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Queen's Head Rangers Res - Challenge
Cup (23/10/2005) 2005 - 2006 Season, Hithercroft Youth  The second round match of the Combination Challenge Cup took place at Hithercroft's ground on a slightly overcast morning with occasional sunny spells. The ground was soft but in good condition and had been cut during the week. Hithercroft were without Matt Seaton, Loz Dunn and Richard Vere who were away but they had one substitute available and Matt Hedges was fit enough to return to his goalkeeping duties. Pat Vaughey ran the line and Mr Stuart Smith officiated. To avoid a colour clash (Queen's Head Rangers play in blue and white hooped shirts) Hithercroft wore their second strip of yellow and blue. Hithercroft kicked off at 10.32am and they had the better of the two teams in the first half with a number of throw-ins, free kicks and corners awarded. Mark Sadler came close with a header after 28 minutes when Baz sent the ball across from a corner kick but the ball went outside of the left-hand post. However, 3 minutes later Hithercroft were rewarded when Baz David received the ball with his back to goal, turned and struck the ball into the right-hand corner of the net to put the home team 1-0 ahead. Tyrone and Matt both needed attention to injuries during the first half and Jonny sustained a thumb injury but played on until the break. Jamaine Warner came on to replace Jonny for the start of the second half which started at 11.24am. After 5 minutes of play Dewayne Dublin came close to increasing Hithercroft's lead when he hit a lofted shot from about 30 yards that was coming down just under the crossbar but the Rangers keeper jumped to gather the ball. There was concern in the 14th minute of the half when Matt suffered a 'whiplash' injury to his neck following a collision but he was able to continue after two minutes of treatment. Two minutes later Queen's Head Rangers sent on two of their substitutes and in the 19th minute of the half used a third. On the 70th minute of the game the scores were levelled when a Rangers forward put the ball into the Hithercroft net and this inspired the visitors. In the 74th minute Paul Morgan was booked following a tackle and a free-kick was awarded near the left corner of the 18-yard box. The free kick was well-struck towards the top left corner of the goal but Matt rose up to push the ball round the post. Three minutes later the Rangers No.7 went into the referee's book for vehement criticism of a linesman's decision. On the 79th minute Rangers sent a cross in from the left corner and hit it towards goal. Despite Tyrone's attempt to clear it from the line the ball ended up inside the right-hand post to put the visitors ahead for the first time in the match. Baz was now limping around the pitch and Rangers were gaining in confidence, increasing their share of possession and territorial advantage. Matt was called upon to pull off a fine save when the opponents ran through the Hithercroft defence and attempted to lift the ball over him. In the 88th minute Tyrone sent a free kick forward from the half-way line and Alan McKie rose to get his head to the ball but sent the ball just outside the right-hand post. Two minutes into time-added-on for injuries Hithercroft scored the equaliser when Dan Birch put the ball inside the left-hand post just before the full-time whistle was blown. Two extra 15-minute periods were then brought into operation and after 3 minutes the Rangers No.10 tried a header that Matt safely gathered. Then Baz broke through the defence and had a shot but the Rangers keeper used his foot to prevent what should have been a certain goal. With the scores still level the second period of extra time got under way with Dewayne now also limping after straining a leg muscle. After 5 minutes Rangers took the ball down the left and hit a superbly-struck ball that Matt tipped over the bar. Hithercroft were then unlucky when Tyrone played the ball forward to Baz who hit the ball past the advancing keeper but a defender ran back to put the ball out of play before it could cross the goal-line. In the 8th minute of the final period Alan sent a long ball down the middle of the pitch, Paul rose up with the Rangers keeper, who failed to gather the ball, and Paul then put the loose ball into the net to give Hithercroft a 3-2 lead. Unfortunately the referee then had to book two of the Rangers players who were protesting too strongly about the goal. Following arguments amongst themselves two of them had to be separated by their team-mates as they were about to exchange blows. When the game resumed Baz broke through the middle but, when attempting to chip the ball over the keeper, he hit his shot just over the crossbar. As no further goals were scored before the final whistle Hithercroft Youth went through to the next round of the Challenge Cup where they will meet the Premier division side Cressex Club. Hithercroft scorers: Baz David (31m), Dan Birch (90m) and Paul Morgan (23m of extra time) Hithercroft M.o.M: David Blackman Hithercroft team: Matt Hedges (GK), Mark Sadler, David Blackman, Peter Morgan, Jonny Bartlett, Alan McKie, Dan Birch, Peter Morgan, Tyrone Francis, Baz David and Dewayne Dublin. Hithercroft sub: Jamaine Warner. |
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