Football at Beechen Cliff School

 

Football is another hugely popular and successful sport at Beechen Cliff. A long history of outstanding players have past through the school including former premier league stars Jason Dodd (Southampton FC) and Paul Tisdale (currently Exeter City Manager). More recently, former pupil Matt Townley (Team Bath FC) represented British Universities and was voted player of the round in the FA cup – Matt donated £500 prize to the school!

The school runs A and B teams from u12-u16 and 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams in the 6th form. These teams are well supported by dedicated staff who give up their time to prepare and coach pupils correctly. Beechen Cliff competes in local leagues against rival schools and also in the ESFA cup (http://www.esfa.co.uk/esfa/) and the Somerset Cup. There are also intra-house competitions which are fiercely competed!

Beechen Cliff runs a unique programme for 6th form students to play in their Academy run by Team Bath FC. Selected pupils train daily at the University of Bath under the guidance of coach Bran Parkin (formerly of Bristol Rovers and Wycombe Wanderers). This enables pupils to combine their academic studies with full-time training. No other school in the country offers this opportunity! Since the Academies existence in 2005, 3 pupils have been offered scholarships at the University of Bath to play for Team Bath FC.

There are many quality players currently schooling at Beechen Cliff. Three players represented Somerset schools u18s last season. Eight players represented B&NES and 6 players are at professional clubs!

At years 7 and 8, pupils also have the chance to be coached from Alex Ball of Coerver Coaching, focusing on player’s ball mastery and technique (http://www.coerver.co.uk/).

 

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B&NES Boys Football

The first eagerly anticipated B&NES Boys football finals descended upon Bath City Football Club on Thursday 8th and Friday 9th May. With the pitch in beautiful condition, the first match between Radstock rivals Chew Valley and Writhlington in the U15 (Year 10) final, would surely live up to expectation. It did not disappoint. From the Whistle the desire to win from both sides was on show for all the 15 supporters to enjoy. The under dogs - Chew Valley - suprisingly started the brightest firing in at point blank range to take the lead after just 2 minutes. What then followed was a master class of football from both sides. Passing, moving, skinning and accurate crossing were evident throughout an evenly contested first half. However, with 10 minutes to go before half time, Chew Valley doubled their lead. The second half was a far cagier affair with Writhlington trying desparately hard to get involved - they were rewarded late into the second half with a fantastic solo effort. But Chew Valley held their nerve and claimed the presigious trophy for the first time, winning 2 - 1.

In the U13 final a strong Ralph Allen side took on under dogs Norton Hill. Norton Hill played some stunning football. Keen to play the ball on the turf they mesmerised the crowd with some excellent displays of passing and moving, slicing through the Ralph Allen defence several times during the second half. Unfortunately they forgot to turn up in the first half and got pulverised by some classy finishing, powerful tackling and inventive play by Ralph Allen, which saw them jump into a 4-1 lead. The game was eventually won 6 - 2, giving Ralph Allen the bragging rights.

The U12 (Year 7) match saw the biggest crowd of any of the finals. Culverhay School brought a whole year group to come and support their team. However, it was not the afternoon they had bargained for. Culverhay had the passion, the fight and the power but unfortunately they were undone several times by the flair and killer instinct of Beechen Cliff. The game finished 8 - 0 but Culverhay shouldn't be too down hearted - they are the second best team in B&NES.

In what should have been the final that displayed the most talent and ability, the U16 (Year 11) match was a scrappy encounter between two arch rivals - Somervale and Writhlington. With Writhlington sore from loosing their U15 final they were gunning for the trophy. However, their defence was sleeping early on and paid the price by going 2-0 down at half time as a result of some classy finishing from Somervale. Writhlington tried to get back into the game but could only muster a goal from a set piece late into the second half. Somervale were the worthy winners of the trophy and won the game 2 - 1.

In the final match on the Friday afternoon, you would not have been surprised if the game sizzled out in the heat to a 0 - 0 draw. How wrong could you be. This was by far and away the most contested final with both teams out to get their hands on the trophy. Somervale's U 14 team took on the might of Beechen Cliff and having just seen their Year 11's win 2 - 1 they did not want to dissapoint. The game was fast, aggressive, free flowing and open and for the 50 or so parents on the side, it was a pleasure to watch. At 0 - 0 after the first 20 minutes, the first goal could be crucial and so it proved to be. Beechen Cliff claimed it but it could have been so different if the 3 smashing chances Somervale had - all hitting the woodwork - had ended up in the back of the net. Unfortunately the final score line of 3 - 0 to Beechen Cliff would have you believe that they ran away with the game, but those who witnessed the events would surely tell you different.

This was a fantastic two days with an incredible show of talent and skill - well done to everyone who was involved! 

 

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Final Report on season 2007/2008

1st XI FOOTBALL
This was a disappointing season for the 1st XI with early exits from both the Somerset Cup and English Schools Cup at the hands of Millfield and Queen Elizabeth School (Devon) respectively.  On the positive side, Beechen Cliff continued to dominate the local teams with convincing wins over Kingswood and King Edward’s School being the highlights.  A substantial number of Upper Sixth players will leave the team and I would like to wish them well for the future and thank them for their commitment over the years.  I look forward to reading about their progress in the Bath Chronicle!  They are; Dan Hughes, Sam Sibley, Max Wratten, Tom Sanderson, James Biggs, Charlie Babb, James Stevenson and our reliable skipper, Phin Naughton.

Next season offers new hope of a good cup run and the team will be reliant on the outstanding defensive qualities of Liam Gregory (Lower Sixth) and the good engine of Dan Ford, who have both been consistent this year.  I hope that the Year 11 pupils who have sampled the first team this year will work hard to ensure they progress to the Sixth Form.  Beau Rouse, Alex Dixon, Jack Cunningham and Chris Witt have shown exciting progress over the season.

Many thanks to Mr Mann for his help and support.

Somerset and B&NES Football Representation
Congratulations to the following boys for representative honours this year;

Beau Rouse – Year 11 - Somerset SFA                                        Alex Dixon – Year 11 -  Somerset SFA
Chris Witt - Year11 - Somerset SFA                                            Ben Campbell
Sam Butler                                                                               Louis Hunt
Matt Klinpikuln (All Year 10 B&NES FA)                                        Jake Toogood
Bradley Norris                                                                          Will Oswin (All Year 9 B&NES FA)
Joe Vyner                                                                                Joe Raynes
Ashley Robinson                                                                        Matt Macey
Hugh Tayler (All Year 8 B&NES FA)

E.J. Wilmot

 

U.15 FOOTBALL
“The Foundation of Excellence Lies in Self Control.”
H.L. Baugher

A season that promised so much was somewhat shattered in November with a 3rd Round exit in the English Schools Cup 3 – 4 on penalties, after a 0 – 0 draw with Thomas Hardye School.  The core of this team is the sturdy, reliable types who have listened attentively and developed their game well.  They are accompanied by the more gifted and naturally talented footballers who have displayed flashes of brilliance, but who have also let themselves down in pursuit of excellence.  They would do well to heed Martin Luther King’s words “we are bound together by the task which lies before us”.

We remain unbeaten in the B&NES League with two matches to play and the boys have recorded impressive friendly victories over Clifton College and King Edward’s School.  Matt Wootton, Sam Butler and Tom Lewington deserve a special mention for their calm and assured manner throughout the campaign.

K.S. Mann

U.14 FOOTBALL
Results so far: 
Clifton College (A)     Won 4 – 2       plus ‘B’ Team (A)       Won 4 – 2
King Edward’s (A)     Won 6 – 2
St. Gregory’s (H)        Won 4 – 1

At the time of writing, games still to play: 
Willington (A) - Monday 31st March
Norton Hill (A) - Thursday 3rd April

In a season which has been severely truncated by the weather, the U.14 football team have bounced back admirably from the two early cup exits last term.  With commanding wins over Clifton, King Edward’s and St. Gregory’s (who beat us last year), we stand top of our section of the B&NES League.  If we can go on to win our two remaining fixtures, victory in this pool will put us in the final against the winners of the other section.

In terms of explaining our success so far, there are too many players worthy of note to give individual mention to here.  As our ‘goals for’ tally suggests, our front six players have gelled as effectively as ever to provide a consistently potent attacking threat.  The difference this season, however, would appear to be our back four (ably supported by a midfield which has proved happier to track back) which, with the infusion of ‘new blood’ in the form of Nya Ifil and Tom Fuge has been far better organised and more stubborn in front of the goal.  Jake Toogood, as our new keeper, has also taken to his role of bossing the defence around with aplomb!

Overall they have been an excellent team to watch and I look forward to seeing if they can go on to fulfil their goal of finishing the season as B&NES champions.

C. Pearson and N. Quintin

U.13 FOOTBALL
A combination of a decrease in the number of schools being able to field teams and the awful spring weather has resulted in the U.13 ‘A’ team managing to play one fixture this term:  a 5 – 2 victory at
St. Gregory’s.  At the time of writing there are still two outstanding fixtures against Writhlington and Norton Hill.  So a bit of a damp squib of a season all round!  Many congratulations, however, to Matt Macey, Hugh Tayler, Jo Raynes, Joe Vyner and Ashley Robinson who all gained selection for B&NES this season.

C.M. Hall

U.13 FOOTBALL
Football Year 8 ‘B’ Squad – Over 20 players have been involved this term on Tuesday afternoon training sessions.  Whilst some of the players play for clubs in Bath, for some it was the first time playing competitive football and it was great to see the confidence and ability levels grow.  The squad has played 4 matches, 2 against external opponents.  In the first fixture, we played a St. Mark’s team made up of their best players from Years 7 – 9 and despite some hard work from Beechen Cliff we were beaten 0 – 4.  The following week the team swept past Downside School with ease 7 – 0.  It has been a real pleasure working with this smashing group of boys this term and I am already looking forward to next season when we shall endeavour to make even greater progress and get a full programme of fixtures organised.

‘B’ Squad:  Christ Spurrey, Chee Yip, Simeon Taylor, Julien Couvreur, Aaron Dutton, Shakir Hussain, Archie Bailey, Jon Conroy, Ben Dance, Ed Harris, Charlie Picton, Stephen Woodland, Charlie McLeod, Matthew Baines, Dom Henley, Keiran Norris, Jack Salmon, Jamie Tonkinson, Blake Price, Ravi Rai, Ibrahim Qazi, Dan Bodur, Jack Holman, Jed Benjamin.

P.F. Watts

 

 

1st X1

2nd X1

U.16

U.15

U.15 B

U.14

U.14 B

U.13

U.13 B

U.12

U.12 B