A beautiful sunny sunday morning saw the 'A's & 'B's return to 'Fortress Buckingham' hopeful of making progress from the startling run at the end of 2009/10 and through the summer tournaments.
The 'A's
Hangleton brought a strong looking team to face the pace of Fin & Nathan, with Joe W. in goal, Rhys giving a Captain's performance at the back with Ryan, and Max B., Callum & Joe G. making up a team that showed lots of potential.
And so it proved initially; ASC laid siege to the Hangleton goal as they passed the ball among themselves with great skill. Fin and Nathan looked to be in good form as they saw shots ping over the bar and past the upright.
Rhys pushed from the back with beautiful control and a lovely shot. Hangleton stayed calm and were able to impose themselves as the half progressed and hit the woodwork from a free-kick; a real 'shot across the bows' for ASC and a sign of things to come.
Hangleton's strength lay in their defence who worked hard for every ball and were always quick to close down play. Fin got on the wrong end of a slightly clumsy tackle just outside the box and saw his resulting free kick sail agonisingly a few centimeteres above the Hangleton bar. The two-footed Nathan then saw a left foot 'screamer' skim a hair's breadth by the opposition left hand post. It felt like it was going to be one of those days!
Half time 0-0
The second half started with Hangleton looking to push forward. Callum dropped back and defended bravely which saw Hangleton awarded a throw on the left wing, parallel to the edge of the area. A strong throw went through every player on the pitch and pass into the bottom right hand corner of the ASC net. As FIFA Law 15 para. 3 states, 'A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in', it must have taken a touch from one of the boys as it went through. It was very hard to see though!
Strikers 0 Hangleton 1
Not allowing their heads to drop, Strikers pushed on and maintained their silky forward play forcing three corners in succession, the last with a great strike from Max B. Rhys and Ryan looked really solid and calm in a lot of their defending today; avoiding the need to panic and always looking to pass their way out of trouble.
A quick break from Hangleton allowed Max B. to help out in defence and Joe W. stood strong to collect the ball. His drop kick through to Nathan saw a pinpoint through ball to the feet of Joe G. who controlled it beautifully and slotted it past the Hangleton keeper on to the inside of the left hand post.
Strikers 1 Hangleton 1
It's often said that the most dangerous time for a defence is after their team have just scored and that came to pass with an immediate riposte from the Hangleton winger. A majestically struck ball swinging in from the right and dipping into the far left corner of the goal. Class.
Strikers 1 Hangleton 2
Hangleton now eased into a strong defensive game and as Strikers chased the game things opened up at the back allowing their opponents to look for rewards on the break. Callum and Rhys came close to equalising; the former's long range shot rattling the bar - a fantastic strike. With the search for the goal seeing the boys push forward, a drop kick out to the Hangleton forward saw a beautifully taken ball lobbed over the advancing Strikers keeper.
Strikers 1 Hangleton 3
Still Strikers pushed forward. Nathan saw another strike saved as Hangleton battled for every ball. The Hangleton forwards pinned themselves to the edge of the Strikers box and a fine bit of control allowed them to turn the defence and slot the ball into the Strikers net to wrap up a very good away victory on the opening day of the season.
Final Score: ASC Strikers 1 Hangleton Rangers 4
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The 'B's
As the sun continued to shine the 'B's took the field and seemed really up for the challenge of making honours even for the day. A few new faces this year; Matty, Fraser and Alfie joining the likes of Strikers stalwarts Bill, Tom, Matt S., Sunny, Joe W. and Joe G. who was taking on goalkeeping duties for the game.
Similar to the first game Strikers came out with all guns blazing and a couple of 'one on ones' involving Fraser and Bill gave Hangleton something to think about from the off. At the opposite end of the park a revelation was forming in defence. Matty [from Hove, actually :-)] was giving the Hangleton attack a lesson in calm, controlled defence. His first match nerves were not at all evident as he took control of the back line, ably abetted by Sunny who has developed into a really intelligent player this year.
For a team that have only played in a few practice games it was really rewarding to see how they gelled so quickly as defence turned into attack with Bill making a couple of devastating runs through their midfield. Out on the wings Joe W. and Alfie created real problems for the backs and Fraser was always on hand, playing the classic 'poaching' role.
Strikers' breakthrough came as Joe W. came inside and sent a killer ball through the gap to Fraser who, with the Hangleton defence bearing down on him, kept the ball on the ground and slotted it under the Hangleton keeper.
Strikers 1 Hangleton 0
Sunny now saw a chance to push forward and created real problems for the Hangleton defence. However, pressure was put on Strikers as Hangleton searched for the equaliser but Sunny was on hand with some fantastic tackling which kept the boys in the game. Alfie & Fraser showed great understanding between themselves as they passed the ball around the Hangleton back two. Joe G. was on fine form as Hangleton upped the ante, stopping a number of close range shots and showing real bravery. A fine interception from eventual Man of the Match, Matty, saw the first half end on a high note for the new team.
Half time 1-0
'As you were' from both sides in the initial phase of the second half with Tom drafted into the left back role, maintaining the strength at the back. Joe W. made a fine saving tackle as Hangleton (now bolstered by a couple of substitutions) sought to pull one back. A through ball from Sunny saw Fraser through on goal with a low strike into the side netting. The resultant break allowed Hangleton's forward in to get the equaliser they'd worked hard for.
Strikers 1 Hangleton 1
The move of the day was Strikers' reply. Matty picked the ball up deep in his own half and powered forward down the right wing, passing Hangleton's midfield and defensive line with ease. As he took the ball into the right corner he chipped a delightfully flighted ball into the box where Alfie was waiting. A quick turn from him, followed by a marvellously executed right foot volley into the Hangleton net saw Strikers taking a deserved lead. Flair.
Strikers 2 Hangleton 1
For the second time though, Strikers fell victim to the 'Curse of the Quick Reply' as within a few short minutes the Hangleton forward hit a solidly struck left foot drive into the net.
Strikers 2 Hangleton 2
Joe G. kept things even with a couple of fine saves soon after and Bill was instrumental in a great break that could have seen the boys wrap things up nicely. As legs on both sides began to tire, the game wound down to a draw but we were lucky enough to witness a really entertaining performance from the 'B's with a great deal of promise in all areas.
Final Score: ASC Strikers 2 Hangleton Rangers 2