The 'A's
The first game of the new year and it was to be a day of mixed fortunes for the Young Guns!
Joe W. [GK], Fin, Max B., Rhys, Ryan, Matt W. Joe G and Callum played into the wind in the first half and despite some good early pressure fell victim to a slight mix-up and gifted Hangleton an early goal. Oh well - onwards and upwards! HR: 1 Strikers: 0
Within minutes it was all square as Max B., Fin and Joe G. exerted great pressure on the opposition's goal. A great save by Joe W. led to a corner which he saved comfortably and, seeing Joe G. on his own up front, the ASC keeper placed a precision drop ball into his path for him to score on the break. Cor. HR: 1 Strikers: 0
Confidence now began to build and despite some good defending from the home side, Strikers conspired to play some great balls through midfield. Another blinding tackle from Rhys released the ball into the path of Max B. who linked up in an equilateral triangle out on the left with Fin and Joe G.; the latter scything the ball into the back of the host's net. Immense. HR: 1 Strikers: 2
The game took a slightly physical turn after this as Callum found himself in a 50:50 on the right wing and Ryan was brought on for Max B. who was thrown into the air by a somewhat speculative tackle from the opposition left back. Hangleton were clearly rattled by the burgeoning progress of the ASC attackers and Fin and Joe G. found themselves victim to even more 'agricultural' methods of defence. Undaunted, they soldiered on and defended fantastically as the clock wound down towards the half time whistle; Matt W. learning from the Old Timer, Rhys in how to keep the ball away from his goal area. Colossal.
Half time - Hangleton Rangers 1 ASC Strikers 2
With the wind behind them it looked like it was going to be a promising second half and that's just what happened. Max and Callum were tenacious out on the wings and Ryan's low drive just skimmed the right hand post. As Joe W. wrapped himself in a silver space blanket in goal, he shivered as his team mates applied all the pressure at the other end of the pitch. Rhys and Max have great first touches in controlling the ball and they took advantage of this essential skill as Hangleton were chasing shadows, trying to get a foot on the ball.
Fin saw a screamer saved well by the HR keeper and Ryan was having a magnificent game out on the right wing. A small number of breaks from Hangleton were dealt with well by Matt W. at the back. Joe W. finally had something to warm his hands on, saving a decent effort from the HR attack. Fin was different gravy as he showed great skill in and around the Hangleton box and it was inevitable that this pressure would tell. Another Speedy Gonzales run from Max B. put the ball through to Fin who saw the indomitable Joe G. in space, setting him up for a highly deserved hat trick. HR: 1 Strikers: 3
After a final flourish with a lovely set-piece from a corner, the final whistle blew with all the mercy of a bullet putting a sick Hangleton animal out of it's misery. Back of the net.
Final Score - Hangleton Rangers 1 ASC Strikers 3
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The 'B's
Hangleton had obviously got their teams mixed up today because the team that came out for the second game could've taught their so-called superiors a footballing lesson.
In a unique opportunity to interview the Near Legendary Bill, I asked him if he had any thoughts about the upcoming game. Looking enigmatically into the mid-distance for a second he eventually said 'No.' Zinedine Zidane.
Joe G. [GK], Alfie, Bill, Tom, Sunny, Joe W., Matt S., Max M. and Fraser turned out with a confident feeling after a run of good results.
Hangleton showed real skill and pressure and were soon a goal up after a great shot into the bottom left corner of the ASC net. HR: 1 Strikers: 0
Bill tried in vain to stem the tide with one of his time shifting runs but there were no real attacks from ASC in the opening exchanges and the hosts exerted even more pressure with a shot off the bar. Joe W. looked good out on the right wing and was fouled on a couple of occasions. Of course, as they looked to equalise things opened up and after a slight mix-up at the back, Hangleton found themselves with an easy chance which they converted with aplomb. HR: 2 Strikers: 0
Tom, Sunny and Joe W. applied pressure of their own. Joe W. even resorted to diversionary tactics by leaping, Nureyev-like, for a Sunny corner. (The game was delayed for a couple of minutes while the ball was retrieved from a garden three streets away - blimey, that Sunny can take a corner!)
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| Joe going up for Sunny's corner. Sort of. |
It looked much better from Strikers towards the end of the first half as they appeared to be getting the measure of their opponents. Gulp.
Half time - Hangleton Rangers 2 ASC Strikers 0
Fraser and Alfie linked up well on the right wing and things began to look up for our brave warriors. However, the hosts had decided it was their party and no amount of showing off by their guests was going to spoil it. After some great play through midfield, they cemented their victory with another fine shot high into the Strikers net. HR: 3 Strikers: 0
A mark of a good team is attempting to retain some pride in the face of defeat and Fraser put in some great holding play to allow Alfie and Joe W. to push up in search of a consolation. Alfie and Matt S. played a nifty little short corner which broke free to Joe W. who got in a stinging shot, beautifully saved by the HR keeper. Most of the team found themselves in the opposition half now and a break was inevitable and achieved the desired result. HR: 4 Strikers: 0
It could have been so much worse as the ASC goal was now under siege but the boys kept their heads up and prevented a rout in the closing stages. Sunny was immense and with the pressure off, Fraser had the downright temerity to go on a great run through the HR defence.
The boys met a team who were devastating on the break today and who played a great game based on teamwork and speed up front. No shame in losing when you're up against that sort of opponent and there were still enough passages of play that showed real promise for us.
Final Score - Hangleton Rangers 4 ASC Strikers 0
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