Binfield Torpedoes Under 11 2008/2009

End of Season League Table 

U11 Division 1 Runners Up 2008/2009

Winners of Fair Play award 2008/2009

Well done to Adriano, Billie, Jamie, Josh, Louie, Michael, Seb, Tom.

Bracknell Town Junior Pumas 3-3 Binfield Torpedoes 

18h30 kick off.   Thursday 23rd April 2009.  

Venue : Crown Wood,  League Match.

Conditions : Dry, pitch hard

Attendance - 43.

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

The Torpedoes secured the point they needed to guarantee themselves second place in the league in a tough physical game against Bracknell.
 
First Half.
 
The boys started slowly and looked a little nervous, but still managed to take an early lead thanks to Louie's headed goal from a corner. The lead produced some over-confident play and it wasn't long before they found themselves 2 - 1 down, being hit on the break by quick counter attacking move, and a thoroughly deserved and blatantly obvious penalty decision against a Torpedo defender. Things could have been a lot worse had it not been for a superb triple save from Jamie. The boys were finding it difficult to put any decent moves together on a hard uneven pitch, the atmosphere was a little intimidating, bordering on the hostile, and things were not looking good.
 
Second Half.
 
Another goal scored from a corner by Josh  was just the start the team needed and they were now back in the game. The boys had to defend really well to keep Bracknell at bay and had to be careful not to give away any more penalties when diving into tackles near the corner flag. The Torpedoes were still finding it hard to string any moves together but eventually great midfield build up play put Billy in with a clear shot at goal that flew into the net for one of the best Torpedo goals of the season.  The lead was relatively short lived as Bracknell scored a great goal themselves powering a shot into the bottom corner of the net... Jamie had no chance on that one. On the final whistle the boys celebrated their hard earned point and discussed what to wear to the presentation evening at the Blue Mountain !

Goals: Louie, Josh, Billy

Man of the Match: Josh

Binfield Torpedoes 5 - 0 Finchampstead Athletic

9.00 kick off.   Saturday 18th April 09

Venue : Stubbs Lane.  League Match.

Conditions : Dry, cool

Attendance - 24.

Binfield Players : Adriano, Billy, Jamie, Josh, Louie, Michael, Seb, Tom 

The team are now playing with belief that they are capable of winning every game.

As with last week, the work rate and effort to regain the ball when not in possession was a major factor in today's emphatic win. More impressive was the complete lack of any panic when Finchampstead put the Torpedoes under concerted pressure at the beginning of the second half. However, by this time the Torpedoes had, in the first half, taken control of the game, after two more well taken goals from Louie, especially his second goal that was the final touch to a great team move. This was shortly followed by another 'solo special' from Tom. The Torpedoes also had the luxury of a penalty miss, but Jamie still had to make three superb saves to ensure a clean sheet was maintained. After withstanding a Finchampstead fight back Billy's powerful shot from an impossible angle that torn into the net calmed any nerves that might have been getting slightly on edge. Adriano completed the scoring after being put up front for the last few minutes only to prove he can score goals as well as stop them.

Overall a great team performance, let's hope we can continue in the same form for the two remaining games of the season. Finchampstead fought hard and never gave up, some unlucky finishing did not help their cause today, but they made the Torpedoes work hard for the victory and played their part in an entertaining game.

Man of the Match: Jamie

Goals: Louie (2), Tom, Billie, Adriano

Binfield Torpedoes 4 - 0 Pinewood Pumas

9.00 kick off.   Saturday 28th March 09

Venue : Stubbs Lane.  League Match.

Conditions : Dry, cloudy 

Attendance - 33.

Binfield Players : Adriano, Billy, Jamie, Josh, Louie, Michael, Tom 

The Torpedoes produced one of their best displays this season. They ran out comfortable winners in a match that the current league table said should have been much closer.

First Half.

Both teams took a little time to adjust to the hard pitch and the high bounce of the ball. The game settled down with good end to end play with the Torpedoes' defence of Tom and Adriano again holding firm at the back. Jamie was commanding his area, calling for the ball and his goal kicks were a good attacking weapon, forcing play down into the opposition half. There were a few half chances at both ends before the all important first goal was scored.  Billy's vision for a pass sent Michael clean through, his initial shot well saved by the keeper only for Michael to follow up and half volley the rebound into the net. The Torpedoes grew in confidence and good approach play from Michael and Josh got the ball to Louie who brilliantly held the ball up and then played Billy in for a run at goal. His left foot finish into the far corner of the net was the icing on the cake. This was the best goal of the day, not just because of the finish but nearly every team member was involved in the build up.

Second Half.

With only seven players available the boys had to put in extra effort, and their work rate when then hadn't got the ball was a major highlight of the performance. No one exemplified this more than Louie. He ran tirelessly up front, chased a lost cause, forced an error and set up Josh for the third goal, which seemed to put an end to Pinewood's gallant attempt to get back into the game. Louie was unlucky not to get on the score sheet on a couple of occasions, the nearest of which saw his shot rebound off the post. Adriano and Tom were now playing full of confidence at the back and Jamie only had one notable shot to stop. Josh was now running the midfield and he was spreading the play well using the wings. Billy had been playing really well on the left wing all match and he capped an impressive display by powering in a shot that hit the cross bar, Michael following up to head the ball into the back of the net. Michael missed the chance of a hat trick when the goalkeeper smothered his shot in the last seconds of the game

Goals.  Michael (2),  Billy, Josh.

Man of the Match: Jamie

Binfield Torpedoes 3 - 2 Sanhurst Town Eagles

9.00 kick off.   Saturday 28th March 09

Venue : Stubbs Lane.  League Match.

Conditions : Dry, very windy. 

Attendance - 21.

Binfield Players : Adriano, Billy, Jamie, Josh, Louie, Michael, Seb, Tom 

Windy conditions and a hard bobbly pitch made the game difficult for the boys today, but they still kept to the passing game that has served them so well this season. However, by any stretch of the imagination,  this game was not a classic, but both teams still managed to entertain the early morning crowd at Stubbs Lane.

Having not played for a month the Torpedoes took a while to get into the tempo of the game. They were woken out of their lethargy abruptly as Sandhurst scored the opening goal mid way through the first half. A bit of urgency was injected and the shout from the touchline was to "raise the game". With the half time whistle approaching and Sandhurst defending really well, Seb received the ball outside the area and fired a shot that, with the assistance of a force six gale behind it, powered into the top corner. 

Credit to Sandhurst they were not deflated by the equaliser and took the game to the Torpedoes, Jamie had to make a fantastic diving save to stop Sandhurst regaining the lead.  Adriano and Tom started to take control at the back and when Josh forced a corner home from close range the game had turned full circle. A quick turn and shot from Louie increased the lead further. A Torpedoes game would not be complete without a "mini crisis" which duly came after Sandhurst scored from the penalty spot. A team that had been playing in control of the game found themselves within a shot of dropping two points. The shot duly arrived, helped by the strong wind bounced over Jamie, only for the post to come to the rescue.

Goals: Seb, Josh, Louie

Man of the Match: Louie

10:00 kick off.   Saturday 28th February 2009 

Venue : Sandhurst.  League Match.

Conditions : Dry, Mild

Attendance - 18.

Binfield Players : Adriano, Billy, Jamie, Josh,  Louie, Michael, Seb, Tom

The defensive duo of Tom and Adriano were so strong at the back that an Ascot team that had consistently scored plenty of goals in this fixture were reduced to a couple of long shots.......... now all we had to do was score a goal.

First Half.

Having never beaten the Royals in three years of trying, the boys were reminded before the match that this was their last opportunity to get any points off the current League Champions. Without being particularly fired up, they took to the field and started playing not only with determination, but a calmness that was  a major surprise, and a welcome change to the blind panic that they are susceptible to. There weren't many clear cut chances, but Billy and Michael had good shots well saved and Seb and Louie were doing a great job up front.  Josh, as usual, was the engine of the team, breaking down Ascot attacks and providing the impetus for Torpedo forward moves. Jamie had to come off his line to smother the ball a few times, but had not a shot to save thanks to the great positional play and tackling of Tom and Adriano. A very encouraging first half ended nil nil.

Second Half.

Tom and Adriano continued to be solid in defence, not diving into the tackle, thwarting Ascot attacks. Billy, Michael and Josh started to win the midfield battle. Seb and Louie ran their socks off in alternating stints up front. The Torpedoes started to force corners, but this time did not over commit players forward, both Tom and Adriano staying back to stop any fast counterattacking that we know from past experience  Ascot are very good at. Eventually it was a counterattack from the Torpedoes that broke the deadlock.  Michael ran the ball out of defence and passed to Josh who in turn found Louie in front of goal unmarked. Torpedoes supporters were expecting a shot, but Louie cleverly drew the keeper and squared the ball to Josh, who had continued his run, to pass the ball into an empty net. A calm set up from Louie and a cool finish from Josh. With fifteen minutes still to play now was the time the Torpedoes played at their best, good possession football, slowing the game down keeping the ball and most importantly of all..... no panic !!  Jamie had one scare from a long range free kick that he tipped over the bar, otherwise very little else to do.

On the final whistle the boys were absolutely thrilled and celebrated their victory, not in an arrogant way, but in recognition that they had finally managed to beat the best team in the league.

It was a very close call between Tom and Adriano for man of the match...... with the pocket battleship taking the trophy home.

Goals: Josh

Man of the Match: Adriano

California Bears 1 - 5 Binfield Torpedoes   

10:00 kick off.   Saturday 17th January.  

Venue : Finchampstead.  League Match.

Conditions : Muddy, cold.

Attendance - 28.

Binfield Players : Adriano, Billie, Jamie, Josh,  Louie, Michael, Tom

Heavy rain the previous night meant there was a chance the game would be called off,  fortunately the game was played after a last minute pitch inspection.

First Half.

Both teams were finding the pitch difficult to play on, the ball sticking in the muddy central area for a large percentage of the first half. Having not played a competitive game for nearly seven weeks the Torpedoes were a little lethargic and took some time to get going. Of the few chances that were created it was  California Bears who looked more likely to take the lead as the Torpedoes struggled to overcome a competitive opposition on a very muddy pitch. Both defences played well, and the Torpedoes midfield, especially Billy, worked really hard to create chances, but nothing clear cut. One of the spectators predicted a nil nil draw....... just shows what he knows !

Second Half.

The half time team talk 'suggested' that the boys "raised their game".  Mostly importantly they were politely asked to use the mud free wide areas of the pitch. The advise was taken on board and  the Torpedoes began to take charge. Toms' opening goal was coolly taken, and very importantly gave the boys a lead they were determined to hold on to. Louie and Adriano fought for everything in defence but a second goal was clearly needed to ensure a nerve free final third to the game. Jamie had to make two great saves to keep the Torpedoes in front. Eventually the wing play of Michael and Billy helped set up goals for Josh and Adriano, and Billy scored a  poachers goal himself to give the Torpedoes a commanding lead. Some slack play crept in as California scored probably the best goal of the match. Disobeying management orders to use the wings Tom then decided to bull doze his way through the mud and defenders to score a type of goal that is becoming his trademark.

Man of the Match - Tom.

Goals -  Tom (2) Josh, Billy Adriano.