Little Baddow squad to face Margaretting in quarter final clash – Sunday 28th November Melbourne Park – 10.30 Kick off

Darren Sawyer, Adrian Daly, Josh Goodchild, Dan Carr, Billy Bolton, Spencer Carmichael-Brown, Tom Wreathall, Jonny Allen, Dan Frost, James Taylor, Chris Melling, Daron Eills, Michael Eills, Nick Hemsley, Luke Hornsley

M & G v Little Baddow 21.11.10

Result: 1 -0

Little Baddow went into this game confident of another win following recent performances. The game started well for Baddow with Luke going close in the first minute following some good link up play between himself and Jonny Allen. It was clear from the attitude of the M & G players that this was a game they were up for. The first half was pretty evenly matched with neither team really creating many chances, but it was the work rate from M & G that was to prove the difference. M and G took the lead around 20/25 minutes into the first half. Some good work down the left hand side of there midfield resulted in a dangerous cross being delivered into Baddow’s penalty area which Dan unfortunately deflected into his own net. This gave M & G something to hold onto. They were defending for their live’s and trying to catch us on the break using their quick front man. The half time whistle went with Baddow lucky not to have conceded further goals. A substitution was made with Tom Wreathall replacing Rich Hands who didn’t have a bad game but a change of formation was needed.

The second half was every bit as frustrating for Little Baddow as the first, Baddow had most of the possession but found it impossible to break down a resilient M & G side. When Baddow had possession of the ball M & G would have every single outfield player back in there own half. A last ditch attempt to get back into the game resulted in Billy Bolton coming on for Ajo Daly (who had another good game), Baddow then went three at the back and pushed Dan Carr up front with Luke and Tom. Despite our best efforts we simply couldn’t find a break through and M & G won the match. This was a game where very few chances were created from both sides, but credit has to be given to M & G who played with a real desire and determination.

This can be used as a wake up call for us. Maybe we have become too complacent given our excellent start to the season. We have got Margaretting at Melbourne Park in the Quarter Final of the league cup on Sunday. This is the perfect game for us to bounce back and put in a strong performance. People must realise that ability will not always win you the match. Every single player needs to work hard. I think that M & G proved that a good attitude, work rate and working as a team can make up for lack of individual ability. We have the ability but maybe we need to work on the other side of our game. Something to think about. 

There will be changes made for the forthcoming match against Margaretting and a change in formation. Look forward to seeing you all at training on Thursday. 

Dean Miller

Division 3 League Cup Quarter Final Announced

Little Baddow are to take on Margaretting in the Quarter Final of the League Cup on the 28^th November.

Hope we have everyone available for this match !!!

Little Baddow Squad to face M&G

Dave Smith, Adrian Daly, Josh Goodchild, Dan Carr, Billy Bolton, Spencer Carmichael-Brown, Darren Sawyer, Richard Hands, Jonny Allen, Dan Frost, Chris Melling, Luke Hornsley, Tom Wreathall, Nick Hemsley, Michael Eills and James Taylor

Unfortunately we have another player who has sustained an injury. Paul Smeeton has torn a ligament in his ankle, he is looking at least four weeks before he can start light training again. We wish him a speedy recovery. On the plus side Daron Eills has started light training and should be back in contention for a starting place within the next 3 weeks. 

Dean Miller

Rivermead vs Little Baddow 14/11/10

Result: 0 -3

Rivermead were a bit of an unknown quantity to us. They were second place in the league going into the match so they would obviously prove a stern test. However Little Baddow were confident going into the match on the back of a good performance the previous week against Writtle, which also brought out first clean sheet of the season. The squad of sixteen we took to the game was extremely strong so it was tough to pick a starting eleven.

The game started with Rivermead putting us under early pressure. Some stray passes giving away possession in dangerous areas nearly led to an early Rivermead goal. It was down to some brilliant goalkeeping from Dave Smith that stopped them taking the lead. For the first 20 minutes of the match the game seemed to be end to end with both teams failing to take control of the game. Baddow were riding there luck at times with some last ditch tackles and some goal mouth scrambles but against the run of play we went one nil up with Luke firing into the bottom corner. The goal seemed to give us a lift and we grew into the match. The midfielders that Baddow have in the squad when playing well look a class act, the composure and the ability they have on ball would enable them to compete at a higher level, which is obviously Little Baddows aim. Luke scored a further goal for us giving us a two goal lead at the break. The talk at half time was to press there midfielders, we were giving them too much time on the ball.

The second half started the same as the second with Rivermead trying to find a way back into the game. There were a few close shaves but with some good defending and some fine goalkeeping Baddow kepted the score at 2 nil. Little Baddows central midfield was not pressing as a unit, giving Rivermeads midfielders too much time on the ball to pick there passes, we seemed to be sitting back asking for pressure. This is not something we need to be doing given the ability we have in our team. Baddow had plenty of chances ourselves to put the game to bed with Dan Carr going close twice, Chris Melling having a shot blocked on the line to name but a few. Tom Wreathall was brought on for Darren Sawyer to freshen things up and Billy Bolton came on for Rich who had another good game. Darren Miller came on late in the game for Jonny. The game was finally settled with Luke chasing down a clearance from Dan at the back, Luke challenged the keeper who had come outside of his area, won the ball and passed the ball into the net, completing his hatrick. The game finished 3 nil.

Some very good performances again from the whole team no-one as an individual can be faulted. Keeping another clean sheet is a huge positive to take from the game and I will be looking for the same next week. The only thing we were lacking was pressing as a unit in the centre of midfield, something that I’m sure we will put right in the game against M&G on Sunday.  

Dean Miller

Little Baddow Squad to face Rivermead

Dave Smith, Adrian Daly, Josh Goodchild, Dan Carr, Billy Bolton, Spencer Carmichael-Brown, Darren Sawyer, Richard Hands, Jonny Allen, Dan Frost, Chris Melling, Luke Hornsley, Tom Wreathall, Nick Hemsley, Paul Smeeton and Darren Miller

James Taylor and Michael Eills are away this weekend but will be back in contention for next weeks game against M&G, so a good performance all round is needed to keep your place in the squad.   

Dean Miller

Address for Rivermead (Away) - Sunday 14th November

Fox Burrows Lane, Writtle, CM1 3SS.

Squad for the top of the table clash against Rivermead to be announced shortly. 

Little Baddow Xmas Drink Up: Friday 17th December

Every year I try to get the team together at Christmas. The last few years we have gone to The Lion Inn Restaurant for a meal and drinks, which has always been a good laugh.  I’m thinking this year we skip the meal and get straight on it.  If we aim to meet in O’Connors Irish Pub in Moulsham Street for around 8ish, we can have a few pre-match drinks in there before we head to the bars. Hopefully you can all make it. I know December is an expensive month for us all but even if you can make it just for a couple of drinks it will be much appreciated. If we get a good crowd out I’m sure it will be a very messy night.


Dean Miller

Little Baddow vs Writtle 7/11/10

Little Baddow went into the game with Writtle missing a few players but were still able to field a strong team thanks to the strength in depth that we have. Darren Sawyer replacing Dave Smith in goal and Joshua Goodchild coming into the team at centre back. This was a good chance for Joshua to show us his ability after recently signing for us.

The game started well for Little Baddow. Luke Hornsley going close early on, chances that he would normally put away. Little Baddow were on top for the first 20/25 minutes the centre midfield linking well bringing the wingers into play. It would be fair to say we could have been 4 nil up within the first 20 minutes and on another day the chances created would have been taken. The breakthrough come when Richard Hands delivered an inviting cross which Burt got on the end of, the keeper could only parry and Luke followed up heading into the back of the net. The gloss was taken off the opening spell for Little Baddow with some poor referring decisions combined with a lack of discipline from some of our players. I was glad when half time come. If we continued in the manner we finished the half then we could have ended up losing the game. Our discipline could have cost us 3 points.

Writtle come out for the second half strongly putting Baddow under pressure straight from the off. However for all of the hard work Writtle were putting in I can only remember them bringing one save out of Darren Sawyer. There were spells in the second half where Baddow showed there class with composure on the ball, the simple pass being made and good movement off of the ball. With around 20 mins of the game left Luke pulled away from his marker in the penalty area, gambled that his marker was going to miss the header controlled the ball and fired his shot pass the keeper. Late substitutions were made with Charlie coming on for Jonny who continues to work tirelessly in midfield and Nick replacing Rich on the right wing. Both gave solid contributions with Charlie going close to scoring on a couple of occasions.

The positives taken from this game was a good overall team performance for the majority of the game. This was also our first clean sheet of the season, Joshua putting in a solid performance in his first competitive game for Baddow. Team selection is going to be difficult for the next game against Rivermead with some players returning after being unavailable for the match against Writtle. Little Baddow are now back top of the league. We need to keep putting in strong performances and picking up 3 points so we can put a bit of distance between us and the rest of the chasing pack. 

By Dean Miller

Little Baddow Squad to face Writtle 7/11/10

Darren Sawyer, Adrian Daly, Dan Carr, Joshua Goodchild, Spencer Carmichael-Brown, Richard Hands, Michael Eills, Jonny Allen, Dan Frost, Chris Melling, Luke Hornsley, Nick Hemsley, Paul Smeeton, Darren Miller, Charlie Sharp and possibly Billy Bolton.

I would like to welcome new signing Joshua Goodchild to the club. Joshua played in the pre-season friendly against Pyramids to help us out as we were short of numbers, putting in a very strong performance. With the recent injury of Chris Warwick and the loss of Dan Frost at the end of November Joshua is a welcome addition to the squad.

LBFC Update: Frosty's farewell & Chris Warwick

Sunday November 21^st will be Dan "I cannot stop swearing" Frost's last game for Little Baddow as he is going away to work for 6 months. He has planned to have leaving drinks down the Rodney after the game. I think this would also be the perfect opportunity to get Chris Warwick and Katy down for a few drinks with us all. Please keep this date free in your diary. It would be fantastic to get the whole team together to show their support to Chris and give Frosty a good send off. Hope to see you all there.