Hughenden Athletic (07/11/2004)
2004 - 2005 Season, Hithercroft Youth



This was Hithercroft’s first league game of the season and the lads, despite being match rusty, were looking forward to their first game after a four-week break. The weather was rather ‘nippy’ but the sun was shining and the pitch was generally quite good with a few muddy patches. The referee was Alex Vickery and Kevin Ife ran the line for us. Hithercroft had three subs available (Rhydian Grange, Gordon Preston and Mark Sadler).

The game kicked off at 2.01pm with Hithercroft playing into the sun. The visitors put the home team under some pressure in the early stages and Simon Mines, the Hithercroft goalkeeper, was often called upon to race out from the goal-line and go down onto the ball at the edge of the 18-yard box. Hughenden came close to opening the scoring when Jack Body hit a powerful shot from about 25 yards out, the ball hitting the upright. Hithercroft then went onto the attack with Tyrone Francis playing a long ball down the right for Dewayne Dublin, but the Hughenden keeper beat him to the ball to clear the threat. Hughenden had another chance when they chipped the ball over the advancing Hithercroft keeper’s head but Richard Vere intercepted the ball, guiding it round the outside of the post and conceding a corner. Hithercroft then began to settle into the game and began a period of sustained pressure on the visitors, winning numerous corners and throw-ins and having a number of shots at goal. At 2.42 Tyrone took a free kick from 20 yards out. The ball hit the crossbar, rebounded out to Paul Morgan who had his shot blocked and then Dan Birch sent the ball into the back of the net to put Hithercroft 1-0 ahead. The home team kept up the pressure for the remainder of the first half but there was no change to the scoreline by the time that Alex blew the half-time whistle.

The game restarted at 2.54 and Hithercroft again began to pile on the pressure but, despite having plenty of opportunities sent shots off-target or directly at the goalkeeper. At 3.06 Rhydian Grange came on to replace Dewayne Dublin. Two minutes later Hughenden broke down the right wing and crossed the ball to Sam Hamer who was completely unmarked, and he hit the ball home to level the score at 1-1. Rhydian then came close to restoring Hithercroft’s lead taking the ball down the right but, as the Hughenden keeper advanced he hit the ball outside the left-hand post. At 3.12 the home team made another substitution when Mark Sadler came on to replace Dan Birch. Four minutes later Hithercroft’s David Blackman hit a powerful shot from just inside his own half and the ball just cleared the crossbar, landing on the top of the Hughenden net. The visitors then ‘upped’ their pace and gained more possession and attacking chances during the remainder of the game. Rhydian sent a long ball down the right wing and, as Tyrone ran on to collect it he was beaten to it by the Hughenden keeper who put the ball out of play for a throw-in. Tyrone threw the ball in to Rhydian who sent a great cross into the middle from where ‘Baz’ David slotted the ball into the net to put Hithercroft back into the lead at 3.24. Simon was kept busy in goal and performed a great block from a Sam Hamer attempt. However, at 3.28 Tyrone burst through the centre and pushed the ball beneath the diving Hughenden keeper to increase the home team’s lead to 3-1. Tyrone later had to leave the field for treatment to a facial injury and, after a few minutes was replaced by Gordon. Simon was once again at his best, diving to push a shot from Matt Bate round the post. A succession of corners followed with the Hithercroft defenders putting the ball out each time. Hughenden’s persistence eventually paid off in the 89th minute when Sam’s corner was headed into the net by Jack Body to give the visitors their second goal. Immediately after the restart the final whistle blew, Hithercroft emerging as 3-2 victors, giving them all the points from their opening league game.

The game had swung back and forth between the teams, Hughenden being in charge initially before Hithercroft took over in the first half. After their first goal Hughenden came back into the game and, despite going behind again, began to dominate towards the end. This had been a good game and was played in good spirit by both teams.


Hithercroft players:
Simon Mines, Jamaine Warner, David Blackman, Mark Sadler, Paul & Peter Morgan, Tyrone Francis, ‘Baz’ David, Dewayne Dublin, Dan Birch, Gordon Preston, Ben Steele, Rhydian Grange and Richard Vere.

Hithercroft’s M.O.M - Simon Mines

Hughenden Athletic players:-
Dean Magowan, Matt Elmidoro, Sam Prendergast, Sam Hamer, Oliver Brown, Jack Body, Matt Bate, Tim Pickworth, Leon Read, Pete Lowe, Albert O’Rourke, Thomas Waters, Lee Vincent.