Amersham Town (02/11/2003)
2003 - 2004 Season, Hithercroft Youth



This was our 3rd meeting with Amersham Town this season, having emerged victorious on both of the previous occasions. However, we were disappointed to find that we had only 9 players turn up to play for us. Richard, we knew, was unavailable and Matt and Laurence are now playing for other teams on Saturdays but we were expecting to have 12 available. Kevin had loaned his football boots to Matt during the week and Matt had given them to Ralph to return at this match but Ralph decided not to turn up, leaving Kevin to play on damp grass in his trainers. Also absent were Aaron and Kyle, both of whom have decided to leave our team (as we were informed just before kick-off). The players for Hithercroft were Simon, Ricci, Kevin, Nicki, Stevie, Duane, Jamaine, Shahid, and Dewayne. The pitch was in very good condition in spite of the heavy rain that had fallen overnight and during the morning and the weather remained dry but very overcast during the first half.

The game kicked off at 2.05pm with 8 players whilst Dewayne finished changing into his kit but he came on after the game had been in progress for just sixty seconds. In the 2nd minute Amersham took the ball down the left wing and crossed it into the centre from where a fierce shot had Simon diving to get his hands to the ball but he was unable to stop it from going into the net to put Amersham 1-0 up. After 10 minutes the visitors were awarded a corner on the right and the ball was crossed in for the tall Amersham No. 10 to head in Amersham’s second. Within sixty seconds Amersham had scored again when, after Simon’s blocking of a shot, the ball rebounded to an Amersham player who then centred it to a free team-mate who slotted it into Hithercroft’s net. Simon pulled off a couple of superb saves from close-range shots before Amersham were able to put the ball past him in the 23rd minute. Ten minutes later Amersham increased their tally to 5-0 but Hithercroft were still managing to go on the attack into the Amersham half but were too few to make the necessary openings. Amersham had a terrific opportunity to score again when Simon came out to pressurize an advancing player who had run through the defence. The player’s shot hit the post and rebounded back to him but his second attempt went over the crossbar. At 2.45pm Amersham’s No. 7 scored the 6th goal for the visitors and, just 2 minutes later, Amersham came through the stretched defence and lobbed the ball over Simon to make the half time score 7-0.

The game resumed at 2.59pm with clouds building up and a very fine drizzle began but it soon gave way to strong sunshine. Jonny, who had been running the line for Hithercroft, in the first half, had to hand over the flag to Nicki’s dad as he was still having problems with a neck injury. Hithercroft had begun to play a more attacking game in the second half and they had some good chances to reduce the deficit but were unable to provide the finishing touches. Seven minutes into the half Amersham came down their left and, with only Simon to beat, sent the ball into the gaol for their 8th goal. Immediately after the restart Amersham were awarded a corner kick and sent a high ball across the face of the goal. Although Simon got a hand to it he was unable to control it and it ended up in the back of the net to put Amersham ahead 9-0. In the 59th minute the Hithercroft raised his flag to indicate an Amersham player being off-side, the Hithercroft players coming to a halt. However, the referee over-ruled his decision and an Amersham player ran past the stationary defence completely unopposed and put the visitors into double figures. Soon after this the referee, Mr James Hey, booked both Duane and an Amersham player for ‘winding’ each other up verbally but the game had been played very fairly with the only other booking being of an Amersham player for use of bad language early in the first half. After another brief shower Amersham took the ball down the right and Kevin slipped, due to his unsuitable footwear, allowing the player to go past and put the ball into the left side of the goal on the 64th minute for an 11-0 lead. Hithercoft then made some changes, putting Shahid in goal and bringing Simon out onto the field. Matt Seaton, who had come down near the end of the first half to watch then came on, giving Hithercroft 10 players for the rest of the game. Tony Sharp, the Amersham manager, had no objections and Matt is still registered with the home side. Shahid played exceptionally well in his unaccustomed position, pulling off three or four good saves. In the 82nd minute Duane, Ricci and Jamaine took the ball down the right side of the pitch, passing the ball between them, Duane received the ball in the centre and sent the ball past the Amersham keeper to score Hithercroft’s first, and only, goal of the match. It could be said that Hithercroft had the final say as no further scoring took place until the final whistle blew.

After the game Pam spoke to the Hithercroft team to see if they wish to continue as we are now down to just 10 players with Matt putting in the occasional appearance. It was suggested that Pam tries to recruit more players before our next match on 16th November.


Referee: Mr James Hey

Hithercroft scorer: Duane White