Report

Mayford 0 – 1 Byfleet

CHAMPIONS

Well done boys, we have won the league with still a game to go – shows what a great season we’ve had and to beat our nearest rivals twice in 3 weeks was a fantastic way to become champions.

Byfleet went into this penultimate match knowing that a loss would in all probability hand the title to Mayford, this was made quite clear by the management team before the kick-off (losing was not an option).

The game kicked off with Mayford coming at Byfleet and a few half chances ensued, but the midfield of Alfie McGarrity, Ryan Wake, Sam Coyne and Sam Thompson started to take control, holding onto the ball and feeding the ever willing road runner Kori Glover, the amount of yardage he covers in a game is amazing and midway through the first half his persistence paid off with a fine opportunist goal latching on to a back pass from a Mayford defender, he coolly slipped it past the keeper to nestle into the back of the net, but the Mayfords linesman flag was up and a few conversations took place mainly the referee telling the linesman it was a Mayford player that played the ball through and all credit to the referee who spotted that and a goal was correctly given 1-0 to Byfleet.

Up to half-time it was an even contest with no side taking the initiative Mayford probably just edging it on possession but unable to equalize.

Not too much to say at half time just to keep your concentration and knowing Mayford needed a win they would throw caution to the wind.  Indeed they did putting Byfleet’s defence under enormous pressure but throughout the season our defence have been immense giving keeper Alex Butler little to do in some matches, but today he came to the fore saving 2 one-on-ones tipping 2 onto the bar and away to safety and throwing himself across his goal line, to tip away a close range effort which seemed a certain goal, amongst all this the defence of Tim Richards, Patrick Hurl, Sam King and Ben Haynes were putting their bodies on the line with some crunching tackles and last ditch clearances something they have consistently done all season.  The midfield were also dropping deep keeping with the under 16’s motto of “thou shalt not pass us”.

The only player I have not mentioned in this match report is Aiden Croall, if ever a team wanted, a person who hates to lose it was this player who throughout the match was a player you would hate to play against, but if he is in your team be grateful.  The ball especially in the last 15 minutes seemed like a magnet and he did his job of sitting in front of the defence magnificently.

The last few minutes of the match seemed like a very long time and from the 40^th minute to the 47^th minute in a 40 minute second half Mayford forced 5 corners which the whole of our team somehow kept the ball out of our goal, the final whistle blew and jubilance was the order of the day for Byfleet and despair for the very good team of Mayford who like us play the game the right way pass and move and get your tackles in hard but fair.  Byfleet’s discipline has been a credit to you all we picked up one yellow card in this match understandably seeing what was at stake and this was our first since early December, well done.  A special mention to our subs today, unfortunately it was deemed impossible to take anyone off such was at stake and how well the 11 players were playing, this was the first match of the season that I couldn’t change anything – I do apologise but Ryan Ditum, Sam Curtis, Jamie Damhuiss and Liam Ebblewhite your enthusiasm when the game was going on and the celebrations afterwards was a credit to you – you have played a part in the league title win and the ever popular Dan Eicke we missed you today, Dan was on holiday but still texted me at half time to find out the score. This was the first game he missed but it still showed he was thinking of us.

Special thanks to my young coach Tommy Lee who trained the boys to play the game how it should be played and to his dad Co-Manager Tom Lee who throughout the winter came rain or cold weather helped with the training and giving advice and putting up and putting down them bleeding lights!!!.

Also I am most grateful to my linesmen Kevin Hurl and Barry King and referee and linesman Jonathon Richards.  Without you all putting in your time and effort the achievement this season would not have been possible thanks to all of you.  Thanks as well to the parents, family members and supporters in your encouragement; hopefully the season has brought you much entertainment.

Lastly thank you Fiona for always helping out with all our problems!!!  Nothing seems too much trouble and always fights for Byfleet’s cause, the time you must spend working for all of our teams is much appreciated.

Photos

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