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Winchmore Hill 0 West Wickham 1
Southern Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 20 September
New season, new team for us and for Wickham, same old result! That
said the performance of the team and individuals gives good cause
for optimism for the rest of the season.
On a bright sunny afternoon the
Hill’s season finally got underway and from the very start we moved
the ball well, which caused Wickham problems.
Within the first twenty minutes we hit the woodwork twice and forced
their keeper into making a good point-blank save.
In defence the new look back four marshalled their forward line very
well. The half ended with the Hill on the offensive but without
anything to show for our territorial dominance.
The second half continued in a similar
vein to the first with Hill enjoying the lion’s share of possession
and Wickham defending well against our attacks and the woodwork
coming to their rescue when their back-line was breached. As the
half wore on our frustration began to grow. This manifested itself
in one or two mistimed challenges resulting in pressure-relieving
free-kicks for Wickham. From one of these free-kicks they nicked a
goal and ultimately the game.
A free-kick on our left was floated into the box into the zone known
in pundit’s corner as ‘if the keeper comes he’s got to make sure he
gets it’, unfortunately Carter came and was an inch or so short,
story of his life really, the ball glanced off the Wickham centre
forward’s head and looped over two defenders on the line and into
the net. The game wound down to its inevitable finish with Hill
creating several good chances but unfortunately not being able to
convert any of them.
Onward and upwards.
Alleyn Old Boys 0 Winchmore Hill
5
Southern Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 27 September
Another bright sunny afternoon, another bright purposeful display and
five lovely goals saw the Hill notch up their first win of the
season.
After the first five minutes in which the opposition exploited our
slight uncertainty the remaining 85 minutes belonged overwhelmingly
to the Hill. On a great surface the Hill began to move the ball
effectively and efficiently looking to exploit any weaknesses in the
opposition’s defence. After a couple of near misses and half
chances the Hill’s opener came from an unlikely source and an
unlikely position on the field.
Macca, a centre forward in the
traditional mould, had started form in consistent fashion with his
first three touches going straight off the field. So when he picked
up the ball wide on our left the birds in the nearby tree were
already binging to quake. However, our concerns were unfounded,
Macca seeing the keeper edging off his line arrowed the ball at pace
into the net beating the keeper at his near stick. Did he mean it?
Of course he did! This settled any nerves after last week’s
frustrating encounter and flood gates that had threatened to open
the week before duly parted as the Hill’s incisive attacking play
carved open the opposition time and time again.
Abi got in on the act bending a free-kick into the bottom right
corner. This was followed by a tremendous run from deep within our
by Abi which involved beating four or five of the opposition, three
pirouettes, and a triple axle. He was finally upended with the ball
falling to Godfrey who toe-punted the ball into the net accompanied
by a shout of ‘ave it’. Three-nil, 35 minutes played. Two minutes
later it was 4-0. A wayward pass was intercepted by Abi, who having
a half to remember, and after another uncultured upending in the box
Rod nervously slotted the ball home.
The second half was a slightly more muted affair. The Hill kept the
ball for long periods. The opposition did create some pressure
although this was dealt with by the Hill back four. Macca, as is
his want, sandwiched a massive shank of his left peg and a ball into
nowhere with his right foot with a sumptuous curler into the top
corner to make it 5-0. Unfortunately the half ended with one of the
opposition being sent off for two bookable offences.
Notable performances came from many but stand-outs were Macca for
his two goals, Abi and Godfrey for their outstanding wing displays
and goals, and Davo and Barrell for their ‘keeping the ball’ moving
contributions. All in all a good day
Winchmore Hill
2 Nottsborough 1
Southern Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 18 October
Match report courtesy of the ‘nicest’ player on the park Andy
Barrell!!
Winchmore Hill claimed another 3 points in another tight hard fought
game against a talented Nottsborough team. The Hill made two changes
from the previous week's victory over Actonians with Hursty coming
into the team in place of Macca, who went back home for the weekend,
and Charles who broke his foot during training. The French speaking
Sampson came in for Charles. Reece, who only likes playing away and
in temperatures over 80, was also not about.
The Hill started well in their ‘Varnished’ white shorts and took the
lead inside 10 minutes when Abi who apparently varnishes the white
shorts himself slid the in form Rod Beya in on goal and he coolly
slotted it past the Nottsborough keeper.
The Hill then were put under a lot of pressure up until half time
with Nottsborough hitting the crossbar and Gylo performing heroics
stopping a certain goal after a short back pass from Sampson. Carts
is attending French evening classes this week to help talk to his
young full back. There’s not much chance of Carts learning French
as he is still struggling with his English!
The Hill went in 1-0 up at the break.
The second half the Hill improved and came out a lot brighter and
caused Nottsborough's defence a lot of problems without really
creating many clear cut chances. At the other end, Nottsborough were
having a lot of possession but rarely hurting a solid Hill defence.
The Hill finally got their second goal with a great move down the
left flank with Matty Knights and Abi Seymour combining well and
Matty cut it back to the oncoming Godfrey Poku who smashed it into
the roof of the net to make it 2-0.
With 15 minutes to play the Hill surely had 3 points in the bag. But
the ref had other ideas awarding a penalty to Nottsborough after
Hursty shoved a Nottsborough player in the back. Only the ref and
Bob Gyles saw this push with no real appeals coming from any of the
Nottsborough players. The penalty was then saved by Carts who was
slow to get up and get the rebound which just proves if you don’t
come to training you will lose your sharpness!
The last couple of minutes were nervy for the Hill but saw it
through unlike poly the previous home game.
Another tough SAL match but a young Hill side deserved 3 points for
a good all round performance and digging in when needing to. Gylo
and Branners had another excellent game in defence and the midfield
put in a good workmanlike display and stopped Nottsborough creating
many chances and getting them frustrated, resulting in long range
efforts.
Three points and another round bought by the gaffer if we keep
winning even he’ll be feeling the credit crunch! Probably not
actually though as too many drink J20!
From the other side of the coin...
Nottsborough's version
Old Owens 1Winchmore Hill
2
Southern Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 25 October
Winchmore Hill arrived at Owens unbeaten in 4 games and off the back
of very strong back to back wins away at Old Actonians and at home
to Nottsborough, meaning confidence was high and knowing a win would
take the Hill to the top of the SAL table. By comparison Owens has
had a slow start to the season picking up their only win away at
Salesians the previous week. However as has always been the case in
these highly competitive games given the history between the clubs
form counts for nothing on the day.
The pre-match discussion seemed to centre on how Abi had gone from
using varnish last week when washing the kit to using well what
could only be described as a soil based detergent this week, and his
own words "banged"?? I have spent the last 48 hours looking for a
translation - answers on a postcard! Even the wet socks were not to
dampen the Hills afternoon (sorry just had to) and as Hursty put it,
forget the kit chaps lets just get the three points. Even the gaffer
included it in his pre match talk such were his concerns the kit
might have on concentration and attitude. However neither should
have worried (well maybe a little) as the boys showed great attitude
from the very start setting a great tempo and finishing the match
even stronger.
So the match itself, and for the first time we had cold and windy
conditions to contend with rather than baking sunshine and the Hill
kicked off playing into the wind towards the Old Owens club house.
The Hill started with a lot of confidence looking to get into their
passing rhythm knocking the ball around at the back, in to midfield
and then working off the front two and for 15 minutes held the upper
hand. We were looking to get the ball wide to Godfrey and Abi who
were linking well with the strikers in the respective channels as
Hursty and Rod worked the line well looking to bring others into the
game, and despite us getting in down the sides on numerous occasions
either the final ball wasn't quite there or the runs into the box
weren't quite clever enough. But enough openings to be optimistic.
To be fair to Owens they defended well and when we did get a sniff
around the edge of the box fouls were committed which resulted in
not a great deal.
As the half wore on Owens had a little spell around the half hour
mark, creating a few opportunities and being gifted a couple of
others, and with the few shots they had found Andy Carter in good
form as he saved from close range and tipped a dangerous free kick
over the top. These were the only real chances Owens had in the
first half as our defence showed why they had only conceded 3 goals
in 5 matches - none from open play - prior to kick off. Gylo and
Branners look assured at centre half with Mattie's pace at full back
allowing him to attack and defend with equal measure. As half time
approached we started to get in the ascendancy once more, with a
couple of dangerous crosses from both the left and right although
not too much to trouble the Owens keeper.
In to the second half and the Hill appeared to be looking stronger
as we continued to pass the ball and look for openings, made a touch
more difficult with the wind behind. It was a complete surprise then
when Owens took the lead with 20 minutes to play when a corner was
nodded in from 2 yards, despite strong appeals for a foul as Carts
looked to be impeded coming for a catch. One nil down away at Owens
would normally see most teams fold, but this young Winchmore team is
developing a winning mentality and attitude and response to this
setback couldn't have been better, as we set about Owens and started
penetrating their back line and testing the keeper. A cross from the
left found Hurst and his header back across goal found the unmarked
Barrell who couldn't quite get enough power on the header to find
the net. Shortly after Hurst was replaced by Declan who has been in
good scoring form for the reserves and looked bright on his debut,
and nearly scored from a classic goalmouth scramble, where I counted
three shots being blocked, when in reality it could have been more!
Then back up the other end where we hadn't had too much to do second
half we faced a free kick from a dangerous position, but when the
cross came in Carter claimed well and as is the new Hill way quickly
released Knights down the left, who rolled the ball into Beya's feet
to set off a classic counter attack. (Which is proving very
effective for us with our newfound pace in the side) Beya jinked
inside his man before hitting a peach of a cross field pass to Poku,
who had the vision and ability to cushion a lovely first time pass
through the two centre halves to the onrushing Barrell (Yes I
couldn't believe it either) who having got there had plenty to do as
his pace was never going to take him clear, so with a lovely cut
back he sent the defender and the keeper the wrong way and lifted
ball over them and into the net to level the match. However the Hill
weren’t done and there was still 10 minutes or so left on the clock
so we went searching for the winner!
And when the winner arrived it was a goal worthy of winning any game
at any level! Poku who had become frustrated at not seeing the ball
as much as he would like (Well Godfrey you can't have it for 90 mins
on your own…) started to move inside and take up positions where it
is very difficult to be marked. On one such occasion he received the
ball some 25 maybe 30 yards out, his first touch caused the ball to
pop up nicely and he then smashed the ball with his right foot and
watched as it sailed in to the top corner off the post as the
players and fans went mad for a minute or two (It isn't often you
get to celebrate a win at coopers lane after all) which was
deserved. It was a stunning strike!!
So this left us with 6 minutes to hang on??? Familiar territory……not
just this season but others gone by, however since the goal conceded
against Poly late on the Hill's concentration and focus lasts the
distance, maybe it’s the thought of the gaffer dipping into his
pocket again?? (Some chance as he fled early) As Owens pushed for an
equaliser the Hill created two more really good opportunities which
they need to start taking to close games out, first as Beya broke
through one on one with the keeper before pashing it back to him and
then Abi went on one of his mesmerising runs beating three players
before nearly taking a cow out in the field behind the goal with his
finish! Then finally the whistle went and the boys claimed their
third win on the run to go top of the table! Having played 6 games
with 4 wins and one defeat and the so called big three having been
played, it is up to us where we go this season, and the benchmark
has truly been set.
So to the post match discussion in the bar, and credit to their boys
who agreed we deserved the victory and were surprised at the quality
of our football and new found passing game. As Gylo, Carts, Barrell,
Branners, Declan and myself discussed the game and how well we had
played and the tremendous character in coming back from a goal down
at Owens, Mr SAL himself was working the room like only he can. So
to next week and Weirside a new side to league who will no doubt
provide a stern test on their own patch, and a chance to open up a
gap at the top with Wickham not playing??
Weirside Rangers 2 Winchmore Hill 1
Southern
Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 1 November
The recent good run of the Hill came to a shuddering halt on
Saturday in wet and windy Kingston. Three goals in the first 20
minutes, one for the Hill and two for the opposition, concluded the
scoring and ultimately confirmed the result.
Changes to the starting eleven saw first team debuts for Cooky and
young Steve in the back four with Macca returning after a week long
scoring sojourn with Newton’s Invincibles. Playing with the wind in
the first half, an impediment for the Hill, we scored after two
minutes when a perfect shank off Rod’s shin found Andy ‘the
incredible shrinking man’ Barrell’s head. The opposition weren’t
perturbed by the early goal and duly equalised from a corner after
10 minutes. Further indecision in the defensive ranks resulted in
the opposition centre forward pulling a ‘worldly’ finish out of the
bag to give the home a side a deserved lead. The remainder of the
half was scrappy certainly from Hill’s perspective with the
opposition warranting their lead.
The second half was a different affair which saw Hill dominate
possession and territory (unconfirmed opta stats - 80:20). However
a mixture of shooting from sixty yards, kicking the floor, falling
over whilst wearing moulds, and indeed not shooting at all meant
that the Hill were not able to get the equaliser. All the more
galling because if the equaliser had come then the winner would have
surely followed.
The result and certainly the first half performance are a reminder
that structure, commitment and responsibility are prerequisites for
flair and imagination. Bon chance and as Bruce says ‘keep dancing’.
Winchmore Hill 6 Enfield Old Grammarians 1
Amateur
Football Alliance Senior Cup
Round Two
Saturday 8 November
HILL EASE INTO ROUND
THREE OF AFA CUP
Winchmore Hill have a successful history in the AFA Cup,
particularly recently, having won the competition twice in the
previous six seasons. However, past glories count for nothing, and
if anything, inspire opposing sides who visit the Paulin looking for
an upset. Enfield Old Grammarians were no exception.
Winchmore were forced into changes in wide midfield, with Poku
injured and the glamour model Abi Seymour continuing his trial at
Reading, though the latter was doing his best to avoid a home game
against Aston Villa, in preference of Grammarians at the Paulin.
Understandable. Neil Hurst returned to the left, a position where
he has notched a good percentage of his 50-odd goals for the club.
Declan made his first start on the right, and the returning Strouts
at right back produced a brace – sadly, yet unsurprisingly, not on
the pitch.
Hill started slowly and somewhat complacently, after the manager and
captain had stressed the importance of a good shape, the team chose
to ignore all the sensible instructions they had been given, and
were ragged, flattering the efforts of a spirited Grammarians side.
The ball was moved too slowly and the work rate was poor,
culminating in the visitors taking the lead in the tenth minute with
a superb first time volley at the far post. After a few
Strouts-esque sympathetic shanks from Knights, and Cook soon
realising that you can’t pass to the right back even when he’s in 30
yards of space, Hill began to settle into a rhythm.
Hill got back into the game when the wily Hurst used all his
experience to win a slightly soft looking penalty after a burst down
the left wing, and in the ex-skipper’s words: “I’ve seen them given,
I’ve seen them not given.” Profound. Beya duly converted, and
Winchmore, now in the ascendancy quickly increased their lead with a
tidy driven finish from Barrell after a good passing move, and Beya
got his second following a move started by Strouts tackling with his
head. Oh, how we’ve missed him! 3-1 at half time, but far from
convincing, too many players wasting possession and out of position
gave the opposition a lot of ball in dangerous areas, fortunately,
they could not make it count.
The second half brought a stronger display with a good shape and
some better football. The newly ‘slimline’ Barrell curled in for
his 4th in 3 games, an excellent return that has left his
midfield partner Davison well behind in the scoring stakes. This,
however, is no surprise bearing in mind Davo is doing his finest
Shane Foley impression, sweeping up behind Gyles and Cook at centre
half on a number of occasions.
Dominic Murchison was introduced on the right side of midfield,
after Strouts’ legs gave up 70 mins into his solid comeback match.
This was enough time however, for the obligatory shank (left foot
this time) impressively back behind himself in the penalty area to
make sure the defence were on their toes – Gyles almost wasn’t and
nearly tested Carter, but the danger passed. Murchison immediately
provided a reminder of what Hill had missed in Poku and Seymour,
with blistering pace creating two good chances for the strikers.
Winchmore then started to produce the kind of football that has
brought them so much success this season, with the best move of the
match ending in the fifth and best goal of the match. A link up
down the left flank between Knights, Beya and Davison resulted in
Knights reaching the bye line and driving across the box for Hurst
to roll back the years and slide home.
There was still time for Beya to complete his hat trick in style, a
positive first outing from Sureya, and then some extraordinary
misses from Beya and McHale, which could and should have extended
the margin of victory.
Overall, a satisfactory team display and 6-1 reflected Hill’s
superiority with a solid central midfield performance from Davison
and Barrell, and Carter’s excuse book getting thinner (the cross
died on him, honest). Tougher tests will come starting this coming
Saturday away to Old Ignatians, and if this young side is to emulate
some big Winchmore Hill names of the past then constructive advice
and instructions must be adhered to, with discipline and hard work
coming hand in hand with ability. If this can be achieved, then
this team can go a long way towards creating their own history.
Winchmore
Hill 1 Old Salesians 0
Southern Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 29 November
The Hill entered this contest on the
back of two league defeats and as such it became imperative that
they rebounded from such disappointments to help protect themselves
from the experiences of last season when safety was not secured
until the penultimate game. If
league tables were anything to go by, neutrals could have thought
that this would have been the ideal opportunity for the Hill to get
back to winning ways with Salesians at the bottom and Hill at the
top but it was FA cup weekend and we all know that upsets can
happen! Winchmore
always seem to struggle against Salesians and battles over the years
have always been tight and competitive affairs, so the Hill
approached their competition with the respect they deserved.
Pre-match preparations started with a 1pm meet in the clubhouse, all
the overweight old guys on one side and all the gold chain, bling
bling hoodies on the other, nothing like team spirit!!!
It was overheard that Brannigan had not eaten for a couple of
days which seemed a little unusual to me until he set the record
straight with master Hurst suggesting that this was normal during
his time in the motherland of Kosovo…Poku was back in the fold as
was some bloke from the second team who turned up looking like
Inspector Morse with his brown elbow patched blazer!
Once in the changing room all the fun stopped as the Gaffer had his
game face on setting about a formation which suggested stability and
flair through Poku, Broad and Beyer who occupied the lone striking
role. Everything was going to plan during the warm-up until
somebody commented about the match ball being pumped up too much
leading to an unusual outburst from the Gaffer lasting about 5 mins
which actually made some of the younger players cry!
On a serious note everyone knew from this incident what an
important game this was and as required the Hill set about their
business in this fashion.
Despite a slow start, Winchmore got into their groove and it
wasn’t long before they seemed to get on top of things, playing
the ball out from the back, driving the midfield through Hursty and
Poku and testing the Salesians back line through Beyer.
Carter didn’t look like he was being tested too often but
what was thrown at him he dealt with amicably despite the aerial
threat that Salesians offered on set pieces.
Barrell was starting to get into the game more as was Hurst
and Poku who started to pierce the Salesians rearguard with
penetrating runs which were repelled by a number of reckless
Salesian challenges that seemed to go unpunished.
As the half wore on it looked more and more like a 0-0 draw
with neither side offering the cutting edge which tends to be the
difference at this level.
The second half was to start like the first as Salesians pushed
forward immediately looking for an opening which nearly came after
10 mins as a break down the Hill’s left allowed their centre
forward to curl a shot just over Carter’s upright. The Hill did not seem to heed this warning as Salesians
pushed time and time again looking for the breakthrough which did
make them look susceptible on the break as Davidson and Barrell
tried to unpick the lock. During
a good spell of possession Poku picked the ball up from 25 yards out
and smashed a shot which bounced just in front of the keeper and
into the net. 1-0 Hill.
Instead of pushing on the Hill seemed to sit back and invite
pressure and as such with 25 minutes remaining the Gaffer decided it
was time for a tactical change to help inject some youth, creativity
and raw ability to secure the win so off came Hurst and on came
Strouts!!!
From here on in Hill locked the door and could have gone 2-0 up if
Beyer could learn to convert in a one on one situation.
Despite a number of Salesian set pieces, shanks from
Brannigan, numerous counter attacks from the Hill, elbows in the
penalty area and a match ending in darkness the 3 points were safe
helping maintain the decent league position whilst allowing the Hill
to turn their attentions to next weeks Holy Grail, the AFA cup!!!
More of the same Saturday please.
Yours,
Supersub.
Winchmore Hill 10 Old Ignatians 0
Amateur
Football Alliance Senior Cup
Round Three
Saturday
6th December
One look
at the result of this fixture ought to tell you all you need to know
about the day yet somehow it just wouldn't do justice to what was a
completely surreal Saturday at a winter sun kissed Paulin Ground.
You got the feeling it was going to be a good day when Old man
Strouts made his now customary show stopping entrance to the
clubhouse dressed like an extra from a Dizzee Rascal video.
Dedicated followers of Winchmore Hill fashion can now add this black
and pink 'leisurewear' to the vast array of sartorial 'elegance'
that has graced the sanctity of the dressing room over the years.
Strouts' shooting jacket, Strouts' von Dutch trucker's cap, Strouts'
braces (I'm detecting a theme here), Carts' guacamole easy shoes,
Barry Chaters' superman pants and Matty Knights' pimped up tracksuit
collection have all caused a stir but none had quite the impact of
this little beauty. Old man Strouts is almost single handedly
keeping the British economy afloat with his penchant for a fashion
statement and also doing a decent job at bridging the old
guard/street kid divide within the side. Well played him!
Anyway, the game, and what a game it was. Andy Russell was again
without Aby Seymour whose match fitness status on the Hill website
appears to have been 'Reading' for weeks. What on earth is he
reading that is taking so long? One of Peter Gyles' match reports
perhaps? Enough to send anyone asleep! Strikers Rod Beya and Kris
McHale were both unavailable meaning Neil Hurst was asked to lead
the line alone, no doubt hoping to add to his 107 1st XI career
goals. In support Hurst could rely on the youthful exuberance of
Godfrey Poku, Dominic Murcheson and Andy Barrell all of whom have
impressed greatly so far this season.
The match was about to start, but before things could get going we
were all treated to a manifesto of the newly anointed 'Respect'
campaign which is being rolled out across football. Quite right too
- this should be encouraged although refereeing a football match
should not be confused with trying to cleanse society itself and
with Andy Carter's still suffering from a bad dose of tourettes and
Matt Knights ASBO still not served in full, the man in black was
never going to see eye to eye with these two (he was over 5 foot 5
for starters!)
Nonetheless the vertically challenged Knights was head and shoulders
above everyone else on five minutes when he headed home Chris
Davison's sublime corner. Hill really had a stranglehold on
proceedings and should have added to their lead only for some
careless play in the final third to deny them. As expected,
Ignatians mixed honest endeavour with some fruity tackling and you
got the feeling that they could not afford to continue to allow Hill
to have set pieces in and around their penalty area. On the stroke
of half time this proved to be the case when Poku's cross was headed
home at the far post by Hurst. From the restart Hill gained
possession immediately and Broad was through on goal with players in
support only for the referee to pull the plug just as Broad was
about to pull the trigger. 2-0 at the break.
Much of the team talk at half time revolved around getting the all
important third and ensuring that we stepped up our standards for
the tougher challenges that lay ahead. This was achieved and some
as Hill totally dominated the second half. The third goal came when
Hurst tackled back and sent Davison through on goal for him to
finish with aplomb with his right foot. The third goal came when
Hurst tackled back and sent Davison through on goal for him to
finish with aplomb with his right foot. I've written that twice as
I didn’t believe it myself when writing it!
Three became four moments later when Hurst nodded home at the far
post and with twenty five minutes remaining the Ignatians were in
desperate need of salvation particularly when their skipper went off
injured. With him went the shape and soul of the side as Hill
proceeded to score a further six goals in the closing moments.
Hurst completed his hat-trick with another towering header and added
a fourth for him and the Hill's sixth before Stuart Broad capped an
impressive display with a brace, Andy Barrell coolly finished
another impressive Hill move, before Poku got the goal his
performance deserved with a superbly struck match clinching tenth!
There was still time for Peter Gyles to get his ball room dancing
friendly size 12 feet in a tangle allowing Ignatians a first sight
at Carter's goal but thankfully for him and the ears of everyone in
the surrounding area Mr Angry got his much sought after clean sheet.
Next week sees Hill host Hale End in the Middlesex/Essex Cup, the
final game before the winter break and a chance for Hill to finish
2008 strongly. A chance also for Strouts' wife to give his American
Express Black Card a bashing at the January sales in time for more
Fashion Tales of the Unexpected in 2009!
Regards
The
Purple Pen
Winchmore Hill 3 Hale End Athletic 3
AFA Middlesex & Essex Senior Cup
Saturday 13 December
(After extra time – score at 90 minutes 2 – 2.
Winchmore Hill won 4 – 3 on penalties)
Reading’s loss was the Hill’s gain on Saturday as a hat-trick from
the returning Aby Seymour eventually saw them through to the next
round of the Middlesex Cup.
On a rain soaked day with the pitch holding up very well and the
Hill’s bench bristling with talent, youth and white socks the game
got underway with both teams settling into the games. The Hill
almost took the lead in the first ten minutes only to be thwarted by
a great flying save from the opposition’s keeper who bore a
remarkable resemblance to Jack Newton. The remainder of the half
saw both sides enjoy periods of possession without creating any real
chances.
The gaffer made what turned out to be an inspired substitution at
half time with Aby replacing Stuart Broad thus reuniting the Hill’s
famous wide-men double act. Aby duly scored after two minutes
getting his go-go gadget leg to a cross for 1-0. The pitch began to
worsen particularly in the clubhouse end goalmouth where Carter had
to be at his full 6ft height just to keep his head above the lakes
that were now forming. Despite the worsening conditions Hill
continued to press and duly got their second goal when something
happened in the goal mouth (it was getting very dark) and Aby scored
his second. 2-0 with 20 minutes to go should mean game over but it
was not to be. The opposition who had introduced two jet-propelled
wingers in the second half threw caution to the wind and went for
it. Indecision and uncertainty resulted in a goalmouth swimming
session after which it was 2-1. Five minutes later the Hill’s
backline was again breached to make it 2-2. Further chances were
created by the opposition not least when Carter decided to subject
the crowd watching from the comfort of the pavilion (lightweights)
to a spot of goal-line juggling. He was later helpfully advised by
his goalkeeper mentor, Tim Corrick, that his hand-shape and body
position were all wrong. 2-2 fulltime and 30 minutes of extra-time
in the deepening gloom beckoned. Extra-time was a rather tame
affair compared to the excitements of the second half. Each team
scored a goal with the visitors taking the lead and Aby securing his
hat-trick and superstar status to take the game to penalties.
The question now on the crowd’s lips was would the penalty taking
technique of the Hill’s players outweigh Carter’s dismal penalty
saving record. The answer thankfully was in favour of the technique
with Hill scoring four penalties out of five and Hale End missing
two of their five.
Onwards and upwards.
Winchmore Hill 2 Alleyn Old Boys 0
Southern Amateur League
Senior Section Division One
Saturday 3 January
Hill started the new
year the way they want the rest of 2009 to go with a hard fought win
at home against Alleyn Old Boys. The Gaffer set the team up in the
same way as he has in the last 3 games which has resulted in 3 wins.
With Hurst and Macca missing and Davison not turning up till the 2nd
half due to work, the Gaffer started with Rod up top Abi, Strouts
and Barrell in the middle, with Broad and Poku on the wings with the
solid back four of Matthews, Knights, Brannigan and Gyles.
The game started pretty evenly, with maybe Alleyn Old Boys shading
the first 20 minutes. After this the Hill started to dominate, and
began using the wings which resulted in more success. On the half
hour the Hill took the lead. Aby floated a free kick in from the
right, Broad won a header which fell to Barrell who slotted into the
right corner. 1-0 should have been 2-0, but Broad’s Paul Weller
fringe got in his eyes and he missed from 6 yards. Half time and
1-0 to the Hill.
The Half time team talk emphasised the need to get the 2nd goal to
kill the game off.
The 2nd half began as the first half ended with Hill on top, but
without actually scoring the 2nd goal. Several chances were created
and spurned; from a corner Mattie Knights crashed a shoulder/header
against the bar leaving him still looking for his first headed goal
for the Hill; Godfrey kicked the floor instead of the ball; Abi
managed to hit the keeper from close in; and Broad ‘paul wellered’ a
header wide at the back post.
It took until the 70th minute for Hill to get the 2nd goal, this was
set up by the supersub Davison, who played in Abi with a great left
foot sand wedge, Abi cut inside and after initially picking out the
keeper again the rebound came straight back to him and he duly
slotted in.
In the closing minutes Hill should have made it 3-0 when Rod was
clean through on goal, but panicked and mercifully the keeper took
the ball off him.
The rest of the game was pretty safe for the Hill, with Carts not
needing to make one save in the match, and the back four looking
very cool (excepting Branners of course) and dealing with anything
thrown at them.
All in all a pretty decent result, and a great way to start 2009.
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