Blast from the past
Andrew Cornell looks back on Blues’ games on August 11th
It can be seen that this is an early start to the season by the fact that Blues have only ever played three league games on this date. The only other competitive games played on August 11th have been two Herts Charity Cup games. In 1984 Blues travelled to Hertford and won 2-1 thanks to goals from Hull and Cardines. Going back another 5 years and 1st Division Stortford beat Premier Division Boreham Wood in a minor giant killing. The score was 2-0 and the goals from Pat Ferry and Ian Smith.
The first league game on this date and only home league game was when we opened the 2007-08 season at home to Newport County. The home defence came under pressure as early as the 3rd minute. County’s O’sullivan managed to evade Andy Young’s despairing clutches, but his shot was cleared from near the line by Stanbrook. A minute later, Mark Wright came to the rescue clearing off Young’s line from Bowen’s shot.
Blues finally settled and Roy Essandoh set up Jason Mason for a long range shot on 10 minutes that flew over the County bar. On 16 minutes, Sam O’sullivan showed his class when beating Matt Jones for pace and crossing to Craig Hughes. Fortunately for Blues, Stanbrook was in action again to deny Craig Hughes a shot on goal.
Bowen came close from a free kick but blasted over and the half was completed when Mark Wright forced County keeper Glyn Thompson into a low save to ensure the half remained goalless.
The second half began a little more sedately, reflecting the warm conditions. Within the first quarter of an hour, Lee Fowler had been allowed to strike the only shot of note, easily parried by Young. On the hour mark, Fowler was again given too much space and shot again, this time young could only watch as the ball beat the left hand post.
O’sullivan came close to breaking the deadlock following a neat move, but Goodacre was sharp in the tackle and snuffed out the chance.Alsop’s miss from close range underlined County’s lack of accuracy on the day. Blues were still capable of mounting their own attacks. Greg Pearson sped away from two defenders to line up a shot that was goalbound, but keeper Thompson was able to block the shot.
The last chance went to County sub Charlie Griffin but he was unable to change the pattern of play, failed to control his shot and the chance was wasted.
All the other games played on this date have been friendlies. Interestingly we have played Enfield 3 times in friendlies on this particular date wining two and losing one. Other opponents have mainly been local teams especially from East Anglia with games against Sudbury Town, Halstead Town and Haverhill Rovers.
2015 Maidenhead United 4 BSFC 1 – Conference South
Lovelock, Vanderhyde, Herd, Smith, Lee, Allen, Merrifield, Church, Suarez, Buchanan, Fanimo Subs: Sellears, Thalassitis, Ekim Unused: Okosieme, Bailey-Dennis Scorer: Buchanan
2012 BSFC 0 Colchester United 1 – Friendly
2009 Dover Athletic 2 BSFC 0 – Conference South
Eyre, Jones, Wright, Taylor-Forbes, Goodacre, Angus, Harris, Bowditch, MacKenie, Sheringham, Nicholls Subs: Essandoh, Hill, Lettejallow Unused: Jones, Champion
2007 BSFC 0 Newport County 0 – Conference South
Young, Jones, Wright, Edwards, Goodacre, Stanbrook, Mason, Essandoh, Pearson, Midson, Champion Subs: Williamson, Fazackerley Unused: Taylor, Gaisie, Welch
2001 Great Wakering Rovers 0 BSFC 0 – Friendly
1998 Tilbury 2 BSFC 3 – Friendly
1992 BSFC 1 Sudbury Town 2 – Friendly
1990 Halstead Town 2 BSFC 2 – Friendly
1988 BSFC 4 Enfield 0 – Friendly
1987 BSFC 2 Woodford Town 1 – Friendly
1984 Hertford Town 1 BSFC 2 – Herts Charity Cup 1st Round
Welsh, Wickenden, Davey, Ryan, Hull, Smith, Hopkins, Staunton, Harris, Smith, Mercer
Subs: Cardines, Scarth Scorers: Hull, Cardines
1981 BSFC 3 Enfield 2 – Friendly
1979 BSFC 2 Boreham Wood 0 – Herts Charity Cup 1st Round
Carrick, Coakley, Bradford, Smith, Brame, Blackman, Ferry, Eason, Worrell, Knapman, Smith Sub Unused: Carvill Scorers: Ferry, Smith
1973 Enfield 1 BSFC 0 – Friendly
1965 Haverhill Rovers 5 BSFC 0 – Friendly
