First Team Match Reports 2007-08

Saturday 19th April 2008 - New Bradwell St Peter 1 Bedford Town Reserves 0

 If there is such a thing as a one-nil hiding then this is it. New Bradwell battered their opponents for the majority of the game thanks, in the main to the defensive tactics of B.T.R. Clearly coming to The Rec for a point, they almost succeded.

We started brightly and took the game to the visitors with Tite, Coulter, Edwards and Cole all seeing plenty of the ball. B.T.R dropped very deep and we attempted to get in behind their defence despite the windy conditions favouring them in the first half. We had chances with Cole and Coulter both having efforts go wide. The first half wasn't particularly good to watch in terms of flowing football, even though we had by far the better of the exchanges. Bedford failed to trouble Kennards goal at all.

Bradwell had a great shout for a penalty when Lea Coulter was played through. He rounded the keeper only to be pulled down. The referee ruled out any claims though with the Assistant saying that the keeper had played the ball. No corner was given. Bedford had got away with it.

The second half mirrored the first with Bedford dropping behind the ball and Bradwell getting the ball into the box as often as they could. Again, Coulter, Tite and Cole saw plenty of the ball and our defence was largely underused with Robinson, Quill and Stokes making light work of Bedfords one man up front formation.

Bedfords best chance fell to Stacey Field who saw Bedfords one and only shot of the game superbly saved by Tom Kennard. It would have been rough justice on Bradwell had that gone in.

Chances came and went for Bradwell with Stokes, Tite, Quill and Coulter all going close. Wheatley, on for the injured Patel, started to pull the strings in midfield with King who was winning the ball back for us. We had several corners and free kicks, all of which were well defended. In fairness though, at times Bradwell showed a lack of urgency and were clearly being frustrated by their young opponents.

Just as we thought we would have to settle for a no score draw Greg Tite smashed in a left foot shot from just outside the area. The ball flew in to the top right hand corner of the net to give us three hard earned points. After that, we played keep ball in order to run the clock down, with the referee finding an extra ten minutes at the end of the game.

This is an important three points as we attempt to finish the season on a high. We were thoroughly frustrated by a young, well drilled Bedford side clearly intent on taking what they could from the game. We had to be patient. Fortunately, after 84 minutes we found the breakthrough. A decent performance from the team despite the lack of goals to show for our dominance.

Line up; Tom Kennard, Jason Robinson, Mihir Patel, Paul Stokes, Brendan Quill, Rob Mooney, Lea Coulter, Sam Edwards, Greg Tite, Dave King, Dave Cole. Subs; Ed Wheatley, Jack Leadbetter, Ricky Stimpson. Not used; Keiran Chouhan.

Saturday 12th April 2008 - New Bradwell St Peter 7 Winslow United 0

Don't blink, you may miss something!! An absolutely brilliant performance from New Bradwell, our highest score of the season and very much deserved.

It took just five minutes to open our account when Lea Coulter danced his way past two markers before firing a low right foot shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Winslow then enjoyed a brief period and could have got themselves back into the game when they pushed New Bradwell back. Unfortunately for them they went without creating an clear cut opening. The closest they came to scoring was from a free kick from around 25 yards which was well held under his crossbar by Tom Kennard.

Bradwell went two up through Greg Tite. He was put through on goal after good work from the Bradwell midfield before slotting past the keeper.

Bradwell went further ahead after Rob Mooney and Dave King won the ball in midfield. Sam Edwards recieved the ball out on the right hand side. He crossed in for Greg Tite to glance a header into the path of the busy Dave Cole who drew the keeper before neatly scoring from around 8 yards out.

Bradwell went straight back on the offensive and could have scored again immediately through Rob Mooney. His shot was well held by the keeper. It wasn't to be long before the next goal was scored though as Paul Stokes' free kick was helped home by a Winslow defender. Just try taking the goal off the experienced Bradwell defender though!!

A minute before half time Bradwell scored their fifth through the brilliance of Greg Tite. He skipped his way past four tackles before shooting past the visiting keeper for his 16th goal of the season. Tite's movement and close control had been the feature of the first half. The Bradwell midfield trio of Dave King, Rob Mooney and Lea Coulter was outstanding.

The second half was only minutes old when Greg Tite and Sam Edwards worked well to cross the ball in for Coulter to score on the half volley for his 19th of the season. Yet another smart finish from the Bradwell man.

Winslow enjoyed arguably their best spell of the game having changed their formation and made substitutions to attempt to nullify the goal threat of New Bradwell. They pushed the home side back but still didn't create anything worthy of Tom Kennards goal. The best chance they had fell to Wiffin, whose shot was blocked by Brendan Quill.

Dave cole had been caught offside on a couple of occasions when he had worked so hard to keep the pressure on the visiting defence. His pace and skill on the left hand side was excellent, despite him being hurt in a tackle just before half time.

The scoring was completed when Brendan Quill capitalised on a poor back pass to slam the ball past the keeper without any hesitation.

This was an outstanding performance from Bradwell. We dominated from start to finish and could have had even more. Every player, including the substitutes put in an excellent shift with the likes of Lea Coulter and Greg Tite in unplayable form. Defensively Bradwell were determined, in midfield we were at our competitive best.

Line up; Tom Kennard, Jason Robinson, Mihir Patel, Paul Stokes, Brendan Quill, Rob Mooney, Dave Cole, Sam Edwards, Greg Tite, Lea Coulter, Dave King; Subs Martyn Lee, Kez Chouhan, Ricky Stimpson.

Saturday 05th April 2008 - Stony Stratford Town 3 New Bradwell St Peter 2

An entertaining game went the way of the home side after Darren Dykes proved to be the difference between the two sides. For once, as a team, we were not at our best defensively and this was to be our undoing.

Stony went ahead early on when a long ball put Dykes through on goal. He smashed the ball past Kennard. Bradwell got themselves back into the game and should have been at least level after Dave Cole hit the post after a crafty back heel from the impressive Dean Robb.

Cole did get on the scoresheet a few minutes later when he shot home from the edge of the box after good work from our forwards. Unfortunately we were behind again within minutes when Patel was left on his own at the back post to mark Dave Holloway who deftly headed home with Kennard well beaten. Clever movement from the Stony forwards.

Bradwell came straight back and had chances to have levelled again. We were direct with our style and got around the back of the home defence on several occasions. However, we were unable to convert our chances.

Greg Tite scored directly from a corner after the Stony keeper mis-handled the ball at his front post. Tite's 14th of the season.

We didn't really get going in the second half and Stony finally got to grips with our pace and movement. That said, we still had some excellent chances to have won the game with Cole hitting the post from a low drive. Brendan Quill had a couple of chances to score but couldn't quite reach the two excellent centres from Greg Tite. Mark Kalek saw his shot cannon off Flinny and go narrowly wide.

The game was won by a Darren Dykes penalty after poor defending in the Bradwell area. We had chances to clear the ball but panicked and were made to pay. Both sides had further chances to score but the game ended with Stony the victors.

A disappointing result,although New Bradwell gave their all. Both sides were missing some key players but the game had plenty of craft and skill nontheless. We competed for every ball but couldn't quite bridge the ever decreasing gap between the sides.

Line up; Tom Kennard, Mike Downard, Mihir Patel, Paul Stokes, Brendan Quill, Rob Mooney, Dean Robb, Mark Kalek, Greg Tite, Dave King, Dave Cole. Subs used; Sam Edwards, Martyn Lee, Jack Leadbetter. Not used; Jason Robinson.

Tuesday 01st April 2008 - Hoddesdon Town 1 New Bradwell St Peter 1

An absorbing game at Lowfields, played at break-neck speed throughout ended all square.

Hoddesdon started brightly and immediately took the game to their visitors. Bradwell relied on the breakaway whilst they gained a foothold in the game. The home side took the lead with their first meaningful attempt on goal. Richard Martin received a long ball in to the corner, he used his strength to move away from a defender and unleashed a volley which seemed to take an age to go into the net. Great forward play from the former Potters Bar striker. Hoddesdon celebrated as if they had already won the game.

Hoddeson continued to enjoy more possession but didn't really trouble Kennards goal again in the first half. Their best chance falling to Ulatowski, who's half volley at the far post went well wide. New Bradwell were lively on the counter attack and had half chances through Tite and Coulter. The home goalkeeper injuring a finger during one such attack after he had tipped the ball over the bar.

New Bradwell were much better in the second half and pushed Hoddeson back for much of the half. Greg Tite and Dave Cole both had reasonable chances which flew wide. Tite had Bradwell's best chance to that point after Lea Coulter played him in following a smart bit of work through the middle. Tite drew the keeper but blasted wide from the edge of the area.

Dean Robb was sent on to play in an advanced midfield role, Brendan Quill replaced Micky Downard at the back. Bradwell had enjoyed several good half chances throughout the half but as the end of the game drew closer, hadn't enjoyed much luck in front of goal.

Greg Tite had a shot from a free kick well saved by the stand in keeper. He was certainly the busier of the two keepers to that point in the half. Coulter saw a curling effort from the right hand side of the box go past the post. Brendan Quill also saw his scissor kick go wide of the post. Bradwell almost forced an equaliser after the keeper had parried a shot but Coulter and Tite couldn't force the ball home at the far post and it was cleared for a corner.

With Bradwell pushing forward and changing their formation to gamble a little, Hoddeson came back into the game and could have sewn it up when Peter Ulatowski found himself unmarked in the 6-yard box. His effort was tipped over the bar. Martin also had a one on one saved from the left side of the box by young keeper Tom Kennard. A very brave piece of defending from right back, Jason Robinson led to him coming off with a bad head cut which required five stitches.

Bradwell finally got back on level terms when the home side failed to deal with a cross from Rob Mooney. The ball fell to Dean Robb on the edge of the box, his volley flew past the keeper for his second of the season. Hoddesdon should have made the most of their chances but didn't, Bradwell were more than happy to take full advantage and deserved their goal after battling for every ball.

This was a real gutsy performance against a very good Hoddesdon side. The match was played at a terrific pace, end to end and full of effort and commitment from both sides. Man of the match was Rob Mooney. He, like the rest of the players, worked his socks off, covered every blade of grass and was as good as anything else on the pitch. Titey gave absolutely everything. King and Kalek worked hard throughout as did Cole and Coulter both going forward and in defending from the front. Defensively we looked sharp despite the late chances offered to Hoddeson when we were pushing for an equaliser.

Line up; Tom Kennard, Jason Robinson, Mihir Patel, Paul Stokes, Mike Downard, Rob Mooney, Lea Coulter, Mark Kalek, Greg Tite, Dave King, Dave Cole. Subs used; Dean Robb, Brendan Quill, Martyn Lee. Not used; Kieron Chouhan, Ben Chouhan.

Saturday 29th March 2008 - New Bradwell St Peter 1 Royston Town 0

A cracking win in poor conditions moved Bradwell up to fifth place in the league after Mark Kalek scored his first goal for the club.

Both teams gave their all in this encounter and it was a pleasure to watch from the side. Bradwell could have gone ahead early on when Lea Coulter found himself on the wrong side of the Royston defence. Unfortunately his header went wide of the post.

A few minutes later Coulter again got into a good position, this time his centre was missed by the onrushing Dave Cole. After 10 minutes Bradwell came very close to opening the scoring. Greg Tite's wicked corner to the front post was headed against the post by Paul Stokes.

Mark " Nobby" Kalek then had a couple of good efforts go over the bar from just outside the area. Dave Cole also saw an effort saved from just inside the penalty area. Both sides caused problems with their set pieces due to the blustery conditions.

Royston came close to scoring when Hammond sent in a firm header which was well saved by Tom Kennard before Micky Downard blasted clear under pressure from Turl. Good team defending from the home side.

Half time came and went with both sides competing for every ball. Defences were on top but Bradwell had the better of the chances in the first half and used the conditions to their favour with smart diagonal balls setting Coulter and Cole free to run at their full back markers.

The second half was a tight affair, again with both defences on top. Paul Stokes was in particularly good form for Bradwell and got in the way of everything the visitors threw at us. The midfield trio of Kalek, King and Mooney were outstanding.

The chances were few and far between until the last ten minutes of the game. Greg Tite was played through on goal but was thwarted (hmm, great word!!) by the keeper who pushed the ball for a corner. Bradwell pushed the ball around well and won another corner with around ten minutes to go. Greg Tite swung in another good set piece which was headed clear to the edge of the box. Nobby Kalek pushed the ball down in front of him before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net from 18 yards. His first goal and what a way to open his account.

Royston were not finished though and could have equalised twice when unchallenged headers from corners flashed across the face of our goal without any forwards reacting quickly enough. One the one occasion they did manage to get the ball past Tom Kennard, Paul Stokes was on hand to clear the ball off the line.

All in all this as a great, battling performance from New Bradwell watched by a big crowd at The Rec. We had the better of the chances and just about edged out Royston. Man of the match was Nobby Kalek for his all round performance and stunning goal. Several players could have won it though with no one having a below par game.

Line up; Tom Kennard, Jason Robinson, Mihir Patel, Paul Stokes, Mike Downard, Rob Mooney, Dave King, Mark Kalek, Lea Coulter, Dave Cole, Greg Tite. Subs; Sam Edwards, Dean Robb, Martyn Lee.

Saturday 15th March 2008 - Bedford 0 New Bradwell St Peter 2

A very good second half performance following on from a defensive battle in the first, saw New Bradwell consolidate their top six place with this victory.

We almost got off to the perfect start when Mark Kalek found himself with only the keeper to beat after just a minute had been played. Good work from Tite, Coulter and Wheatley saw our new signing played in with only the keeper to beat. Unfortunately the keeper did his job well and denied us a great start. A few moments later we had another half chance but this also went begging. Kennard then tipped a difficult shot over the bar for a corner, which was well headed clear by Stokes.

Bedford came back in to the game and had an excellent chance to go ahead when Jason Layne beat his marker to force his way through on goal. With Just Tom Kennard to beat, he saw his effort saved. More Layne trickery set up Joswiak in the penalty box but he saw his effort blocked. Bedford had the chance of the game to open the scoring when the same combination linked up. This time, with Kennard already beaten, the ball was somehow scrambled off the line by Brendan Quill with Mihir Patel also in close attendance. Brilliant defending.

Bradwell also had chances of their own, having weathered the Bedford storm. Dave Cole was played through with just the keeper to beat. This time he volleyed over the keeper only to see his effort go wide. Ed Wheatley also had three attempts on goal from outside the area. Evidence that we had time on the ball through good work and movement from our strikers.

The second half was an end to end affair with both sides pushing for that elusive first goal. Bedford had a series of free kicks and corners which were well dealt with by Kennard and his well marshalled back four. Bradwell eventually got a good grip on the game and took the initiative.

The deadlock was finally broken after Lea Coulters excellent control from a Greg Tite corner gave him the time to pull the ball down before rifling home from 8 yards.

Sam Edwards and Dean Robb were introduced as replacement for the hard working Dave King and Dave Cole. Both had been industrious during the match with Cole’s pacey attacks and King’s defensive covering and tackling.

Bedford almost equalised when a shot came in from around 20 yards. Rob Mooney and Brendan Quill both made attempts to block the ball. Kennard made a terrific save when the ball skidded through, he couldn’t have seen it until late, getting low down just inside his right hand post.

With a few minutes to go Bradwell made the game safe. Lea Coulter, Dean Robb, Ed Wheatley and Greg Tite all combined to send Coulter clear down the left. He crossed for Greg Tite to tap home from around 8 yards. Unfortunately, the keeper made a tremendous save to deny Tite but Lea Coulter was on hand to blast home from the edge of the box for his 17th goal of the season.

A hard earned win against a good Bedford side with Tite, Coulter and Cole causing problems throughout the afternoon. Kennard, Mooney, Stokes, Quill and Patel were excellent in defence with Nobby Kalek sitting in front of them in the second half to deny the Bedford midfield space in which to work. Wheatley again pulled the strings in our midfield and was ably assisted by King, Edwards and Robb. Man of the match is a tough one with Quill, Coulter, Kalek and Patel all outstanding. Back to winning ways and another clean sheet for Bradwell.

Line up; Kennard, Mooney, Patel, Stokes, Quill, Wheatley, Cole, Coulter, Tite, King, Kalek. Subs used; Edwards, Robb. Not used; Downard.

Saturday 08th March 2008 - New Bradwell St Peter 0 Arlesey Athletic 1

Missing a couple of influential players, Bradwell succumbed to their second defeat in a row. We did enough to have taken something from the game but couldn't force our way past the visiting keeper.

Arlesey scored with their first meaningful attack. We lost the ball in midfield, it was played trhough the gap between Quill and Patel and Lee Shambrook neatly lobbed Tom Kennard.

We then pinned Arlesey back in their own half for the rest of the half but didn't deliver the right ball into the box on numerous occasions. We either overhit it, over-ran it or hit the first defender.

We were denied a blatant penalty when Greg Tite appeared to be upended by a visiting defender. The referee immediately ruled out the penalty claim, although, to be fair, he was arguably in the wrong position to see the trailing leg.

A few minutes later we had the ball cleared off the line following a scramble in the 6-yard box. Tite and Wheatley both had shots blocked. We also had another strong penalty appeal turned down when the ball appeared to hit the arm of a defender. Again, the referee was quick to rule out the appeal.

Rob Mooney almost scored from a free kick, taking advantage of the windy conditions. The keeper pulling off a stunning save by pushing the ball over the bar. Ed Wheatley also saw a header go over the bar from a corner. The keeper dropped the ball through his legs but gathered safely before any Bradwell player reacted to the situation.

The second half was similar to the first with New Bradwell making most of the running and Arlesey scrapping away to preserve their slender lead. The conditions made it hard to play flowing football and we didn't keep the ball as well as we might have done.

Bradwell didn't create too many chances in the second half, Arlesey even less so. In all, a disappointing performance and one that we have to learn from. We needed to scrap and battle for a result and perhaps went through the motions a little.

Line up; Tom Kennard, Jason Robinson, Mihir Patel, Brendan Quill, Rob Mooney, Ed Wheatley, Dave King, Mark Kalek, Dave Cole, Dean Robb, Greg Tite. Subs; Micky Downard, Martyn Lee, Adam Kissane

Saturday 1st March 2008 -  New Bradwell St Peter 2 Brache Sparta 0

Bradwell moved into third place in the league with this hard fought win against a side who were clearly attempting to spoil our game plan from the start.

Fortunately we had an explosive start to the game and found ourselves two up after just 5 minutes. In fact, we took just 11 seconds to go ahead in what must be the quickest ever goal scored at Bradwell. Right from the kick off we played neat, one touch football and worked the ball onto the Brache area. Lea Coulter cracked a lovely curler into the far right hand corner of the net.

Just over four minutes later Dave Cole had made it two with a low right footed shot into the bottom left hand corner from all of 25 yards for his 7th of the season. Brache were shell shocked and resorted to rough-house tactics which was to see a man from each side getting his marching orders.

Ed Wheatley and James Ingram received red cards following a mellee after a rough tackle on a Bradwell player. Neither player had thrown a punch and were harshly treated by match officials who hadn't got to grips with the tactics of our visitors.

We looked as if we had scored a third goal when Dave King lobbed the visiting keeper. The ball ended in the back of the net but Brache claimed that the netting had come away from the crossbar and the ball had somehow dropped between the net and the bar. The assistant referee had given the goal but the referee ruled it out.

Bradwell tried to keep the ball on the ground throughout the game but were sorely tested against a lively Brache side and the windy conditions. We were excellent at the back and coped with anything thrown at us. The closest Brache came to scoring was late into the second half. Michael Otukoya stabbed a shot goalwards after another long thrown in. Tom Kennard was equal to the task though and pushed the ball around the post for a corner.

Mooney and Quill dived in for intercepting headers when Brache played in dangerous balls. Bradwell were quick on the break and almsot put the game beyond the visitors when Kevin Hyde was played through only to see his shot saved by Vasquez.

A couple of players were booked. Lea Coulter for Bradwell following a tackle and Chris Harrey for Brache after he had earlier pushed and shoved his way around the pitch. The referee managed to find an extra ten minutes of time, giving Brache a big advantage with the conditions in their favour in the second half.

This was a hard fought game with the windy conditions and tough tactics from Brache making life difficult for us. We were sharp and the back and very busy up front with Coulter and Tite always looking a handful. Defensively we were always on top with Mooney and Robinson neat and tidy in everything they did. Quill and Stokes get better with age and coped with everything Brache had to offer. Our middle men worked hard throughout the game and tried to retain possession.

Line up; Tom Kennard, Jason Robinson, Rob Mooney, Paul Stokes, Brendan Quill, Ed Wheatley, Lea Coulter, Martyn Lee, Greg Tite, Dave King, Dave Cole; Subs; Kevin Hyde, Mike Downard, Dean Robb; Sub not used; Kieron Chouhan.

 

Saturday 23rd February 2008 - Cranfield Unted 0 New Bradwell St Peter 2

The 5th clean sheet on the trot in the league for New Bradwell after this comfortable victory at their local rivals Cranfield. The home side failed to trouble Tom Kennards goal throughout the game and the visiting defence was well on top.

A stop-start first half didn't allow Bradwell to play their usual flowing passing style of football and it took us some time to settle down. Cranfield put us under some early pressure with various free kicks and corners which were well delivered. A combination of luck and good defending kept Hill and Bellhouse at bay.

Bradwell went ahead when Greg Tite scored his 12th of the season. We won the ball in defence Having defended well for a goal kick. The kick was flicked on by dave Cole into Tite's path and he neatly slid home from around twelve yards out.

Bradwell doubled their lead about ten minutes later when Dave King won the ball before playing it to Lea Coulter. Coulters drive from the edge of the area was helped home by Brendan Quill with a sharp finish from the prolific centre back.

Bradwell were in control of the game with Patel, Tite, Coulter and Cole making good runs into the heart of the home defence. Greg Tite's delivery from corners was causing some difficulty for the home defenders. Dave King and Ed Wheatley had a good grip of the midfield and battled manfully.

Paul Stokes headed a Rob Mooney free kick against the top of the bar shortly before half time. Lea Coulter also went close when his shot cleared tha bar after some direct running at the heart of the home defence.

Bradwell were solid in the second half and could have gone further ahead after great work From Mihir "Giggsie" Patel and substitute Martin Lee. Lee hit the top of the crossbar after he burst through the home defence. Tite and Patel both had shots blocked. Another sub, Kevin Hyde also had an effort blocked after great work and movement from Coulter, Robb and Patel.

Bradwell ran out worthy winners in this local derby and completed the double over Cranfield with energy and effort to spare. A good performance without hitting top gear, particularly in the second half. We were tight all over and very good defensively against two good local strikers. Great attitude from the players as we head back up to 4th in the division.

Line up; Tom Kennard, Jason Robinson, Mihir Patel, Paul Stokes, Rob Mooney (Captain), Brendan Quill, Ed Wheatley, Lea Coulter, Greg Tite, Dave Cole, Dave King. Subs used; Dean Robb, Kevin Hyde, Martyn Lee. Sub not used; Mike Downard.

Saturday 16th February 2008 - Amersham 0 New Bradwell St Peter 0

A point gained or a point lost? Difficult to say. Amersham were good going forward and caused us some problems at times, without looking truly dangerous, although we missed a series of good chances in both halves and could have sewn the game up in the first half but for an incredible refereeing decision.

We almost took the lead when the home keeper lost the ball when he went to ground. Dean Robb stole the ball before firing wide when well placed. Dave Cole, Greg Tite and Lea Coulter continued to try to play neat football but the pitch got the better of us on many occasions when we were in good positions. One move cut the home side open but saw Robb shoot wide after a flowing move.

A few minutes later, Lea Coulter "scored" from 20 yards only for the referee to blow his whilstle for a foul which happened a few seconds earlier when Coulter had been tripped by a defender. The Bradwell top scorer had managed to keep his feet but the referee claimed to have been trying to play the advantage, for Bradwell!! A really strange decision which cost us a goal.

The closest the home side came to scoring was when a fierce cross-shot was pushed over by the alert Tom Kennard in the Bradwell goal. The corner, like many others that Amersham had, came to nothing.

The game was continually held up when players went down on the hard ground. The pitch has many stones just below the surface causing several Amersham players to stay down when being tackled. I am trying to be diplomatic. (I could just say that they dived like dolphins and stayed down, trying to slow the game down to a walking pace, but I might be getting myself in to trouble by saying so. One might even suggest that the referee fell for it.)

The second half mirrored the first with Bradwell having the better of the chances with Dean Robb and Greg Tite going close for Bradwell. The home side had the chance to win the game in the closing minutes though when a mistake allowed them through for a one on one. This was brilliantly saved by Kennard, who had been untroubled for the majority of the game.

A tough trip for Bradwell against a side who can play well on their day. The pitch didn't help the attempts to play flowing football, neither did some of the officials decisions. A point at places like this are no longer good enough for Bradwell and Amersham will be the happier of the two sides.

Line up; Tom Kennard, Mike Downard, Mihir Patel, Rob Mooney, Paul Stokes, Ed Wheatley, Lea Coulter, Greg Tite, Dean Robb, Dave King, Dave Cole Subs not used; Jason Robinson, Martyn Lee.

Saturday 09th February 2007 - New Bradwell St Peter 2 Harpenden 0

A hard fought victory for the Peters who remain in 4th place in the table. We certainly made heavy weather of this game but deserved to win as we were the better side throughout the game.

We got off to a positive start playing 4-3-3 against strugglers Harpenden. We were quick to settle but failed to trouble the visiting defence, who tried to deny us space and time on the ball by putting several men behind the ball.

Lea Coulter almost opened the scoring when played through by Dean Robb. Coulters effort was well parried by the keeper for a corner. The corner came to nothing.

The first half became frustrating for Bradwell with Lee and Mooney harshly booked for tackles that should have gone unreported by the referee. The visitors dropped behind the ball, making it difficult for us to open them up with our usual passing style.

We eventually took the lead in the second half. We had enjoyed a period of pressure and had a couple of corners. The ball fell to Bendan Quill just outside the box. He hit the ball on the volley to score an outstanding goal from 20 yards for his 4th of the season.

Within a couple of minutes Harpenden had the chance to equalise from the spot. Kennards foul was rewarded with a booking for the keeper who was returning from a dislocated shoulder after three months out. The ball cannoned onto the crossbar and was cleared to safety by the home defence.

A few minutes later Kennard made a terrific save when their forward found himself in the clear, only to be denied in a one on one situation with Kennard who pulled off a sick save (sorry!).

Martyn Lee and Greg Tite came close to making the game safe with efforts that were blocked by defenders. Lee's shot was cleared off the line following good work out on the left hand side. Dave Cole had opened up the defence a couple of times but we failed to capitalise on the openings and went unrewarded.

Bradwell continued to try to get the game under control with a flowing style of football and eventually made the game safe after Kennard threw the ball out to Lea Coulter having caught the cross from Harpenden. Coulter advanced from inside his own half before passing to Kevin Hyde. Hyde shot with the outside of his right foot, curling the ball inside the left hand post to make the score two-nil to the home side. Hyde's 3rd of the season.

This wasn't a great performance from the home side but a win is a win and we cement a place in top 4. Brendan Quill was man of the match for his terrific goal and never say die attitude to defending. We have played better and lost over the last couple of years and never seem to play well against Harpenden.

Line up;
Tom Kennard, Mike Downard, Tom Eglesfield, Rob Mooney, Brendan Quill, Ed Wheatley, Lea Coulter, Martyn Lee, Dave Cole, Greg Tite, Dean Robb. Subs used; Dave King, Kevin Hyde, Mihir Patel. Not used; Shaun Abson, Paul Stokes.

Wednesday 6th February 2007 - Arlesey Athletic 0 New Bradwell St Peter 5

An emphatic victory for Peters which lifts us to 4th in the table. It took us a while to get going and for much of the first half we were our own worst enemy. Too often we gave the ball away and went to ground, conceding needless free kicks and an easy opportunity for the home side to put the ball into our penalty area.

We took the lead just as we were beginning to settle down a little. The ball was rolled into the feet of Dean Robb, making his first full start for the team. He cleverly rolled his marker before unleashing a brilliant shot from just outside the box which flew in off the post giving the keeper no chance.

Chances came and went for both sides and the score remained the same when the half time whistle went. A roasting followed and the Bradwell players came out a completely different team in the second half.

It took the home side a full five minutes to get out of their own half and by this time Bradwell had gone two up when Dean Robb's effort on goal came back off the crossbar only for stalwart Brendan Quill to volley home from close range.

A few minutes later we were three up. Skipper Rob Mooney received the ball out wide from Dave King. His cross-shot evaded the keeper and ended up in the top left hand corner of the net. A cross? A shot? Who cares? They all count.

New Bradwell were now in full flow and looking very dangerous. Ed Wheatley played a through ball for Dave Cole to run on to. He slipped the ball passed the keeper for his 6th goal of the season and scored the goal of the game.

The scoring was ended when Lea Coulter ran from the halfway line, played a one-two with Kevin Hyde, rounded the keeper before planting the ball into the back of the net for our biggest away victory of the season. Coulters 12th of the campaign, earning him the accolade of top scorer.

This was an excellent performance, particularly the second half. It was good to see us being ruthless in front of goal and to ensure that the job was done professionally.

Line up; Shaun Abson, Rob Mooney, Mihir Patel, Paul Stokes, Brendan Quill, Ed Wheatley, Lea Coulter, Dave King, Dave Cole, Greg Tite, Dean Robb. Subs used; Kevin Hyde, Mike Downard, Martyn Lee. Not used; Tom Kennard, Tom Egelsfield.

Saturday 26th January 2008 - Royston Town 0 New Bradwell St Peter 0

This was no boring golless draw at Garden Walk as the divisions two in form teams battled it out from start to end. Boosted by their team of the month award, Royston were at their visitors straight from the first whistle.

Kicking against the wind and slightly up a small slope, New Bradwell produced an excellent first half performance and reduced Royston to half chances. Shaun Abson was very alert in the New Bradwell goal as he had to punch away a couple of dangerous corners.

Hammond came closest to opening the scoring when a long ball over the top wasn't dealt with by New Bradwell. Hammond tried to lob Abson, who cleverly headed the ball wide knowing that he was just outside his penalty area. Clever goalkeeping.

Bradwell gradually got themselves in to the game with Tite, Coulter and Lee working hard to forge chances for us. Coulter had a shot from the edge of the area which took a horrible bounce just before he hit it, sending the ball wide.

The second half was a more open affair with both sides having a good go at trying to win the game. Craig Hammond almost won it when he was gifted a chance from a backpass which bounced horribly in the area.

The closest Bradwell came to scoring was through a Greg Tite free kick from the edge of the box following a push on substitute Micky Downard. Tite's goalbound effort was blocked. Ed Wheatley picked up the loose ball from the edge of the area and sent in a great shot which the Royston keeper held very well.

Dave Cole had a shot go wide a little later on but in fairness, Royston looked the more dangerous of the two sides and it was an excellent defensive display from Bradwell which earned us a point. Royston almost grabbed a winner at the death when a free kick struck the outside of the post.

Bradwell were well organised throughout against a very young and gifted Royston outfit. We threw ourselves into challenges where we needed to, although 3 bookings were awarded as a result by a referee who tried to keep the game flowing wherever he could. We are happy with a point from a tough away trip watched by 150 people.

Line up; Abson, Mooney, Patel, Stokes, Quill, Wheatley, Coulter, King, Cole, Lee, Tite. Subs used; Downard, Robb. Subs not used; Eglesfield and Kennard.

Saturday 5th January 2008 - New Bradwell St Peter 3 Sun Postal Sports 1

A very comfortable victory for Bradwell which send us in to the top 5 for the first time this season.

We started brightly and took the game to the visitors from the first whistle. Postal were opened up on numerous occasions and we should have been a couple ahead after ten minutes. Brendan Quill worked his way into the box but poked the ball straight at the keeper. Paul Stokes also chested down before blasting narrowly over the bar a few minutes later.

Greg Tite then missed two gilt edged chances after great work from Cole, Lee, King and Mooney. Titey worked himself in to good positions but blasted wide on both occasions.

Bradwell eventually opened the scoring a few minutes later following a Greg Tite Corner in to the heart of the box. Sun Postal failed to clear and Rob Mooney volleyed home from close range.

Tite made ammends for his wayward efforts by grabbing the second a few minutes later with a well taken goal. He was played in, drew the keeper before poking the ball past him for his 11th goal of the campaign. A deserved goal after causing so many problems for the visiting defence with his sharp movement.

Bradwell continued to push forward looking to kill the game off in the first half but weren't able to score again.

The second half was more even although Bradwell looked comfortable with anything offered in attack by Sun Postal. The game was over as a contest after the hour when Lea Coulter danced his way into the box. A defender almost tripped him but Coulter managed to keep his feet to round the keeper to score his 11th goal of the season.

A lapse in concentration cost Bradwell a consolation goal when John Thornley pulled one back for the visitors with only their second attempt on goal. Lancaster had had an effort held by Abson slightly earlier. The same player also struck a free kick over the bar from around 25 yards.

Bradwell finished stronger and had more chances add to their tally with shots from Tite and Mooney. In truth, Bradwell were not at their best in the second half but did enough to win the game.

Getting into the top six is tough, staying there is tougher. This is where the hard work really begins for Bradwell and we have to learn to be more ruthless
against sides like Sun Postal.

Line up; Abson, Robinson, Patel, Stokes, Quill, King, Mooney, Cole, Lee, Tite, Coulter. Subs used; Robb, Downard, Eglesfield. Sub not used; Leadbetter.

Saturday 29th December 2007 - New Bradwell St Peter 2 Ampthill Town 2

Honours even at The Rec after an end to end game between these local rivals. The conditions were tough for both sides with a strong wind blowing straight up though the middle of the pitch.

Ampthill were first to use the wind in their favour and put Bradwell under pressure for the first 20 minutes or so. The pressure eventually paid off when Stuart Reynolds free kick from the right hand corner of the box sailed over everyone and found its way into the far corner of the net.

Martin Wells almost doubled the lead but his low shot was brilliantly saved by Shaun Abson in the home goal. This save seemed to galvanise the hosts and they gained a foothold in the game.

Bradwell began to find gaps in Ampthill defence and Dave Cole got around the back of their defence on a couple of occasions only to be thwarted by last gasp tackles.

Bradwell equalised with the goal of the game. Ed Wheatley received the ball from Cole, shifted the ball slightly before unleashing a cracking drive from 25 yards. Andy Gibb managed to get a hand to the ball but couldn't stop it from hitting the top right hand corner of the net. Wheatley's second goal of the season.

The second half was very similar to the first with the conditions making it difficult to play good passing football. In fairness, Ampthill asked more questions of the home defence than Bradwell of their visitors. Shaun Abson was the busier of the two keepers and made a couple of telling saves, one from a misheaded Stokes clearance.

Chances were few and far between for Bradwell but Lee, Coulter and Tite all had good efforts go wide of Gibb's goal. At the other end, substitute Tony Hill caused problems with his pace and Reynolds with his trickery.

Ampthill took the lead when poor defensive positioning allowed Reynolds to round Abson and place the ball into the net. Bradwell made changes and immediately came back at Ampthill.

Stimpson and Robb had come on as substitutes as Bradwell changed formation. The ball found its way to Ricky Stimpsons feet from the edge of the penalty area and he curled a lovely effort into the bottom right hand corner of the net to give battling Bradwell their second equaliser of the game. We almsot won it in the dying seconds when Dean Robb skipped past a couple of defenders allowing Greg Tite to take the ball on the turn, unfortunately Tite sent his shot wide.

Bradwell have played a lot better than this showing but battled back really well. We had one or two players feeling unwell due to illness but they still gave their all and deserved something from the game. Having been 2-1 down with only minutes remaining, this is a point gained rather than lost.

Line up; Abson, Robinson, Patel, Mooney, Stokes, Wheatley, King, Cole, Coulter, Lee, Tite. Subs used; Stimpson, Robb. Not used; Eglesfield.

Saturday 22nd December 2007 - Brache Sparta 0 New bradwell St Peter 4

Another thumping win for the Peters on a potato field of a pitch.

Bradwell were under the cosh for the first ten minutes when Brache took the game to the visitors. They didn't trouble Shaun Absons goal though and Bradwell soon started to get a foothold in the game.

We went close when Dave Cole was played in down the right by Ed Wheatley. Cole raced into the box before pulling his cross cum shot across the goal.

Bradwell took the lead after 17 minutes when Greg Tite and Lea Coulter exchanged passes before Tite ran on to slam the ball pass the keeper for a well taken effort. His 10th goal of the season.

The home side had a couple of chances to level matters but Abson was alert to the danger and quickly snuffed out the danger. This was to be the home sides best chance of the game as the visitors took a stranglehold on the match. At the other end, Bradwell had the chance to double their lead when Rob Mooney's long range shot cannoned off the cross bar with the keeper beaten.

Tite was played in again a few minutes before half time but this time his effort was pushed out by Diego in the home goal. We couldn't get near the ball quick enough to put the rebound away.

The second hald was only 7 minutes old when good work from Martyn Lee and Greg Tite saw the ball land at the feet of Dave Cole who lashed home for his 5th of the season. A well taken effort into the bottom right hand corner.

Seven minutes later and the game was over as a contest as Lea Coulter was put through by Rob Mooney. The keeper tried to clear the ball but Coulter reacted quicker and placed the ball into an empty net. Shortly afterwards Bradwell had several good chances in the space of a few minutes. Greg Tite saw an effort saved. Lea Coulter had a long range effort pushed over the bar by the keeper and Dave Cole saw his snap shot go wide.

With Bradwell continually pushing for another goal, the home side had a couple of chances to put some respectability to the scoreline. Dave King, Paul Stokes and Brendan Quill all throwing themselves in front of shots from the edge of the penalty area, evidence that the visitors really wanted their clean sheet bonus!!

In the final minutes Lea Coulter left a trail of defenders in his wake as he ran through to beat the keeper again from the edge of the area for his 10th goal of the season. 4-0 to the visitors and deservedly so. A cracking performance, a clean sheet. All the management team could ask.

Man of ther match was shared between Dave King and Lea Coulter. Both players enjoyed their afternoons with combative, incisive play.

Line up; Abson, Mooney, Patel, Stokes, Quill, Wheatley, King, Cole, Lee, Tite, Coulter; Subs used; Robinson, Anderson, Eglesfield. Not used Simon King.

Saturday 15th Decemmber 2007 - New Bradwell St Peter 3 Hoddesdon Town 0

A thumping victory for the Peters against early season title favourites Hoddeson at The Rec. We started well and looked the sharper side in the opening exchanges and took the game to the visitors.

The early pressure paid off when a great ball in to the box was headed across goal by Ricky Stimpson for Martyn Lee to head home for his second goal of the season. Unselfish work from Stimpson.

It was Lee who almost put Peters two up a little later on when he was put clean through. He drew the keeper but saw his shot strike a post. The follow up was brilliantly saved by the Hoddy keeper.

Hoddesdon then seized control of the game with Bradwell switching off and becoming sloppy for a fifteen minute period. Ulatowski's near post shot was well saved by Shaun Abson in the home goal. He also saved well a little later when the same player combined to put in another effort.

The nearest Hoddesdon came to scoring was when Andy Martin, clearly in an offside position rounded Abson but shot wide. It wasn't the first mistake from the referee's assistant.

Bradwell got back into the game and ended the half in better form that the previous minutes. The score at half time was 1-0.

The second half was no older then ten minutes when we had to replace influential skipper Rob Mooney with Lea Coulter. Mooney coming off with a tight hamstring/groin. Coulter was soon in the action making probing runs into the heart of the visiting defence.

Bradwell went two up with 65 minutes gone and it was a cracker. Wheatley volleyed the ball up the line for Coulter and Stimpson to exchange passes. The ball was laid across the area for the superb Dave Cole to tap home for his third of the season.

Hoddeson had efforts on goal themselves with Martin and Ulatowski spurning free kick chances. Abson also saved well from a Lee Tombs effort from jsut outside the box.

The game was sewn up late on with a breakaway goal. Again, a contentious offside decision, this time going for Bradwell, Dave Cole was put through by Lea Coulter, he smashed the ball past the keeper to put the game well beyond the visitors.

An excellent, disciplined performance by New Bradwell with the only negative being the bookings for Wheatley, Lee and Stimpson for tackles. Arguably our best performance of the seaon so far. Strong in defence, hardworking in midfield and up front. A pleasure to watch.

Man of the match was Dave Cole, his work up and down the line, two goals and constant menace was one of the decisive factors of the game. In fairness, all of the players on duty were superb.

Line up; Abson, Downard, Egelsfield, Stokes, Quill, Wheatley, King, Mooney, Cole, Lee, Stimpson. Subs used; Patel, Robb and Coulter. Subs not used; Orchard, Robinson.

Saturday 01st December 2007 - Olney Town 2 New Bradwell St Peter 1

Olney go through to the last 16 of the Berks and Bucks Cup to face a tough away trip to Stony Stratford after luckily beating New Bradwell.

Olney had just two efforts on goal in the entire game and had the referee to thank for their first goal. He decided to ignore his assistant to allow their forward to run through to plant the ball past Shaun Abson despite the flag going up and staying up. Bradwell were truly wound up due to this and failed to get their heads back on the game until half time.

We had the better chances with Mike Downards header from a corner being brilliantly pushed aside by the home keeper. Greg Tite also had an effort headed off the line having lobbed the keeper. Olney hit the post with their only effort on goal in the first half.

The second half was similar to the first with Olney huffing and puffing, Bradwell trying to play football on the potato field of a pitch. Unfortunately, we couldn't quite slip into gear and were very disjointed with several players playing below their best.

We did eventually equalise when Lea Coulter ran at the heart of the home defence. He placed the ball past the keeper for his 8th goal of the season. Shortly afterwards we lost Greg Tite through injury. The ball was blasted into his face, knocking him out for a short period.

Olney scored the winner after 65 minutes when a missed tackle and a poor touch allowed their forward through to round Abson and score an undeserved winner. Shortly afterwards, Bradwell were almost level when Coulter forced the keeper to save but the rebound couldn't quite be forced home by Adam Kissane.

This was not a good performance from New Bradwell. It was disjointed and several players were well below their usual standard. Olney were given a massive lift by the referee in the first half and we failed to recover. We can make excuses about the pitch, the referee, their first goal, but we know we didn't do ourselves justice. Good luck to Olney Town in the next round.

Line up; Abson, Mooney, Patel, Stokes, Quill, Wheatley, King, Coulter, Cole, Tite, Downard. Subs used, Lee, Kissane, Egelsfield. Not used; Orchard, Anderson.

 

Saturday 24th November 2007 - New Bradwell St Peter 1 Cheshunt Reserves 0

A comfortable win for the Peters despite the narrow scoreline. New keeper, Shaun Abson had very little to do in a game dominated by Bradwell.

Micky Downard almost gave the home side the lead in the 20th minute when a fine cross found him unmarked at the far post. Unfortunately he couldn't direct his header on target.

Greg Tite almost got on the end of a Dave Cole cross a few minutes later but was denied by a last gasp challenge from a defender at the near post.

Bradwell took the lead after 32 minutes when Lea Coulter shot home from fully 25 yards. The ball went in off the left hand post. The goal maintains Coulters rich scoring vain in recent games.

The first half ended with Bradwell well on top. The conditions arguably suited us due to the strong wind.

The second half saw us play some lovely football with Coulter, Tite, Cole, Wheatley and Patel at the heart of some smooth passing moves. Dave King broke up the play really well for Bradwell in what was easily his best game of the season for us.

One such move almost brought about a second goal but Dave Cole's centre just evaded the outstretched leg of Downard. An excellent move which cut the visiting defence to shreds.

In the closing stages Cheshunt had their best period of the game and had a couple of shots from distance which were dealt with by Abson. The nearest the vistors came to scoring was when the ball rebounded off a Cheshunt forward and went towards goal before being cleared by the alert skipper Paul Stokes. Bradwell defended well with Mooney, Patel, Quill and Stokes never giving the visiting strike force an inch.

It would have been tough on Bradwell not to have taken the three points in what was, at times, an ill tempered affair thanks to the odd tackle and a spitting incident at half time. Bradwell were full value for the win with some excellent individual performances in what was a good team dispay. The formation chosen worked a treat. All of the players were at the top of their game.

Man of the macth was Lea Coulter for his all action display and great goal.

Line up; Abson, Mooney, Patel, Stokes, Quill, Wheatley, Coulter, King, Cole, Downard, Tite. Subs used; Kissane, Orchard. Subs not used; Long, Egelsfield and Lee.

Saturday 17th November 2007 - New Bradwell St Peter 0 Kentish Town 6

Kentish didn't have to play well to win this game. They capitalised on each and every mistake made by a Bradwell player to run out deserved winners. We can't make too many excuses as we didn't play well in any department. Not having a recognised keeper didn't help. We also had several good chances of our own and missed a penalty. Kevin Hyde, Dave Cole, Greg Tite and Ed Wheatley all had good efforts saved.

In fairness no-one had a real nightmare, this was just a terrible team performance, indisciplined and below what is expected of New Bradwell players. We passed very badly from start to finish and failed to get close enough all around the pitch. One small crumb of comfort is that Lee Scott failed to muster a single worthwhile effort, saying that, he didn't need to. The rest of his team did it for him, we also helped with our mistakes.

No excuses, no complaints. It was a bad day at the office, when everything that could have gone wrong, did. Kentish won't win the league this season but they will certainly put the effort in, something that we need to do as well. We are gracious in victory and gracious in defeat, well done to Kentish for the win, they had some good players who worked hard for each other.

Line up; Downard, King, Patel, Stokes, Quill, Wheatley, Mooney, Cole, Coulter, Tite, Hyde. Subs used; Egelsfield, Orchard, Long

 

Saturday 10th November 2007 - Ampthill Town 3 New Bradwell St Peter 3

An absorbing end to end game played with good spirit and commitment ended all square after New Bradwell squandered a two goal lead.

In blustery conditions, Bradwell kicked with the wind in the first half and pushed the home defence back. We took the lead following a Rob Mooney free kick in the 21st minute. Mike Downard rose well above anyone else to plant a firm header against the bar. The ball rebounded to Dave Cole on the edge of the area, who smashed the ball in to the far corner.

We could have gone two up when Rob Mooney shot in from fully 40 yards but only as the referee blew for a Greg Tite foul. Minutes later we had the ball in the net again only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

Martin Wells then had the chance to level the scores but was denied by a brilliant Tom Kennard save. Unfortunately, the young keeper dislocated his shoulder and had to leave the field after the game was held up for several minutes. Mike Downard went in goal with Kevin Hyde coming on to the pitch.

Bradwell went two up after 33 minutes when Greg Tite's shot took a deflection to wrong foot the home keeper. Tite's 9th of the season. Bradwell relaxed a little though and Martin Wells capitalised on a defensive mix up from the visitors to bring Ampthill back in to the game just two minutes later.

Shortly afterwards Greg Tite missed from the penalty spot after the referee had blown up for a foul. Tite's first spot kick miss in his career.

The second half was similar to the first, but perhaps even more open. Ampthill penned Bradwell back for the first fifteen minutes and Paul Munday's long range free kick was tipped onto the post by stand in keeper Downard. The corner came to nothing.

Bradwell scored on the break in the 63rd minute through Lea Coulter to put the visitors 3-1 up. Coulters 6th of the season and his fourth in two games. Again though, in the 65th minute Bradwell made a slip when defending a corner and Wells got his second of the game when the ball struck him and went in. Bradwell had other chances to win the game with Tite, Hyde and Wheatley all going close.

Again Bradwell came back and almost put the game beyond Ampthill when Tite hit the ball goalbound, with the keeper beaten a defender headed off the line and over the bar. This was to prove costly for the vistors shortly afterwards in the 85th minute as the referee awarded a contentious penalty after adjudging that Stuart Reynolds had been taken down in the box. Reynolds duly smacked the ball in to level the scores.

Credit to both sides for an entertaining game. Bradwell are disappointed to have let Ampthill off the hook when well placed though. We scrapped and battled well and are proving a tough nut to crack.

Line up; Kennard, King, Patel, Stokes, Quill, Mooney, Wheatley, Coulter, Cole, Downard, Tite. Sub used; Hyde. Subs not used; Long, Egelsfield, Lee.

Saturday 3rd November 2007- New Bradwell St Peter 7 Grendon Rangers 2

Grendon were put to the sword by New Bradwell, who go through to play at Olney Town in the last 32 of the Berks and Bucks Cup.

It took a fantastic save by Tom Kennard to keep the scores level when Grendon found themselves in a great position on the 20 minute mark. Kennard dived at the feet of a rangy forward to deny a certain opener. Kennard was the hero again a few minutes later when he was harshly adjudged to have brought down a Grendon Forward. Kennard dived to his left to save the spot kick. One would argue that justice was done.

Bradwell took the lead from a penalty in the 32nd minute when Greg Tite was upended after beating a couple of defenders. He was taken down by the visiting keeper and duly scored from the spot for his 8th goal of the season. Chances to double the score came and went as Lee and Coulter went close, as did Mike Downard.

In the 40th minute Lea Coulter was played through by Ed Wheatley. Coulter drew the keeper before placing the ball past him. A neatly taken goal by the Bradwell winger.

Half time was 2-0 to the home side without Bradwell hitting top gear. The second half was to be a completely different affair though.

We didn't start the half particularly well and Grendon pushed us back in the opening exchanges. They didn't actually manage a worthwhile effort on goal though and this was to prove costly as Lea Colter scored his 2nd of the game after Mike Downard flicked a long ball into the path of Greg Tite. Tite beat his marker before squaring to Coulter who tapped home for his 4th of the season.

The score was extended when Dave Cole put in a fantastic centre for Mike Downard to head home. Downard doubled his tally shortly afterwards after a sweeping move cut the visiting defence apart. This time he swept home after being played in at the near post by Coulter.

Grendon pulled a goal back after a neat finish from their busy number 9. Bradwell came straight back to claim number six when Coulter danced his way into the box to place the ball past the keeper for his first senior hatrick. Another excellent goal from Bradwell with good movement from players who drew the defenders away from the ball. In between time, Grendon scored a second with another well taken goal.

Kev Hyde went close with a volley after more good movement from the Bradwell forwards. Mihir Patel also went close with a fantastic volley which went just over the bar from a Darren Long cross.

The scoring was completed when Dave King played Ed Wheatley through on goal. Wheatley placed the ball past the keeper to score his first goal for New Bradwell and give the scoreline a very authoritative look with the home side running out 7-2 winners.

At last we were ruthless in front of goal. We overplayed a little at times but our patience was rewarded with some excellent finishing. Man of the match was Lea Coulter, he was closely followed after some fine individual performances around the team.

Line up; Kennard, Lee, Patel, Stokes, Quill, Mooney, Wheatley, Coulter, Tite, Cole, Downard. Subs; Hyde, Long, King.

Saturday 27th October 2007 - Bedford Town 1 New Bradwell St Peter 2

On a day when Bedford's first team didn't have a game, Bradwell came from a goal down to win again through Mike Downard's first strike for his new club.

We went a goal down after we switched off following a twice taken throw in down our left. The officials didn't seem to know which way the throw should have been taken and we were slow to react. The ball being slammed past Tom Kennard. Bedford could have made it two but for a fantastic block by Brendan Quill. This was to the the turning point in the game and started to settle.

We slowly got ourselves back in to the game and pushed the home side back for the final twenty minutes of the half. We finally managed to get level when Dave Cole was played in by Skipper, Rob Mooney down the right hand side. Cole beat his marker and passed in to the box for Mike Downard to dummy. The ball found its way to Greg Tite. He placed the ball past the keeper for his 7th goal of the season.

The half time whistle blew with the sides level. In truth Bradwell didn't play too well in the first half and Bedford were lively and first to the ball.

An open and honest half time team talk and Bradwell came out in the second half in a more determined mood. Mike Downard, Ed Wheatley both went close to adding a second to the tally. Downard just failed to connect properly when played in by Coulter. Wheatley's shot from distance missed by inches with the home keeper beaten.

Greg Tite was busy throughout the game. He beat at least one defender and put the ball across the box. Unfortunately the ball evaded the onrushing Downard.

We went ahead through a Downard goal after the hour mark. He rose above everyone else following a sustained period of pressure from the visitors. This was to be his first goal since he returned to the club.

We should have put the game beyond the home team but couldn't make the pressure pay. Lea Coulter worked his way into a good position after beating a couple of defenders but couldn't quite get the ball across to Greg Tite. Brendan Quill also put the ball over the bar when well placed.

Bradwell had to repel a late period of pressure from Bedford with Tom Kennard pushing a low shot away from goal with a smart save, low down. The victory was no more than Bradwell deserved though, as they controlled the game after Bedford scored early on.

Some good individual performances with Quill, Tite, Wheatley, Cole and Downard all playing well.

Line up; Kennard, Mooney, Patel, Stokes, Quill, Wheatley, Cole, Long, Coulter, Tite, Downard. Subs Used; Lee, King, Orchard. Not used.; Booden.

Tuesday 23rd October 2007 - Buckingham Atletic 3 New Bradwell St Peter 0.

Buckingham advance to the quarter finals after Bradwell let them off the hook. We had three of four good chances to have finished the game in normal time but couldn't find our ruthless streak. Dave Cole, Ed Wheatley and Greg Tite all went close to opening the scoring.

Unfortunately, despite looking comfortable throughout normal time Buckingham capitalised on two Bradwell mistakes to take control of the tie early in the first half of extra time. Hammond and Bennett scoring. Hammond went on to finish the scoring in the second half of extra time with Bradwell pushing to get back in to the game.

This was a disappointing performance against a side who play a direct style of football. Bradwell should have won the game in normal time but were left to rue missed chances as they bow out of the competition

Saturday 20th October 2007 - New Bradwell St Peter 1 Bedford 0

A last minute header from Brendan Quill won the game for Bradwell when a draw seemed inevitable. His header from Greg Tite's corner was enough to seperate the sides in a battling display from the Peters.

We started well and almost scored when Micky Downards centre was headed onto the inside of the post by Greg Tite. The ball rebounded into the arms of the keeper. Another great move involving Wheatley, Long and Tite almost earned us a goal but it wasn't to be.

Bedford then came back at us and nearly took the lead through Jason Layne. His shot was brilliantly saved by Tom Kennard in the home goal. Layne was again denied when put through on goal by Randall. This time Kennard denied him in a one on one situation.

Bradwell piled on the pressure in the closing minutes of the first half and could have scored a couple of times. Martyn Lee and Greg Tite were denied when in good positions.

The second half was also a close, tense affair with both sides attempting to win the game. Bedford were denied a penalty when Brendan Quill won a tackle which sent Layne sprawling, leaving the striker to require treatment.

Bradwell then started to push the visitors back and should have scored a couple of goals. Mike Downard and Greg Tite both had good chances to open the scoring.

Lea Coulter saw his 20-yard drive pushed on to the crossbar by the visiting keeper to deny Bradwell. Coulter drove at the heart of their defence and came in to his own as the sides tired.

With the game seemingly heading for a goalless draw, Bradwell won a corner through Darren Long's good work out of the right. Greg Tite's driven corner was met by Quill for his second goal in consecutive games. A late winner which moves Bradwell up a place in the league.

A good, battling performance against a decent side who have several Hitchin players in on loan. Bradwell just edged the game and pick up another three points.

Man of the match is a tight one. Lea Coulter, Brendan Quill, Rob Mooney, Ed Wheatley, Paul Stokes and Tom Kennard all excelled in what was a good team performance. Lea Coulter just edges it.

Line up; Kennard, Lee, Patel, Mooney, Quill, Stokes, Long, Wheatley, Coulter, Tite, Downard. Subs used; Booden. Not used; Simon King, Egelsfield and Orchard.


Tuesday 16th October 2007 - New Bradwell St Peter 2 Buckingham Athletic 1

Bradwell booked a place in the Charity Cup quarter-final against Long Buckby with a comfortable home victory over their near neighbours.

We should have been a goal up through Greg Tite after just a couple of minutes. He forced Jo Burdiak into a great sprawling save. Not to be outdone though, we took the lead after 25 minutes and Tite was involved again. It was his corner which gave Brendan Quill the chance to head home for his first of the season.

We controlled the rest of the half without slipping into top gear, although we did play some neat and tidy football in terrible, wet conditions.

We went two up on the hour mark after Greg Tite was fouled in the area after a lovely flowing move involving Lee, Patel, Coulter, Archer and Wheatley. Tite picked himself up to smash the penalty home for his 6th goal of the season.

Buckingham almost got back into the game when Andy Bennett was sent through on goal with just the keeper to beat. Tom Kennard making a great save to deny the Former Youth International.

Mike Downard, on for the impressive Greg Tite, almost put the game beyond Buckingham when he met a good Dave King cross on the volley. Unfortunately his shot smacked off the top of the crossbar to safety. A terrific move.

Buckingham grabbed a lifeline in the 75th minute when a misplaced pass allowed them to break. Andy Bennet made ammends for his earlier miss when he placed the ball past Kennard.

Bradwell controlled the game for long periods and fully deserved to win the game. Some good individual performances and a good team display. Man of the match was Greg Tite for his good movement and the fact that he was a menace to the visiting defence all night. He was involved in both of the goals too.

Line up; Kennard, King, Patel, Mooney, Quill, Wheatley, Coulter, Lee, Long, Tite, Archer. Subs used; Stimpson, Downard. Subs not used; Orchard and Stokes.

Saturday 13th October 2007 - Cheshunt Reserves 0 New Bradwell St Peter 0

A full blooded game which saw several players booked and a sending off at Theobalds Lane. A draw was a fair result with both defences on top throughout the game.

Kevin Hyde had the chance to open the scoring early on when he was put through on the right hand side of the area. His shot across the face of goal went wide in what was arguably to the best chance of the game for either side.

We lost Hyde shortly after his effort on goal due to a recurrence of his calf problem. His movement and heading ability had caused Cheshunt early problems and his absence was a big loss. He was absolutely flattened in one challenge, this earned the home skipper a caution and seemed to be the cause of Kevins injury. Greg Tite moved back into a central role having started the game out on the right. His distribution also caused concerns for the home team who altered their formation to match our own early in the first half.

The half contained neat and tidy football with Bradwell probing down either flank with Coulter and substitute Martyn Lee running at the home defence.

The game erupted into controversy early in the second half when Dean Orchard was sent off for his second bookable offence. Several tackles had gone unchecked as the referee tried to let the game flow, not always to our advantage though. We had two free kicks given to us when we were requiring the advantage to be given as we were in positions to hurt the home side. We were wound up by clever tactics at times and the referee appeared to allow a little more leeway for the home side than the visitors.

Riccardo Archer twice went close late on with a shot which went just over. He then headed wide from Tite corner when he rose above the home defence. At the other end, Dave King and Mihir Patel were forced in to last ditch tackles to deny Cheshunt what would have been a certain winner.

Cheshunt had earlier been denied by a sharp Tom Kennard save from around ten yards out. He dived low to his left to push the ball around the post. Later in the game he held a low shot from distance. Rob Mooney and Brendan Quill were excellent when Cheshunt decided to go with a longer ball approach in the second half. King, Patel and Wheatley were also in excellent form. Coulter, Archer, Lee and Tite worked hard to push the home defence to their limit and caused problems throughout the afternoon.

This was a hard earned draw against a well drilled and motivated side, watched by their First Team Manager looking for players for his bottom of the table side. We didn’t lose any shape when we went down to ten men and thoroughly deserved at least a point. Man of the match is shared between the back five players as they were all excellent.

Line up Kennard, David Patel, Mooney, Quill, Tite, Coulter, Orchard, Hyde, Archer, Wheatley. Subs used, Lee. Not Used Simon King, Egelsfield.

Saturday 06th October 2007 - New Bradwell St Peter 1 Aylesbury Vale Reserves 0

A win is a win and we are through to the next round of the cup to face North Bucks outfit Grendon Rangers at home.

This was a very one sided affair which should have brought a hatful of goals for the Bradwell men. Tom Kennard earned his clean sheet bonus without having to make any sort of tough save throughout the game.

Kevin Hyde broke the dealock after we had peppered the visitors goal for the first 25 minutes. Hyde pulled the ball down, stepped inside his marker and shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net, similar to his recent goal against Stony.

We had numerous chances to add to the scoring with efforts from pretty much the whole team being spurned. Tite and Hyde could have added goals as could King, Orchard and Coulter.

We were denied what looked another certain penalty when Greg Tite was chopped down in the box. Despite the high challenge from the defender, the referee felt the tackle was a fair one.

The second half mirrored the first with Bradwell making pretty much all of the running and having chance after chance to put the game well and truly beyond Aylesbury Vale. We were guilty of over-elaborating in the final third and looked for the perfect goal far too often.

The visiting keeper made several good saves and didn't spill any of the shots put to him. Clearly, he has a bright future in the game. Chances again for Hyde, Tite came and went.

Kevin Hyde did put the ball in the back of the net with a brilliantly taken free-kick only for the referee to rule it our claiming that he had informed us that the free kick was an indirect one.

Dan Wylie was also taken down in the box only for the referee to claim that it was obstruction rather than a foul even though new boy Wylie went to ground. The free kick was spurned as the ball was overhit.

This was a one sided game that should have been over at half time. Vale only came in to the game on the back of misplaced passes from Bradwell players. Vale worked hard for each other but were unlikely to score against the excellent Brendan Quill and Captain, Rob Mooney.

One nil, ten nil, in the cup it all means the same. We are through to the next round. We do need to take these games a little more seriously and will have to take lessons learnt from this game into the Grendon game.

Ed Wheatley wears very strange socks and pants but we still love him. Aston Villa are currently in 5th place. I don't suppose I'll say that too often!!







Tuesday 2nd October 2007 - Welwyn Garden City 3 New Bradwell St Peter 0

Not the usual match report, more of a rambling narrative so forgive me.

Welwyn have quite a young mobile side with two quick wingers. This suits the size of the pitch. For the first 25 minutes they pressed us back and scored after around 15 minutes or so when they found their way down our left. We failed to pick up properly and Matt Wardle scored at the front post for a neat finish.

We managed to get a foothold in the game with Wheatley, Coulter, King etc fighting hard to retain possession of the ball. Tite looked really sharp up front and had our first chance with a shot from distance.

We finished the half on top and had a couple of other great chances to get back in to the game. Tite's free kick from the edge of the area was blocked. He also shot over the bar when the ball wouldn't quite sit up properly for him.

We lost veteran Paul Stokes in the 42nd minute due to a recurrance of his hamstring injury and sent on 16 year old Tom Eggelsfield in his place. (More about this later.)

The second half had several talking points, all caused by the referee. At 1-0 down, Lea Coulter was fouled inside the box. The assistant referee flagged to award the kick but the referee waved him away.

Welwyn doubled their lead when they burst through a missed tackle in the middle of the park. David Parkinson slotted past Tom Kennard. We were then pulled around a bit and Tom Kennard had to pull off a couple of good one on one saves (world class, Tom!!).

We did some attacking of our own and had a great header from Gary " Im not Welsh" Davieeeees headed off the line from a Greg Tite corner. Ricky Stimpson then headed wide when the ball came back in to him.

Stimpson then went clean through on goal but appeared to be pulled back by their last defender. In fact, he wasn't just pulled back, he was held by the shoulders, turned around and pushed over in the box. Incredibly, the referee waved play on!! This was the second of what could have been game changing decisions. The defender would have had to have been sent off as their last defender too.

Welwyn then wrapped up the game when Matt Toms tapped home from a corner after some sloppy play. To be fair, it was the only sloppy defending of the game. The goal was scored with around 15 minutes to go.

All in all, a 3-0 defeat to a premier team isn't a disgrace. The starting line up contained several reserve players as we had so many injured or unavailable players it was hard to select the strongets of sides. The team that finished the game had six reserve players in it. Each and every one of them gave their all and will have learnt a huge deal from playing in this game. Kyle Flower, Simon King, Kevin Edwards, Ricky Stimpson, Tom Egglesfield, Dan Wylie all did their bit for the team, raising their game and working extremely hard.

More senior players like Wheatley, Coulter, Mooney, who was brilliant, King and Tite, all in their early 20's themselves, can be proud of how they marshalled their team mates through a tough encounter. Tom Kennard,19, Gary Davis, 20 (I think!) are only just making their mark at this standard of football and yet, showed maturity.

Had the referee given the fouls that my maroon and sky blue spectacles saw, then it could have been a completely different game. The match was a credit to both sets of players and was played at a good pace with plenty of sporting behaviour about it. Welwyn are a credit to the league, but then again, so are New Bradwell. Losing is tough and I hate it, but there are some positives to take out of this game.

Line up;
Tom Kennard, Kyle Flower (Simon King), Kev Edwards, Rob Mooney (Capt.) Paul Stokes (Tom Egglesfield), Ed Wheatley, Lea Coulter, Gary Davis (Dan Wylie), Dave King, Greg Tite, Ricky Stimpson

Saturday 29th September - Sun Postal Sports 2 New Bradwell St Peter 3

A brilliant Greg Tite hatrick put strugglers Postal to the sword at Bellmount on a day when Bradwell, yet again, had several key men missing through injury and holiday.

We were late arriving but used this to our advantage by getting off to a rushed start. We took the game straight to Postal and could have gone a couple of goals up through Lea Coulter and Ed Wheatley early on. Both saw curling shots go narrowly wide.

We took the lead in the 11th minute after a fantastic sweeping move down the right. Dave King fed a great ball in to the box for Tite to sidefoot home.

Tite was on hand a few minutes later when Lea Coulters shot was palmed away by the home keeper. Unfortunateley he could only push the ball into the path of the onrushing striker who stabbed home for a very deserved two goal lead.

The rest of the half belonged to the visitors who had shot after shot but couldn't add to their scoring. The nearest Sun Postal came to scoring was when they had a shot from distance which dipped in front of Tom Kennard, he made a good save and the ball was lashed to safety by the excellent Rob Mooney.

Ed Wheatley was off target with a couple of shoys from the edge of the area. Dave King went through but put an effort wide and Ricky Stimpson headed narrowly wide from a Darren Long cross. In truth, the game should have been well beyond the home side at the half time whistle.

Sun Postal changed their formation for the second half, deciding to match Bradwell's 4-4-2. The tactics were not difficult to make out as the home side became more aggressive with their play. Bradwell looked comfortable in the opening exchanges but were hit with a sucker punch when we failed to clear the ball. The rangy number 9, Lancaster, finished really well after spinning his marker.

Bradwell again took control of the game and went three one ahead with the best goal of the game. A foul, around 25 yards from goal led to a free kick. Greg Tite stepped up to smash an unstoppable shot into the top left hand corner, giving the keeper no chance. This was to be Greg Tite's first senior hatrick.

Bradwell had the chance to sew up the game when Ricky Stimpson was put clean through with only the keeper to beat. A great ball from Wheatley but Stimpson shot tamely into the keepers arms. Dan Wylie did exactly the same a few minutes later when he was put through by Lea Coulter.

The misses were to prove costly as Sun Postal went down to the other end of the pitch for a rare attack and scored their second, albeit in dubious circumstances. A shot from the edge of the box was going wide and was clearly handled by Lancaster. To be fair, it was unintentional and the referee may have been blindside, however, the striker did handle the ball and deflected it towards goal. The goal was given to O'Malley, the player who had shot.

Bradwell, stepped up their efforts and kept the ball in the Postal half for the final ten minutes of the game. Dan Wylie, making his club debut, had a goal ruled out for offside. Dean Orchard, Greg Tite both went close late on. Bradwell played some excellent keep ball and looked very positive despite what looks like a narrow victory.

A very good performance with some excellent individual displays from Bradwell. We won the game with plenty to spare but must learn to finish sides off. 3-2 sounds like a hard fought victory, but without being disrespectful to the home side, they found it difficult to live with our pace and
passing.

Saturday 22nd October 2007 - New Bradwell St Peter 2 Stony Stratford 2.

A lively local derby ended all square with both sides pushing for the win in what was a very open game of football.

Bradwell thought they had taken the lead from the games first corner. Greg Tite crossed in for Brendan Quill to head home only for the referee to rule the effort out for a push. The referee was very harsh on Quill. He then booked Dave Holloway for a supposed late tackle on Ed Wheatley, although he barely touched the Bradwell playmaker.

Stony were next to be denied when Darren Dykes was played through on goal. He tried to round Tom Kennard but the young keeper dived in bravely to dispossess the Stony forward. Not long afterwards, Kennard also handled well from a long distance Holloway effort. A short while later Beefy Williams headed wide from a Dykes cross.

The opening goal came from a mistake. Barry Belhouse was adjudged to have been held in the box and again the referee gave a decision that no one expected, a penalty. To be fair to Belhouse, he didn't even appeal and appeared bemused at the award. The initial penalty was saved by Kennard, his second of the season, but Mark Kalek slammed home the rebound to put the visitors one up. Again, we were harshly dealt with as the referee allowed some encroachment into the box..

Bradwell had the better of the remainder of the half but were unable to equalise. Coulter had a couple of efforts go wide and Greg Tite forced Matt Clinch into a desperate last ditch tackle to deny him a certain goal. Mooney shot wide from distance and Kevin Hyde headed wide from a Darren Long cross.

Stony made a couple of changes at the start of the second half with Mark Redsull replacing Dave Holloway. Dykes moved out to the right hand side.

In the 50th minute Stony went two up after poor communication in the home sides six yard box. The ball was headed on to our own bar and was forced home at the far post. Two mistakes, two nil down.

A short while later Greg Tite appeared to be pulled back when clean through on goal. This was to happen a second time, later on, the referee leniently booked a Stony defender for it when he was arguably lucky to have stayed on the pitch.

Bradwell got themselves back into the game in the 61st minute when they scored directly from a ROB MOONEY free kick, taken well outside the box . Kevin Hyde, who had been a nuisance all afternoon, challenged the keeper. Both players missed the ball and it ended up in the Stony net. Just the bit of luck that Bradwell needed.

Ed Wheatley had a shot saved from distance and Lea Coulter came in to his own when he ran at the visiting defence. He used the space well and caused problems for Stony when Bradwell broke from defence.

Bradwell equalised through KEVIN HYDE in the 76th minute He controlled superbly from a centre, pulling the ball down, he jinked one way and another before shooting. The ball took a deflection and ended up in the bottom left hand corner. A deserved goal after Bradwell took the game to Stony having gone two down early in the second period.

Lea Coulter went on another of his mazy runs. He appeared to be pulled back at the edge of the box but the referee missed the challenge. Greg Tite was also checked when put through on goal but the Bradwell free kick came to nothing. Stony appeared to run out of ideas late on, particularly when Nobby Kalek was replaced.

Bradwell finished the game stronger but overall a draw was a fair result in a game that was ruined by the referee's ego. Silly bookings for both sides and plenty of weird decisions. A pity that,










Saturday 15th September 2007 - Kentish Town 3 New Bradwell St Peter 3

A cracking game of football at The Barnet Copthorn Stadium. An end to end affair which could have been won by either team right up to the final whistle.

After an even first half hour, Kentish took the lead with a shot from distance, Dawson beating Kennard with a dipping shot from just outside the area. Within 5 minutes Bradwell were level after the busy Kevin Hyde was felled in the area by the home skipper. Greg Tite put the penalty away for his first goal of the season.

Tite then set up Ricardo Archer for the best chance of the half but the ball would not sit well for Archer who blazed over the bar from 8 yards. Half time was one all. Archer was feeling poorly before the game, but still gave everything he had and always looked sharp. His passing was very neat and tidy.

The second half was also a tight affair with both sides having chances to go ahead. It was to be Bradwell who took the lead when Hyde brilliantly turned his marker and centred for Greg Tite to lash home at the front post after beating his man to the ball.

Kentish then got themselves back in to the game after capitalising on a Bradwell mistake. Lucas shot home from just outside the box to give Tom Kennard no chance.

With the game now very open, Mooney, King and Patel were very solid at the heart of the visitors defence and handled pretty much anything that was thrown at them. That was until the 80th minute when the referee awarded a penalty for a foul by King. He originally waved advantage but once the ball entered the area he pointed at the spot. King was booked for trying to get his point across. McCmullen scored from the spot to give Kentish Town the lead for the second time in the game.

With five mintes remaining, Lea Coulter ran through the heart of the home defence before poking the ball past the home keeper for a deserved, spirited display, and a three all draw. Coulter's second of the season following another good personal performance.

The game was still not prepared to head for a boring ending though as the refereee denied Kentish a penalty after their big striker took a tumble. The referee then went on to award a free kick to Bradwell on the edge of the home sides penalty area when Martyn Lee had clearly fouled a defender.

All in all, this was a good, battling performance from Bradwell, who had several key players unavailable. Both sides pushed for a win and this made the game good to watch. In the end a draw seemingly the fairest result. Excellent individual performances from Patel, Coulter, Mooney, Hyde and Tite with two other players making their first team debuts. A battling display from Bradwell who go to four games unbeaten.

Line up;
Kennard, King, Mooney, Patel, Davies, Lee, Coulter, Orchard, Tite, Hyde, Archer. Subs; Flower, Morgan.Tuesday 11th September 2007 - New Bradwell St Peter 1 Arlesey Atheletic 0

A very one sided match at The Rec with Bradwell having chance after chance against the visitors, particularly in the first half. Arlesey did come into the game in the second half and also had a positive opening first ten minutes when their movement caused the home defence some problems. However, Bradwell should have won this game by a hatfull.

We struck the bar with a 25-yard Dave King strike and were denied several goals through good keeping and poor finishing.

Wheatley, Tite, Coulter all had good openings to put the game well passed Arlesey before our guests really got going. Riccardo Archer was wrongly given offside when he went clean through on goal only to be pulled back after the referee's assistant flagged for someone else.

Missing three or four key players, Bradwell made hard work of finishing Arlesey off after we eventually took the lead after the keeper parried a Lea Coulter shot only for recent new signing, Martyn Lee to score the rebound for his first Bradwell goal. This came in the 49th minute.

Patel, Wheatley, Coulter and Lee all made telling contributions to the game with Archer and Tite working hard up front. The pace and movement from the Bradwell side was proving hard to follow for Arlesey. They have some good young players who gave their all, but found a confident Bradwell side hard to match.

Arseley had a couple of chances of note but found Tom Kennard in good form. He blocked a couple of goal bound efforts to keep his third clean sheet on the bounce.

Several good performances from the Bradwell men with Lee, Orchard, Stokes, Mooney and King all having good games, as did James Smith when he came on in place of Dean Orchard. We had several efforts on goal and need to be more ruthless but this was a comfortable win and puts us through to the next round of the Challenge cup where we will be away to Welwyn Garden City.

Man of the match was Mihir "Giggs" Patel who was a constant threat down the left hand side. He also defended well when he had to and looks back to his best form. A good team performance all round but we need to be a little more clinical with our general finishing. Another three players booked as well, one for gobbing off at the referee and two for a silly tackles, when the referee could have let the game flow a little more.

Saturday 8th September 2007 New Bradwell St Peter 2 Sport London e Benfica 0

Two wins and two clean sheets on the bounce for ever improving Bradwell against a lively new team to the division.

The first half was a very close affair with few goal bound efforts for either keeper to deal with. Bradwell had the better of what chances there were but we were off target or made it too easy for their keeper. Lea Coulter and Kevin Hyde both created openings but couldn't force anything. Kevin Hyde was also pulled back in the area but the referee failed to see it and denied us a penalty. He controlled well and pushed the ball past a defender before being impeded.

The closest Benfica came to scoring was when da Silva shot across the face of the goal. The ball sailed harmlessly wide of the goal with Tom Kennard and Brendan Quill both marshalling the ball away from harm.

We lost Steve Smith after half an hour due to an elbow injury. Greg Tite went on in his place and we changed our formation. At half time we also lost Brendan Quill due to a tight hamstring. Rob Mooney went on to replace him.

The changes did not affect us though and just after half time the game exploded into life. Greg Tite's corner, earned after great work down the right by Martyn Lee, was pinged across the goal for Birthday boy Paul Stokes to rise majestically and thunder a header past both the keeper and the defender on the line.

In the 61st minute Lea Coulter was put through on goal. He shot early and placed the ball into the bottom right hand corner for his first of the season. He gave the keeper no chance before turning and giving a somewhat unique goal celebration!!

At 2-0 down, Benfica seemed to lose some of their spirit and resorted to some gamesmanship. We had three players booked for a variety of reasons. Greg Tite, Dean Orchard and Ed Wheatley.

Benfica were handed a golden opportunity to get back into the game in the 87th minute after Dave King held da Silva by the shirt. Tom Kennard make an excellent save from the penalty and then somehow managed to get back up to deny the taker an easy tap in from the rebound. Two stunning saves which deservedly preserved Bradwell's clean sheet.

Despite their possession in both halves, they failed to trouble Tom Kennards goal until the penalty. Bradwell more than matched them for spirit and we caused far more problems for them than they did for us in terms of scoring opportunities.

A very good, battling performance from New Bradwell with all of the players playing a part.





Saturday 1st September 2007 New Bradwell St Peter 1 Cranfield United 0

The first win of the season is usually the hardest to come by and that proved the case as Cranfield made Bradwell battle for what was a deserved win.

A goal just 40 seconds into the second half was enough to see off the visitors although we should have been further ahead at that point.

Two stunning saves late on from young Tom Kennard denied Cranfield an undeserved equaliser and Bradwell now have something to build on.

Bradwell were a little too deep in the first half but managed to get in behind the visiting defence with Lea Coulter and Kevin Hyde both making good runs. Simon Dent was forced into a couple of good saves.

We took the lead after Kevin Hyde's shot was initially blocked, the ball came straight back to him. He laid the ball into the path of Riccardo Archer who blasted home in great style from 12 yards. A super finish after a good sweeping move.

Our passing was a lot sharper in the second half with Steve Smith feeding Mihir Patel down the left on several occasions. We should have gone further ahead but Dent was in fine form to deny Hyde, Archer, Quill, Tite and Lea Coulter. In truth, Bradwell should have been three up before a last onslaught from Cranfield in the dying minutes.

McGlue, Shearer, Allison and Diaz all played well for Cranfield but Bradwell were comfortable despite the low score. A confidence boosting win which see's Bradwell climb the table and look forward to the coming weeks as we see players returning to the squad to make us stronger.

Some very good individual performances from the boys in maroon with Smith, Quill, Stokes, Patel and Coulter all playing well. Archer and Hyde were a handful all game, keeping the visiting defence busy.

Line up; Kennard, King, Quill, Stokes, Lee, Patel, Smith, Orchard, Coulter, Archer, Hyde. Subs: Long, Tite and Agyeman.




Tuesday 28th August 2007 - New Bradwell St Peter 1 Amersham Town 4

A real smash and grab victory for new look Amersham at The Rec. Their new front line, signed from Ruislip, along with a few others, caused problems for Bradwell right from the start.

It took just ten minutes for them to go two up with Thomas getting both. His first was a smart left footed curler into the bottom corner, his second was a thunderous header following yet another defensive lapse from the home side.

We managed to pull a goal back when new signing Kevin Hyde laid the ball back into the path of James Smith, who shot from the edge of the box for his first of the season.

We tried to get back into the game but due to poor play in the final third we failed to cause too many problems for the visiting team. Amersham had several of last seasons Ruislip team amongst their ranks and had also picked up a recently released Wycombe forward.

We finished the half on top and came out after the break looking to take the game to Amersham. In the 49th minute following our corner, the ball was hammered down field. A mix up between Patel and King saw Evboji run through on goal. King upended him in the area and was duly sent from the field. The penalty was despatched by Thomas, who completed his hatrick.

Changing our formation, we set about attempting to give the score an air of respectibility. The closest we came to scoring was with a Hyde volley from a Cole cross. The volley was superbly saved by the visiting keeper to deny the debutant.

Despite having much of the possession, it was to be the visitors who had the final say when Brendan Quill was ajudged to have handled in the box. Evboji sent Kennard the wrong way to complete the scoring.

We tried hard without really getting anywhere. Several players underperformed and we were always going to find it hard going against two very lively forwards. Unfortunately we just weren't good enough on the night and one or two players let themselves down.

Saturday 25th August 2007 - Haringey Borough 3 New Bradwell St Peter 0

A disastrous second half saw Bradwell capitulate in what was previously even game of football.  Three terrible, individual mistakes cost us dearly when we looked comfortable and likely to snatch something from the game.

Bradwell started brightly enough and the first half was an end to end affair without there being too many clear cut chances of note for either side.  James Smith, Lea Coulter, Greg Tite and Dave Cole all had efforts on goal but we didn't quite have that cutting edge.

Tom Kennard saved from Omar just before half time in what was just about the home sides only real chance in the first half.  Omar's shot swerved and dipped just in front of Kennard but was pushed over the bar.

The second half was going the same way as the first until a silly mistake cost us a goal against and suddenly we were back to last season when, once we go a goal down, we feel sorry for ourselves.

Dave Cole had had a good opportunity to open the scoring just before we went one down but he blazed over when well placed.  Steve Smith also shot over from around twelve yards, the ball always rising as it wouldn't quite come down enough.  These two chances were to change the game as just seconds later we fell two behind from a keepers clearance.

We failed to read the clearance, allowed the ball to bounce and Adedeji lashed the ball home from the edge of the box giving Kennard no chance.  Suddenly we were up against it.

The scoring was completed when Thompson slid the ball home from fully 20 yards from a free kick before we had even organised ourselves.  A very poor goal to give away and one that we must learn from.

In the end the hosts ran out looking very comfortable winners, even though the score does not truly reflect the overall game.

The discipline needed to be  better in the second half and the players need to care a little more about their performances both on and off the pitch.  Quill, Mooney and Coulter gave their all.  Sadly, their efforts were not matched by their team mates.  Again, something we must learn from.

Saturday 18th August 2007 - Harpenden Town 1 New Bradwell St Peter 1 

A disjointed performance from New Bradwell but we still managed to gain a point, whereas last season this is a game we would have lost.

A Dave Cole thunderbolt just before the hour mark gave Bradwell as deserved equaliser after the home side had gone ahead after just five minutes on the clock.

Bradwell started brightly enough and immediately took the game to the home side. Cole and Coulter saw plenty of the ball in the early stages but Bradwell were to be hit with a sucker punch.

In the 11th minute Mihir Giggs was harshly adjudged to have fouled the right winger. He went down far too easily and fooled the linesman into giving a free kick. From the kick the Bradwell defenders left the ball for each other and were punished when Ray Taffe scored from close range.

The rest of the first half belonged mainly to the visitors but their passing style of football was not as fluent as it should have been and our attacks were quickly broken down. Far too often we opted for a "Hollywood" ball instead of trying to do the simple thing and play the ball through the Harpenden side.

We had a couple of chances with James Smith flashing a header wide and Rob Mooney's free kick from the edge of the box coming to nothing after Lea Coulter had been forced from the field having been given a dead leg.

At the other end, Tom Kennard pulled off a superb reaction save when Taffe shot from close range.

A half time roasting did the trick and we were much better in the second period. We had our chances to win the game after Dave Cole's leveler. Mihir Patel went close, as did the returning Micky O'Farrell. Dave Cole also had a shot from the edge of the area but was wayward on this occasion.

His goal though, was a cracker. Played in by Darren Long in the 58th minute , Coley took the ball into the area but was forced to go slightly wide. It didn't matter too much though as he blasted the ball across the keeper to give him no chance at all.

O'Farrell had a late free kick well held by the home keeper with just a couple of minuted to go and try as we might in the last ten minutes, we couldn't force a winner.

Two games unbeaten and players coming back from injury and suspension. We were able to alter our formation which gave us a more solid look and something to ponder for our next game.
We needed to be a bit closer all round and be a little more competitive throughout the game.




Tuesday 14th August 2007 - New Bradwell St Peter 1 Buckingham Athletic 1

Bradwell opened their account for the season with a point, but in fairness we should have had all three. We played some neat and tidy football with good passing and movement throughout the game.

The ball wouldn't fall for us in the first half in the Athletic penalty area despite us doing all of the pushing. The visitors had to alter their formation to cope with Dave Cole and Lea Coulter's running from midfield. We had half chances, with Stimpson, James Smith, Ed Wheatley and Steve Smith all having shots from different angles and positons on the pitch. Cole and Coulter caused problems with their pace and forced the Athletic defenders into some desperate clearances. They defended very well to keep the Bradwell movement at bay.

The nearest Buckingham came to scoring in the first half was from a long range shot whcih was comfortably held by Tom Kennard in the Bradwell goal. Other than that, Brendan Quill and Pete Lindsay were sharp, first to the ball and generally very tight.

Bradwell finally took the lead in the 58th minute when the ball was rolled into the feet of Ricky Stimpson. He turned quickly and slammed the ball past Burdiak.

Unfortunately, a moment of indecision cost us an undeserved equaliser from O'Callagham just a couple of minutes later. We failed to clear a corner and he poked to ball just over the line with Lea Coulter desperately trying the keep it out.

Bradwell got back into their stride and continued to push the visitors back. Wheatley, Steve Smith and James Smith were assisted superbly by Skipper Rob Mooney and Mihir "Giggs" Patel with their running from full back. It was Rob Mooney's first time cross that almost gave us a lead when he put the ball in for Pete Lindsay to hammer the ball towards goal only for Burdiak to make an excellent save when he pushed the ball over the bar.

Ed Wheatley, man of the match for his non stop running, came close when he got round the back of the vistors defence only to see his shot blocked at the near post.

In the last minute we almost grabbed a very deserved winner when Ed Wheatley played an excellent ball through to Lea Coulter. Unfortunately for Bradwell, Coulters effort was well saved by the keeper and the chance was wasted. Final score was one all with Bradwell kicking themselves for not earning all three points.

A very good performance from Bradwell over all. We dominated the game for long periods but couldn't fine that second goal to kill the game off. We continue to learn about each others strengths and weaknesses.




Saturday 4th August 2007 - Olney Town 0 New Bradwell St Peter 2

A goal in either half gave Bradwell their second win, and clean sheet on the bounce. Previously, Olney had been unbeaten in pre-season and had picked up some new players.

Playing on a smallish pitch on a hot summers day we had to get used to the conditions very quickly. Olney had the better of the opeing ten minutes but once we had got to grips with the pitch we never looked back and dominated throughout the rest of the game.

The closest Olney came to scoring was a long distance shot with was parried well by Tom Kennard and cleared to safety by the alert defence. Tom asked me to let you all know that it was a "world class save".

Bradwell took the lead through Rob Mooney. He gathered the ball just inside the Olney half of the pitch, chested down and rifled in an unstoppable shot from fully 30 yards.

Bradwell went close again through James Smith after excellent work from Steve Smith and Mihir Patel out of the left. The ball was switched across the pitch only for James Smith to shoot wide.

Olney were being forced back with the smart movement from Darren Long and Lea Coulter and had to pull off two or three last gasp tackles in order to prevent further scoring. Unfortunately, our corners came to nothing.

The second half was slightly more open but again Bradwell did most of the pressing with Riccardo Archer causing constant problems. Dean Orchard, on at half time, also got into some great positions from midfield.

Olney had a couple of shots but the closest they came was from another longish distance effort which cleared the right hand post by a couple of foot.

Bradwell deservedly went two up late on through Lea Coulter. Ed Wheatley won the ball in the middle of the park. He fed Gary Taylor, who in turn laid the ball in to the path of Mihir "Giggs" Patel down the left. Patel put in an excellent cross and Lea Coulter smashed the ball home from the edge of the 6-yard box. A terrific goal from a terrific move.

This was a game of few chances for either side but one where we looked comfortable and in control. Our passing was neat and tidy and the movement of good quality. One or two things to work on from this game but that is to be expected during pre-season. All in all, a good performance with some excellent individual displays.

Line up;
Tom Kennard, Kyle Flower, Brendan Quill, Rob Mooney, Mihir Patel, Lea Coulter, James Smith, Steve Smith, Ed Wheatley, Darren Long, Riccardo Archer. Subs Dean Orchard, Jason Reeves, Gary Taylor.

Thursday 2nd August 2007 - New Bradwell St Peter 4 Mursley United 0

A tremendous pre-season performance which bodes well for the new season from New Bradwell against division two visitors Mursley United.

Two goals from in-form Riccardo Archer put us into a two goal lead in the first half. He was also harshly given off side for what would have been his first hatrick in Bradwell colours.

His first came after a sweeping move. His second was even better after great pace and movement caused problems for the Mursley defenders.

James Smith came close with a header which forced a smart save from the visiting keeper. Dave Cole was denied when in a one on one situation. Lea Coulter and Dave Coles pace continued to cause problems down either wing, the Bradwell midfield worked hard to get the ball out to them and were making useful forward runs which were hard to pick up.

Mursley almost equalised when Martin Shaw had a header cleared off the line by Patel. It was as close as they were to come in the first half as the home defence stood firm. At half time Bradwell led two nil after a very solid, professional performance.

The second half was a similar affair with Bradwell doing much of the pressing. We were quick to close down and passed the ball around really well. Changes were made in the 60th minute with the excellent Mooney, Steve Smith and James Smith being replaced by Pete Lindsay, Dean Orchard and Darren Long.

We soon settle back into our stride and were able to make further changes with Michael McKenzie and Kyle Flower replacing Riccardo Archer and Dave Cole. Both of them had worked tremendously hard in warm conditions and deserved a rest.

Shortly after the changes, Dave King, now playing on the right hand side of the midfield, crossed in for Pete Lindsay to smash home a brilliant volley. This made the game safe.

Mihir "Giggs" Patel had a couple of chances to further the scoring when he stormed into the visitors box only to see both of his efforts easily handled by the keeper. McKenzie also had a shot go wide after good work from Darren Long and Dean Orchard.

The scoring was completed after Ed Wheatley, Captain for the evening, stole the ball in midfield and fed Lea Coulter. The young winger easily turned his marker inside and out before drawing the keeper and hammering home a well deserved goal.

Mursley hit the bar late on in a search for a consolation goal and Tom Kennard was also forced into a smart save from Shaw. A clean sheet was very much deserved after great performances from all of the Bradwell defenders on the night.

4-0 was a fair reflection of the game with Bradwell the more industrious of the sides. Every player played their part and it is tough to pick out anyone in particular with each and every player hitting top form. We need to continue learning from the performance and pick out the things that we can still work on but all in all it was a very good performance.

Starting line up;
Tom Kennard, Dave King, Mihir Patel, Rob Mooney, Brendan Quill, Ed Wheatley, Steve Smith, James Smith, Lea Coulter, Dave Cole, Riccardo Archer. Subs; Pete Lindsay, Michael McKenzie, Kyle Flower, Darren Long, Dean Orchard.

Man of the match, tough call but Ed Wheatley and Brendan Quill were outstanding throughout the game
Saturday 28th July 2007 Hillingdon Abbots 1 New Bradwell St Peter 6 

A dominant performance from New Bradwell against Cherry Red league opponents Abbots at Yeading's Beaconsfield Road stadium saw us romp to a stunning 6-1 win.

In difficult, windy conditions, and following a terrible journey down from Milton Keynes, it took us just over a minute to take the lead. A sweeping move, involving debutant Gary Davies, Steve Smith, James Smith and Martin Lee, ended with a cross into the box to find Micky O'Farrell, who swept home from close range.

Abbots came back at Bradwell and almost earned an equaliser when a free kick from our right was flicked towards goal. Fortunately, Tom Kennard was aware of the danger and made a good, close range save to preserve our lead.

At times, Bradwell played good passing football and should have been well ahead at the break. Riccardo Archer, on for the injured O'Farrell, shot just over. Sam Edwards couldn't convert when he had a one on one with the keeper. Martin Lee also went close from a Rob Mooney free kick. Lee saw his header beat the keeper, only for his effort to go over the bar.

Bradwell also had strong claims for a penalty turned down when Archer was poleaxed just before half time.

Bradwell switched formation at half time but were immediately pegged back as they settled into their stride. Abbots equalising after Bradwell failed to clear their lines.

A couple of minutes later Bradwell re-took the lead and didn't look back as they took control of the game. Steve Smith was highly influential in midfield alongside James Smith. Michael Makenzie and Riccardo Archer created mayhem in the home sides box.

Steve Smith, Riccardo Archer(2), Makenzie and Dave King added to O'Farrel's strike. Some excellent movement from the front two was well supported with Mihir Patel and Dave King foraging down either flank to leave Abbots stretched and constantly under pressure. In fact, apart from their leveller, they failed to force any kind of save from Tom Kennard thanks in the main to a good defensive display from skipper Rob Mooney and Pete Lindsay.

A good workout for Bradwell, who had several key men missing through weddings, moving house, car trouble, being under house arrest from over zealous partners (not really, I am just seeing if you are still reading this!!). We still took a strong squad to Yeading as we look to build for a tough season ahead.

Mihir Patel and Dave King were their usual reliable selves. Giggs almost scored when he cut inside a defender. Unfortunately, he could only find the arms of the keeper when well placed. It was rubbish, but I trying to be kind!! The referee appeared to have forgotten how to make any kind of decision when we were denied at least two stonewall penalties in the second half. Sam Edwards enjoyed his game as he created space for others and looked dangerous throughout. Martin Lee also assisted with the midfield dominance with some sharp play around both boxes.

Well done lads, more of the same please.

Match marks.

Kennard 8, King 8, Patel 8 Mooney 8, Lindsay 8, Steve Smith 8, James Smith 9, Martin Lee 8, Davies 7, O'Farrell 7, Sam Edwards 8. Subs Reeves 7, Kev Edwards 7, Makenzie 8, Archer 8, Chouhan 8.