News: Brave Blues lose again

Mill Street Blues 3 - No Eye Deer 4

A MILL Street Blues team missing three regular first team players lost 4-3 in a fiery affair at London City Powerleague last night.

The Blues will be bitterly disappointed after being 3-2 up at half-time, two soft goals proving the difference in the end.

Joe Cooke was out with knee troubles, while Emilio Caturla and Tom Hope didn't make the team bus, citing personal reasons for their absence. 

But the Blues regrouped as well as they could, and if luck had been on their side some of their speculative chances may have gone in and changed the result. 

The Deers took the lead despite the first period being dominated by a rampant Blues side, and unfortunately for the home team, this was the case with every goal they conceded. 

Dave Jameson boosted his credentials for a move further up the park after he equalised with an excellent finish soon after. 

It didn't take long for the Deers to get back in front with another soft goal, but this was to be their last goal of the half as Mill Street began to stamp their authority on affairs.

Skipper Matt Hardy - so often the 'go-to' man for the Tower Bridge team - soon levelled things up with his ninth of the season, shocking a complacent No Eye Deer team. 

Things began to look really good when Simon Perry broke his duck for the season with a predatory finish to give the Blues the lead at half-time.

The second half was a brutal affair and it almost boiled over on a number of occasions. Charging runs from Jameson, Perry and Nick Pearce were all ended by cynical challenges.

But try as they may Mill Street could not add to their first-half goals and despite the heroics of keeper Chris de Kock, they managed to leak two more. 

Evergreen midfielder Andy Mason pulled a thigh muscle which kept him quiet for most of the second half but despite the injuries this was a positive performance from the Blues - energetic, gutsy and full of effort. 

Pearce said: "The boys enjoyed their run out tonight. If we can combine tonight's effort with a bit more thought in the final third of the pitch we'll run away with this league.

"It's not happening at the moment, but the lads who played tonight have done their chances of keeping their places the world of good."

News: Big defeat snow joke for Blues

Super JC 7 - Mill Street Blues 3

MILL STREET BLUES were put to the sword by an efficient Super JC outfit in a snowy game at City Powerleague.

Skipper Matt Hardy grabbed a brace - continuing his impressive goal scoring form - and midfielder Joe Cooke scored his first of the season. But these were the only positives in an otherwise poor performance.

The Blues began efficiently and kept a relatively tight ship in the first ten minutes. However, a couple of defensive lapses combined with some unsure goalkeeping from manager Nick Pearce meant that they went into the break 2-0 down.

The second half allowed the Blues to showcase some of their attacking flair and Hardy and Cooke benefited.

Dave Jameson and Tom Hope defended with gusto, but five-a-side being the game it is, goals are always likely, and the Blues failed to score enough of their own.

There were chances for Mill Street to get back into the game but Super JC were a well-drilled outfit who never looked anything other than comfortable.

Veteran midfielder Andy Mason was disappointed but said: "You shouldn't take defeats like this to heart. The camp is feeling a bit low but we'll get them next time

"We're going to train hard, with 'high-octane' being the buzzword. I'd give my life for this team and I'm not ready to throw the towel in."

Manager Pearce was philosophical and said: "We were missing Simon Perry and Chris de Kock, and Emilio Caturla has only been with us for two weeks now. We were a bit green, and this wasn't helped with me between the sticks.

"I hope everyone reports for duty with a clean bill of health next week and we can start to really challenge."

News: Blues dig in for point

Island Gardens 3 - Mill Street Blues 3

MATT HARDY hit a hat-trick as Mill Street Blues fought back to draw 3-3 against Island Gardens.

The Blues skipper was in imperious form in front of goal and almost snatched a dramatic victory for his side, but his shot cannoned off the post, Simon Perry missing with the rebound.

Island Gardens set the pace early on with their nimble-footed forwards causing the shambolic Blues rearguard problems. 

It was not long before the levee broke and the Gardens took the lead, leaving keeper Chris De Kock with no chance. 

The Matt Hardy Show then began as the Blues skipper took it upon himself to haul his side back into contention, making no mistake from close range after the ball broke to him.

Island Gardens pressed for another and the Blues defence rolled out the red carpet to goal, allowing Gardens in for a cheap goal.

To counteract their defensive deficiencies Mill Street resorted to some heavy-handed tactics - and Andy Mason was lucky to stay on the field after a pair of crunching tackles.

If the first half was characterised by ill-discipline, then the second half was all about tension. Midfield star Joe Cooke was winded after a heavy challenge forcing de Kock outfield - manager Nick Pearce taking his place between the sticks.

The South African's muscular aggression greatly improved Mill Street's goal threat and a period of stalemate was eventually ended by a penalty from Hardy.

An Island Gardens foot in the area, gave Hardy the a chance from the spot, and he excelled, sending the keeper the wrong way. 

Dave Jameson and Tom Hope came on to add some experience and finesse to the side, but even this substitution could not prevent Gardens taking the lead once again.

Pearce was left stranded and the Gardens celebrated as if they had won the game - and it appeared as if they had.

But Matt Hardy once again drew from within and equalised with a fine strike - cue pandemonium from the bench. 

The smiles proved to be short-lived after Pearce threw an outrageous ball and conceded a priceless indirect free-kick. His blushes were saved though, as the ball was blazed over. 

And it almost seemed as if the impossible would happen and the Blues would take all three points - however the post and Perry both intervened to confirm a draw between the sides. 

Betting Corner with Matt Hardy

Top scorer (current total in brackets)

Hardy (2) 1/3
Caturla (0) 8/1
Jameson (1) 9/1
Cooke (0) 14/1
Mason (0) 33/1
Perry (0) 33/1
Pearce (1) 40/1
Hope (0) 80/1
De Kock (0) 250/1

Final League Position

4th or 5th: Evs
3rd or Higher: 6/4
6th or Lower: 5/1

Diamond Bet

Joe Cooke to sustain some kind of injury: 3/1

"Cookey has been complaining throughout the week about various injuries, some of which he allegedly sustained in last week's titanic battle. He's since been over to the US for treatment, but Dr Steadman tells me he's in bad shape. Add to that, his Andy Murray-esque attitude on the pitch could see him crying off at half time. Take the 3/1 about him limping away."

Donut Bet

Nick Pearce to score again this week: 7/2

"Punters have been piling into Pearce since his goalscoring heroics last week; that faith looks misplaced. Hardy was closest to Pearce when he scored against No Eye Deer, and strongly believes that the effort was a shank into the bottom corner. Whether he has the class to repeat the feat remains to be seen. The lad has got potential, but anyone taking 7/2 about him scoring this week (in a competitive game) needs to think about Gamblers Anonymous - just ask Andy Mason."

News: Blues off to winning start

Mill Street Blues 4 No Eye Deer 3

FOUR goals and a second half clean sheet helped Mill Street Blues to a promising victory in their first game of the season. 

Scheduled opponents Magdalen Old Boys failed to make it to the ground, and a walkover 10-0 victory was automatically awarded to the Blues.

A Magdalen spokesman blamed tyre problems with their team coach and said: "It looks like someone had tampered with the wheels. We've got no idea who. The only evidence we could find was an empty pack of caramel digestives."

No Eye Deer graciously agreed to a friendly and proved to be worthy opponents, leading 3-1 in the first half. However, some well-timed substitutions from manager Nick Pearce turned the tide in favour of the Blues.

Joe Cooke came on and brought some finesse to an otherwise misfiring midfield, while Pearce himself worked his socks off in midfield after his arrival midway through the first half.

After No Eye Deer went 2-0 ahead, Blues skipper Matt Hardy helped his side back into the game after his speculative shot cannoned off two walls and an opponent before crossing the line.

The Deers extended their lead to 3-1, and Hardy was summoned to strike again - this time there was no doubting the intention and class of the finish.

And gaffer Nick Pearce levelled it up just before half time with a left foot strike that shocked the Deers' rearguard. Whether or not it he meant it remains to be seen.

If the first half was all about goals, the second was all about grit. The Blues shut up shop spectacularly and had enough in the tank to take the lead after a well worked goal by Dave Jameson.

The only flashpoint of an otherwise tight second half was winger Simon Perry's theatrics after being fouled, that very nearly saw him spend some time in the cooler.

Perry flung himself to the ground and performed what the referee described as a "magic card trick" to try and get his opponent booked - all he got was a tounge-lashing from the man in the middle.

The 23 year old manager believes that this is a strong start to a promising campaign and said: "The boys were disappointed when they went off, but they shouldn't be. We scored four goals and didn't concede in the second half, that's very solid. If we carry on training and work as a team, who knows where we might end up?"

The Blues play Island Gardens next Thursday at 9.20pm

News: Magdalen Old Boys up first for Mill Street

MILL STREET BLUES have been handed a tough opening draw in Powerleague Division Five, facing soft Oxford outfit, Magdalen Old Boys.

The Bermondsey based team have just finished a training camp at an exclusive resort in Clapham and are raring to go.

Veteran Andy Mason was delighted with the draw and said: "There are no easy fixtures at this level. Except this one, we're going to dick them inside out."

The other opposition in the league looks just as tough, with No Eye Dear, Goodfellas and Pollards Pirates likely to provide some tough challenges over the weeks. 

A captain has yet to be announced for the side, although manager Nick Pearce believes his is a side full of leaders and said: "We don't need to rush into naming a skipper on matchday. Tom Hope is club captain, and if he starts, he's captain - simple as.

"We've got a good blend of youth and experience, but really any of them could lead side. I'm confident this side can show Magdalen a thing or two."

Mill Street Blues have a relatively early kick-off and Pearce believes this will be to their advantage and said: "Our boys hit their peak around 6, and the football field is no different from the pub. They're champions in both arenas."

Betting Corner with Matt Hardy

Every week tipping expert Matt Hardy will share his thoughts on where to put your money..

This week...

Top scorer

Hardy 8/13

Caturla 13/2

Cooke 10/1

Jameson 12/1

Mason 25/1

Perry 40/1

Pearce 50/1

Hope 66/1

De Kock 100/1

Ladhams 2000/1

Final League Position

6th or lower: Evs

4th or 5th: 5/4

3rd or higher: 7/1

Diamond bet

Perry to be late for training: 8/11. 

Hardy says: "8/11 is a skinny price for this one, but it's the closest thing to printing money. HardyBet's standout price should be snapped up right now; Perry is consistently late for any event that has ever been staged in CTV history. There is no reason to suggest that tomorrow's first training session will be any different. The 4/1 about him missing training completely is quite tempting, but take the safe option of him being late. You can also bet on his excuses, where the overwhelming favourite is "I just stayed in bed" at 1/3.

Donut bet

Tom Hope to start the first game: 7/1

Hardy says: "A ridiculous price for a man who is already questioning his commitment to the squad. It would be surprising if he was even included in Pearce's plans for the opener. Recent comments from the once great striker have included: "I might make one in three matches" and "I'm rather concerned about the prospect of playing while wearing glasses... will I get hurt?". Anyone taking this price should be shot.