Match Report - 18.01.15,
Another cold morning, but local so fairly sociable start for most. A new challenge, game on a pretty decent 4G surface, which at least meant supporters/ parents could prop themselves up on the barrier next to the pitch, always welcome for those nursing long-term injuries (or hung over!).
But plenty of familiar faces on the other side, from West Essex District (who our gaffer also manages in his "spare" time!), but we'll come on to them later. No quarter expected or given as the game kicks off to the sound of Sunday church bells from nearby Waltham Abbey maybe?
Hill make a bright start and quickly impose themselves on the opposition with slick passing and movement, Ryan struggle to play at this pace and can't cope with the movement in the early stages. After a flowing move, Ben H forces the keeper into an early save with a good turn and shot, the defender getting an important touch. Aidan puts in some good runs down the right, Hill pressure from all angles.
On 7 mins, the lively Ben B gets the ball, beats one hapless defender, hits a strong shot from outside the box, keeper (a District player) finds it too hot to handle and Ben H follows in like all good strikers, 0-1 to Hill.
This wakes Ryan up, they start to come back into the game, but Hill soak it up well, both centre backs very composed, whilst Harry B and Aidan in particular linking up well to keep Ryan defenders on their toes. Harry puts in the first of many crunching tackles on 13 mins, Hill look like scoring every time we go forward, and on 16 minutes, some very composed play by Redhead in the middle of the pitch shifts the ball to the right, it comes back into Ben B, who follows a mazy run with a right footed cross (see that Lee!) which Julian coolly volleys in from 6 yards, 0-2 to Hill, well deserved, quality football.
Ryan always look dangerous and the pattern of play seems set, with Hill passing the ball comfortably and creating good chances through pace, skill and movement, whilst Ryan get the ball forward as quickly as possible via the full-backs knocking it into the Ryan striker, Samir, well known to us from District.
On 20 minutes, out of nothing, the Ryan winger throws in a hopeful cross, the Hill defence stops as several claim the ball went out, confusion reigns amongst fans and players as the ball hits a Hill defender and is deflected in. 1-2, a lifeline Ryan hardly deserve at this stage.
Ryan are buoyed by this of course, as their numbers 14 and 7 start to come into the game, although
Hill defend stoutly, Arg and Gerg doubling up, Max and Sidney touch-tight to the dangerous Samir. However, on 25 mins, Samir sneaks in as Hill's defence hesitate for the first time and brings it back to 2-2. One shot on target and its 2-2, bizarre!
Game on. Solid defending from Hill whenever pressured, Sid and Tommy particularly composed on the ball, Harry B overlaps and cutting in hurts Ryan every time, Ben B showing and Brookes pace causing problems. On 29 mins, Tommy hits a cracking shot, beats the Ryan keeper but hits the post. Hill seem to be enjoying the majority of the play, although Ryan are dangerous on the counter-attack. Julian is bossing midfield with strong tackles and possession.
Half-time, view amongst the crowd is pretty confident given what we've just seen.
Hill start the second-half quickly, Aidan is having the left back for breakfast, lunch and dinner, he cannot handle the winger's pace and skill and resorts to fouling, none of which works (nor is spotted by the static ref - more on him later! A Hill attack is thwarted by a pretty obvious foul tackle from the side, not spotted by our friend in black, and Ryan take full advantage with a good move, ending in a breakaway goal to go ahead for the first time (Samir again?). 3-2, five minutes into second half.
Hill still look dangerous in attack, Harry B continues to overlap, Aidan sets up a good chance which we don't take advantage of, and Sam B reads the game well as a sweeper-keeper, Lloris-like.
The crucial moment of the game comes about 15 into the second half, the ball is dinked through to Tommy, who runs onto the ball on the edge of the 6 yard box, bravely gets his head on it and it heads toward goal, only to be cleared off the line by a determined Ryan centre-back. However, what one person didn't notice (the only person as it happens!) was the follow through by the Ryan keeper on Tommy, not deliberate but a clear penalty all the same. Missed by the ref, who is not endearing himself to the away fans with his failure to spot niggly fouls, but if you don't move out of the centre-circle then you can't spot much. (although this penalty is burglary).
The dangerous Samir rubs salt into the wounds on the break as Hill push for an equaliser, finishes confidently as usual and makes it 2-4 with about 15 minutes left.
Hill aren't dispirited and keep playing football, with several chances created, although the final touch just isn't there. Max & Tommy working hard up front, Ben and Gerg come back on and work hard. Louie keeps Hill in the game with a great header off our goal line.
Game ends 4-2. General feeling is that this flatters the home team, Hill played the better possession football in many periods, but Ryan are particularly clinical and have skilful full-backs and a pacy forward. Perhaps their comeback was inspired by Palace's against Burnley yesterday? Not our day, the 3 key moments went against us today and about the official, Nuff said!.
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