Thursday, 6th September, 2007 (Ridgeons U18’s Youth League) Bourne 2 Stotfold 1 Bourne started their Ridgeons Under 18 League campaign on Thursday against one of the favourites to take the Ridgeons West League title. Stotfold certainly took the honours in the first half; their football was fast and organised and Bourne struggled with the pace of the game. New keeper Tom Thurston was called into action on a couple of occasions making good saves to keep the score at 0 – 0 at half time. Knowing Stotfold had thrown everything at them in the first half without breaking the solid Bourne defence down, marshalled by Owen Smith, Bourne stopped Stotfold playing and gradually got on top of the game and after a spell of pressure scored the first goal from Josh Ryan. But the strong Stotfold side came back at Bourne with a good ten minute spell which saw them get the equaliser. Who would come out on top was the question, but the Bourne team pushed for the winner and scored with 12 minutes to go with a great headed goal from Owen Smith. The last 12 minutes were very tense and once again Tom Thurston was called on to make a great save. Bourne’s defence stood firm and held the Stotfold team out to win a great display of attacking football from both sides. It was a great team performance from the Bourne side against a very good Stotfold outfit. We will get better as the season progresses but the performance has set the standards I expect from the lads all season. There were some good individual performances but the whole team deserve the praise for the win. Team: Tom Thurston, Jamie West, Owen Smith (Captain), Adam Cunnington, Chris Andrew, Benito Schiavi, Alec Robinson, Tom Cardall, Josh Ryan, Mark Jones, Chris Hume. Subs Danny Burn, Chris Flynn, Dan Bratcher, Scott Waters, Tom Younghusband. Mick and the team would like to wish Matt Dodson a speedy recovery from a broke ankle sustained in a pre-season friendly. | 
