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Cheltenham Saracens Reserves:
Top L/R: Physio/Paul Shand, Jamie Walker, Ryan Goodsen, GK/James Andrews, GK/Tim Griffiths, Gareth Shand, Joe Birmingham, John Whivley, Asst Coach/Darren Tunnicliff
Bottom L/R: James Bowers, John Hern, Jason Stockley, Player Manager/Marcus Finch, Abraham Badru, Simon Atkins, Jordan Bryan, Jordan Mason
Hellenic League Division Two West Fixtures
Hellenic League Division Two West Table
Image: "nd Team Playing Records
Hellenic League Result:
15th October 2011
Wootton Bassett 1-1 Cheltenham Saracens
Saracens travelled to 2nd place Wootton Bassett and were 10mins away from a deserved victory. A much weakened side and down to the bare bones, Saracens were dogged in their performance and looked like, with 10mins to go, coming away with a win.
The first half was equal, possession wise! With 18year old M.o.m Jamie Walker, marshalling the 3 man Saracens defence defiantly, which also included u18s Capt. Ashley Samuels it was somewhat surprising they did not have much more to do! especially with Wootton doing so well in the league? When the Bassett frwds did get through they found Saracens keeper Tim Griffiths in superb form. Most notably when 5 mins before half time Bassett broke and with a 2-1 situation Griffiths stood tall and tipped the shot around the post for a corner. Saracens best chances fell to lively forwards Adam Loveridge & Simon Atkins who both forced good saves from the Bassett Keeper.
HT: 0-0
The second half Saracens expected Bassett to come out with all guns blazing, but it was again Saracens who controlled the tempo of the game and with midfielders: Ryan Goodsen and u18s maestro ‘Jordan Bryan’ pulling the strings Saracens were dominating the play. Loveridge so nearly put Saracens ahead, when he collected a through ball from Bryan, collecting the pass with a superb touch his instant shot was tipped round the post by the Bassett keeper. Atkins soon got into the act when he interlinked well with Sam Mason, Atkins outpaced 2 Bassett players squared the ball to Loveridge who just delayed his shot allowing a last ditched tackle from a Bassett defender. Joel Phillips replaced Jason Stockley on the left and it was a link up phase of play involving Bryan & Mason that saw Saracens score their goal. Phillips sent a diagonal ball to Loveridge, his pass to Bryan and then Goodsen saw Mason thread a great ball to Atkins. This time Atkins square ball back to Loveridge was smashed in with no questions asked! 1-0. With ten mins to go Bassett upped the pressure and a series of corners were easily dealt with by the Saracens defence but alas the one time they switched off saw Bassett equalise. A corner was dealt with by a Walker header in defence; the ball was crossed high back into the box for which James Bowers found himself with two Bassett players out jumping him! The ball landing at the feet of the frwd, who slotted it past the despairing Tim Griffiths. Bassett thought they had won at the death when they scored from a through ball but the referee who had a fine game deemed the frwds off side and disallowed the goal much to the disagreement of the passionate home crowd. The decision was right as 2 players were offside and interfering with play!
FT: 1-1
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M.o.M- Jamie Walker
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Saracens entertained Cricklade in their first midweek game of the season at their Petersfield Park home. Entertaining game this surely was!! Two first half missed penalties, total domination, then to go in at half time 0-1 down, left a lot of head scratching!! Much was their dominance in the first half, that the half time team talk was one of Manager's Finch's easiest. 'Go & play the same, but take our chances!!'
The Saracens squad made a couple of changes for this fixture. Jamie Walker switching to the Central position with Jamie Bish making his debut 'Jack Paton unavailable' Jamie Bowers starting back at right back. Joe Birmingham in Midfield with Ryan Goodsen, Jason Blockley in at Left Mid. Usual starters 'Youth team players' Jordan Bryan & Gareth Shand was rested on the bench due to their big Fa Youth Cup match the previous night. Badru once again started upfront, with Mom from Fairford game Simon Atkins.
Saracens scored through Badru after 15mins of much dominated first half possession, but the goal was disallowed for a questionable offside decision. This though did not stop Saracens continued dominance with Birmingham, Hern & Goodsen running the show in midfield. Saracens was soon awarded a penalty, Badru outjumping his marker from a cross, was pulled back and Referee, Rod Ashton 'who had a great game' awarded them their 1st of 2 Penalties. Simon Atkins stepped up and placed his shot to the right hand side for which the keeper saved well. 5 mins later Saracens were awarded another Penalty. This was for a straight forward foul in the box! Atkins once again stepped up and once again the keeper dived the same way as the first pen and once again saved it!! Credit to the Cricklade Goalie, this gives him a remarkable record now of saving 5 out of 5 penalties!! These missed opportunities seemed to deflate saracens and Cricklade capitalised. A long ball up field, Bish sent a back pass to Tim Griffiths in goal and as he went to clear the ball, it took a mighty bobble and went at right angles!! The cricklade Frwd excepted with Glee. Saracens from being in a position of being 3-0 up went in at half time 0-1 down!!
The second half continued as the first, for which Saracens soon equalised. Hern ghosted passed two Cricklade players and squared the ball for Joe Birmingham. His first time shot was seemed to be covered by the Cricklade's Goalie but! he allowed the ball to slip through his legs giving Saracens the breakthrough they needed. The first goal was then followed by a second. A long kick down field by Griffiths, was controlled superbly by Atkins, he fed Hern who sent a first time cross to Birmingham who slammed in the shot from outside the box. Saracens now had their tails up and soon scored their 3rd. Sub and Youth team player Bryan coming on for Blockley rang at 3 Cricklade players shimming passed all 3 before rifling a superb shot into the top corner. Effectively this was game, set & match? but credit to Cricklade they never gave up. Sending on replacements they still had a go at Saracens but with strong shots from outside the box found Tim Griffiths in no mood to concede anymore goals.
Final Score: 3-1
Mom: John Hern
Chairman's Reserve Challenge Cup
Fairford Reserves 0-1 Cheltenham Saracens
A much improved performance was requested by Manager Marcus Finch, and a much Improved performance he was given. After Saracens disappointing 4-0 drubbing by Gloucester City, Finch made changes to side. Tim Griffiths 'Goalie' Abraham Badru frwd, Gareth Shand centre back, Jamie Walker right back, Joel Phillips left wing & John Hern Right mid, all made starting appearances for which Saracens dominated from start to finish. Fairford tactics of long ball phases of play to their tall centre forward then relying on the flick on's, the Saracens back line 'a brick wall' dealt with ease! when Fairford did break through they found Saras's keeper, Tim Griffiths in irresistible form and soon ran out ideas! With the majority of the Saracens players now with major playing time under their belts looked a whole lot sharper, the pace, movement and all round play was much, much, better. Mom Simon Atkins touch and movement was causing Fairford's defence all kinds of problems and his link up play with fellow frwd Badru was superb, but for good goalkeeping and last ditched clearances, saracens should have been out of site by half time. Saracens scored their goal 10mins before half-time through classic phases of play, pass and movement resulted in Saracens smashing a 30 yd into the roof of the net. Youth team player Jordy Bryan collecting a flick on by Hern turned his marker, his pass found his midfield colleague who smashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.
HT: 0-1
The second half saw Fairford come out of the blocks early and found a new lease of energy. Switching their play from direct balls to better passing play was giving them a much more better attacking unit. Still Saracens defence with Jack Parton, superb again in just his second game, u18s Youth player Gareth Shand, left back Jordan Mason & Walker defended well as a unit often turning defending into attack well supporting Atkins and Badru in attck. Saracens now look forward their next league game v Cricklade on Tuesday 4th October.
UHLSPORT Hellenic Division Two (West)
League Table:
Hellenic League Latest: September 24th 2011
Gloucester City Res 4 -0 Saracens Res
New Saracens boss Marcus Finch’s first defeat in charge was a painful one in this 4-0 defeat. Too many Saracens players went missing in this defeat & when asked to step up to the mark badly let Marcus down!! Missing key midfield player Anton Bazelkov & fellow midfield player Jamie Shand away on Uni duties, Saracens recent fine performances gave them optimism but instead Saracens performance was a major let down. Ex Truro Town player, Jack Parton’s debut was superb and was along with Oldham's the only highlights for Marcus Finch’s Saracens side. Ryan Oldham making his debut for nearly a year was excellent in his role on the left for which Saracens were guilty of not supplying him with enough quality ball! Asst Coach Darren Tunnicliff during their team talk emphasised where City’s strengths were!? ‘Left Hand side’ and what their attacking options would be before the game, but either this was not taken in, or certain players just switched off in the game. City attacking down their left wing, time after time exploited poor positional play and should have took the lead after 10mins when the speedy City left winger, sent a cross into the box, the City frwd crashed in a header but Saracens goalie Andrews pulled off a magnificent save. This should have been a warning for Saracens, but exactly the same thing happened 5 mins later, this time City didn’t waste their chance. Again a cross from the left this time a City player crashed the ball in from the edge of the box. Jordan Bryan & Jamie Hammond desperately tried to bring Saracens into the game but to no avail with shots going wide or not enough quality ball to Saracens frwd’s Charlie Payn & co.
Saracens conceded their second after 30mins when poor marking from a corner gave the City striker a simple close headed chance for which he made no mistake. Saracens clearly missing their influential Bulgarian playmaker ‘Anton Bazelkov’ gave the ball away far too often to cause City any major difficulties
HT: 2-0
In the second half, City with a healthy comfortably lead, again took advantage of sloppy play and dominated much of the half. ‘Player Manager’ Marcus finch had to be replaced through injury with John Hearn & u18s player Joel Phillips coming on as subs. Jamie Hammond strong run nearly gave Saracens hope but his final finish was just wide and from a succession of Saracens corners Jack Parton was inches wide from attacking headers. City scored their 3rd and immediately a 4th with 10mins left. Saracens just switched off and so disapprovingly for manager ‘Finch’ failed to show any fight, commitment or alarmingly quality of play to show what they, as players are capable of. Some players as suggested during the Saracens team talk at the end, should take a good long look at their performance and come up with something much much better 'If selected' in Saracens next game v Fairford
FT: 4-0
Hellenic League Latest: September 17th 2011
Clanfield 1 -1 Saracens
Marcus Finch’s first game in charge so nearly started with a win which Saracens thourghley deserved. 3 new signings making their debut’s Anton ‘Vidic’ Bazelkov, Jason Blockley & Charlie Payn all fitted in the side superbly. With these new signings and positional changes! Saracens took time to settle, but solid defending by the Saracens back 4 of Finch, Shand, Bowers & Jordan Mason made sure young goal keeper, James Andrews did not have much to do. With the Clanfield options coming from attacking their right wing, Jordan Mason was magnificent and totally justified his MOM award. Saracens attacking midfield formation Jordan Bryan & Bazelkov dominated the midfield, supplying frwd’s Payn and Badru with some quality through balls. Saracens should have taken the lead on the half hour, when Jordan Bryan shot from outside the box, the ball took a wicked deflection, with the keeper well beaten the ball was heading for the corner but for Saracen’s forward Badru ‘who standing in an offside position’ finished the ball off into the net thus cancelling out the goal for offside ‘Silly Mistake’ This was to punish Saracens severely! Clanfield broke down the other end, with Saracens guilty of not clearing their lines, the Clanfield forward fired a wayward shot which was heading wide, only to hit Bazelkov what looked like his midriff for which the referee ‘who had a fine game’ to award a soft penalty. Andrews had no chance with the pen and Saracens went into half time 0-1 down when they really should have been 2 or 3 up
HT: 1-0
In the second half Saracens carried on where they left off. Jamie Shand in a defensive midfield position pushed further up field, sent Charlie Payn through but his shot was saved by the Clanfield goalie. Badru should have equalised when he miss-hit a through ball and Blockley shot wide when clean through. Bazelkov fired over from the edge of the box. Saracens goalie Andrews pulled a fine save late on to keep Saracens in the game for which the side was thankful as they went straight down the other end and equalised. With the minutes ebbing away, a superb through ball from Bryan to Payn resulted in Payn being chopped down on the edge of the box. Jamie Shand calmly stepped up and bent the free-kick majestically into the top corner. With 5 mins to go Saracens should have a penalty when Bazelkov slammed what looked like a match winning shot but the ball cannoned off a Clanfield defender’s hand only for the referee to say he did not see the incident!!
FT: 1-1
Hellenic Reserve League: Sept 10th 2011
Easington Sports 1-0 Saracens
Acting 2nd team Manager & Saracens ‘u18s’ coach, Darren Tunnicliff sent probably one of the clubs youngest ever sides out to Banbury and so nearly came away with a win. With a back line of x3 of their u18s players & another on the bench this did not faze the hard battling Saracens team at all. If the referee would have been up with play he would have seen clearly Adam Loveridges fine headed goal in the 10th minute was a million miles on side. These decisions by the Easington linesman, Referee & asst coach set the tone for a niggly game. Gareth Shand ‘18s’ Ashley Samuels ‘18s’ & new signing Alex Pascoe ‘18s’ were outstanding in the Saracens backline with James Bowers making up a rock solid defence Saracens played some great football on a bouncy pitch not helped by blustery conditions. Saracens did not allow the injustice of the disallowed goal to effect them and constantly attacked Easington at every chance that came. Jamie Shand returned to the side from his break at University and his link up play with Sam Mason put Abraham Badru through but his shot flew inches over. Saracens last season’s top goal scorer, Adam Loveridge playing his first game of the new season for Saracens showed he has lost none of his spark and was a constant menace, it was Loveridges flick on to Jordan Mason that nearly opened the scoring for Saracens, Mason’s angled drive just eluded the outstretched feet of Badru who was inches away from scoring. New Hartpury college student, Alex Pascoe Playing his first game for the Saracens was superb and did not put a foot wrong all game. With Pascoe, Gareth Shand ‘mom’ & Ashley Samuels playing mature football well above expected for their age.
Ht: 0-0
The second half was more even and chances came early for both sides. Gareth Shand clearing a chance of the line, and a rare mistake by Samuels gave Easington a free kick on the edge of the box, from this free kick the ball looked like it was bending into the top corner but for a fine save
At the other end Loveridge raced clear but was cynically brought down when through on goal which the referee deemed only a caution. From the resulting free kick Sam Mason curled in a certain shot but for a majestic save by the Easington Keeper. Saracens brought on another of their u18s prodigy players Joel Phillips who partnered Loveridge up front and straight away his strength and pace put the Easington on the back foot. With 20mins remaining and a score draw or a likely Saracens win, looking inevitable! A long diagonal cross was sent into the Easington area, Badru ghosting into box was ready to pounce but was thwarted when the Easington keeper came charging out of his area realised the ball was swirling fast and was travelling over his head, caught the ball outside of his area. What should have been a certain red card was again seemed only a Yellow by the referee astonishingly with Badru ready for a simple tap in. The resulting free kick was taken by Sam Mason but was fired over.
From this Easington scored theirs and what was, the match winner. A slip by Samuels allowed the Easington striker to steal in and curl in a fine winner. Joel Phillips so nearly equalised straight away but his left foot rasping shot was tipped brilliantly around the post. Tried as they could Saracens just couldn’t find that allusive equaliser.
Darren Tunnicliff has signed 3 new players for Saracens next game at Clanfield away but, will still persist on his squad of u18’s players giving them valuable experience within the men’s league...
Hellenic Reserve League Latest:
Cheltenham Saracens 3-2 Old Woodstock Town
Saracens welcomed Oxford side, Old Woodstock Town to Petersfield Park in what was both the sides’ first game of the season. Saracens with a number of 1st team players all coming back from injuries, along with 5x u18s players, started in emphatic style with some great pass and move phases of play. Capt Luke Tovey looking to impress 1st team watching manager Gerry Oldham was magnificent, showing leadership of the highest quality along with outstanding play made sure Saracens come away with nothing but a win.
Saracens should have been 2 up after 10 mins when Tovey interlinked with Joe Donaghue who sent over a teasing cross, but for Abraham Badru to head just over. A similar move again saw Donaghue sent over a delightful cross, for Badru this time to make sure he didn’t miss and thundered a header into the top corner. Sam Mason & James Bowers was causing mayhem down the right flank and Saracens so nearly scored again when Andy Crosskey found himself unmarked but shot tamely at the goalkeeper. U18s players Gareth Shand & Jordan Bryan was untroubled and Shand's partnership with Dan Shatford was solid as a rock at the heart of the defence. With u18s player Ben Tunnicliff & Jordan Bryan all playing their parts in the 1st team, Gareth is looking to put himself in the picture and will do himself no harm when he scored Saracens 2nd from a Sam Mason corner. The game should have been over after the half hour but Saracens were guilty of some shoddy and careless finishing. Saracens scored their 3rd goal on the stroke of half time when good work by Jordan Bryan & Andy Crosskey saw a delightful chip into the area by Tovey for Joe Donaghue to head easily past the Woodstock goalie.
HT: 3-0
In the second half Saracens couldn’t sustain their quality play and were guilty of complacency, and no doubt, poor match fitness conditioning paid a part in this. After playing at a fast rate, some of the Saracens players clearly still finding that extra fitness levels struggled in warm humid conditions and they allowed the game to fizzle out. U18s forward Sam Tustain came on for his debut and settled in nicely with some good phases of play and was linking up nicely with Mason. Tustain put Mason through but on a tight angle sent his cross behind the waiting Crosskey to see their chance fizzle out. This chance gave the Oxford side impetus and Old Woodstock scored after the half hour mark, poor marking and carelessness allowed the Oxford frwd to nip in and slot home from close range. Saracens unable to sustain their 1st half performances were allowing frustrations to boil over and Donaghue was beating himself up, he found himself clear in the box with only the keeper to beat ‘again like the Crosskey chance’ shot weakly at the keeper! Tovey’s captaincy & stern words seem to settle his side and Sam Mason was desperately unlucky with a rasping 30yd drive crashing against the bar. Old Woodstock scored their 2nd when the Saracens defence, after Shatford ‘being replaced by another u18s debutant Ben Richardson’ gave too much time to the oppositions frwds to settle and the Old Woodstock's frwd nipped in to head their 2nd and give them hope with 5 min to go.
This game should have been over and done by before half time but for wasted chances. Hopefully Saracens will learn and look to make ammends in readiness for their next opponents...
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Saracens next week, welcome back last seasons top scorer Adam Loveridge who has been fulfilling his basic RAF training.
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U18s Players, Gareth Shand & Jordan Bryan who featured in Saracens fine 3-2 win over Oxford side 'Old Woodstock Town' Shand capped a fine performance scoring Saracens 2nd with a far post header
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Above: Cheltenham Saracens Reserves 2010-2011
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