Dun & Bradstreet - Friendly (22/08/2004)
2004 - 2005 Season, Hithercroft Youth



This was the first game of the season for our Youth team and the coach, Brian Lewis, had arranged it against a men’s team that had won promotion to Division 1 of their Sunday League at the end of last season. As they were a men’s team I had assumed that they would be 30 to 40 year-olds with girths considerably extended by beer consumption. However, I was dismayed to see a group of fairly fit looking players, the majority being in the 18 to 30 age group. Although rain had been forecast for the afternoon the weather remained warm and sunny for the duration of the game. Brian took the referee’s role and Pat Vaughey took charge of the shirt (in the absence of a linesman’s flag) for the home side.

I assume (as Pam & I had arrived when the game was under way) that the kick-off took place at 12.05, judging by the time that the half-time whistle was blown. Unfortunately we had missed the opening goal that Ben had scored for Hithercroft in the opening minutes. In the 12th minute the visitors levelled the scores but the equilibrium only lasted for another 7 minutes when, following a heading session in the D & B goalmouth, the keeper fumbled the ball and it fell from his hands into the net. At 12.35 the visitors had a near miss when their No.9 burst through and hit a shot that hit the upright. Hithercroft had a fine shot from ‘Baz’ pushed wide by the D & B goalkeeper and, from the resulting corner Tyrone’s chip sent the keeper racing back to prevent the ball from crossing the goal-line. However, Hithercroft’s persistence paid-off when Baz sent the ball across from the right, the keeper attempted to gather it but it went forward to Adam who struck the ball into the net to give the home team a 3-1 lead by half-time. Hithercroft had dominated play, only occasionally allowing the visitors to break out of their own half.

The second half began at 1pm and after 7 minutes Ben had scored again to extend Hithercroft’s lead. Brian was making various substitutions and positional changes to his side to evaluate the players and D & B were doing the same (they used at least 3 goalkeepers). At 1.27pm Matt sent a hard cross into the middle and the D & B keeper stuck out a foot, deflecting the ball into the net for Hithercroft’s fifth goal. Hithercroft had further scoring opportunities, some clear shots being missed and a Ross Hunt header hitting the upright. However, once again the home team had dominated play and emerged deserving 5-1 winners.

Hithercroft had shown some good quality passing, especially in the second half and, going on this performance should have plenty of success in the forthcoming season.


Hithercroft players:
Simon Mines, David Blackman, Paul & Peter Morgan, Tyrone Francis, Ben Steele, ‘Baz’ David, Eugene Hepburn, Jamaine Warner, Dewayne Dublin, Matt Jack, Ross Hunt, Adam Seymour, Rhydian Grange and Gordon Preston