Missenden - B & B Cup (22/09/2002)
2002 - 2003 Season, Hithercroft Under 16s



Just like last year’s League Cup game we were only able to field 8 players for our away game, this time against a 2nd Division side. Our team included our two new players, Robin Graham and Matthew Laughlin, who were actually eligible to play for an Under 15’s side. The weather was cool and dry with occasional sunny spells and fortunately the rain held off until after the game.

The first goal of the match for Missenden came after 15 minutes of play, but from then on the home team began to score more frequently and the first half concluded with Missenden leading 9-0.

Seven minutes into the second half Missenden added another but four minutes later Duane White scored the first of Hithercroft’s goals. Missenden added another ten minutes later before a 24th minute incident caused even more problems for Hithercroft. A tussle between two opposing players resulted in a raised arm by Riccardo Falconi and the referee promptly produced a red card for Riccardo and awarded the home team a penalty. This resulted in another goal and Missenden added more as the 7-man visiting team began to tire. In injury time Duane hit a powerful shot from about 22 yards out and it went over the leaping goalkeeper’s head into the net to bring the final score to 19-2.

The encouraging thing about this game was that, although Hithercroft were outnumbered, they kept on playing their best right up to the final whistle. Phil had pulled off some very good saves and has developed more confidence in coming forward to meet the attacking players. Well done to all the Hithercroft players.