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Trials- Wednesday 15th February 2012

Email Colin Sharpe on;

csharpe@centralbeds.ac.uk

to secure your place!

Central Bedfordshire College crowned Champions!

An outstanding second half performance saw Central Bedfordshire College win their second successive league title  3-1 against Bedford College.

Only victory in the last game of the season would have been good enough to secure a second league title for Central Beds and on the back of a terrible performance against second place Watford it didn’t look very likely.

Eight changes were made to the starting line up and with so many changes Central Beds found it very difficult to settle into any shape or particular pattern of play and paid the price after only 15 minutes when a 40 yard cross field ball beat right back Kyron Jackson and found the Bedford winger who cut inside and finished extremely well.

Central Beds were still unable to settle and were put under even more pressure from the dominant away side that came very close to extending their lead on several occasions but were unable to capitalise on their opportunities.  Central Beds continued to try and force the play and create things that were not really on which gifted possession back to the away side.  The home side frustration was becoming very clear when Sam Peveral was booked for a sloppy challenge.

However 3 minutes before half time Sam Edwards was hauled down by an out of position goalkeeper and Josh Gooding stepped up and calmly slotted the ball home sending the keeper the wrong way, making it 1-1 at half time.

At half time Central Beds were given a bit of an ear bashing about their lack of application, work rate and poor quality of football.  This had to have a hugely positive effect on the players as they stated the second half extremely well creating a few half chances.  An early second half substitution was a major turning point in the game when David O’Brien was introduced to the game; David really started to pull the strings in central midfield with his excellent ability on the ball, his vision and his work rate.  This had another positive effect on the team and when Ryan Adam delivered a telling cross into the box, Bryn Reynolds was able to put the opposing centre half under enough pressure, which made him head over his own keeper who again was in no man’s land giving Central Beds the lead.  In amongst the goal celebrations there was an incident with Josh Gooding and the away side goalkeeper, which resulted in Josh receiving a straight red card, gifting Bedford a massive advantage and opportunity to get back into the game with an extra man with 30 minutes to go in the game.

This prompted another tactical change in the game and last season’s top goal scorer Ryan Ellingham was brought into action after a knee operation, and he like O’brien had a massive impact to the team and game.

Ellingham only having been on the field 5 minutes raced through onto a through ball from O’brien, took one touch and lashed it across goal leaving the keeper no chance and giving Central Beds a two goal advantage.

Although Central Beds were down to ten men they were dominating the game playing some great football and creating chance after chance and should have extended their lead with O’brien, Tom Christie, Sam Edwards and Bryn Reynolds all having their efforts saved by the keeper.  With the away side struggling to win the ball back and create any chance of getting back into the game Central Beds work rate allowed them to see the game out with relative ease in the end, securing their second league title in a row.

Football Development Manager Colin Sharpe commented “this is an excellent achievement for all the players, coaches and staff involved at the College.  To win the league last year was great, but to be promoted and win it again is an even better achievement for all involved.  I would like to think that the players have learnt a lot this year, as this is a massive step up in the standard of football.  We play in the highest level of College football in the country.  We play against Premiership, Football League and Conference College programmes such as Chelsea, Wycombe wanderers, Watford, Oxford United, Cambridge United to name a few.

In our league we are the only stand alone college that is not linked with any semi of professional club and with more programmes setting up in the area, This just supports that fact that being linked to a professional club and all of its marketing ploys has no more impact than what we offer and have a proven track record of success on the field, and most importantly in the classroom with last 15 of our 17 Level 3 students headed off to their chosen universities, two of those receiving scholarships in California

Not forgetting our second team who also won their league in March.  With our success this clearly put us at the forefront of College football in Bedfordshire and possible further afield”

The College will be holding its final open trial for current school leavers and year 12 students on Wednesday 1st June 12pm – 2pm^t.  For more information simply visit www.centralbeds.ac.uk/football or call Colin Sharpe on 01582 861607 for all the information you need to join this winning team.

Central Bedfordshire College’s football 1^st team hammered Chelsea College academy side at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre.

The away side were feeling confident after beating Chelsea earlier on in the season, in what was then a very close game. Central Beds could not have got off to a better start, with a goal after just three minutes. Bryn Reynolds latched onto a superb 40 yard ball from Sam Peverall to finish to the highest standard smashing the ball into the top corner of the net.

Central Beds continued to dictate the game creating several more chances but  were unable to make them count. However, they soon extended their lead with a fantastic move, starting with the keeper and after some great interchanging in midfield and over passes the move was finished by Sam Pervall from outside the box with an expertly chipped effort, once again leaving the keeper rooted to the spot.

Chelsea got back into the game after Central Beds failed to clear their lines, and a shot from outside the box found its way through a crowded penalty box to the bottom corner of the net, making it 1-2 to the away side at half time.

Peveral was on target again at the start of the second half after running onto a perfectly weighted pass from Kyron, making it 1-3, with Chelsea heads starting to drop.

Anderson received the ball 25 yards from goal beat two centre halves as though they were not even there and then coolly passed the ball into the net giving the keeper no chance.  Anderson continued to show some exceptional touches throughout the rest of the game.

The last goal in the game came from the right full back Kyron Jackson who went on a run and was picked out by skipper George Higley who played an exceptional ball over the back four. Jackson was left facing a charging goalkeeper who completely miss judged the ball, allowing Jackson the simplest of tap in’s.

Football Development Manager Colin Sharpe commented “This was a great result for us today and the manner in which we achieved it was probably the most pleasing.  We played some excellent football and we were patient on possession which really worked in our favour. We were almost faultless in our performance, which is great. Sam Peveral, Josh Gooding and Baynole Fasida had their best performances of the season.”

Central Beds 2^nd Team win the League

On the same day as the Chelsea match, the College second team also secured the title in the SESSA College and University League. This was an exceptional achievement making it two consecutive titles in a row.

Central Bedfordshire College comfortably beat Southwark College 4-1 with goals coming from Terry Campbell, Tom Holliman, David Stewart and Jordan Riley.

The 2^nd team will start their cup competition with a home game against Barnfield College.

Central Bedfordshire College are to provide Bedfordshires only Female Football Academy. Students in the Academy will have the option of studying BTEC Extended diplomas or A-Levels whilst training on outstanding facilities for up to 10 hours per week.

The Academy will be open to all female players who are currently in Year 11 or 12 at school. All players are required to attend an interview before attending the practical trial on the 1st June 2011. More information on the trial will be given at the interview stage.
The College already hosts a highly successful male programme that has been running for over 8 years and the female academy will follow the same protocol.

Last year 14 of the 17 students on the male Football Development Programme gained university placements in this country and abroad, and we hope that the female students will be able to follow suit and achieve their academic and career ambitions whilst training and enhancing their football attributes.

This evidence shows that this course can meet the needs of all students allowing them to really enjoy their college experience and be very successful on all fronts.

Colin Sharpe, Football Development Manager, commented ”this is fantastic opportunity for all female players to study at these levels which will allow them to pursue their career aspirations whist receiving top class training.

The players will receive sports psychology lessons, nutritional advise, regular fitness testing, which will all enhance their performance. It really is a fantastic opportunity for female players within Bedfordshire. We are also very pleased to have the full support of the Bedfordshire FA with this programme”.

Amersham and Wycombe who are linked with premiership giants Chelsea FC were the opponents for this home fixture for Central Bedfordshire College.

After a slow start to the game, Central Beds then upped the tempo. 15 minutes into the game Kyron Jackson swung a superb cross into the box which was met the head of Bryn Reynolds and was emphatically despatched. After the restart, Central Beds pushed hard for the second. Reynolds was at the forefront of the attack terrorising the opposition defence. He out muscled two defenders and struck the ball home for his and Central Beds second. A demoralised Amersham and Wycombe team were getting over run in midfield. Dave O’Brian and Sam Peveral where dictating play in the middle of the park, with Jake Bewley sitting just behind them sweeping up anything in his path.

Just on the verge of half time Jake Bewley hit an astonishing 30 yard ball which was plucked out of the air elegantly by Reynolds. Reynolds in an instant struck fiercely across goal. The keeper did well but only managed to push the ball into Ryan Ellingham’s path, where he smashed the ball into the roof of the net. The game seemed to be over.

However, in the second half the opposition came out all guns blazing, putting the Central Beds defence under immense pressure. Captain George Higley was organising the defence well as Central Beds looked impenetrable. But a slip at the last minute from Connor Smith gave away a harsh penalty which was cooly converted. This gave the visitors a much needed lifeline.

Key man Sam Pevral started rallying the team putting in a man of the match performance, winning every header and tackle that came his way Central Beds where now dominant. The lightning pace of Ellingham and the neat tricks from Ryan Adams were exploiting the oppositions defence. Chances were being created at will, but Central Beds failed to score and put the game to bed. Out of nowhere the visitors scored. An unlucky deflection gave Central Beds keeper Ryan Darby no chance. This put the game on edge with 10 minutes left to go. But tidy ball retention by Central Beds helped see out the rest of the game with out any scares. All in all, an impressive performance from Central Bedfordshire College and a well deserved 3 points.

A top of the league home clash lay ahead for Central Bedfordshire College against second place Bedford, who needed all 3 points to be able to catch the runaway leaders and stop them winning the league. Central Bedfordshire only needed a point to secure the title.

Both teams started well and there was a lot of tension in the air, tackles were flying in and the referee was the busiest man on the pitch in the first ten minutes. The game settled own and central beds started to dominate the game and created two clear cut chances which Bryn Reynolds was unable to convert. The home team had done their homework and had identified what they believed were weaknesses in the Bedford side and it paid off from a well worked set piece which went in directly from a corner from Aaron Morgan making it 1-0. Bedford responded well and minutes after the kick off they were on level terms, after an uncharacteristic error in the Central Beds defence. This was easily finished off by the away team striker.

Central Beds didn’t panic and once again started to dominate the game after another well worked set piece was half cleared by Bedford and fell to George Higley who failed to hit the target from the edge of the box. Minutes later Higley turned provider with a great through ball for Aidan Murray, who made a great driving run into the box and finished well leaving the keeper no chance. Making it 2-1 at the break.

The 2^nd halves got underway and as expected Bedford went looking for the equaliser, but were unable to work the Central Bedfordshire keeper. This only seemed to frustrate the Bedford side more and they were soon reduced to 10 men after one of their players was given a straight red for a horrendous two footed tackle on play maker Aaron Morgan, who has just been offered a scholarship in the states at California State University. Two more bookings followed shortly after for the away side.

Central Beds kept their control and focus and were rewarded after another well worked set piece was delivered by Morgan and converted by full back Kyron Jackson at the back post to make it 3-1.

Takunda Marvesa saved a penalty in the last action of the game, before the full the whistle was blown and Central Bedfordshire were crowned league winners without losing or drawing a game, wining 15 out of 15 games.

Overall success

This victory now means that the all of the college’s three sides have played 33 games, drawn 4 and lost 0. Scoring 180 goals and conceding 41. They have won the league in the English Colleges Elite League, British College League and were joint top in the Sessa Colleges and University league (losing out on goal difference). Making it the most successful season, in the programs history and making Central Bedfordshire Football development programme the most successful programme in the Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire Buckinghamshire. As no other football programme have achieved these honours in their respective leagues during the 2009/10 season, which is an amazing achievement.

Football Development Manager Colin Sharpe commented “this has been a fantastic season for everyone involved in the football programme both on the field win two league wins and a runners up spot and in the class rooms where our students have are achieving great things and will be going onto to the next stage of their lives at their selected universities.

Today was our toughest game of the season by far and we should have had the game wrapped up before half time if we had taken our chances, but the lads never stopped working in particular Bryn Reynolds who worked tirelessly throughout the game. In nine years of delivering football programmes like these I have never had such a talent squad of players and a perfect season shows how good they are”

The college has its final Open trial at its Kings Houghton Campus on Wednesday 2^nd June at 2pm. Simply turn up on the day if you would like to be part of this wining side!

A group of sports students at Central Bedfordshire College, Houghton Regis Campus, are organising a charity event to raise funds for CHUMS charity.

The event is a triathlon starting at the Houghton Regis Campus and culminating at the Dunstable Leisure Centre. The event begins with a 20 minute swim at the Houghton Regis Leisure Centre. Once each participant finishes their swim they then get changed and either run or walk the 2.5 miles, to Dunstable Leisure Centre. Here they will be using the cycle machines to cycle for 2 miles before the event is complete.

Each participant will be trying to gain as many sponsors as possible for the event. The participants who raise the most amount of money for the charity will be receiving prizes such as a signed Luton Town FC shirt, and all of the money raised from the event will be donated to the CHUMS charity.

CHUMS support bereaved children and families in Bedfordshire following the death of someone special in their lives. The core of the work is carried out by a team of volunteers who come from all parts of the county who are all trained by the charity in loss and grief and how best to support bereaved children and their families. The event takes place on the 12^th May 2010 starting at 10am at Houghton Regis Leisure Centre and finishing at 2pm at Dunstable Leisure Centre.

Central Bedfordshire College would like to invite as many people as possible from the community to take part in the event for this great cause and hope that everyone can raise as much money as possible for the charity to help people who have lost loved ones gain support to help them through such difficult times. To take part in this charity triathlon all you have to do is contact Central Bedfordshire College to receive your sponsorship form and begin raising money for CHUMS. You can visit Central Bedfordshire College at the Houghton Regis Campus or email Colin Sharpe at csharpe@centralbeds.com for more information on the event. College representative David O’brien said “I would like to thank all of the participants and sponsors on behalf of CHUMS charity and urge others to contact the College and help raise funds for a good cause. All of the donations made are very much appreciated and we really hope you have a good day and enjoy the event.”

Central Bedfordshire College’s 2^nd Team finished off their season unbeaten with 8 wins and 2 draws in the Sessa University and Colleges League.

They were robbed of the league title by West Herts College, who were scheduled to play Barnfield College for the last game of the season. Barnfield were unable to field a team, sadly gifting Herts the 3 points which took them level on points with Central Beds with a better goal difference of 2.

Central Bed’s 2^nd Team Coach, Danny Roberts, commented, “It’s a shame to lose the League in that manner but that’s gone now and we are happy to finish runners up. It is still a great achievement for these young lads, some of whom are aged 16 playing against University players who are aged 18-22 and rely heavily on their physical presence, whereas we always get the ball down and play”.

The 2^nd Team squad are still in the Cup Competition and have just been drawn against QPR Community Trust Programme in the Quarter Finals. This came after they knocked out current holders Nescot in the 5^th round with a goal in the 85^th minute from Terry Campbell and an outstanding performance from Kyrln Brooks Lynch, who was exceptional at the back.

Former Leicester City Star, Matt Elliott’s, Leicester squad visited Central Bedfordshire College for their second encounter of the season. The first of which was a closely competitive game, eventually won by Central Beds 3-1.

Central Beds started the game brightly, despite having not played in a couple of weeks due to the recent bad weather. The team dominated the first 20 minutes but were unable to create a clear goal scoring opportunity. That was until skipper, Lewis Osborne, turned three Leicester players inside out and calmly curled the ball into the top corner of the goal from 20 yards, giving Central Beds a well deserved lead.

A fantastically timed run by Ryan Ellingham followed shortly after. Ryan cut in from the right hand side and ran in on the blind side of the Centre Half. An excellent through ball from Aaron Morgan, the leagues top goal scorer, did the rest making it two nil.

At the restart, Leicester started to play even more longer balls and their pressure paid off after Central Beds failed to clear a corner properly. The ball seemed to cross the line for a goal kick. The Leicester players reacted quickly and crossed the ball into the box for a simple tap in, making it two one at the break.

After a change in formation at the break, Central Beds started well and were rewarded 5 minutes in with another goal from Ryan Ellingham. Ryan, who ran onto another through ball, took it from the Centre Half and was then able to take it round the keeper and finish well. Aidan Murray followed this with a goal directly from a corner.

Lewis Osborne once again was at the heart of things, slotting a ball through for Aaron Morgan, who finished elegantly by kicking the ball over the keeper from 30 yards.

Football Development Manager, Colin Sharpe, commented, “It is great to get another win against such good opposition. What was even more pleasing was the fact that we limited them to only one shot on goal in the whole game, and that ball had gone out of play. I put this down to the way that the whole team defended and kept their shape out of possession, in particular Centre Half, George Higley, who had the his best game of the season by far.”

The college are still currently recruiting for this year’s courses simply visit www.dunstable.ac.uk/football for more information or contact csharpe@dunstable.ac.uk to find out more.

Next up for central beds is a home game against Oxford United.

In an exciting game against Oxford City, Central Beds came out top with a final score of 16-1 in their favour. It is not only an impressive score but also a College record and better still, a league record. This is another great accolade for Central Bedfordshire College with their strong Football Development Programme.

Bottom of the league Oxford City lay in wait for Central Beds and after a very close 4-3 game at home, Oxford were probably hoping for an upset against the top of the league on their home ground.

After such a disappointing result and performance from Central Beds last time these two sides met in the league, the team were told that another performance like that would not be acceptable. Even though Beds won the game and had four players missing on England trials.

Central Beds started the game brightly and were playing some fantastic football and they deservedly took the lead through Jake Bewley. Bewley was on hand again minutes later to double the lead with a great long range effort.

All the signs where there that it was going to be a good day for Central Beds as Morgan scored twice followed by a goal poachers finish by Bryn Reynolds, moments before the half time whistle. It was 5-0 at the break, with oxford not managing one effort on target.

Central Beds were warned at half time not to be complacent in the second half as they knew that Oxford would be coming out with all guns blazing as they were now playing for pride!

The second half became the Ellingham and Murray show as they notched up a staggering 9 goals between them with Ellingham getting 5 and Murray 4, his was followed up by two more from Reynolds to complete his hat-trick.

Football Development Manager, Colin Sharpe, commented, “We dominated the game from start to finished and could have scored more if had not been for the Goalkeeper. We remained professional throughout and worked very hard as a team to insure that they didn’t get sight of our goal. However they did nick a last minute consolation goal which was a good sign as they never gave up despite the score, which is a credit to them”

Next in line is a top of the league game against the only other unbeaten team in the league, 2^nd place Bedford.