1st XI Match Reports 

OLD SALESIANS 2 - 3 BROOMFIELD – 31st March 2007

SOUTHERN AMATUER LEAGUE DIVISION 1

“BROOMS SCORE THREE MADE BY THE PERFECT TEN”

The Blue Onlooker

In the aftermath of last weeks demoralising cup final defeat an inevitable hangover was anticipated, and so it proved with a disappointing amount of cry-offs from the first team squad leaving just eleven Brooms “strong and true” to travel to Salesian’s distant Ewell ground. Due to the circumstances Broomfield was forced to play most of this game with ten men after losing Paul Allman on ten minutes through injury. Nonetheless they produced their best performance of the season in managing to outplay a spirited Salesians side and score three well worked goals to bag all the league points on offer.

Tom Given Broomfield’s hat-trick hero on Saturday

In spite of it being unfair to pick out any-body in particular for special praise as the whole side gave everything in a sparkling display. It would be churlish not to give mention to Tom Given who scored all three goals. The former Southampton trainee has shone in his first season with Brooms and has often shown the knack of scoring vital goals from his midfield position. The first half began with Brooms on top playing attractive football and seeing Steve Holliday Floyd Nelson and Given all threatening the home sides goal.

Steve Holliday manfully ploughed a lone furrow up front

With the loss of the unlucky Allman, Brooms were forced to revise their tactics leaving Holliday to play a lone game up front, credit to him, so hard did he work throughout the game Salesians never found the time or space to expose the Brooms deficit in numbers. After the Brooms reorganisation the first half was a more even affair with the home side getting a fillip from the situation. Indeed they may have come in one goal to the good had their lively Centre Forward converted the best chance of the half.  Nevertheless as the half finished Brooms had got to grips with what was required and began gradually to dominate possession with skilful passing.

There was some trepidation as Brooms commenced the second half as a strong wind had sprung up and was blowing hard into the away side’s faces. Taking a cue from the first half Brooms kept the ball away from the vagaries of the wind and continued to keep the ball on the grass. Brooms were rewarded for good football ten minutes into the half when the ball was worked from the back line through midfield to the eager Given, he took on the entire Salesians defence before rounding the goalkeeper and firing home for a great solo goal.

Danny Nelmes outstanding at the heart of the Brooms defence 

On the hour Saleasian got themselves back into the game when following an unfortunate slip by the otherwise outstanding Danny Nelmes the home side’s Centre Forward seized on a long through ball. Salesians best player on the day needed no more luck as he turned and drove the ball past Mark Robbins from close range.

The reverse did not deflate Brooms and the skilful Simon Pope and James Jacobs continued to control centre of midfield with accurate interchanging of passes. In one such move Nelson was fed the ball on he right the flying winger went round the Salesian defence with ease and laid the ball across the goal for Given to side-foot home.  Brooms looked home and hosed as they continued to dominate the play and threatened to score again, but the obdurate Salesians scored with ten minutes left when a rare attack was rewarded with a corner the subsequent corner kick was not properly cleared and the ball was forced home through a melee of players.

It looked like Brooms were going to be unlucky after deserving more than a share of the points, however in keeping with the great team spirit shown on the day, Broomfield went at Saleasians hammer and tongs in the closing stages. If there had to be a hero then step forward the “Golden Given” who was making lung-bursting runs to get forward time and time again. In the final seconds Given latched onto a clever pass and lashed the ball onto the net from outside the area to give Brooms a well-deserved victory. In the context of the past weeks events this victory was Brooms finest moment of the season with the team sprit of the players on the pitch a shining example to those who have shown a more timid disposition and at times have not been there for the team when winning or other prospects had seemed a tough ask for motivation.

MIDDLESEX – ESSEX A F A SENIOR CUP FINAL

BROOMFIELD 0 – 4 POLYTECHNIC - 24th MARCH 2007

“BROOM’S ERRORS MAKE A PRETTY POLY ”

The Blue Onlooker

Despite having the greater share of possession for most of this game a catalogue of individual defensive errors sunk a misfiring Broomfield side. In truth Poly did not have to show too much attacking prowess as Brooms alarmingly cracked at regular intervals when threatened by the Poly attack.

Brooms started the brighter of the two teams and a good early chance fell to James Jacobs, unfortunately Brooms attacker Steve Holliday inadvertently blocked his goal bound effort close to the goal line.

James Jacobs has his goal bound effort blocked

Poly scored from their first attack of the game following a corner kick when Keeper Mark Robbins allowed the ball to sail over him and an unchallenged Poly player headed home from virtually on the goal line.

Brooms tried to get back in the game after the reverse with some neat passing football mainly prompted in midfield by Simon Pope. However they were thwarted in the final third by an excellent Poly defence or an unimaginative final pass, this reduced Brooms to a number of half chances only. Perhaps on another day one or two of the chances would have gone in but as events unfolded this was certainty not going to be Brooms day.

Midway through the first half, Poly extended their lead when following a good passing move the final ball seemed to be covered by the Brooms defence however Fullback and Keeper fatally hesitated waiting for each to clear, this allowed a Poly forward to steal in and score past the static defenders.

Polytechnic score a second goal

Again Brooms went on the attacked in attempt to get a foot-hold in the match but as the half ended it had become increasingly apparent that it was going to take something special to score pass a very well organized side who had been handed a two goal lead to fortify their efforts.

Brooms hope of an early second-half goal was soon dashed when not long into the half they conceded a needless third goal. The hapless Robbins seemed clear favorite to be first to a through ball but he completely missed his attempt to kick the ball clear leaving the Poly forward the simple task of running the ball into an empty net.

Thoroughly demoralized Brooms knew the game was lost and their attacking efforts gradually waned as the remainder of the game proceeded, with Poly putting together more attacks than at any other stage of the match. The shell-shocked Brooms defence managed to stay firm with Danny Nelmes and Paul Allman at least putting in worthy performances. 

Mark Robbins tips over a difficult cross 

In the dying minutes again another goal was given away when Ian Nelson was dispossessed on the edge of the penalty area. Poly did not need a second invitation and efficiently dispatched the ball into the back of the Brooms net before they could regroup thus leaving Brooms a well-beaten side.

Unfortunately not a happy day for Brooms, they appeared to have saved a whole season of errors for the one match they wanted to be perfect in.  However they should take solace from the fact that this was the third year in a row they had been finalists and that achievement in its self deserves great merit. 

Broomfield FC - AFA Middlesex/Essex County Finalist for three consecutive seasons

ALLEYN OLD BOYS 2 - 1 BROOMFIELD 10th March 2007

 SOUTHERN AMATEUR LEAGUE DIVISION 1

“OLD BOYS TOO EXPERIENCED FOR BABY BROOMS”

The Blue Onlooker

Brooms gave a petulant display in succumbing to a limited but defensive sound Alleyns side who where content to sit back and expose Broom’s defensive weaknesses by scoring two second half goals from their limited forages into the away side’s half.

Brooms had the lion’s share of possession in both half’s but frustratingly gave away possession continually, on what proved to be a difficult playing surface. These circumstances seemed to frustrate Brooms who lost focus on the task of scoring goals and ended up troubling the referee more than the opposition’s keeper.

On the rare occasions that a Brooms player was given a good opportunity it was wasted by their season long nemesis of profligate finishing, typified by Floyd Nelson’s failure to beat the keeper when clean through and with the goal at his mercy, notwithstanding this it must be said that Nelson was Brooms best player on the day.

Floyd Nelson Broomfield’s best player in Saturday’s defeat

Alleyns showed a little more ambition in the second half sensing that Brooms where not in good order and the game was there to be won, they hit Brooms mid-way through the second half with two quick goals winning possession from misplaced passes in midfield and moving the ball forward quickly to catch out a startled defence who really should have dealt with both situations more convincingly.

The reverse did put some life back into Brooms who played with more desire and urgency in the last twenty minutes than at any other time in the match, they scored when Nelson won possession off a casual defender and slipped in Lee Knight to side foot home. Unfortunate this proved to be too little too late and despite threatening to score an equaliser Brooms never quiet found a way round a resolute home defence.

It is difficult to explain Brooms lack of focus and commitment in this match. Perhaps it was thoughts of the impending cup final at Civil Service this coming Saturday (KO 3pm), against a powerful Polytechnic side. If attitudes are less than full on and focused in the right manner for this match, then Brooms can say goodbye to any silverware for this season.   

BROOMFIELD 4 – 3 EAST BARNET O. G 10th March 2007

SOUTHERN AMATUER LEAGUE DIVISION 1

The Blue Onlooker

In the interest of truth and justice an alternative view of my take on this game from no other than the F.A.  (See I told the First Team if they trained they would get noticed)

THE BARBER

Broomfield look to build on their 4-0 lead against EBOGs on Saturday

READ ALOUD

A Nightingale Sang

The FA's historian and superfan attended his 5,250th match on Saturday. He was looking for something "massive" to mark the occasion and they probably don't get much bigger than East Barnet Old Grammarians v Broomfield in the Southern Amateur League.

On the following afternoon it was something a little more humdrum: Chelsea v Spurs in The FA Cup Sixth Round.

My five matches last week finished: Duke of Edinburgh 2 Alhijra 3, East Barnet OG 3 Broomfield 4, Chelsea 3 Tottenham 3, Thorp Design 1 Abbey 2 and Sang 4 Camden Lions 2.

The first of those meant a first visit of the season to Market Road in Islington for "The Barber". Alhijra beat the Duke in a feisty Islington Midweek League Division One encounter but had several players cautioned for dissent.

One was actually red-carded for "bad language" in the first half and when he seemed reluctant to go to the dressing room, I heard the ref threaten to abandon the game. The player removed his shirt and his surly walk along the touchline reminded me of Rattin’s at Wembley in ’66.

I got off the Northern Line tube at High Barnet on Saturday, turning right when everyone else turned left. Barnet were playing Stockport in League Two at Underhill but I had an altogether more sumptuous fixture in mind in Alan Drive.

In terms of goalmouth action it turned out to be one of the best matches of the season.

East Barnet Old Grammarians were 0-4 down at one stage, two of Broomfield’s goals being shots from the wing that were blown into the far corner of the goal by the substantial wind. Then EBOGs fought back to 3-4 and a bullet free-kick in stoppage time missed by inches. The attendance was a slightly disappointing six

EAST BARNET O. G. 3–4 BROOMFIELD 10th March 2007

SOUTHERN AMATUER LEAGUE DIVISION 1

“BROOMS FEATURE IN A COMEDY OF ERRORS”

 CARRY ON DEFENDING!

The score line suggests an exciting encounter with lots of thrills and spills, unfortunately nothing could be further from the truth there was only spills, just two goals were worthy of the name the rest were made up of flukes, own goals or blatant offside.

This game was a poor advert for the standards currently being set in the Southern Amateur League. From the condition of the pitch to the football served up by both teams everything was second rate and resulted in a slapstick sort of a game punctuated by farcical errors from both teams. Sadly the general comical malaise affecting the players spread to the referee who also gave a series of funny decisions.

For the record Brooms led three nil at half time with goals coming from Wells (2) and Niell. The score line flattered somewhat as the home side contrived to miss at least two easy chances, mind Brooms were just as culpable of spurning easy chances with both defences seemingly wide open for most of the half.

Brooms extended their lead midway through the second half when Knight strolled through a non- existent defence to make it four. In common with the light hearted thinking that affected Broom’s for most of this game they then proceeded to play as if there was no need to defend with any seriousness and were punished in the last fifteen minutes, when the home side hit a flippant defence with three quick goals. The shocked visitors were then left to fall about desperately in the dying minutes in order to scramble all three points.

The whole game situation caused some mirth amongst both sets of supporters but Brooms management would definitely not be amused and they would be well advised to except three “funny old points” and forget this game as quickly as possible and perhaps go home put on a comedy DVD of Sid James et al. for a proper laugh.

WINCHMORE HILL 2-1 BROOMFIELD  3rd March 2007

SOUTHERN AMATEUR LEAGUE DIVISION 1

“BROOMS SINK IN A- PAULIN BOG” 

Brooms attack missed many good opportunities on Saturday
(Picture courtesy of Winchmore Hill Web site)

 The Blue Onlooker

Time was when a proud Winchmore Hill criticised the playing conditions on offer at Broomfield’s Hazelwood ground in comparison to their much-lauded Paulin ground. How those times have changed as Hill gained victory on the back of two huge slices of luck brought about by a pitch that was a bog in areas, and unkempt generally. Maybe conditions on the day were a designed to negate Brooms slick passing game if so this failed as Brooms dominated the game from start to finish but unfortunately returned home empty handed.

Brooms opened with high energy and should have been well ahead after the first ten minutes, Rueben Wells Tom Given and Floyd Nelson all spurned good chances. There was no inkling that Lady Luck was about to smile so alluringly on an often-desperate Hill. Suddenly Brooms were two down! Hill’s tactic of hitting long diagonal balls towards the corner flags to relieve pressure paid off big time! First Paul Allman seemed to have mopped up a long ball by the corner flag but slipped on the bogy pitch a Hill Forward stole the ball and crossed, their seemed little danger as a Brooms defender volleyed the ball away unfortunately it hit Centre Half Danny Nelmes mid-ships and freakishly rebounded passed a startled Mark Robbins into the corner of the net. Then worst was to come when the hapless Nelmes could not hold his feet in the Hill bog after receiving a simple pass and ended face down in the mud, again a Hill forward stole the ball speed unchallenged towards Brooms goal and netted past the stranded Robbins. Brooms could not believe their bad luck but continued to play good football and were soon creating more chances and deservedly scored when the commanding Tom Given cleverly turned in a Nelson pass. The first half finished with Brooms creating chances but being denied by profligacy, desperate defending or outstanding goalkeeping from Andy Carter.

The second half followed the pattern of the first with a dominate Broomfield creating and missing gilt edge chance after gilt edge chance, and the home keeper at times seemingly playing them on his own, but despite his heroics, Wells, Pope, Jacobs and Townsend know they should have given Brooms a comfortable victory. In the end as they say “goals win games” lucky or not and when the final whistle blew Hill had two and Brooms one, albeit to the away sides utter disbelief, however it must be said that credit should go to the home side for the fortitude they showed to dig out this result.

Both sides would appear to have only a slim chance of the league title so any local bragging rights may have to wait awhile, although with Brooms in a cup final and with Lady Luck wearing her favourite purple frock maybe not.

BROOMFIELD 6 – 2 SOUTHGATE COUNTY 24th February 2007

MIDDLESEX – ESSEX A F A SENIOR CUP  

“BROOMS CLEAN UP THE COUNTY”

The Blue Onlooker

Broomfield progressed to the final of this historic cup for the third year running with a comfortable victory over AFC Premier Division outfit Southgate County, enabled by a sparkling first half performance which saw them go in at the break with an unassailable 4-1 lead.

Brooms started at a fast tempo and scored two early goals before the opposition could settle. The tough tackling Tom Givens won the ball bravely before releasing Dave Townsend to go on and score, the second followed quickly when Danny Nelmes curled in a free kick from 25 yards. These reverses seemed to spark County into life and for a while Brooms goal lived a charmed life with the away side missing two good chances before being awarded a penalty, Brooms luck continued when Keeper Mark Robbins saved brilliantly. Eventually County scored the goal they deserved when their Left Winger opened up the Brooms defence and delivered a clever pass to allow his Centre Forward to score at the near post. At this stage the game became very open with both sides looking likely to score, however it was Brooms who stuck when following a great passing move, man of the match Givens finished with great accuracy. The goal deflated County and their efforts began to fade as Brooms endeavoured to put the game beyond them, they succeeded when Floyd Nelson won possession on the right, sped past the County defence and squared the ball for Ruben Wells who coolly finished.

The second half was less lively than the first with Brooms in command and County seemingly resigned to their fate. A quickly taken free kick put Nelson through a protesting County defence to make it five. Wells administered the final rights with a brutal strike leaving the now demoralised County only enough time to score a consolation goal in the dying seconds.

So an outstanding achievement by the Palmers Green side in reaching the final for the third consecutive year, confidence will be high for next weeks SAL derby clash with neighbours Winchmore Hill.  

BROOMFIELD 4 – 0 OLD LYONIANS 17th February 2007

SOUTHERN AMATEUR LEAGUE DIVISION 1

“BROOMS MAUL LYONS”

The Blue Onlooker 

Another perfect winters day, another perfect playing surface, and another Old Boys side struggling at the wrong end of the table. Would Broomfield give a performance to match the elements, or would they like the previous home game fluff their lines? Well whilst the performance was not perfect it was much improved and at times the home side showed their ability to play a passing game to a level not matched by any team in this league.

Steve Holliday scored a fine goal on Saturday

Brooms management must be somewhat nervous at the commencement of each game wondering which Brooms side will turned up, previous evidence demonstrates their games are won or lost in the first half. Fortunately this one was the side that starts at a fast tempo scores early and puts the game beyond the opposition before the can settle. Three smart goals in the first twenty minutes rendered the remainder of the game a formality. First an incisive passing move found Floyd Nelson free in the box the flying Winger made no mistake beating the keeper with a fierce drive, minutes later the goal of the game arrived following a flowing move which found Full Back Paul Allman overlapping at full tilt, his accurate cross was brilliantly finished by Steve Holliday. There seemed no respite for Lyonians who were desperately defending the attacking onslaught from the home side, soon it was three nil when Dave Townsend showed great skill as he dribbled across the goal area to scored from an acute angle. As in previous games once in the comfort zone Brooms proceeded to play comfortably seeing out the first half with the minimum of effort, they obviously don’t do “good thrashings”!

The second half was quite a friendly affair with the home side playing some pretty football but showing no killer instinct in front of goal missing a succession of chances. Lyonians could not believe their luck and sensing the home side had taken the foot off the pedal started to put together some attacking moves of their own one of which saw Keeper Mark Robbins forced to produce a brilliant double save to keep his goal intact. Shocked buy this narrow escape Brooms went straight up the other end and scored a fourth goal to restore their authority this time it was Tom Given who dispatched the ball into the net with aplomb and make it game over.

So a comfortable win for Brooms who next week take on Southgate County in the Semi-Final of the AFA Middlesex/Essex Senior County Cup at Hazelwood KO 2pm.

BROOMFIELD 0 – 0 ALLEYN OLD BOYS 3rd February 2007

SOUTHERN AMATEUR LEAGUE DIVISION 1

“OLD BOYS PARK COACH IN FRONT OF BROOMS GOAL ON AWAY DAY”

The Blue Onlooker

On a perfect winters day on a perfect playing surface Brooms gave an imperfect performance showing neither the necessary guile or finishing skill too beat an Alleyns side who had clearly come to Hazelwood intent on defending for a draw.

Brooms started the first period slowly being knocked out of their stride by the visitor’s simple ploy of sitting deep and hitting long balls over the top of an often-startled Brooms defence. It must be said Brooms did not help themselves by offering the visitors bounteous possession with a succession of misplaced passes or falling into the trap of pumping in long inaccurate balls which a packed defence found easy to snuff out and return the ball up field. The first half finished with neither side creating a serious chance and notable only for the stop start nature of the game.

The second period followed the first with Brooms asking the attacking questions but the Old Boys seemingly having the answer to all their unimaginative intentions. In a game as frustrating as this it is of paramount importance to take any chances that are on offer. However Brooms failed abjectly in this department also, with golden chances being spurned by Steve Holliday James Jacobs and Rueben Wells. The game drew to a sterile close with Brooms launching balls into the ‘mix’ and the visitors hanging on for a merited draw.

A very frustrating game for Brooms, were the ball could have been dead for longer periods than it was active, however they surely would have won this game had tried to shown more invention and their fitness levels had allowed them to play at a higher tempo.

Brooms traveled to Tolworth looking to get their SAL league program back on track after an inconsistent start to the season .On paper it appeared a daunting task as Nottsborough sat proudly at the top of the league with a 100% league and cup record. However Brooms took solace from the fact that they have never lost at this difficult venue. 

Steve Holiday scorer of both goals on Saturday

Early on Nottsborough almost caught Brooms cold as a slow to react midfield allowed one of their opposite number to carry the ball through their midst unchallenged luckily keeper Robbins was alert and managed to palm away a rasping shot. The escape brought the right response from the away team who then proceeded to gradually take control of the midfield allowing good supply to the Broom’s pacey wide men Steve Holiday and Floyd Nelson, this proved to be the pivotal tactic of the game as Notts really never got to grips with their potent threat.

Brooms opened the scoring when Nelson sped round the right of the Notts defence and fed a telling ball across the goal Holiday was on hand to bundle the ball home. The remainder of the half was mainly Brooms and they looked the most likely to score however Notts were not with out their chances and the Brooms defence was at times stretched to keep their goal intact. 

The first period of the second half was much the same as the first with Notts trying to get to grips with Brooms fast breaking style of play which was creating a succession of good chances, the best falling to Rueben Wells who was put clean through by a clever through ball from James Jacobs, only a smothering save from the home goalkeeper thwarted Wells. Notts failed to heed the lesson and soon afterwards a similar move put Holiday clear and this time the home keeper could do nothing to prevent a cool finish from Holiday. 

Following the second goal Notts were stung and as you would expect from a side enjoying outstanding form, they piled forward in an attempt to retrieve the situation, Brooms defence was severely tested and with fifteen minutes to go Notts scored a disputed goal when the ball was side footed home following what looked a foul on center half Danny Nelmes. Brooms steeled themselves for a siege on their goal but it never came, Notts tired from their efforts and were unable able to get the better of tight Brooms defence where Lee Knight and Danny Nelmes won their battle with Notts’ dangerous front pair. 

So a morale boosting victory for Broomfield but whether they can week on week show the team discipline to challenge for honours remains to be seen.

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