Awaking to a frosty vista, all eyes were turned to WhatsApp for weather forecasts, astro observations and inspiration. The 11:30 start at Broxbourne for the final U16 Mixed tournament of the season (this time with three teams) was looking perhaps a bit uncertain to those tucked up in the warm but somewhat more certain to those out walking their dog in the emerging sunshine.
Common sense and good eyesight prevailed (and my weather prediction was correct for once) as the Broxbourne pitch inspectors declared the tournament most definitely “ON”.

Drivers were despatched to navigate the Berko Half Marathon traffic en route to Broxbourne. Would the hitherto unbeaten (in league tournament matches, we’re ignoring that start of the season friendly) BHHHC U16 Mixed team manage to end the season with their record intact, or would Broxbourne and St Albans prove just one tourney too many? Time would tell.

Whilst the warm up for the first 25 minute game against Broxbourne was underway under the keen eye of manager Sophie, the crowd’s attention was drawn by the contents of our very own portable café which was providing tea, coffee and biscuits (chocolate) to the Berko parents. Thanks Clare, much appreciated as the grandstand was shading us from the fine spring sunshine.

Fully warmed up and fuelled, both players and transport officers (ie parents) were ready to go for game one. What looked like an easy game turned out not to be so when the shorter players on the opposing side demonstrated good discipline and skills to challenge the Berko midfield. There is a suspicion that some opponents may have been U14, but they acquitted themselves well. This meant that Katy was busier than expected, but she dug in and gave her all to keep them out of our 23, assisted by Tom at right half. In a surprising turn of events, we only had the one Tom this time, so I am dropping the A. It was Tom A. Always determined and often in the right place at the right time, he kept popping up to frustrate the opponents. Ellis was defensive coordinator once more, playing in the centre and generally getting in the way. Esther reprised her role from the last game at left back and was in amongst the action time and time again. Broxbourne were rendered ineffective inside our 23, which was impressive.

For reasons that I often fail to understand, the main route of attack for Berko seemed to be straight down the middle, with the occasional sojourn out wide to Ella on the right or Jack on the left. The wide open spaces down the sides could, and perhaps should, have been exploited more effectively, but Oscar likes to prove me wrong and did so repeatedly. This lead to his and our first goal so the tactics proved a moot point and Berko were in the lead. I am sure that the rather risky promise of chocolate brownies in return for Oscar’s on pitch success had nothing to with it. From the restart Berko maintained their pressure against a resolute Broxbourne, with Oscar taking another step closer to a tray of brownies by banging in another goal. Broxbourne were unable to respond and, while the crowd was celebrating the opening of a packet of chocolate biscuits from Clare’s Café, the umpires blew for full time. 2-0 Berko, marvellous.

With no time to rest on any laurels, Berko had a brief pep talk and thirst quench before the second game commenced, this time against St Albans. This game proved more of a challenge, with St Albans always very capable of good link up play, which they have used many times before to scythe through our midfield. This gave Saff a busy old time, but she most certainly rose to that challenge with some fine interference play in the centre. Ella was threatening the St Albans goal on more than one occasion thanks to some great positioning. Meanwhile, Jack was battling away at left half to provide another route into the opposing circle, linking up well with those around him. The more challenging conditions in midfield inevitably lead to more loose balls being shoved out towards the sides and corners. These are Jonny’s bread and butter, so he was once more employed in hoovering up the loose balls and turning them into a threat in the St Albans circle.

The relentless St Albans pressure, coupled with a strong desire from Berko to break the deadlock lead to just that, though unfortunately at the wrong end. With Berko pushing high up the pitch, St Albans played a through ball up to two high forwards. There was a valiant scramble of defenders to catch them up but they were through into our circle and it proved too much for Miles to repel. St Albans are far too good a team to waste that sort of opportunity. Despite this, Berko gave them a few more similar opportunities but Miles is not the sort of keeper to let the opponents get away with it all that often and he kept Berko in the game on more than one occasion. The Berko counter attacks were ably assisted by Izzie, who was following the manager’s instructions perfectly by staying out wide and picking up passes, turning them into a nice surprise for the St Albans defence. A great battle of the midfielders ensued with the ball going up and down and up and down and eventually falling to Oscar in the St Albans circle. He insisted that he was making a surgical pass to Jonny, though there was a suspicion in the crowd that he was thinking of chocolate brownies again. In any case, what looked like a shot at goal was actually a cleverly disguised pass to Jonny who, knowing nothing of the promise of brownies, banged it home to level the game. Both teams were eager to win the game and entered into a protracted struggle for dominance. This brought Megan to the fore. Megan was today’s super sub, changing position with each substitution so that everyone else could keep the same position all game. In the latter stages she displayed some excellent block tackles to frustrate the rather overly ornate St Albans play as they neared the Berko circle. Very determined, and they couldn’t get past her. With Clare’s Café running low on hot water and biscuits the umpires saw sense and blew for full time. A very exciting game ended 1-1.

Following the match Sophie conducted her customary debrief, which is basically a player of the match vote followed by a scrabble for chocolate biscuits. Congratulations to Esther, who would have been voted player of the day unanimously had she voted for herself.

So, this concludes the inaugural season of the BHHHC U16 Mixed team. This team was Sophie’s brainwave and has proved to be very successful with the team undefeated in all competitions, and usually the winners. The players have conducted themselves admirably, always with good cheer in their hearts, showing kindness to their teammates and with a most welcome spattering of modesty all round. If they are not strong contenders for the club’s team of the season I will eat my hat. Assuming I can find a hat shaped cake recipe, which I won’t have to, because they are.