Sunday 13th September 2020

FHM Scorps 3-2 Aylesbury Utd Jnrs

A combative and occasionally feisty first fixture of the 2020/21 season ended with a much deserved victory for a battling Scorps team.

In near perfect conditions and with GDL looking resplendant in the autumn sunshine, the game was competitive from the outset. Will Strong took the goalkeeping duties following the late withdrawal of Alfie with a sickness bug.

Early chances were at a premium for both teams but the home team carved out the better chances with Sammy going close. FHM Scorps looked especially dangerous from the set piece and the opener arrived following a corner that was only partially cleared for Henry W to head the ball over a stranded Aylesbury 'keeper.

1-0 at the break. Flackwell started the 2nd period brightly and soon doubled their advantage when Henry A pivoted and struck a sweet volley into the left hand corner. A fine goal.

Flackwell continued to hold the advantage and looked steady at the back marshalled tightly by Harri who again put in an impressive and brave performance. Will put a strong shift in his makeweight GK duties and a clearance from the back fed Seb into a typical drive from half way to drive down the left wing and fire the ball home for a 3-0 advantage.

Frustrations from both the opposition coach and Aylesbury players saw tempers flare in the last few minutes. A consololation goal and then a quick second as Aylesbury pressed gave a nervy final few seconds but Flackwell held on for their 1st official 3 points.

An excellent all round team performance where their graft and grit coupled with some fine goals gave them a deserved victory.

Henley Lions u11s vs Flackwell Heath Scorps

Sunday 20th Sept 2020. (Hot and sunny conditions - 4G)

Flackwell Heath Scorps accepted the late fixture change of fixture to play Henley Lions u11s. This followed the PP of the scheduled league match against Bourne End.

In summary, Henley deserved their victory but the match was as hot tempered as the weather.

The feisty affair started evenly. Henley bossed possession without any clear cut chances.

Billy Ansell making his debut in midfield was solid with Henry W marshalling the centre of the pitch. A broadly quiet first half sprang into life when a penalty was awarded to the general collective suprise to everyone. Expertly finished, the Scorps were behind after 20 minutes. An instant reply nearly came with a well struck free kick hitting the under side of the bar. Frustratingly, no Scorps were following up to tap the ball into the empty net.

A couple of tackles that boarded on the reckless from the Scorps late in the half set the tempo for a feisty 2nd half encounter.

The Scorps bossed the first 15 minutes, holding possession and creating half chances and goal mouth scrambles without breaching the goal line.

With both teams seemingly intent on retaliating to every challenge and decision, outright fury erupted after a seemingly obvious foul on the Flackwell midfielder was ignored. The resulting break leading to a controversial penalty decision in favour of Henley. 2-0 down and with frustrations at boiling point both teams were called to clear their heads following the referee enforcing a change.

Henley settled the better and scored a fine third with a smart back heeled volley to a cross.

With high temperatures continuining the niggles from both sides resulted with Henley having their own player being withdrawn.

A high octane game came to a close with clear vocal frustrations.

A rare but deserved defeat with the clear lesson to learn that decisions have to accepted and that retaliation is never acceptable. Mentally, Henley pushed the buttons and FHScorps reacted. They need to learn quickly that discipline is essential and when decisions go against them, they need to channel their energies into the game.

From an impartial point of view however, some of the decisions were baffling. Special mention to both Harri and Liam who were stand out performers both in their coolness and performances today.

Sunday 18th October

Ruislip Rangers 1 - 3 Flackwell Heath Scorps

Flackwell Heath Scorps head into the international break (half term) with their 100% winning record intact.

High flying Rusilip Rangers (W4 - L1) were put to the sword against a battling Scorps side on a fine autumn morning. The pitch could comfortably have hosted an 11 a-side match but neither side could take early control in a scrappy first quarter. The first changes made all the difference with more bite and aggression in the centre of the pitch.

Henry W scored the opener with a contender for goal of the season. Breaking from his own half he curled a fine effort into the right hand net and had the crowd applauding a fine solo effort. The 2nd followed quickly with Seb chipping the ball following some excellent harrassing of the Ruislip back line.

0-2 at the break.

The 2nd half was equally as competitive without any real control from either side. A mis-placed defensive pass presented Ruislip an early chance and a strong shot coud not be held by Alfie.

Flackwell heads however remained high and they continued to press for their 3rd. Eager to win the ball higher up the pitch, they got their reward for their considerable efforts when a speculative cross from Seb was spilled. The tireless working Aiden was at the back post to simpy tap into an empty net as Scorps head into the break undefeated.

Sunday 13th December 2020

Hughendon 0- 2 FHM Scorps

Super Soggy Scorps scupper Hughendon for the spoils.

An abysmal waterlogged and narrow pitch was the latest challenge for a Scorps team high in confidence following their unbeaten start to the delayed league season.

Constant rain, a stiff breeze and freezing temperatures contributed to a battle rather than a football match as the heavy waterlogged pitch deteriorated from kick off.
This was a game fought through stamina, strength and courage by both teams. The Scorps were rewarded with their endeavours and the points by sticking to a game plan and an awful lot of sheer grit and detemination. These Scorps boys became men in filthy energy sapping conditions.

They edged the 1st half and deserved more than the 1-0 lead which was secured by brave header from Harri following a corner from the hard working Ciaran. A missed penalty and several one on ones all went begging whilst Hughendon looked dangerous without ever really testing an impressive and brave Alfie between the Scorps sticks.

1- 0 lead at half-time.

Expecting a 2nd half onslaught, the Scorps instead continued their presss. Archie having switched to the right showed superb composure and a delivered a deft cross for Ciaran to be allowed time and space to finish comfortably as the Scorps doubled their lead early into the second period.

The game continued with the Scorps creating the best chances and they really should have been out of sight but the terrible conditions made finishing a real challenge. Hughendon rarely troubled the solid and compact Scorps defence as they remained on top. Alfie's handling when called upon was astute as his his kicking when any half chances presented themselves.

No late dramas or nervy final minutes as the Scorps held on for the 3 points and a first clean sheet of the season (somewhat ironic as the kit is going to test the best washing powders on the market)

The saying goes, "But could they do it on a cold, rainy night in Stoke? Well the Scorps have answered that one today. Bigger footballing challenges await but for heart and effort, the boys were superb today.

FHM 2 - 2 Berkampstead Raiders - Sunday 18th April 2021

The long awaited return to league action for the unbeaten Scorps team at a resplendant looking Green Dragon Lane.

125 days since the freezing winter conditions of the last league game, the Scorps inevitably had rustiness in their play and have fitness issues to address as they commence 8 games in 8 weeks to complete the season.

A battling draw was the ultimate conclusion after the Scorps found themselves 0-2 at half time.

The game started scrappily with both teams struggling to create many meaningful openings. The Scorps fell behind with a scrappy goal which was poked home when a loose ball was failed to be cleared. The Scorps fell further behind when a poor pass led to a long ball which the Raiders striker finished confidently.

Kicking down the hill in the 2nd half, the Scorps finally began to exert some pressure and had mutiple opportunites to score. A wrong choice, wayward shooting and a missed penalty kept the Scorps two down before the last 15 mins.

Billy Buckley dragged the Scorps back into the game with a surging run and composed play before laying it off for Leo to finish from close range. The equaliser came from a cut back and another smart finish from Leo at the back stick. The Raiders stil posed a threat as the Scorps went for the win with Alfie having to make a fine stop with his legs.

A fair result overall with a slight sense of disappointment that it was points dropped but the unbeaten league for, remains intact.

MoM - Billy.

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Flackwell Heath Scorpions	6	3	0	3	16	14	2	9

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