Belgrave FC (04/02/2001)
2000 - 2001 Season, Hithercroft Under 14s



The pitch was very muddy after recent rain. The game kicked off late after the opposition were delayed and rain fell throughout the first half, becoming increasingly heavier and making the pitch very muddy. Owing to illness Hithercroft were only able to field 10 players.

Within a minute of the kick-off Jerome Warren took the ball down the wing and then came infield and scored for Hithercroft. One minute later Lee Humphrey took advantage of a mistake by Hithercroft’s backs to equalise. Two minutes later Lee scored again to put Belgrave into the lead. After sixteen minutes of play Jason Guy passed to Dewayne Dublin who, after being caught by a Belgrave defender, regained possession and scored with a fine shot bringing the scores level again (2 all). Lee immediately put Belgrave back into the lead one minute after the restart and Craig Stone also scored for the visitors as the ball came off the post and into Hithercroft’s net. Lee scored two more goals for Belgrave before Dewayne pulled one back for Hithercroft. The score at half time was then 6-3 to Belgrave.

During the break the rain stopped. For the second half he pitch was still very heavy, causing the ball to sometimes slow up in the mud or accelerate over the puddles. Three minutes into the half Jerome pulled another goal back and then Dewayne scored again to bring the home team back to just one goal behind. Richard Charlton hit a very hard shot at Hithercroft’s goal and although Phil Lines got his hands to it, he was unable to stop the powerful shot. Lee scored two more for Belgrave making the score 9-5 but the Hithercroft side then began to dominate. Paul Yandell and Jason attacked with a good inter-passing move and the ball came across the goal for Jack Fuller to score. Jason then used his speed to run clear and score and then James Moody scored with a header to bring the home team back to just one goal behind. Jerome then removed the deficit with his third goal of the match and this is how the match finished, with 18 goals evenly shared.

Quip of the match from Kevin Fuller commenting on his son late in the game:- “Jack’s on for his hattrick if he gets two more.”