U12 White flounder at Flanders by Andrew Colman
Buckhurst Hill again payed the price for wasteful finishing in drawing at Flanders in a match they should have won comfortably. The first half was almost all Buckhurst Hill, with Oliver, Risby, London and Colman all having early efforts saved by the outstanding Flanders keeper. Anamole was a consistent force in midfield throughout, ably assisted by a combatant performance by Lawrence. The back four of Bruns, Nicholls, Creasey and Dermibala comfortably dealt with the rare Flanders forays, and the chances came thick and fast as London shot just over after good work by Risby and Oliver, and then Oliver was twice denied by the keeper when through on goal.
On the third occasion Oliver did beat the keeper, only to see his shot falter in the mud and draw up agonisingly short of the line. It was not until the stroke of half-time that Dennis in the Hill goal was called into action with a sharp save to his left.
The second half saw the introduction of a willing runner up front in Page, and further ammunition from the left in Corlis. Almost straight from the restart Oliver shot just over, and then Corlis was denied by a fine save.
From the resultant corner Cooper fired just over, and then Risby came close from distance. Nurse made several fine clearances in defence, but Flanders were now enjoying their best spell of the game and only a telling intervention by Nicholls kept the hosts at bay. Moments later though the ball was surrendered cheaply in midfield and completely against the run of play Flanders took the lead. Only a fine point-blank save by Dennis prevented the hosts from doubling their lead, but immediately Buckhurst Hill struck back when Oliver’s through ball found London and his powerful strike from the edge of the box was just too much for the Flanders keeper and the match was level at 1-1. In the closing seconds Dennis twice had to pull off outstanding saves to keep the scores level, the second of which, diving to his left, was from the last kick of the game.
Man of the match went to Dennis for his second half goalkeeping heroics.


