(aet pens 5-4 Needham)
Glorious morning for a road trip to Suffolk. The conditions were lovely and the home team informed us we had use of the main pitch….all great. Despite the pitch being quite cut up and lacking a bit of grass, which made ball control a challenge, the set up was it’s usual welcoming and warm greeting.
Hill had a bit of a threadbare squad with 5 or 6 missing so we went with a slightly changed format in midfield. The defence was its usual line up of Sam, Harry, Sid, Max J and Lou, the midfield was much changed with Aidan and Julian in the middle flanked by Gerg and Arjen (Ben B. was at the game but failed late fitness test) and Max B up front with Ben H. in behind him. We were going for the ball not Max B feet and to try and play off him. Adam H was our one sub and was brought into play early to assist returning knee injury Arjen.
In the early exchanges both teams were finding their feet on the pitch and testing each other out. The pitch was tricky and it was clear defences needed to be on guard as a slight mistake or mis-control was likely.
There was nothing to choose between the sides in the first half with no real clear cut chances made by either team and both sides were left to try shots from range as both defences looked very solid. Half time 0-0 and nothing of note to report.
The second half started in a similar vein with both sides trying balls over the top to get in behind as two well organised sides were not allowing much space down the flanks. Half chances were the order of the day with the best of them, if you can call them that, falling to Bolton, Dackombe and Proctor but with each of them going to there keeper to make relatively easy saves. Therefore half way into the second half and the deadlock not broken. In typical fashion the ball bobbles around in midfield and loose toe pushes it forwards to Jessop who tries to control but the awkward bounce stands the ball up and the shout for handball is given by the ref. Looked harsh from where we were as it didn’t look clear handball. However, free kick it is some 25 yards out and unfortunately for Hill, the long range looping effort dips right at the death under he bar and Barrett can only push it into the roof of the net. 0-1. The home side are jubilant and confident as in a game where goals look like precious commodities they clearly fancy they can hang on.
This galvanises Hill though and they up their intensity and straight away start to get on top. 10 minutes later and deservedly they are level. a good ball into the box sees Proctor use his pace to good effect, he commits the keeper who brings him down for a clear pen.
Up steps DACKOMBE as the makeshift penalty taker in the absence of more regular spot kick specialists and calmly dispatches the pen into the bottom left corner 1-1.
The game then resorts to type and we play out the remainder of normal time as a stalemate. The best chance falling right at the death to Dackombe but its on his left foot and the keeper saves easily.
We are playing 2 x 10 mins of extra time and given the pattern of play penalties look like the nailed on certainty. After 20 minutes of give and take, that is exactly what we get.
Hill select their 5. Dackombe, Jessop, Barrett, Barrett and Harris.
Dackombe, after taking such a good penalty in normal time is the only one to miss from both sides and despite S. Barrett’s efforts he can’t save one to take it into sudden death.
Hill crash out in unfortunate manner. Penalties being the downfall once again. Hopefully though with that one out of their system, The London County Cup will be a different outcome!!!!
Hill had a bit of a threadbare squad with 5 or 6 missing so we went with a slightly changed format in midfield. The defence was its usual line up of Sam, Harry, Sid, Max J and Lou, the midfield was much changed with Aidan and Julian in the middle flanked by Gerg and Arjen (Ben B. was at the game but failed late fitness test) and Max B up front with Ben H. in behind him. We were going for the ball not Max B feet and to try and play off him. Adam H was our one sub and was brought into play early to assist returning knee injury Arjen.
In the early exchanges both teams were finding their feet on the pitch and testing each other out. The pitch was tricky and it was clear defences needed to be on guard as a slight mistake or mis-control was likely.
There was nothing to choose between the sides in the first half with no real clear cut chances made by either team and both sides were left to try shots from range as both defences looked very solid. Half time 0-0 and nothing of note to report.
The second half started in a similar vein with both sides trying balls over the top to get in behind as two well organised sides were not allowing much space down the flanks. Half chances were the order of the day with the best of them, if you can call them that, falling to Bolton, Dackombe and Proctor but with each of them going to there keeper to make relatively easy saves. Therefore half way into the second half and the deadlock not broken. In typical fashion the ball bobbles around in midfield and loose toe pushes it forwards to Jessop who tries to control but the awkward bounce stands the ball up and the shout for handball is given by the ref. Looked harsh from where we were as it didn’t look clear handball. However, free kick it is some 25 yards out and unfortunately for Hill, the long range looping effort dips right at the death under he bar and Barrett can only push it into the roof of the net. 0-1. The home side are jubilant and confident as in a game where goals look like precious commodities they clearly fancy they can hang on.
This galvanises Hill though and they up their intensity and straight away start to get on top. 10 minutes later and deservedly they are level. a good ball into the box sees Proctor use his pace to good effect, he commits the keeper who brings him down for a clear pen.
Up steps DACKOMBE as the makeshift penalty taker in the absence of more regular spot kick specialists and calmly dispatches the pen into the bottom left corner 1-1.
The game then resorts to type and we play out the remainder of normal time as a stalemate. The best chance falling right at the death to Dackombe but its on his left foot and the keeper saves easily.
We are playing 2 x 10 mins of extra time and given the pattern of play penalties look like the nailed on certainty. After 20 minutes of give and take, that is exactly what we get.
Hill select their 5. Dackombe, Jessop, Barrett, Barrett and Harris.
Dackombe, after taking such a good penalty in normal time is the only one to miss from both sides and despite S. Barrett’s efforts he can’t save one to take it into sudden death.
Hill crash out in unfortunate manner. Penalties being the downfall once again. Hopefully though with that one out of their system, The London County Cup will be a different outcome!!!!
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