Elmhurst (09/02/2003)
2002 - 2003 Season, Hithercroft Under 16s



This game was preceded by a number of problems with Shane Globe being unavailable with a back injury, Phil Taberer’s finger injured and swelling up during the warm-up, Dewayne Dublin having turned up at 11.30am and then going back home from where he was summoned at 12.45pm, the under 15’s game on the pitch having started half an hour later than we had expected and then our opponents arriving wearing the same shirts as ours instead of their usual colours. This last problem meant that Pam had to return home to pick up our second kit (red). The weather was overcast with drizzle and a stiff crosswind at the start, brightened up towards the end of the first half and then clouded over again in the second half. The pitch was rather sticky but playable.

The game eventually got under way at 1.46pm and Elmhurst took just 4 minutes to open their scoring when they took the ball down the right and played a diagonal shot that ended up in the Hithercroft net. On 16 minutes Hithercroft’s Dewayne Dublin collected the ball from a throw-in, took it down the left wing and then turned inside before hitting it past the Elmhurst keeper to level the score. Both teams were having an equal share of possession and it took another 18 minutes before the next goal was scored. Elmhurst played the ball down the middle and their No12 burst through the defence, closely supported by a team-mate free on his right. As Phil Taberer advanced the No12 struck the ball over Phil’s head and into the net, putting the visitors back into the lead.

At the start of the second half Matt Laughlin came on and Andy Morgan moved onto the bench. Phil was kept busy in goal, pulling off some fine saves from the Elmhurst attacks in spite of his injury. The first goal of this half occured in the 28th minute when an Elmhurst player came down the right-hand side of the pitch and then hit a powerful shot from outside of the 18-yard box that went into the left-hand side of the goal to put the home team 1-3 behind. At this point David Blackman, the Hithercroft captain, was moved from defence into mid-field and Jack Fuller dropped back. Within a minute Hithercroft hit back with numerous shots within the Elmhurst goal area that culminated in Dewayne tapping the ball over the body of the visiting goalkeeper, who had dived to stop an earlier shot, and this brought Hithercroft to just one goal in arrears. This ‘bucked-up’ the Hithercroft supporters, who were now hoping that we could take at least our first point of the season. The home team stepped up their game and Chris Terry sent the ball through to Kevin Ife who took the ball diagonally towards the left corner and tried a shot that ended up in the side netting. On 32 minutes of the half, however, Elmhurst attacked and crossed the ball from the right into the centre for their No3 to head the ball home to put them 4-2 up. Later, a poor kick-out from Phil went straight to an opponent whose subsequent shot brought a superb save from Phil, so making up for his error. Elmhurst began to have more of the game, their No9 heading a shot just wide of the post. At 3.01pm they increased their lead when a cross from the right was deflected past the diving Phil and the ball squeezed just inside the post. Unfortunately, Phil’s damaged hand was further aggravated in this incident and, despite his protestations, was forced to leave the field. Phil Lines took over the goal-keeping duties and Andy Morgan then returned to replace Phil in the outfield. When play resumed Hithercroft went on the attack with good interpassing between David and Dewayne. David then pushed the ball across to Chris, who had cut inside from the right wing, but just before he could try a shot an Elmhurst defender managed to get his foot to the ball to push it out for a corner. David took the corner and sent the ball high for Dewayne to try an overhead bicycle kick that put the ball just wide and high of the goal. Phil Lines was then tested in goal, saving two shots before the final whistle signalled the end of the game.

The game had been very entertaining with good play from both teams, Elmhurst having the edge and deserving their win. Ian King had officiated on this occasion and did so fairly but firmly. We hope that he will be able to referee some more home games for us before the season ends.

Jack Fuller was awarded Hithercroft’s Man-of-the-Match for his non-stop running and tackling.

Hithercroft’s scorer: Dewayne Dublin (2)