Downley Albion (11/01/2004)
2003 - 2004 Season, Hithercroft Under 16s



The weather was very cold and windy with blustery showers from time to time. The pitch was slightly muddy but not overly so but was exposed to the winds. The referee was Mr Craig Belson, father of the Downley goalkeeper. The Hithercroft subs were Sam Vaughey, Chris Timberlake and Peter Morgan.

The game kicked off at 11.37am with Hithercroft playing downhill. After 5 minutes Downley took the lead when they broke through on the left and put the ball past the advancing keeper into the net. The next goal came at 11.52am when the Downley No. 8 scored to increase their lead. Six minutes later Peter came on to replace Adam in the Hithercroft defence. Hithercroft were awarded a corner from the right and Tyrone sent the ball across the goalmouth and a teammate got his foot to the ball but pushed it just wide of the post. In the 35th minute a heavy shower began as the Downley No. 8 again added a goal for the home team. Shortly after this Hithercroft's Frank Smith was booked following a sliding tackle. The increasing wind was beginning to have a big effect on the high balls. At 12.20pm Hithercroft opened their account when Tyrone Francis sent the ball into the Downley net and, at half time, the score was 3-1 to Downley Albion.

The second half started at 12.24pm after adjustments had been made to one of the goalnets, with Hithercroft now playing uphill and into the wind. After 6 minutes Downley went through a wide gap in their opponent's defence and scored their fourth goal. Then 3 minutes later Downley increased their lead when the ball went past the Hithercroft keeper, as he went down to gather it, and a Hithercroft defender attempting to put the ball wide hit it into his own net. Hithercroft came back on the attack and a shot went just inches wide of the post. Dan was called upon to make a superb diving save when the home team broke through and hit a powerful shot. Hithercroft added a second goal at 12.47pm when their shot was deflected past the Downley keeper and 2 minutes later they added a third goal to the scoresheet bringing it to 5-3. This had occured following a Hithercroft free-kick, taken in their own half, and they played the ball down the right of the field. It was then crossed into the centre for Luke Tadgell to put the ball into the Downley net. However, 2 minutes later Downley came back and scored again, and within a further 60 seconds had added another goal to give them a 7-3 lead. Three minutes later they scored again and Hithercroft were beginning to get down-hearted. At 1.01pm Downley scored their ninth goal and after this Tyrone left the pitch, claiming injury, and leaving the visitors a player short. Downley reached 10 goals before Adam returned to the field to restore Hithercroft to a full 11 players. When the whistle blew the Albion had emerged 10-3 victors.