Hove Park Colts u11s vs ASC Strikers u11s: Sunday 30th September 2012

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun

Conspiring with him how to load and bless

With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run

Thus spake John Keats in 1819 in his little ditty, 'To Autumn'. And as the nights draw in [only three weeks till the clocks go back], the boys gathered for another match-up on a dreary morn against a HPC team that's battled well against us in recent times.

I think they're laughing at the word 'bosom' in the opening paragraph

The home team started strongly, passing it around well and making the most of the space available to them. Rhys was called into early action clearing a corner with that head of his and being solid in the tackle. This was big pressure to be soaking up though and HPC headed just wide - they were out like a train for the first four minutes. 

Excited by their pressure, their defenders pushed up slightly further than they ought to have done; a break from midfield and Owen was able to battle through for a goal against the run of play. A solidly struck ball into the bottom left hand corner and we'd calmed the storm. HPC 0 ASC 1

The times they were a-changin' and it was ASC's turn to put the pressure on. Caldé threaded a precision ball through to Cam - just offside. A high energy game evened out nicely with sweeping exchanges across the park. Reggie's pace was always a problem for the home team and a power run through midfield resulted in one of his trademark scorchers sneaking just wide. Inspired by his team-mate's speed, Cam embarked on a run himself forcing a great one-on-one save from the HPC keeper. He had a chance to repeat himself two minutes later but his shot was gathered nicely once again.

The second of a few controversial offsides came next as Cam broke through - surely it was only a matter of time for him to get on the scoresheet? A change of attack saw HPC break into the ASC box out on the right, resulting in a somewhat panicked tackle and our third conceded penalty in as many games. HPC 1 ASC 1

This elicited a fabulous response from the boys and within two minutes; a shot from Caldé that clattered into the body of the defender fell to Cam and this time there was no flag. HPC 1 ASC 2

Once again, tails up and ASC came a-huntin'. Reg hit a beautifully weighted cross goal shot that clipped the post and fell to the feet of Josh who was very unlucky in knocking it just over. Things were looking good as the half-time whistle blew.

Half time: HPC 1 ASC 2

Sharpy, Fraser and Henry now made an appearance and were able to give our hosts something to think about. HPC resorted to some strong-arm tactics but good refereeing enabled Sharpy to pick out Caldé with a deftly struck free-kick. HPC resumed their early power-play but the ASC defence stayed cool and kept their opponents at bay. Rhys's head should be insured for billions as he cleared his lines again and again.

An X-Ray of Rhys's bonce [probably]

Joe was gathering balls well but a loose one from a HPC corner fell to their attack on the six yard line - that's a lot of net to hit from that close in. HPC 2 ASC 2

It was HPC's turn to be buoyed by their efforts and now the attacks came in waves. The boys in yellow were all at sea, and no mistake. But this is no time for a barrage of maritme metaphors. We were struggling to not only get out of our own half, but even our own area. Owen and Reg eased things with a fine ball from the latter allowing the former to shoot. Once again, the keeper was equal to it. A short while later and Owen was through in the box; a good hard shove got him away from the ball and the whistle blew. Penalty, surely? Nope - the curvature of the Earth made for an optical illusion that made the ref think it was outside the box. To be fair to him, the push was so hard that Owen did end up outside the box - almost in a different postcode in fact. Ross's free-kick was beautifully struck and forced the Keeper into yet another fine save - the HPC sticks-man was having a great game.

Back came HPC with fantastic nippy play in front of the ASC 'D', forcing a free-kick. A well struck shot coupled with a nasty deflection made it impossible to keep out. Blinkin' flip and Crikey Moses. HPC 3 ASC 2

ASC pushed on well from kick-off; a good shout for handball went unheard and it looked odds on for an equaliser as Owen screamed through on goal in the last minute. The linesman adjudged Caldé's through ball had been struck just as Owen creeped in front of the last man. I still need to work out how to describe a low, angry seething sound emanating from the Shoreham half of the field - perhaps this will do:

The ref noticed the upset and blew up with 20 secs left on the clock but it seemed that a way back was going to be difficult. Another frustrating away-day but the boys made a good show of things and strong defending kept things respectable. Sometimes, things just don't go your way but we are certainly due a big win; I can feel it in me water.

Full time: Hove Park Colts 3 ASC Strikers 2

On a more positive note there was no Ryan today after a freak accident at school saw him impale himself on a pencil! He's ok thank goodness and we're hoping for him 2B back in a few weeks.