Totteridge FC (02/03/2003)
2002 - 2003 Season, Hithercroft Under 16s



Once again Hithercroft were short-handed with just 10 players being available for this match. Phil Taberer was still injured, Jack Fuller was still suffering from a viral infection and David Blackman had school course-work to catch up on. The weather was sunny (for a change) with a slightly chilling wind and the pitch was in good condition.

The game kicked off at 11.07 am and began with plenty of end-to-end play. Totteridge’s No. 4 (Alex) and Jammal Cole had tried some long distance shots but the ball went either wide or too high and Hithercroft had a couple of corners but the ball was cleared by the defence. The first goal went to the visitors after 19 minutes when their free kick was sent down the middle of the pitch for their No. 9 to despatch into the Hithercroft net. One minute later Jammal took the ball down the left wing and crossed it into the goal area for the No. 9 to run onto and score Totteridge’s second goal. More long shots followed by Charlie Murrell and Jammal before they were rewarded in the 39th minute when a throw-in went to Jammal who then headed the ball home to give Totteridge a 3-0 lead at the break.

The second half had been in progress for 8 minutes before, from a throw-in, the Totteridge No. 6 headed another goal for the visitors. Then, from the restart, the visitors played the ball down the right wing and sent it across to the No. 6 to again head the ball past the Hithercroft keeper for a 5-0 lead. In the 15th minute of the half Totteridge again took the ball down the right and crossed it to Jammal who added another to his tally. Hithercroft then went on the attack when Dewayne Dublin pushed the ball round the keeper, ran round and then mis-kicked his shot past the post. Phil Lines in the Hithercroft goal was called upon to pull off some fine saves as the Totteridge forwards began to penetrate the home team’s defence more frequently as they tired. However, in the 22nd minute Shane Globe gathered the ball on the right, passed it inside to Dewayne who pushed it forward for Shane to run onto. Shane then ran across to the left of the goal and hit the ball over the Totteridge keeper to pull a goal back. Within a minute Totteridge then took the ball into the 18-yard box, pulling in Luke Patton and the Hithercroft goal-keeper. A shot ricocheted off the defenders into the path of an attacker who put the ball into the open net to bring the score to 7-1. Four minutes later Totteridge sent a long free kick down the middle of the field and the ball was lobbed over Phil’s head for 8-1. Within 60 seconds Hithercroft hit back when Robin Graham played a long high ball upfield for Dewayne to advance toward goal and send his shot over the goalie’s head to score their second goal. Two minutes later Totteridge switched their team round bringing the goalkeeper out into the field to play up front. In the 33rd minute Jammal scored the 9th goal for Totteridge that came off a Hithercroft defender on its way into the net. Hithercroft were still trying hard and Adeel Iqbal played a long pass out to Chris Terry on the right wing. Chris then sent the ball inside to Dewayne who in turn pushed it forward to Shane who was, unfortunately, off-side. Totteridge then had a great chance to further increase their lead when two players ran through the defence but Phil came out and blocked the shot and Luke Patton then cleared the ball from the danger area. Totteridge were awarded a corner on the right after 38 minutes and their No. 4 sent the ball just inside the line and over the defender’s heads for a Totteridge player to head home a simple goal. Dewayne then took the ball on the right wing and played it through to Shane who pushed the ball forward. A Totteridge defender mis-kicked his clearance and left Shane to retrieve it and pass it over to Matt Laughlin but his shot went over the crossbar. In the final minute Totteridge’s Jason Guy brought the ball into the 18-yard box and played a shot that was deflected by Luke but it continued into the Hithercroft net to bring the game to an end, the visitors getting a well-deserved victory by 11 goals to 2.

Hithercroft had tried hard throughout the game, doing well in the first half. As tiredeness set in they were no match for a strong Totteridge side who were able to make good use of their subs under the roll-on, roll-off rules. The game was played in good spirit by both sides and was well controlled by the referee, Chris Little.


Hithercroft scorers: Shane Globe and Dewayne Dublin.

Hithercroft’s Man-of-the-match was Shane Globe.

Totteridge scorers: Charlie Murrell (5), Jammal Cole (4), Kyle Robinson and Jason Guy.