ball, he passed to Michael who took the ball forward. Challenged by a defender he back heeled the ball to Billy and continued his run. Billy hit a first time pass down the line to where Michael had moved. Michael's speed took him first to the ball. He went past the last defender and slipped the ball square to Josh who rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into the empty net. Sounds simple, but from Adriano's tackle to the ball in the back of the net took no more than 10 seconds - a fantastic team goal.  

The final whistle went, the management were full of praise, the boys had raised their game to a new level. Any nine of the boys could have been Man of the Match, birthday boy Seb getting a loud and enthusiastic rendition of "Happy Birthday to you" while picking up the trophy.  

Man of the Match - Seb

Goals - Seb,  Billy,  Josh (2)

Binfield Torpedoes 0 - 0 California Bears 

10h45 Kick off, Saturday 10th March 2007.   Venue : Stubbs Lane.  League Match

Conditions :  Sunny.  Pitch firm.

Attendance: 21.

Binfield Players : Adriano  Angus, Billy, Jamie, Josh,  Louie, Michael, Ollie, Seb.            

The Portuguese weather man correctly predicted a sunny and bright day, a shame he couldn't have predicted the first half  then we could have had an extra half hour in bed.  

First Half  

The boys didn't seem to be in the mood for this one.  Right from the off they were second to the ball and were put under concerted pressure by a skilful and quick passing side. Despite some excellent play from Josh, Seb and Billy, the Torpedoes were pinned in their own half for most of the time. Angus made three or four last ditch tackles as the Torpedoes midfield was easily passed by good passing and movement from the opposition. It was one way traffic, but as ever, when the Torpedoes are in trouble at the back you can always count on Jamie. Rushing from his line to block a shot, tipping another shot round the corner, and a brave and spectacular double save which stopped a certain goal. The half ended with the Torpedoes only giving the odd glimpse of the play we know they can produce.  

Second Half  

After an injection of motivation during the half time team talk the boys took to the field as if transformed. Louie playing up front and holding the ball well, linked up with his midfield, and helped give the Torpedoes much more possession. Ollie was back to his usual self - tackling anything that moved. Michael, Seb and Billy got stuck in and started running directly at the opposition and it was good to see the Torpedoes applying  pressure on the California goal. A long shot from Josh was narrowly wide, Michael broke through for a shot that the keeper saved, and Josh sent over a perfectly practiced corner that Seb just hit inches wide. Despite being one of the smallest players on the pitch, Adriano was proving to be the "hard man" of the defence - nothing got past him and every tackle was timed to perfection. In the end a draw was a fair result, California won the first half on points, with the Torpedoes miles better in the second half.  

A good attendance of twenty humans, and apparently one Smurf, applauded both teams from the pitch.  

Man of the match - Angus. The last line of defence.

Binfield Torpedoes 1 - 3 Bracknell Arrows

10.30 kick off  Saturday 3rd March 2007   Venue : Bracknell  / Cup Match  

Conditions : Sunny, pitch muddy but firm  

Attendance - 20  

The Torpedoes cup run finally came to an end in an exciting game against a very good Bracknell team. With Stubbs lane still waterlogged the Torpedoes gave up home advantage as the match was moved to Bracknell's ground.

First Half

The first fifteen minutes were fairly even, with both teams creating some early chances, but Bracknell looking the more dangerous going forward. The Torpedoes conceded a strange opening goal as the ball seemed to go in direct from a well taken corner - Bracknell soon increased their lead with a good second goal. The boys were finding it tough against a strong tackling team.  

Second half

Started with the boys two nil down and playing uphill on an energy sapping pitch - a daunting task lay ahead. However, the Torpedoes are made of sterner stuff and they gave it everything to get back into the match. Some great passing, good running and determined defending kept the Torpedoes in the game. A slick passing move involving four or five players eventually led to Billy stroking the ball home to give the Torpedoes a sight of a way back into the game. For a short while Bracknell's confidence seemed to dip, but the Torpedoes couldn't quite manage an equaliser, and were hit on the break as they committed players forward in search of the equaliser.  

The game ended 3 - 1 to Bracknell, the boys should not feel too bad as they had played well, and will have another opportunity to play Bracknell, in the league later in the season ..  but today wasn't going to be their day.  

Special mention - Jamie   - A remarkable triple save in the second half.  

Binfield Players : Adriano, Angus, Billy, Jamie, Josh,  Louie, Michael, Ollie, Seb.  

Goals : - Billy  

Man of the match - Billy - Determination and a goal.