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After two consecutive third placed finishes this season Byfleet were challenged by manager Mike Oughton to go even further and challenge for trophies in both the league and cup. Byfleet maintained the majority of last season’s squad, with James Harris and Loui Castle the only new additions. Byfleet warmed up for the league campaign with two friendlies, the first was a 4-4 draw with Littleton Lions which saw a Joe Wright hat-trick, the second was a 3-0 win over BVFC U17’s.
Byfleet kicked off there league campaign at the Recreation Ground against league newcomers Walton Heath. It looked as if the season would get off to a disastrous start when a poor defensive display gave the visitors a 5-1 lead going into the last twenty minutes. However Byfleet somehow clawed themselves back into in at 5-4 when they won a free kick in the last minute; even Jon Creswick was up as Jonnie Green whipped the ball in, the delivery was met by the head of Grant Jux who flicked it into the back of the net to cause jubilation amongst the Byfleet players as the game finished 5-5.
Byfleet entered the League Cup the following week and put it a thoroughly professional performance to beat Premier Division Old Dorkonians 2-0 with goals from Borhen Hizoui and James Couttie. On the 1st of October Byfleet faced Champions to be Onslow at the Rec. Byfleet led three one at one stage but couldn’t hold on in the terrible weather conditions as Onslow came back to snatch a point. Byfleet got there first league win of the season at the third time of asking with a win over local rivals Chertsey Town. With Chertsey on top and looking dangerous at 2-2 Joe Wright broke away and finished a one on one to put Byfleet 3-2 up, and late on Wright scored his second to secure the win from the penalty spot. Byfleet’s first defeat of the season didn’t come until the 15th of October away at Littleton Lions. In a controversial encounter Byfleet went down 1-0 but should have had a clear penalty in the second half. The referee also failed to send off a Littleton player for attempting to strike James Couttie as the game turned into chaos.
Byfleet went out of the League Cup in the next round; the Village put in an excellent performance against Premier Division Ascot and were unlucky to go out after extra time. However Byfleet bounced back with one of there best performances of the season in a 5-1 win over Manocroft at the Rec. However Byfleet’s inconsistent form continued as they put in a poor performance and lost 3-1 at 2006 Champions Spartak Guildford. Again Byfleet reacted well to a defeat as they beat Molesey Juniors 2-0 at the Rec to take the Village into the top three. Byfleet achieved a 1-1 draw with Burhpam Juniors away from home in their next game, however as Burpham later withdrew from the league the point gained was wiped off The Villagers points tally. In there last game before Christmas Byfleet bagged there biggest win of the season, an 8-1 victory over Guildford Saints in which Borhen Hizaoui hit a double hat trick.
Byfleet started 2007 on a bad note, losing at rivals Chertsey Town 4-1 as yet again Byfleet failed in there bid to put pressure on leaders Onslow. This game saw the return of Byfleet favourite Sam Simmons to the side. In late January Byfleet took there revenge on Littleton Lions in a 4-0 victory with Caylem Mcdermott, Joe Wright and Borhen Hizaoui amongst the goals. A week later Byfleet produced another unlikely comeback and one of there best performances of the season against Manocroft. With several players out injured Byfleet found themselves 2-0 down at half time after a hopeless first half display. However Byfleet turned it all around in the second half, Lewis Voller and Jonnie Green got Byfleet level before a late Joe Wright free kick won the game for the Village. Midway through February Byfleet travelled to league leaders Onslow in a make or break game for Byfleet; The Village simply had to win if they were realistically going to challenge Onslow to the title. Unfortunately on the day Byfleet were unable to match the home side who won romped to a 5-2 victory.
Byfleet were now in a battle for second place and did there chances no harm with a 3-0 win over fellow challengers Spartak Guildford on a soaking pitch at the Rec. Seven days later Byfleet travelled to old rivals Molesey Juniors – sensationally an 80 yard Jon Creswick drop kick gave Byfleet the lead, which was doubled before half time by Grant Jux, however Byfleet let the lead slip in the second half and had Jamie Oughton to thank for saving a point with a great goal line clearance in the dying stages. In mid-March Byfleet travelled to Ham in a crucial game against Kew, an injury stricken Byfleet side went down 2-0 with the loss made even worse as James Harris broke his hand in the game. The result proved crucial in deciding who would finish second place come the end of the season. However Byfleet reversed that result a week later in a good 2-0 home victory over Cranleigh, with James Couttie and Borhen Hizaoui scoring the goals.
After easter Byfleet piled more misery on Guildford Saints in a 7-0 victory; James Harris scored a his first goals for the club whilst Joel Wotton set up four! In there last away game of the season Byfleet earnt a 2-2 draw away at Cranleigh, despite leading twice Byfleet could only earn a point. In there penultimate game of the season Byfleet put in arguably there best performance of the season, in a 3-1 victory. Byfleet led 2-0 at half time but conceded after only 11 seconds of the second half, but Byfleet held on well and defended heroically before Borhen Hizaoui scored a late third to secure the game for Village.
The last game of the season and last game for the team was a home fixture against Walton Heath. The game was due to be played at Walton Heath but there pitch was unavailable meaning that Byfleet got another game at the Recreation Ground.. For the second time at the Rec this season Byfleet put 5 past Walton Heath, thankfully this time the opposition couldn’t match the Village, only managing three. Jonnie Green opened the scoring inside two minutes and also got the honour of scoring the last Byfleet goal scoring directly from a corner late in the game. The win meant that Byfleet protected there unbeaten home record in the league this season. On the evening of the game the team, coaching staff and parents went to the Victoria Pub at New Haw to celebrate the victory and reflect on the teams last season.
It has been another highly entertaining season for Byfleet in which they have achieved a third consecutive third placed finish. Byfleet may be disappointed that they did not put a better title challenge together; the Village never found the consistency to match deserving champions Onslow. Unfortunately for Byfleet they rarely got there best eleven players onto the pitch together, as Byfleet suffered injuries and absentees through the middle part of the season. Byfleet made the Rec a fortress and were unbeaten at home in the league all season, infact Byfleet gained 29 out of 33 points available in home games this season. Unfortunately Byfleet couldn’t match the total away from home where they won only twice, picking up only 8 away points in total. This season the side have really enjoyed there football in a hugely competitive and even league, a third placed finish is very respectable and all credit to the managerial team and the players for another good season.
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